FAQ

Yes, absolutely. Please don’t worry.

Before the tour starts, our guides will give a thorough safety briefing, so please listen carefully.
On the day of the tour, you will be accompanied by experienced river guides who hold official certifications from RAJ (Rafting Association of Japan). They will ensure your safety throughout the tour.

Our guides train regularly, not only to maintain high safety standards but also to make sure everyone has a fun and memorable experience.

If you’re thinking, “It’s my first time and I’m a little nervous…”, we recommend starting with the Oboke Short Tour, which is a great introduction to rafting.

Also, since everyone wears a life jacket, you will naturally float in the water.
Even if you can’t swim, you can join the tour with confidence.

Yes, tours are generally held even on rainy days.

However, if we determine that it is unsafe to operate due to conditions such as a typhoon or significant increase in river water levels caused by heavy rain, the tour will be cancelled for safety reasons.

No worries at all!
Even on rainy days, the Happy Raft guides will keep the energy high and the fun rolling.

In fact, when it rains the river level often rises, which can make the rapids more powerful and exciting than on sunny days. You might get to experience a whole different side of the Yoshino River—wild, dynamic, and unforgettable.

Depending on the weather and river conditions, the course may be changed or the tour may be canceled.
A tour will only be canceled if a typhoon brings rainfall at the level of a heavy rain warning, or if the river water level exceeds our safety standards.

Please note:
Normal rain does not result in cancellation.
Depending on the river conditions, participation by children may be restricted.

If a typhoon is approaching and you are concerned about traveling to the area, we can accept a date change or cancellation with no cancellation fee. Please don’t hesitate to contact us in advance and prioritize your safety.

If there is a high possibility of cancellation, we will contact you as early as 2–3 days in advance, and no later than the day before the tour.
If you would like to check the situation, feel free to contact us at any time.
Please be aware that, in some cases, a decision to cancel may be made on the day of the tour.

If the tour is canceled by Happy Raft due to weather or river conditions, the full tour fee will be refunded.

The minimum age varies depending on the tour.

• Otoyō Family Rafting: From 3 years old (minimum weight 13 kg)

• Oboke Family Rafting: From 6 years old

• Oboke Short Rafting: From 12 years old

• Koboke Long Rafting / Canyoning: From 12 years old

Please note:
Participants aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Depending on the nature of your medical condition, participation may not be permitted.

In many cases, if you regularly engage in light physical activity and there is no concern about your condition worsening, you may be able to join the tour.

However, if you have a medical condition or concerns about your physical fitness, please contact us in advance so we can discuss your situation and ensure everyone’s safety.

We’re very sorry, but for safety reasons, the Koboke Long Tour is limited to guests aged 12 and over.

For children under 12, we recommend the Oboke Family Rafting Tour.
This tour uses the same river section as the Oboke Short Tour, which is also enjoyed by adults, and it offers one of the most exciting and authentic rafting experiences available for younger participants.

We often hear comments like,
“We’ve already done the Oboke course, so next we want to try the Koboke course!”
We understand that feeling very well. As a next step, we would be delighted if your child challenges the Koboke course once they turn 12.

If you’ve already experienced the Oboke course and are looking for even more excitement, we also offer custom tours where the type of boat can be changed.

Even on the same river section, using a different craft can dramatically change the intensity and feel of the ride.
Handling, stability, and proximity to the water all affect how thrilling the experience becomes.

Please feel free to consider this option as well.
Details about custom tours can be found here:
https://en.happyraft.com/customtour/https://www.happyraft.com/customtour/

We’re very sorry, but for safety reasons, the canyoning tour is available to guests aged 12 and over only.

Even if a child is physically larger, very active, or comfortable with challenging activities, participation in the canyoning tour is limited to those aged 12 and above under our safety standards.

For children under 12, we recommend the Oboke Family Rafting Tour.
This is an active and exciting tour that allows younger participants to enjoy an authentic and thrilling rafting experience, even if they are under 12.

If your child is eager for more of a challenge, we also offer custom tours, where they can try smaller boats instead of standard rafting boats.
Even on the same river, changing the type of craft can greatly increase the sense of excitement and intensity.

Please feel free to consider these options.

▼ Oboke Family Rafting Tour
https://www.happyrahttps://en.happyraft.com/rafting/familyrafting/oboke/#family_obokeft.com/rafting/familyrafting/oboke/#family_oboke

▼ Custom Tours
https://en.happyraft.com/customtour/https://www.happyraft.com/customtour/

There is time to change after you arrive, so you do not need to come already wearing your swimsuit.

That said, if you arrive with your swimsuit on under your clothes, changing will be much quicker and smoother.
This is especially recommended on busy days such as weekends or during the Obon holiday.

If you are coming with young children, wearing swimsuits under everyday clothes can save time changing, which means more time to enjoy the river.

You may participate in the tour while wearing contact lenses.
In fact, many guests join rafting tours with their contacts on.

However, since there are moments when you may get into the water, there is a possibility that your lenses could come out.
We recommend using disposable contact lenses, and bringing a spare pair with you for extra peace of mind.

Yes, we can store them for you.

In general, personal belongings are kept in the changing rooms,
but large suitcases and bulky luggage can be kept near the reception counter or in the office for safekeeping.

Some of the equipment provided by Happy Raft (such as wetsuits) contains rubber/latex.
If you have a rubber or latex allergy, we kindly ask that you bring and wear your own rash guard, leggings/spats, board shorts, or similar items instead.

You may bring personal cameras or mobile phones with you; however, we do not recommend it due to the risk of loss, damage, or injury.
If you choose to bring them, please note that it is entirely at your own risk.

