The Ultimate Guide to Rafting in Japan
Not sure where to start? We've got you covered. Japan is a popular destination for rafting enthusiasts, and we compiled a list of reputable rafting operators throughout the country from the furthest island in the north to the one of the main islands in the south, so you don't have to. Discover a thrilling river oasis near you!
Top 5 Rafting Operators in Japan
Looking for a refreshing retreat to escape the humidity this summer? Join a rafting tour in Japan's great outdoors! Rafting is a great outdoor activity to connect with nature and a fun way to spend time with family and friends. Rafting operators in Japan with top notch rafting guides makes it safe for elementary students, starting from the age of six, to join river rafting tours particularly when the water levels are low after June. Here, we have chosen to highlight some of the best rafting operators in Japan for your next rafting adventure.
Criteria:
Our criteria for choosing to recommend these operators are based on the following:
Professionalism: length of operation, guide experience, and quality of gear provided.
Safety: certifications, emergency preparation, safety gear, and regulations.
Language accessibility: Japanese, English, and others.
Customer Satisfaction: average overall customer ratings on Google and Trip Advisor.
HOA (Hokkaido Outdoor Adventure)
Hokkaido
Google Rating: 4.6 | Trip Advisor Rating: 5.0
In the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, which is famous for its super powdery snow in winter, you can raft with HOA in the Hidaka or Asahikawa area during the summer months.
Founded in 1997, HOA offers rafting, mini rafting canyoning, SUP tours, zipline & high ropes course, a bridge swing and kayak lessons. However the main highlight during summer are the rafting tours in Hidaka on the Mukawa or Saru River and in Asahikawa on the Chubetsu River. Rafting tour prices include the rental gear (i.e. drysuits or spray jacket, lifejacket, helmet, and wet boots) and insurance. The guides at HOA come from different countries such as Nepal, Australia, New Zealand etc. and were specially selected to join HOA based on their rafting experience. The HOA website has English and Japanese language options for easier booking request experience.
Hidaka (Mukawa & Saru River)
Dates: April 27~October 20
About:
Choose between the Mukawa or Saru River for a half-day AM or PM course OR you can do both rivers in a 1-day tour (must be 13+ years old). During the rainy season, the water levels rise, creating a more thrilling and aggressive rapids, which can enhance the excitement of the rafting experience. If you have young children, you can also choose to do the half-day Family Rafting - Saru River Course in the morning or afternoon which allows children 5~12 years old to join the adults on the tour.
Asashikawa (Chubetsu River)
Dates: June 3~October 20
About:
This tour is only a half-day course taking about 2.5 hours with start times in the morning and afternoon. The age requirement is for children 5~12 years old and adults. The Chubetsu River is located near the Asahikawa Airport and Ashiyama Zoo making it accessible for a fun day trip.
Notes:
There is a shuttle from Hidaka town center to HOA. If there are 4 or more people in your group, you qualify for a free shuttle from JR Shimukappu to HOA. Shuttles must be requested when making a booking.
CASH payments only.
Lunch is only included on the 1-day rafting tour.
No shower facilities onsite to rinse off after the tour. (Discounted tickets for Saru Onsen can be provided, just ask a staff member.)
Canyons
Minakami, Gunma
Google Rating: 4.8 | Trip Advisor Rating: 5.0
If you are looking for the closest world-class rafting operator just an hour by Shinkansen from Tokyo, look no further than Canyons in Minakami!
Dubbed as the "Japan's Water Shangri La", Minakami has been Canyons home since 2000 with lush natural scenery, plenty of rivers, and surrounded by some of the best natural onsens Japan has to offer. Canyons strives to provide fun, quality, and safe outdoor experiences, becoming one of Japan's leading rafting tour providers ever since. All of Canyons guides are required to earn or get recertified for their WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid) certification before the start of the season, regularly train throughout the summer to keep their rafting skills sharp, conduct course checks along the Tone River to make sure the terrain and conditions are safe and comply with regulations established by the Minakami Outdoor Association. We provide all the necessary gear for the rafting tour (wetsuit, lifejacket, helmet, & water shoes). Canyons staff members are from diverse backgrounds such as New Zealand, Australia, Nepal, Japan, Brazil, Europe and USA etc. so we are able to offer our tours and customer service in Japanese, English, and occasionally in a third language depending on our staffs' native language, such as Portuguese.
