Shishitobi Valley

The River Seta flows from Lake Biwa to the south. As mountains are very close to both sides of the river between Tanakami-sekinotsu-cho area and Shishitobibashi Bridge area at the lower reaches, the river there is very narrow. The shape of the rocks washed by the rapid currents vary, and you can find lots of rocks with a pothole, a small hole like a water jug. The name Shishitobi [jumping deer] derives from the legend that having seen Kobo Daishi Kukai being stuck in front of the rapid current, a white stag put Kobo Daishi Kukai on his back and jumped across the river from rock to rock.