We really wanted to explore the stunning Koboke and Oboke gorges. Hiking in this heat, without maps, in rural Japan may be a little bit os a stretch given our last expeditions - all of which relied on the luck of finding new Japanese friends to guide us when we got lost. In such an expansive range of mountains, it may be be advisable for us novices :)
So we took the less adventurous option and decided to raft it!
We were a little surprises when the first leg of our train journey (for nearly 2 hours) would be in this tin can:
Not so comfy, but it had some stunning views of hundreds of rice fields.
We had plenty of time when we arrived.
The centre had a beach-style relaxed theme.
The rafting was Immense!
We had to rely on instructor waterproof camera's and then buy a cheap disc of them all afterwards, but it mean's you don't know they are being taken!
These are the best rapids in japan, so they did not disappoint!
Our instructor was great, and translated most things for the english speakers in the boat.He was pretty fond of balance games, which only go one way...
Ryan spent quite a lot of time launching me into the water.
And we all spent a lot of time there. At least it was cooling us down!
Then we jumped off rocks - it seemed much higher than 4m!
And then they sat me on the front.
It seemed like the start of a horror film when you don't know what anyone is saying.
Then we were all piled into one boat - not an elegant crossing, more of a bum shuffling jump across. We have no idea why we were there, but I was pretty happy to to have to row with twice as many people in the boat!
Whew! Afterwards we took a few quick snaps and said goodbye to ur group/ mimed ha.
x