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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
      • Pow Bar Founder Megumi Scott

        Beyond the Brand: Pow Bar

        An interview with Megumi Scott, the founder of Niseko brand Pow Bar.
        Churamura Okinawa Sea Turtle Marine Conservation

        Churamura: Footprints in the Sand

        Churamura, an NPO in Okinawa, work to conserve marine life and protect endangered sea turtles in Japan's southernmost prefecture.
        Kawazu

        Fall in Love with Kawazu

        Enjoy waterfall hikes and hot springs, beautiful beaches and delicious seafood in Kawazu on the western coast of Izu Peninsula.
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
        maota sustainable fashion

        Weaving Stories with Maota

        Maota is a small-scale clothing line working with local craftsmen in the countryside of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. While their focus is on small, local and “slow” fashion, they are moving fast toward some big goals.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
        maota sustainable fashion

        Weaving Stories with Maota

        Maota is a small-scale clothing line working with local craftsmen in the countryside of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. While their focus is on small, local and “slow” fashion, they are moving fast toward some big goals.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
    • Races and Events
      • fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

Spring White Water Rafting

After a heavy powder season, the snowpacked mountains have fed Japan’s rivers with fast-flowing rapids for some great whitewater rafting action.

Whitewater is classified into grades from 1 (nearly flat water) to 6 (so rough it is considered too dangerous to navigate). Grade 3 rivers or higher require participants to be 12 years old or older.  There are plenty of mellow areas in Japan for first-timers to test the waters and bond with old and new friends on the raft. With organizations such as the International Rafting Federation and River Guide Association of Japan maintaining high guiding levels and safety standards, whitewater rafting is becoming increasingly popular and accessible for riders of all ages.  

Tone River

The Tone River is Japan’s second longest river and is famous for high water in late spring, starting from May to June. The source of the river is near Minakami Onsen, making it the perfect place for an adventurous rafting session during the snow melt period with almost 30 kilometers of whitewater. “There are rumors the Tone River’s Grade 4 and 5 sections will open, which would make the mighty Tone the highest grade river to have commercial whitewater rafting in Japan,” hints Mike Harris of Canyons Japan. During the summer, the Tone River decreases to an easy Grade 2, and Minakami is a very family-friendly town with plenty of other activities on and off the river. Although most visitors opt for full-day or half-day tours, outdoor operators such as Canyons have begun offering five-day excursions from Minakami to Tokyo for serious rafters. Also with single-person “pack rafting” entering the scene, there will be more opportunities to explore waters difficult to access with a multi-seat raft. Keen whitewater enthusiasts can join the Minakami Extreme, a professional whitewater race held in the second week of May, while Riverbend is great for amateur rafters.  

Fuji River

Raft down the waters of the 128-km. long Fuji River in Shizuoka Prefecture with iconic Mt. Fuji in clear view. Although the Fujikawa is noted to be one of the three fastest flowing rivers in the country, this winding river that stays within Grade 2 and 3 isn’t too extreme. The views are stunning and feature waterfalls, arches and cliffs off which you can dive. Rafters tend to flock to this river in late July to early autumn, when the whitewater is strongest, but operators such as Natural Action offer professional guided tours, making rafting leisurely even for those who may not necessarily be super “outdoorsy.”  

Tama River

Okutama’s lush forests and deep valleys make it hard to believe that you’re still in Tokyo. Just a little over an hour away from central Tokyo, the Tama flows through Okutama’s mountains at a constant Grade 2 year-round. Starting this spring, Canyons Okutama will be holding pack rafting tours down Tamagawa and will be the only tour operator offering pack rafting in the region. The section for rafting starts in front of Mitake Station, a popular bouldering area. Okutama makes a great quick escape from Tokyo.   Arakawa River Another easy day trip from Tokyo is the upstream section of the Arakawa River in Saitama Prefecture. The river has a relatively stable whitewater flow throughout summer, staying at a Grade 1.5 to 2 with its peak season being in August. Appearing in the Michelin Green Guide Japan, the Nagatoro area is famous for its mirror-like azure streams, beautiful valleys lined with cliffs, and iwadatami (literally translated as rock tatami mats) that are naturally formed rock layers. After a day of working out your arms in the boat, soak in a hot spring bath. MOC and Nagatoro Nature Navigator offer tours in the area.  

Yoshino River

Further south, Shikoku offers some exciting spring and summer rafting. The season starts earlier than in most areas in Honshu, so rafting enthusiasts can start rafting as early as March. During typhoon season in late August to early September, the Yoshino River has arguably the most thrilling rapids in Japan. The World Rafting Championships are expected to be held there in 2017. “The Japanese men’s and women’s teams have been very competitive in recent years, so it’s a very exciting time,” says Mark Treston of Happy Raft. He recommends the Yoshino River’s Koboke section as Japan’s prime whitewater run, not just for the size and scale of the river, but also its clear emerald warm water and stunning canyons.

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