Tone River
Dates: Mid-April~October
About:
The Tone River, known as one of Japan's three major rivers, has a large amount of water during the spring snowmelt season in April-May and boasts a very high level of Grade 4 (maximum 5) on the world standard index for rafting. During this limited time, you can book a full-day tour while the course is 25-30 km long with lunch included, or you can book a half-day AM or PM tour to ride the Tone River for 12-16 km. The minimum age requirement is 13+ years old.
As it is currently summer, the river mellows out to a Grade 1-2 allowing you to experience additional fun jumps and water games that are not possible during the wild spring rapids. The course is about 5 km long and you can enjoy the natural scenery that is second-to-none. You can choose to book a half-day AM or PM rafting tour. The minimum age requirement for summer rafting tours is 6+ years old. Perfect for families or people trying rafting for the first time.
Bonus:
Free rafting tour photos and videos!
You can stay at our glamping tents or guesthouse lodge for the night.
We have a cafe & bar for our customers. You can also order a BBQ in advance when making your booking.
There is a free shuttle service from Minakami or Jomo-Kogen Station upon request.
Plenty of free parking on-site.
Shower and changing rooms, and also lockers are available.
Cash and Visa/Mastercard card payments are accepted on the day. We also accept PayPay and Minakami Heart.
Repeat customers earn points towards their next tour and receive limited time vouchers.
Evergreen Outdoor Center
Hakuba, Nagano
Google Rating: 4.4 | Trip Advisor Rating: 4.5
In winter Hakuba is a fantastic ski town with lots to offer, but in summer it is also the base for Evergreen's great river rafting tours and other exciting outdoor activities such as mountain biking, canoeing, SUP, and canyoning to name a few. Since 2000, Evergreen has hired professional guides from around the globe such as Canada, Australia, USA, Spain, etc. with plenty of experience and passion for the outdoors. Evergreen guides all hold their WAFA (Wilderness Advance First Aid) certification and regularly take part in in-house training sessions. Moreover, you will find that Evergreen's website is available in Japanese, English, and traditional Chinese (Mandarin).
This 2024 summer season Evergreen is only running private rafting tours.
Himekawa River
Dates: Late April~October
About:
The Himekawa River begins at the Himekawa Genryu, a natural hot spring in the south of Hakuba near Sanosaka. At Evergreen, you can book a private half-day AM or PM rafting tour to ride the Himekawa River.
Shinanogawa River
About:
The Shinanogawa is the largest and longest river in Japan that passes through both Nagano and Niigata prefectures. This is not a regularly scheduled tour compared to Himekawa River, but if you are interested you can request a private full-day tour for a large group.
Happy Raft
Shikoku
Google Rating: 4.9 | Trip Advisor Rating: 5.0
If you are down south exploring Shikoku island, you will discover in Kochi prefecture Happy Raft, who offers rafting, canyoning, packrafting and trekking tours since 2004. As you can tell by their name, Happy Raft is well known for their excellent rafting tours.
All of the guides at Happy Raft are certified by RAJ (Rafting Association of Japan), and are also certified by other organizations (IRF World Rafting Federation, Wilderness First Aid, etc.). The veteran guides have experience ranging from 11 to 25+ years of rafting experience. Many of the guides have experience not just in Japan, but also from river rafting across the world in New Zealand, Nepal, USA, South America, Australia, and Canada. In addition, the website and the tours are offered in English and Japanese.
Happy Raft provides all the necessary equipment (wetsuits, life jackets, etc) while water shoes are available to rent.
Yoshino River:
Dates: March~October
About:
The Yoshino River is a first-class river that flows from Ehime Prefecture through Kochi Prefecture to Tokushima Prefecture. If you missed the high water season in northern parts of Japan, you can still enjoy whitewater rafting in Shikoku as their high water season is from June to September!
You can book a Oboke half-day AM or PM tour on to experience Grade 3 rapids on the Yoshino River using rubber boats to navigate the rapids, or a Koboke full-day tour to experience Grade 4 rapids with a few swimming spots and cliff jumps. Suitable for children 16 years old and older; Children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. There are also half-day family tours available for families with smaller children.
Bonus:
View your photo slideshow after the tour!
Try Happy Raft's famous homemade bagel sandwich! On a full-day tour the bagel sandwich lunch is included and ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT. If you want to challenge yourself, try to beat the current record of 12 bagels!
The Happy Raft cafe serves bagel sandwiches, nachos, drinks, and more.
You can stay overnight at one of the "old Japanese-style farmhouses" that has been transformed into a guesthouse and enjoy a nice meal.
Cash, credit card, and PayPay are accepted for on the day payments.
