Rafting in Japan: The Best Japanese Rivers to Explore By Boat

Jam-packed with towering mountains, Japan is naturally criss-crossed by countless rivers of all shapes and sizes. From aggressive rapids to gentle streams, rafting is a fun-filled way to take advantage of this natural terrain, leading you deep into the heart of Japan while providing both thrills and relaxation. In this article, we’ll introduce 8 of the best rivers in Japan to try rafting and more!

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1. Mogami River (Yamagata Prefecture)

dhchen/Flickr

Like Matsuo Basho says in his poem, "Gathering the rains of May / How swiftly it flows / Mogami River," Mogami River shows its own beautiful scenery throughout the year with cherry blossoms in spring, green leaves in the summer, colored leaves in autumn and snow in winter.

2. Kinu River (Tochigi Prefecture)

prelude2000/Flickr

When river rafting in Kinu River, you will be amazed by unique views such as an animal shaped strange rock and a huge rock standing like a shield.

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3. Nagatoro River (Saitama Prefecture)

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Nagatoro is at the entrance of Chichibu. Nagatoro River runs through a natural monument. The pile of rocks of Nagatoro and its wildness changes the scenery a lot.

4. Tenryu River (Nagano Prefecture)

The Minsta/Flickr
 

5. Kiso River (Gifu Prefecture)

rishisensei/Flickr

The river rafting in Kiso River is called "Japanese line". You might be amazed to see gentleness around Jogefunaba, severeness on the way and sometimes large scale change.

6. Hozu River (Kyoto Prefecture)

喫遊趣/Flickr
 

7. Oboke (Tokushima Prefecture)

かがみ~/Flickr
 

8. Kuma river (Kumamoto Prefecture)

Lamsus Crusoe/Flickr

Kuma River is one of the three fastest rivers in Japan. It flows gently through Hitoyoshi basin. Once it separates from the basin, however, it becomes a rapid that is worthy of being called one of the three fastest rivers.

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The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.

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