Two types of family rafting tours!
Choose the tour depending on the age of your children and the intensity you want. Our Family rafting tour was voted Japan's best family tour in 2022. Its a fantastic trip for families.
Otoyo Family Rafting Tour
For groups with pre-school children aged 3 years (13 kg) and over.A 5-kilometre section of the Yoshino River, one of the most gentle rapids on the river, where you can play and enjoy yourself in a relaxed and leisurely manner. Includes five small rapids and is recommended for small children making their rafting debut!
Oboke Family Rafting Tour
For groups with primary schools childrenOnly Happy Raft can offer you a real rafting tour on the same course as the Oboke Short Tour! Take on the rapids with the whole family! We really recommend this one if your kids are big enough.
Otoyo Family Tour
For groups with pre-school children aged 3 years (13 kg) and over.
Otoyo Family Rafting Tour Menu
Recommendations for the tour!
Otoyo Family Rafting Tour
Rafting debut for 3 year olds
My child doesn't like the water, is it ok? He can't swim yet, is he OK? We receive many enquiries about family rafting, but don't worry.
Helmets and life jackets are worn by all participants on all tours.
It could be the day they swim for the first time! Parents and children can challenge themselves, adventure!
Introduction to the Otoyo Tour Course
There are about five small rapids between the start and the finish line, and parents and children paddle along together.
In areas where the current is calm, they can play games using the boat or jump in and float puka-puka from the boat.
The kids will be maxed out with excitement in the great nature of the Yoshino River!
One of the fun events is a free-entry rock-diving competition on the way to the river.
Kids who love playing in the water will have a special time.
Tour options.
With a choice of morning or afternoon tours, you can also enjoy lunch before or after your tour with HappyRaft's famous handmade bagel sandwiches (currently takeaway only). They're so popular that some people come to Happy Raft just for the bagels! Come and try one for yourself!
If you are unable to join the tour, you can wait in a hammock at the base overlooking the Yoshino River while you nap, play in the water or take a walk in the beautiful nature.
Differences from the Oboke Family Tour
How do I choose? Recommended for...
- Children from 3 years old (13kg and over) can participate.
- No need for intensity!
- Want to relax and enjoy the scenery!
- Don't want to get wet as much as possible Don't want to swim
Course
km
Gentle course starting further upstream than the Short Tour
Intensity
Grade(Max5)
This is a very popular tour for families, with participants from 3 years old (13kg and over), so young children and the elderly can all enjoy this tour together!
Duration
hours
Approximately 3 hours from registration to dismissal. About 1.5 hours of river time is spent on the river, including a trip down a slightly flowing section and games using boats.
Conditions of Participation, Fees, and Other Information About the Tour
| Participation Requirements | Minimum age of 3 years (weight 13 kg). ※Suitable for chest sizes up to 147cm. Please contact us if your chest size exceeds this. ※Those under 15 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. ※For minors, a parent or guardian must sign the participation agreement. If you are a minor, please let us know in advance so that we can organize parental permission. ※For parents with minors, please bring something to confirm your child's age on the day. |
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| Price |
※Repeat Customer Discount: ¥500 off (Please bring your membership card on the tour day.) ※The price is the same for both adults and children. ※High Season Dates (2026): July 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 August 1, 2, 8-12, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 September 5, 6, 12, 13, 19-22 ※Obon season: August 13-15 ※Regular Rate applies to all other dates not listed above. |
| Payment methods | 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. |
Cancellations & Changes | If you need to change or cancel your booking, please contact us as soon as possible. Cancellation fees: 1 week – 2 days before tour: 30% 1 day (within 24 hours): 50% Day of the tour: 100% ※If Happy Raft decides to cancel a tour due to weather, river conditions, or disasters, no tour fees will be charged. If payment has already been made in advance, a full refund will be issued. ※ Arriving more than 30 minutes late may result in cancellation and a cancellation fee.
※For cancellations or changes to your booking, please contact us by phone/SMS (090-1000-8184), email (booking@happyraft.com
), or WhatsApp (+81 90-1000-8184).
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| Included in the tour price |
※In cold weather, wetsuits can be layered, and wet socks are available. |
| Tour period | March 1 - October 31 |
| Minimum number of participants | 2 person minimum. ※The minimum number of participants required to run a tour is 2 people. We do accept bookings for single participants; however, if no other guests join by the day of the tour, the tour can still operate with an additional 50% fee. |
| Meeting and dismissal time | • Morning tours 【July 11 – September 22 / 9:00 am start】 Meeting time: 8:45 am, Start time: 9:00 am Finish time: around 12:00 pm
【March 1 – July 10, September 23 – October 31 / 9:30 am start】
• Afternoon Tours: / 1:30 pm start
※The meeting time may vary depending on the day of the tour, so please check your email for the details. |
| Meeting and dismissal point | Meet and Dismiss at HappyRaft |
| Parking lot | Right next to HappyRaft Base Free parking available. Parking for 40 passenger cars or 5 large buses |
| Changing rooms | available separate for men ,women and individual use space (no showers, but outdoor hoses are available for a splash down shower...its cold ) |
| What to bring |
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| Tour Photos | During the tour, our guides take photos and videos using waterproof cameras.