Changing rooms are available. However, there are no shower facilities but you are welcome to use the outdoor hose to rinse off.
Happy Raft's facilities are wheelchair accessible and the tours are also inclusive for customers with hearing/visual/motor/mental disabilities.
Kumagawa Kudari
Kyushu
Google Rating: 4.0 | Trip Advisor Rating: 4.5
If you find yourself further down in the southern region of the Japan archipelago, you can book a unique take on rafting in a traditional Japanese wooden boat at Kumagawa Kudari in Kyushu.
First established in 1962, Kumagawa Kudari decided to revitalize the charm of the local culture and traditions of the community by restructuring the business and aim for new heights. To ensure customer safety, Kumagawa Kudari adheres to the regulations in the "Guidelines for River Boating Safety Measures" established by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Japan Small Vessel Inspection Organization in March 2013. Following the guidelines includes checking the fitness and health of rafting guides, creating a safety management policy, cancelling tours in unsafe conditions according to standardized procedures, regular guide staff training, emergency preparations, and inspection of gear and equipment. Furthermore, life jackets are provided to all participants on the tour of all ages. Kumagawa Kudari website is also offered in four languages: Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.
Seiryu Course
Dates: March~November
About:
The Seiryu Course is a conjunction of the Mogami River, Fuji River, and Kuma River. Its a leisurely course that is approximately 50 minutes long. On this course you can experience a more Japanese way of river rafting by riding a traditional wooden boat, with the high transparency of the river you can view swimming fish and enjoy the sights of the surrounding local scenery under the guidance of the skilled rafting guide. This course departs near Hitoyoshi Castle and arrives to Onsenmachi. This course is suitable for guest 3 years old to adults, and you can also charter a whole boat.
Kuma River
Dates: April~October
About:
In addition to the wooden boats, Kumagawa Kudari also offers river rafting in regular inflated rubber boats.
Choose the Whitewater Rafting course that travels from Issouchi to Kyusendo (Kyusen Cave) which is roughly 1.5 hours long and is suitable for guests from 5th grade to 50 years old. There are spots along this tour where you can jump from rocks into the river for fun.
Or you take the All-Round course that travels from Watari to Kyusendo (Kyusen Cave) that is roughly 3 hours and is suitable for guests from 5th grade to 50 years old. In this tour there is an additional 3 swimming spots and rock jumps along the way.
If you plan on swimming or jumping into the water, please bring your own swimsuit or you can also rent a diving suit.
Bonus:
There is a free shuttle service from Kyusendou to Issyouichi to Watari.
Free parking onsite.
For those booked on the All-Rounder course, tickets to Issyouchi Onsen Kawasemi are included.
Rafting Tours - General FAQ
What if it rains? Will tours be cancelled? - Please check with the specific tour operator you are booking with on their policy regarding bad weather. In general, tours are still operational even with rain. However, if the water level of the river surpasses the maximum limit determined by the local river governing authorities, then for the guests and guides' safety, the tour operator has the right to cancel the tour. If possible, other tour dates will be offered or a full refund if rescheduling is not possible.
When is the best time to go rafting? - There are suitable times for everyone depending on your goals and experience. River rafting in Japan is particularly popular during spring from April to early June when the snow melts, making it ideal to experience thrilling whitewater rafting. Meanwhile, for beginners and children the best time is late July to August when the water levels lower and rapids become calmer.
What to wear or bring? - A swimsuit, change of clothes, bath towel, sunscreen, eye contacts, but if you wear glasses then glass straps. Cotton fabrics (such as denim) are not recommended as they will absorb water, become heavy, and heavy, and take longer to dry which will make you feel cold when wet. If you choose to wear a rash guard, wear one that is made of synthetic materials and dries quickly. Some tour operators provide shoes, while some do not. In that case, please be prepared by wearing athletic shoes that are fine is they get soaking wet. (No Crocs, flip flops, or heeled shoes.)
I can't swim. Can I take part? - Yes, as long as you wear a lifejacket which provides ample buoyancy. If you are also given a wetsuit, that also provides additional buoyancy aid so you are not going to sink if you end up in the river and cannot swim. Experienced rafting guides play a crucial role in providing a safe and enjoyable rafting experience, ensuring you can fully appreciate the adventure. However, if you have a fear of water or are likely to panic after falling into water, please reconsider you decision to book a rafting tour.
I am travelling alone. Can I join a tour as a single person booking? - The usual minimum booking number is two people. Depending on the operator, most will not run a river rafting tour for just 1 person so it is best to enquire directly if you are a single person booking.