Shimanto (四万十市, Shimanto-shi) is a city in southwestern Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 July 2022, the city had an estimated population of 32,593 in 16635 households, and a population density of 52 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 632.29 square kilometres (244.13 sq mi).
The Shimanto River is known as the "Last Pristine River in Japan" or the "Last Clearwater River in Japan", and it not only runs through the city but the city is named after the river. Among its most famous attractions are the Chinkabashi or "submersible bridges". These bridges are constructed so that they sink when the river water gets high. They do not have supports or railings, so debris can flow by without destroying the bridges. These bridges are icons of the city and among its top attractions alongside the river itself.