Photos from short rafting tours can be purchased for ¥1,000. ※We do not recommend bringing your own camera, as it may be lost or damaged and could cause injury. Any personal equipment you bring is used at your own risk. ※If you bring a GoPro, helmets with mounts are available in limited numbers. Helmet sizes and mounts cannot be reserved. |
Precaution
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■ Weather & River Conditions
Depending on weather conditions and river water levels, the course may be changed or the tour may be cancelled.
Tours are cancelled only in cases such as typhoons with heavy rain warnings or when the river level exceeds our safety standards.Tours are not cancelled due to normal rain.
Depending on river conditions, children’s participation may be restricted.
■ Cancellation Notice & Refunds
If there is a high possibility of cancellation due to a typhoon or similar conditions, 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, please feel free to contact us.
Please note that, in rare cases, the final decision may be made on the day of the tour.
If the tour is cancelled by Happy Raft’s decision, the full tour fee will be refunded.
■ Participation of Minors
Please inform us in advance if any minors will be participating.
If a minor is not accompanied by a parent or guardian, a signed consent form is required in advance.
When children participate, please follow the guide’s instructions and cooperate to ensure everyone’s safety.
■ Alcohol Policy
Participation while under the influence of alcohol or with a hangover is extremely dangerous and strictly prohibited.
In this case, a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
■ Facilities & Waiting Area
There are no showers, but you may rinse off using the outdoor hose.
Guests who are not joining the tour may wait at the Happy Raft reception area.
At the base, you can relax on the sofa, let children play with water using the outdoor hose, or spend time comfortably while waiting.
There are also 1–2 hour trekking courses nearby. If you are interested, we would be happy to provide information.
▼ Nearby Area Information
https://www.happyraft.com/2025/04/25/play-hot-springs/
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【About Boat Seating】
Each boat accommodates up to 7 guests plus 1 guide.
If your reservation is for fewer than 7 guests, you may be grouped with other participants.Private boat reservations are available.
For a private boat, the full rate for 7 guests applies regardless of the number of participants.Please note that private boats may not be available depending on booking conditions.
If you wish to reserve a private boat, we recommend contacting us as early as possible.
Tour flow
Meeting/reception
Good job on the drive! When you arrive at Happy Raft Base, first feel the pleasant breeze in the great outdoors, looking out over the Yoshino River. After registration, sign the consent form and other necessary documents.
Briefing on the tour/start changing clothes.
Explanation of the day's general schedule and tour content. This is where the tension starts to build up for both the guests and the guides! Let's get going! Wetsuit and changing time in separate men's and women's changing rooms.
Move to the riverbank / safety briefing / practice at the trolling area (where the current is calm).
After everyone has changed, it's time to go. Bus transfer with a guide's hilarious talk to suppress any nervousness. Safety briefing on arrival at the riverbank. Afterwards, we get into the boats and the team members/guides are introduced. Practice rowing and holding on to the boat.
Rushing rapids Start!
Total distance of 5 km including 5 large and violent rapids, with small rapids and calm areas in between the rapids. You can jump in from boats or rocks, or play games with boats. Or just float around in the calm areas, looking up at the sky and not thinking. There are endless ways to have fun.
Goal.
After enjoying the afterglow of floating in a puddle in moderate fatigue at the last trolley place, you will return to the base of Happy Raft in a 10-minute car ride back to the base.
Changing/viewing a slideshow of photos from the tour.
After returning to Happy Raft base and changing, we'll have a chance to look at today's photos.
And don't forget to take a photo with all the friends you met today! Free to disband.
Frequently asked questions
Q、Is it suitable for small children?
Children aged 3 years and weighing at least 13 kg can participate. Children who weigh more than 13 kg but are not yet 3 years old are not allowed to participate. Please wait until their birthday.
There is a small rapids point, but if they are scared, an adult can hold them and sit in the boat while they go down the rapids. We can devise a descent and play method to suit your child.
Q、 Is it not enough for the primary school children and adults who go with you?
No. For those who are looking for the intense rapids of the Oboke course, it may not be enough, but you can play games, swim in the river and dive in the rocks, so the whole family will have great memories together. If your older children want to go down bigger rapids, you can split the tour with the Oboke Family Tour. The meeting and disbanding point is the same as the Oboke Family Tour, so you can come together as a family, experience rafting on different courses, and meet up again at Happy Raft at the end of the tour.
Q、 Are there any dives?
Yes, there is.
You can dive from 1m to as high as 4m. Each person can choose their own height, so you can try it out. Diving is free, so if you don't want to jump in, just cheer on the people who do!
Q、Do you have wetsuits and rental shoes for small children?
Yes, we do! Wetsuits from 100 cm (size) and rental shoes from 14 cm are available.
