Adventure★Yufugawa Packrafting Tour
Discover the hidden natural treasures of the Yufugawa gorge with experienced guides!
Location: Hasama, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture
★Easy Access from Beppu and Yufuin by car!
Overview
With a lightweight foldable boat called Packraft, we will explore the hidden narrower section of the gorge. You will hike down to the bottom of the gorge carrying a packraft. You’ll then paddle, climb over boulders, and walk through the gorge.
The tour requires some physical strength, but the stunning scenery makes it worthwhile and rewarding.
Tour Introduction
Yufugawa Gorge is a 20- to 30-minute drive from the famous Beppu and Yufuin hot springs.
Enjoy our water activity tour in the serene “Yufugawa Gorge”.
Explore the hidden section of the Yufugawa Gorge which you can only access by packrafts!
The mysterious landscape of untouched nature reminds you of the world of Ghibli.
The “Packraft” is a lightweight foldable boat designed for exploring vast and rugged terrains. It was originally invented in Alaska and is ideal for adventurous travels. It conveniently fits into a backpack.
This tour is physically demanding! It is suited for those who work out regularly!
If you are looking for serene natural beauty, this is the spot for you! The stunning scenery of magnificent rock walls, mossy greenery, and rare ecology make your experience unforgettable.
The tour comes with a free hot spring ticket.
Free rental equipment are
Packraft, paddle, wet suit bottom, life jacket, helmet, water shoes, and gloves.
1 Drink and locally-made snacks are also included as well! ＾＾
【Precautions】
- For safety reasons, all the participants must be able to understand the selected language option.
*Our insurance policy does not cover damage or injury caused by a participant’s inability to understand the language spoken by the instructor. - Participants under 17 must join with a parent or a legal guardian.
- Please note that we will no longer be serving lunch after the tour. Instead, we offer local snacks during the tour starting this year. Thank you for your understanding.
★★★All Inclusive★★★
Free Rental Items(Packraft, Paddle, Wetsuit Pants, Life Jacket, Helmet, Water shoes, gloves)・Snack・Sports Drink・Hot Spring Ticket・Insurance Fee
No additional charges!
【Rare tour in Japan】 Explore hidden areas that are only accessible by packraft.
Packraft is still considered a new sport in Japan. With the newly designed lightweight boats, you can access deeper parts of the Yufugwa Gorge. We will guide you through the Secret Section of the gorge that you cannot access by walk.
★★★Explore with our experienced guides★★★
The Yufugawa Gorge is known for its steep rock walls and stunning scenery. However, due to its remote location, there are limited signal within the gorge.
Our experienced guides have undergone safety training, including first aid and swift water rescue courses, and will guide you to the deeper section of the gorge where the Chock Stone is. The conditions in the gorge can change daily due to factors like rain and wind, but our guides regularly inspect the trail and are well acquainted with the terrain.
Moreover, we coordinate our tour operations with local organizations such as the Yufugawa Gorge Tourism Association, the local fire department, the community group, and Yufu City, which oversees the gorge and has established a cooperative system.
This tour has been carefully planned, including the establishment of a backup system to ensure the safe conduct of the tour.
| Operating Season | April- Oct 2024 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time | 10 am ※Please arrive ahead of time. |
| Tour Duration | 5～6 hours *The course schedule may change due to various reasons such as the number of participants and individual differences in physical strength. The course may be omitted if necessary. |
| Meeting Site | 729 Honoki, Hasama, Yufu City, Oita (Former Honoki Elementary School) |
| Booking Deadline | 12 pm 3 days before the tour date. |
| Facilities at the Honoki Base | ・Changing Room |
- Price
- Clothing&Belongings
- Requirements
- Cancellation of the Tour
- CP
Price (All the Price is Tax Included)
- Guide with Translation Machine(English) 27,000 yen per person
- Japanese-speaking Guide 22,000 yen per person
*For safety reasons, all the participants must be able to understand the selected language option.
*Our insurance policy does not cover damage or injury caused by a participant’s inability to understand the language spoken by the instructor.
■What is Included
Guide Fee, Free Rental Gear (Packraft, Paddle, Wetsuit pants, Helmet, Life Jacket, Water booties, and gloves), 1 bath towel, 1 sports drink, Locally -made snack, Insurance, Photo Data (We will send you via email or AirDrop, etc), Hot Spring Ticket, Parking Fee, Yufugawa Gorge Environmental Improvement Fee
About Payment and Cancellation
■Payment Method
- Cash
- Credit Card
- Paypay
Clothing&Belongings
■What to Wear
- Tops that can get wet
- Underwear and T-shirts that are quick dry (Workout clothes and rash guards work well. Please avoid Cotton)
- Socks (To prevent blisters)
*For the bottom, we have wetsuit pants.
