Kyoto: Hozugawa River Half-Day White Water Rafting Experience
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
We recommend rafting on the Hozugawa River.
- The nearest station(Umahori st) to our rafting base is just 25 minutes from Kyoto Station.
-The nearest station is a 3-minute walk from our meeting place.
- All you need to bring is clothes you don't mind getting wet and a towel.
- Free photo data taken on the day.
- An English-speaking guide will accompany you.
- Ages 8 and up are welcome.
- Rapids that adults will love.
- Swimming spots available.
- Jump from 3-meter-high rocks.
- Rafting experience in beautiful natural surroundings.
- There are clean changing rooms and clean restrooms.
- Your valuables and luggage will be stored at our facility during the rafting trip.
- The famous trolley train runs along the Hozugawa River.
You might spot the famous Sagano Romantic Train (Trolley Train) passing by as you paddle through the canyon.
- Nearby, the famous tourist spot, Arashiyama.
It's close to Arashiyama, so it's a great place to visit the bamboo forest before or after rafting.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Participants weighing over 105 kg(231 lbs) will not be allowed due to emergency rescue concerns
What To Expect
Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Hozugawa River in Kyoto. Please choose between the AM Tour or the PM Tour. First, please come to our meeting place. ★9:00 AM (Morning Course) / 2:00 PM (Afternoon Course) You will change into clothes that you don't mind getting wet in the changing room at our facility. Your valuables and luggage will be stored at our facility. Once you're ready, your guide will take you to the rafting starting point, about a 10-minute walk away. ★9:30 AM / 2:30 PM Once you arrive at the starting point, you will board the rafting boat. After a safety briefing and explanation of how to paddle, you will begin rafting. ★9:45 AM / 2:45 PM Enjoy plenty of rafting on Kyoto's Hozugawa River. The rafting section is about 5km. There are rapids, swimming spots, and diving spots from the rocks. ★11:45 AM / 4:45 PM After the rafting finish, you will return to our rafting base by train. The train fare is included in the rafting fee. ★12:30 PM / 5:30 PM When you return to the meeting place, you will change into your clothes. We will provide you with the photo data taken on that day for free.
Options
Halfday tour【9:00AM or 2:00PM】
Duration: 4 hours: Total duration: 3.5 hours. ・AM tour : 9:00 AM ～ 12:30 PM. ・PM tour : 2:00 PM ～ 5:30 PM.
What‘s Included
Photo data taken on that day
Guide fee
Accident insurance premiums
Equipment needed for rafting. Rafting shoes included.
Train fare from the rafting end point back to our rafting base.
Swimsuit or clothes that can get wet
towel
sunscreen
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great entry level white water rafting
Paul M,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great family friendly experience! Very safe but still fun for everyone. Milan was an awesome tour guide which the kids loved!
An exhilarating experience and a great craic
Silvia N,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00That it was absolutely amazing and a must. Milan was a fabulous host as were all three hosts We laughed from the moment we arrived We laughed till we were sick We made new friends from Perth Australia It was my best high in Japan It is for everyone They will make sure of that and you are so safe
Rafting
csP8188LD,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience, great value for money Milan and Roshan were really good
Must do!
Sarah Z,May 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an amazing way to experience Japan. The rafting was so Much fun. Our guides Milan and Roshan did a great job. We had perfect weather and swimming in the river and jumping off the cliffs were a great way to cool off.
Absolute blast,...
Anton L,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolute blast, definitely better than the river boats. You get a chance to cliff jump and swim and they take plenty of pictures for free. Milan was a great guide
Rapids, cliff diving, and monkeys…OH MY!
Sonia W,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00100% recommend. Milan, our tour guide, was kind, funny, and safe. He made this an incredibly memorable experience for my three boys and me. We saw wild monkeys, hawks, and turtles, and the rapids themselves were never dangerous. We even took a break and jumped from a cliff three meters above the water. Remember to hold your nose! Great job, Milan. You are an excellent tour guide, and an even better human being.
Related Experiences
Operated by Kila Kila Rafting (Kyoto Hozugawa)