1. Niseko

Niseko is a globally popular resort destination known for its powder snow, but even in summer, it's bustling with tourists who can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and rafting.
Rafting tours in the Niseko area mainly take place on the Shiribetsu River and are recommended for those who want to enjoy the thrill of rapids flowing through the great outdoors!

1-1. Includes photo data! BIGFUN

Experience the thrill of rafting down the Shiribetsu River, which becomes a raging torrent due to snowmelt from Mount Yotei!
Since you'll be descending the 13km course in just 1 to 1 hours, you need to be careful not to miss the magnificent natural scenery of Niseko in the gentler sections of the course.

In summer, the Shiribetsu River is calm as the snowmelt settles down, but after heavy rain, it can become a raging torrent, so if you're lucky, you might be able to enjoy whitewater rafting in the spring...
Since the photos are included, you don't need to take any yourself. Let the photographer capture you enjoying yourself to the fullest.
★BIGFUN's rafting tours are▶Click here◀

1-2. UKKA offers private rafting experiences.

While it's great to have fun with a large group, if you want to enjoy rafting with a small group, Niseko Ukka is highly recommended. With a small group, registration and preparation are completed quickly, so there is almost no waiting time.

Niseko Ukka boasts a team of veteran guides who know Niseko inside and out. In addition to rafting, they also offer plenty of other river activities like jumping in, providing a special rafting experience that's only possible with small groups.
★UKKA's rafting tours are▶Click here◀

1-3. Suitable for ages 2 and up! Family rafting is available at Takedaya Rafting.

If you're looking to enjoy rafting in Niseko with your family, check out Takeda Family Rafting! They offer gentle courses suitable for everyone from 2-year-olds to seniors. The river currents are gentle, making it the perfect tour for a safe and enjoyable rafting experience.

Our private tours are made to order, and you can even bring your beloved pet along. You can enjoy Niseko exactly the way you like.
★Takedaya Rafting's rafting tours are▶Click here◀

2. Furano

Located almost in the very center of Hokkaido, Furano is famous for its lavender fields. In spring, the rivers are raging with snowmelt, but in summer the currents calm down, allowing visitors to leisurely admire the rich natural scenery. Furano, which has one of the warmer temperatures in Hokkaido, is a popular tourist activity where you can cool off while slowly experiencing the great outdoors through rafting.

2-1. Enjoy the great outdoors! Navo

Rafting on the Sorachi River, which flows through the heart of nature, offers a chance to discover a variety of flora and fauna! This rafting tour allows you to experience Hokkaido's natural beauty, with guides introducing you to unique Hokkaido flora and fauna, and opportunities to play in the shallow waters.
★Navo's rafting tours are▶Click here◀

2-2. If you're going to play in the river, go to M Factory.

M Factory is recommended for families looking to enjoy rafting in Furano, as their tours take place in the relatively calm lower reaches of the river!

Fishing is also included during the rafting trip, and fishing while leisurely riding in a raft is a truly luxurious experience. You can also swim in the calmer parts of the Sorachi River, making it a great way for families to enjoy the river.
★M Factory's rafting tours are▶Click here◀

2-3. Experience thrilling rafting at Sportopia!

Photo courtesy of Sportopia Co., Ltd.

This thrilling tour takes you down the Shisorapuchi River, the headwaters of the Sorachi River in Minami-Furano. The upper reaches of the river are especially clear, and the current is particularly strong during the snowmelt season. Why not enjoy the magnificent nature of Furano while rafting down the river in a thrilling adventure?
★Sportopia's rafting tour is▶Click here◀

3. Sapporo

When you hear "Sapporo," you might imagine a big city, but this is Hokkaido after all! Just a short trip away, you'll find vast natural landscapes including the sea, mountains, and rivers. You can enjoy rafting on the upper reaches of the Toyohira River, which flows through Sapporo, only during May and June, so why not work up a sweat with an activity in addition to sightseeing in Sapporo?

3-1. Enjoy nature in the heart of the city! Blue Marble

Rafting takes place on the Toyohira River, just a 30-minute drive from Sapporo city center. You'll slowly descend a gorge with scenery that's hard to believe is in Sapporo. In autumn, you can enjoy rafting through forests colored with autumn leaves, and in winter, through snowy landscapes, experiencing the beauty of each season.
★Blue Marble rafting tours▶Click here◀

3-2. Clear streams near Sapporo are part of the Lions Adventure program.

This rafting tour takes you leisurely down the Chitose River in Chitose City, a town adjacent to Sapporo. The Chitose River has very clean water, so you can see water crowfoot, which thrives in clear streams. This rafting tour allows you to enjoy Hokkaido with all your senses, listening to the sounds of birds and insects and smelling the scents of plants.

Located about 15 minutes by car from Chitose Airport and about an hour by car from Sapporo city center, Niseko is a bit far, making it a great option for those who want to go rafting a little further away from the city!
★Lions Adventure's rafting tours are▶Click here◀

3-3. Includes a hot spring bathing ticket! NOASC

When you think of rafting in Hokkaido, you think of Niseko, but this tour lets you experience just as thrilling rapids near Sapporo. It's a limited-time tour from April to June, and it even includes a complimentary hot spring bathing ticket!
This relaxing tour allows you to soak your tired and chilled body in a hot spring, and enjoy the magnificent natural scenery of Hokkaido from the open-air bath.
★NOASC's rafting tours are▶Click here◀

4. Clothing and water temperature to consider when rafting

The rafting season in Hokkaido runs from April to October, but unlike on Honshu, you need to take precautions against the cold when rafting in Hokkaido.

From April to June and September to October, you will be wearing a drysuit, so it is recommended to wear a jersey, fleece, or highly insulating base layer. Even with a drysuit, water can still enter through the neck and wrists, so it is advisable to wear clothing that can get wet or quick-drying clothing.

From April to June, the water temperature is around 5 degrees Celsius, and it's so cold that even just getting wet from the splashes can cause you to lose body heat. April, in particular, is a time when the water temperature is especially low due to snowmelt, so you'll need to take precautions against the cold. On the other hand, the water level is high, so you can enjoy the thrill of the rapids.

Even if the temperature is high, you can't stay in the water for a long time. Be careful not to jump into the river recklessly!
Even during the warmer months of July and August, the river water remains cold, with a maximum temperature of only about 20 degrees Celsius.
Even in summer, people mostly wear tracksuits or sweatpants.

Rafting trips typically last 1 to 2 hours or more. Since staying wet for that long can cause you to lose body heat, even in the summer, depending on the weather and temperature, you may be required to wear a dry suit, or conversely, a T-shirt and shorts. It's a good idea to ask the tour company about the appropriate attire closer to your trip date.

What to bring on the day of rafting
Towel: Use to wipe away splashes or other spills.
Change of clothes: You may get wet even if you wear a drysuit.
Useful items
Sunscreen: Even if the temperature isn't high, sun protection is still necessary!
Spare contact lenses: Just in case.
Drinks: Some tours provide drinks and snacks.

Photo courtesy of Sportopia Co., Ltd.

Hokkaido offers a wide variety of rafting tours, from thrilling adventures to relaxing family-friendly options. If you feel even slightly anxious or scared, why not try a slower rafting tour?

No matter which tour you choose, you'll be able to fully enjoy the magnificent nature of Hokkaido. We highly recommend you try rafting in the northern land of Japan.

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