* If you wear contacts, 1-day lenses are recommended. If you wear glasses, please wear a glass strap or band.
*We recommend taking off nail extensions beforehand.
■What to Bring
- Bath towel
- Change of Clothes (Including underwear, socks, top and bottom)
- A Waterproof phone case with a neck strap*Optional (You can bring cameras and phones AT YOUR OWN RISK. ＊Please understand that we will not take responsibility and cannot compensate for any damage or loss of valuables and belongings.
(Notes for Camera and other devices)
- Please refrain from bringing large cameras, tripods and other large devices that would be difficult to carry.
- If the guide determines that it is dangerous to carry, you will be prohibited from using it in the gorge.
■Free Rental
- Packraft
- Paddle
- Wetsuit Pants
- Helmet
- Life Jacket
- Water Booties
- Gloves
- 1 Bath Towel
- Sandals
*Items above are included.
Requirements for Participation
- Must be able to understand the Language selected
- Age: 15-65 years old
- Weight Limit: Less than 100kg (220lbs)
- Must be able to sign the “Participation Consent Form”
- Not feeling sick, pregnant, or under the influence of alcohol or drug
- Physical Fitness Level: Exercising regularly and able to ascend and descend a 15-story building (even at a slow speed).
* If above-mentioned conditions from 1 to 5 are not met or if you cannot follow instructions given by guides, and if guides and staff members assess it is dangerous, you will not be able to participate in the tour and participation fee will not be refunded.
Regarding the Cancellation of the Tour due to the conditions
- As a basic rule, tours will be canceled in case of rain.
- The tour may be canceled due to the high-water level even if it rained a few days before the tour.
- In case of cancellation due to natural causes, the tour will be rescheduled or the participation fee will be fully refunded.
- We will try our best to contact you regarding tour cancellation due to natural cause by 6 p.m. before the tour day. However, please understand that decisions may be made in the morning on the day of the tour. Please provide a means of contact when you book the tour such as WhatsApp, LINE, Facebook Messenger, etc.,
Cancellation Policy
After booking is confirmed, a cancellation fee will be charged if you cancel due to personal reasons or change the day of the tour.
| Cancellation period | Cancellation fee | |
| 1 | 3-7 days before the tour date | 20% of the price |
| 2 | 1-2 days before the tour date | 50% of the price |
| 3 | On the day of the tour | 100％ |
Tour Schedule
| 10:00 am | Meeting |
|---|---|
| 10:20 am | Transportation |
| 10:30 am | Hike down to the Gorge |
| 11:00 am | Go Upstream |
| 12:00 pm | Short Break |
| 12:10 pm | Explore further |
| 12:30 pm | Turn around |
| 2:00 pm | Ascending→Transportation |
| 2:10 pm～3:00 pm | Change Clothes＆Finish |
【Meeting】
Meet at the Honoki Base, a repurposed school. -Check-in, change clothes, and safety briefing. -Parking is Free
【Transportation Honoki Base→Gorge】
Drive to the Parking Lot at Yufugawa Gorge. *You will be driving your car. If the number of participants is less than 3 people on the tour, we can give you a ride from the base to the Gorge.
【Hike down to the Gorge】
The Gorge is between 15 and 50 meters high. You will hike down to the bottom of the gorge while carrying a packraft. The trail is steep. If you do not exercise regularly, you will find it very challenging at this stage. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the bottom.
【Go Upstream】
We will inflate the boats. Then you’ll paddle, climb over boulders, and walk through the gorge while carrying the boat.
【Short Break】
We will take a break in front of the waterfall. Locally made snacks and a sports drink will be provided.
【Explore further】
We will continue further upstream. The view of the deeper section is breathtaking.
【Turn around】
After reaching a mysterious point, we will turn back downstream. On the way back, the water current will help us to slowly drift downstream.
【Ascending→Transportation】
Ascend slowly up the trail. The ascent takes about 20 minutes. After that, you will drive to the base. Since your wetsuits are wet, we will provide each person with a bath towel to keep your car dry. If you are concerned, please bring an extra thick bath towel.