What is Rafting

When we speak of rafting, we generally mean rafting tours.
Our experienced guides provide a safe and enjoyable experience for many people to experience the nature and rapids of the river.

The classification is called commercial rafting.


The rafting tour in Japan is a very popular activity. Rafting tours in Japan are said to have started on the Yoshino River in Shikoku, where there are fierce currents, and in the town of Minakami (Tone River) in Gunma Prefecture. It started in the 1990s, led by Japanese guides who were working in Cairns, Australia at the time. Around 2000, rafting became more well known, and rafting on intermediate level rivers such as the Nagatoro in Saitama, Okutama in Tokyo, Nagara River in Gifu, and Hozu River in Kyoto became more popular.

Meanwhile, in addition to commercial rafting, there is also private rafting and race rafting.

Private rafting has been a mainstay since the 1990s, especially for university expedition clubs. In the early days, rafting was a means to an end, a means to an end, but since the 1990s, rafting has become a means to an end, a means to an end, Rafting skills increased, and the sport evolved into race rafting, which will be discussed later.
However, it is still rare to find people who do completely private rafting.


The reason for this is that the cost of a boat alone is about 300,000-400,000 yen, and if you include the equipment, the price increases to a certain level, and then there is the problem of storage space.


Race Rafting Race rafting is a team rafting competition where each team competes for speed. The "Ribaben" (Japan River Venture Championships) and other events began to flourish around 1990. At that time, the focus was on university expedition clubs and some rafting guides, but in the 2000s, professional teams were established, and both men's and women's teams began to take the top places, including winning, not only in Japan but also in world competitions
. In addition, in 2017, a rafting world championship was held on the Yoshino River in Shikoku, raising the profile of race rafting to a whole new level.

First, decide on the dates you want to go rafting and the rivers you want to visit.
Once you have decided, find out how to get there from your starting point.

If you are driving, check the estimated travel time on Google or Navitime. If you are driving, check Google or Navitime for estimated travel time and confirm whether parking is available. Be sure to allow plenty of time for accidents, traffic jams, car breakdowns, etc.
If by train, first check the timetable, then find out if there is a shuttle service from the station and if you need to make a reservation for it.


Most rafting tours are offered in advance. Most rafting tours require advance reservations.

There are many different types of rafting tours available, so you can book your rafting tour online.


Because you can't join a rafting tour on the wrong day or on the wrong course, it is best to book in advance.

If you get the dates or course wrong, you will not be able to participate on the day of the tour, so be sure to check and make your reservations carefully.


At least one day in advance, you must bring the necessary belongings with you.

Check the rafting tour page to make sure you have everything you need with you at least one day in advance.

In general, you will need a swimsuit, towel, and shoes that you don't mind getting wet.
Please check this page for a detailed list of what to bring on a Big Smile rafting tour.


Summary of what to bring, what to wear and how to dress for rafting

On the day of your rafting tour, try to arrive 10 minutes early.
Then, go to the restroom! ←This is important.

Rafting is a water-based activity, so your body heat will be deprived. This will make you physiologically need to go to the toilet.
However, there are no toilets in nature. So be sure to use the restroom well in advance.

Once it is time to gather, you will be briefed on the tour flow, fill out forms, and change clothes. After that, please follow the tour flow and enjoy rafting to the fullest!

Forward paddling is a method of paddling that propels the boat forward.
The key point is to paddle deeply using your body. The yellow spatula (blade) part of the paddle should be paddled firmly with the image that it is all submerged in the water.

It is also important to paddle with your body. Lean forward and tilt the paddle so that it is at an angle of about 60 degrees to the water about 1 meter in front of you, so that it receives (catches) more water resistance, It is important to paddle as if you are sinking deeper rather than pulling the paddle backward.
In the second half of the paddle, you should also use the force to pull backward.
Also, when the boat has gained some speed, it is more important to paddle quickly without shaking the boat or your body, even if the landing area of the blades is somewhat reduced, rather than paddling with all your might.
In my image, it is like paddleing in low gear at the beginning of the paddling and in high gear when you gain speed.

As for rafting, it is a team effort. Also, since rafting is a team effort, it is important that everyone in the crew on the boat paddles with the same timing.

Back paddle is a method of paddling that propels the boat backward.

First, hold the blade portion of the paddle as far back as possible without touching the water.
To bring it further back, twist your body outward.
To paddle backward using the principle of leverage, place the shaft (hand-held stick) part of the paddle against your waist to serve as a fulcrum.

Submerge the blade part in the water. The yellow part of the blade should be completely submerged in the water so that the paddle does not float.
Start paddling, here is the key point.

Row using only the twists of your body.
If you try to paddle with your hands (arms) even a little, you will lose the fulcrum.

All the time, the fulcrum should remain on the hips. Always keep the fulcrum attached to your waist and use only your body's twist (return) to paddle.

The "hold on" is one of the safety postures to avoid falling out of the boat.
The risk of falling out of the water is slightly higher than the other, "squat," but it is easier to respond quickly and is often used as a safety posture when you want the customer to paddle.
First, lean your body inward and place your inside hand on the bottom of the boat while holding the T-grip. It is important not to release the T-grip at this time.
Next, with your outside hand, hold the outside rope through the top of the paddle shaft.

Then, with your outside hand, pass through the top of the paddle shaft and grasp the outside rope. At this point, hold the shaft of the paddle between your sides (between your arms and side chest).
If the current is not a rapids that causes the crew to jump, look ahead to check the situation.

The "crouch" is a safety posture that keeps you from falling out of the boat.
It has a lower risk of falling out of the water than "hold on," but it is also an instruction that can take longer to take this posture or to return to the next instruction.
First, release the T-grip and stand on the bottom of the boat. Next, squat down in the boat with the shaft portion firmly between your legs, holding the paddle in place.
Next, grip the rope on the outside of the boat (or the back rope on a bouncy river). Again, with your opposite hand, hold the paddle firmly so that it is not in front of your face but in front of either shoulder on either side.
On bouncy rivers, pull back your chin to avoid hitting your face with the back of the helmet of the person in front of you.
A bouncing river is a situation where the drop is so steep and the volume of water is such that the crew is blown forward. This is common in the Yoshino River in Shikoku.