Drought Turns Famous Cherry Blossom River into Dry Crossing

The river, which flows through the Inner Shrine of Ise Jingu and is celebrated for its clear streams alongside rows of cherry trees, has become an unexpected spectacle for visitors as parts of it have run completely dry. On April 9th, Mie Prefecture officials recorded the river’s water level at just 7 centimeters, far below the seasonal average. Normally, water levels dip in winter and rise again in April, but the recovery has not occurred this year.

With the riverbed exposed, some people have even begun walking across it. “There was no flow, so I thought something was off,” said a visitor from Kuwana, Mie. A resident from Nagoya remarked, “It looked odd from above. You can clearly see the water level has dropped.” A local resident added, “I remember swimming here long ago. Being able to walk across like this is rare.”

The Isuzu River holds deep spiritual significance as worshippers use it to purify their hands and mouths before entering Ise Jingu. It also plays a central role in traditional events like the Hatsuhohiki ceremony, when newly harvested rice is offered in the fall. “Coming here feels sacred and brings peace of mind,” said a visitor from Osaka. “I come about every two years. The water level seemed low this time.”

Local rickshaw driver Maeda, who has lived in Ise for nearly 40 years and now works near the shrine, said he began noticing the river’s decline several years ago. “Compared to a few years ago, there’s clearly less water, and the dry conditions are continuing. It’s especially sad during cherry blossom season when visitors come to walk along the river. Many ask if it’s always like this, and I tell them it used to be very different. Isuzu is a beautiful, clear stream, and I worry people won’t be able to see that anymore,” he said.

One of the primary causes appears to be insufficient rainfall. According to meteorological data near Ise Jingu, cumulative precipitation over the 60 days leading up to April 10th amounted to just 47% of the annual average.

Experts also warn that the drying riverbed could impact local ecosystems. Professor Taiga Yodo of Mie University, who studies freshwater fish, explained that this condition—where the river dries across its full width—is known as "segire." He noted that fish species which spawn during this period are particularly vulnerable.

One such species is the ugui, which is born in rivers around Ise and Toba, then migrates to the sea before returning upstream in spring to spawn. Their return depends on sufficient river flow, typically driven by seasonal rains known as nanohana tsuyu in late March and April. Without enough water, these fish cannot reach their spawning grounds. Ayu, another species that ascends from the sea during this time, is similarly affected.

With the rainy season approaching, there is hope that the river’s water levels will gradually recover.

Source: Nagoya TV News