If you bring a GoPro, we have a limited number of helmets with GoPro mounts available for rent.
Please be aware that:

• Quantities are limited

• We cannot reserve or guarantee specific helmet sizes

• A suitable helmet may not be available on the day of the tour

Thank you for your understanding.

During the tour, our guides will take photos and videos using waterproof cameras.

All photo and video data can be purchased for:

• Half-day tour: ¥1,000

• Full-day tour: ¥2,000

This includes all photos and videos taken during your tour.

Yes. During the tour, our guides take photos and videos using waterproof cameras.
If there are multiple boats on the river, photos may also be taken from land using telephoto cameras.

All photos and video data from your tour can be purchased for:

• Half-day tour: ¥1,000

• Full-day tour: ¥2,000

This includes all photos and videos taken during your tour.

Each raft carries up to 7 guests plus 1 guide.

Each raft carries up to 7 guests plus 1 guide.
If your group has fewer than 7 people, you may be combined with other guests on the same raft.

If you would like a private raft, the fee will be charged for 7 people regardless of your group size.
Please note that, depending on availability, we may not always be able to accommodate private raft requests.
If you prefer a private raft, we recommend contacting us as early as possible.

Each raft can carry a maximum of 7 guests.
For this reason, groups of 8 or more will be divided into multiple rafts.

For example, with 8 guests, the group may be split into:
4 + 4, 5 + 3, or 6 + 2,
depending on the number of other guests and the reservation situation on the day.

For 13 guests, the group may be divided into:
2 rafts (7 + 6), or
3 rafts (for example, 5 + 5 + 3),
depending on availability.

If you have a preference for how your group is divided, we will do our best to accommodate it.
However, please note that due to the circumstances on the day, we may not always be able to meet your request.

The course and tour content are the same for both the morning and afternoon tours.
Please choose the time that best fits your travel schedule and plans 😊

In spring and autumn, temperatures can vary depending on the weather.
That said, even on cooler days—such as in March or October—most guests still end up swimming (surprisingly!).

During spring and autumn, we take extra measures to keep you warm, such as:
wearing layered wetsuits, and using wind-resistant spray jackets or fleece.

Once the tour gets going, you’ll be moving a lot and having fun—your excitement (and body temperature!) naturally rises.

Yes, advance reservations are required.
Please note that even if you come on the day of the tour, you may not be able to join if there are no available spots.
To ensure your participation, please make a reservation in advance.

If there is availability, last-minute reservations for the day before or even the same day may be possible.
However, if the tour is fully booked, you will not be able to join, so we strongly recommend making your reservation as early as possible.

For last-minute inquiries, please contact us by phone.

In order to ensure smooth reception on the day of your visit, we kindly ask you to pay in advance.
※Credit card payment can be made at the time of reservation through the website or at the site on the day of the tour.

【Advance payment methods.】
①Bank transfer
②Credit card payment (MasterCard, VISA card) – Available for bookings made via the website.

【Payment on the day of the tour】
①PayPay
②Credit card payment (MasterCard, VISA card, Union Pay, JCB, American Express, Diners club, DISCOVER)
③ Cash payment
　In the case of cash payment, the representative person should make the payment together.

• Credit card payment via the website: We will process the refund on our end, and the amount will be returned to your credit card.

• Bank transfer payment: The refund will be made via bank transfer.
  In this case, HappyRaft will cover any transfer fees.

If HappyRaft decides to cancel a tour, no tour fee will be charged.

Even if you have already paid by credit card or bank transfer, the payment will be fully refunded—either by canceling the credit card transaction or via bank transfer—so you can rest assured.

Basically, there are no mandatory additional charges beyond the tour fee.
However, the following may incur extra costs depending on your preferences or situation:

• Photos and videos taken during the tour (optional)
  If you wish to purchase the photo/video data:

  • Half-day tour: 1,000 JPY

  • Full-day tour: 2,000 JPY

• Rental fees for shoes or towels if you don’t bring your own: 300 JPY each
  (Shoes should be sneakers or marine shoes that can get wet and stay securely on your feet. Crocs are not allowed as they may slip off.)

• Rafting guide fees, wetsuit, and all necessary equipment are included in the tour fee.

• Insurance is also included in the tour fee, so no additional payment is required.

Yes, you can cancel.

However, please note that the tour will not be canceled for normal rain, so the standard cancellation fees will apply.

In cases of heavy rain or high river levels, the course may be changed or the tour may be canceled. Cancellation will only occur if there is a typhoon-level storm warning or the river exceeds safety limits.

If Happy Raft decides to cancel the tour for safety reasons, no cancellation fee will be charged, and any payments already made will be fully refunded.

Yes, you can cancel, but please note that it will be considered a customer-initiated cancellation, so the standard cancellation fees will apply.

However, you can still participate in the tour during your period. We recommend using tampons, but if you prefer to use a pad, sports-type or larger pads are suitable and safe for participation.

If you are feeling unwell or have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us in advance.

Even if you are a repeat visitor, please first make the payment at the regular price. On the day of the tour, bring your members’ card to the reception, and we will cash back the discount in cash on the spot.

Please note: Only guests who present a members’ card are eligible for the cash-back. If you forget your card, the discount cannot be applied, so be sure to bring it with you.

If you forget your members’ card on the day of the tour, the cash-back cannot be applied. Please be aware of this in advance.

There is no expiration date on the members’ card, so please keep it in a safe place.

The repeater discount and members’ card benefits are only applicable when you make a reservation through Happy Raft’s official website, by phone, or by email.

Please note that reservations made through booking sites such as Jalan, Asoview, or Activity Japan are not eligible for these discounts.