Onga River Riverbed: Captivated by Carp Streamers in the Sky! Fun at the Ultimate Photo Spot with My Dog

On this day, I had been out on a drive to Shimonoseki since the morning with my family and our dog, Elmo. On the way back, we stopped at a Starbucks to catch our breath, but when we checked the time, it was still a bit early to head home. We talked about where else we could go, agreeing that we wanted to give Elmo a bit more walking time. That’s when we thought of the Onga River riverbed, a place we visit every now and then.

We headed there with a casual “it’s been a while, let’s check it out” attitude, and it turned out to be an absolute win. A simple detour became one of our best memories.

Spectacular! A Perfect Location Created by “Koinobori” Swimming in the Blue Sky

When we arrived at the Onga River riverbed (near Nakama City Hall) and stepped out of the car, we were greeted by a sea of carp streamers (koinobori) swimming leisurely in the sky!

“Whoa, look at that!” I couldn’t help but shout. While they didn’t completely fill the riverbank, the sight of such a large number of streamers catching the wind and swimming all at once was truly beautiful and overwhelming.

The weather was perfect that day, and the colorful koinobori stood out brilliantly against the blue sky, making it an incredible photo spot. I actually found myself so focused on snapping photos of the streamers that I almost forgot to take pictures of Elmo (sorry, Elmo!).

My family was also thrilled by the view, and we all took several commemorative photos with the koinobori in the background. It’s amazing how a regular walking path can transform into such a special landscape; it really pays to get out and explore.

Elmo Runs Wild! The Perfect Location for a Long Stroll

The scenery was great, of course, but for dog owners, the real appeal of the Onga River riverbed is the ease of walking and the sense of openness.

Since it’s along a major river, the view is wide open and incredibly refreshing. Best of all, there’s a long, well-maintained paved path that stretches on and on, plus a spacious plaza. Facing this environment, Elmo’s excitement level immediately hit its peak!

Forget a relaxed stroll—he was in a full-on “zoomie” state (haha).

When the paths are this wide and clean, I think dogs feel safe stretching their legs to the fullest. For an energetic dog like Elmo, who can run at his own pace without worrying about obstacles, this place is basically paradise.

Watching Elmo cut through the wind with as much energy as the koinobori fluttering overhead, I truly felt lucky that we stopped by. It was a powerful and fun walk that made us completely forget any fatigue from the drive to Shimonoseki.

Doing Some Research: The “Furusato Ongagawa Koinobori Matsuri”

At the time, I just thought, “Oh, look, koinobori! How lucky!” But I looked it up later because I was curious, and it turns out this is a regular event in Nakama City called the “Furusato Ongagawa Koinobori Matsuri” (Home Town Onga River Carp Streamer Festival).

It’s typically held from late March until the end of Golden Week (early May), with about 150 carp streamers on display. It’s famous as a spring tradition in Nakama City, and I was surprised to realize just how perfect our timing had been for a spontaneous visit.

Since it runs for over a month, it’s a highly recommended spot for a spring drive.

Transforming an Ordinary Day into a “Special One”: The Joy of Spontaneous Walks

Initially, we headed to the Onga River with a “we have nowhere else to go, so let’s just try here” vibe. However, it ended up being a highlight of the drive that the whole family will remember.

Finding a breathtaking seasonal view at a place you just happened to stop at without a plan—this is exactly why I can’t stop taking drives with Elmo.

I didn’t take many photos of Elmo this time (sorry again, Elmo!), but looking back at the photos of the koinobori and the videos my wife took of him running happily down the wide path always makes me smile.

If you’re in the area during this season, I highly recommend stopping by during a drive with your dog. If you want to let them run to their heart’s content, there’s no better spot!

Here’s to finding more wonderful scenery on our next walking drive!