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 Rafting 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.
Oboke Family Rafting Tour
For groups with primary schools children
Oboke Family Tour Menu
Recommendations for the tour!
Oboke Family Rafting Tour
Authentic tour for primary schools students and up.
This Oboke Family Tour is a rafting tour on the same course as the Oboke Short Tour for junior high school students and above.
This family rafting tour is a real rafting experience for active primary schools kids!
Adults with primary schools kids can also enjoy the authentic rafting experience by separating the boats from the Oboke Short Tour guests and changing the way of descending the rapids.
Introduction to the Oboke Family Tour Course
The Oboke Family Tour process includes four big rapids and a total of ten smaller rapids.
Not only the rapids, but also body rafting in calm areas and diving from the big rocks (optional).
Diving from the big rocks (free participation) and many other events just like the Oboke Short Tour!
Click here for the tour flow
Differences from other companies.
The goal location is under the base of Happy Raft. Once ashore, everyone goes on a mini-trek on the way back. At the end, you return to the base on your own. (It takes about one minute.) Less travel time on the way back than with other companies, so you get to play a lot more on the river!
Before and after the tour, you can also enjoy lunch with Happy Raft's famous homemade bagel sandwiches (currently only available for takeaway). So popular that some people come to Happy Raft just for the bagels! Come and try one!
Differences between the Oboke Family Rafting Tour and the Otoyo Family Rafting Tour
How do I choose? Recommended for...
- Children from primary school age can participate
- Adults and children want to play hard
- Want to go down big rapids but don't want to fall in as much as possible
Course
km
A compact 4 km course with rapids starting upstream from the Long Tour.
Intensity
Grade(Max5)
This is an authentic whitewater rafting experience for children from primary school age and above. This tour is very popular not only with adult groups who don't like water, but also with families with children of primary school age and above!
Duration
hours
From the reception to the end of the tour, it takes about 3 hours. About 1.5 hours spent on the river, including rafting down rapids, diving from large rocks (free participation) and games using boats.
Conditions of Participation, Fees, and Other Information About the Tour
| Participation Requirements | 6 years old and above. ※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. |
Notes.
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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! Come on, let's go!
Move to the riverbank / safety briefing / practice at the trolling spot (calm current)
After everyone has changed, it's time to go. Bus transfer with a guide's hilarious talk, while suppressing your impatience. 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 4 km including 4 large and violent rapids, with small rapids and calm areas in between the rapids. There are small rapids and calm areas in between the rapids, where you can jump in from boats or rocks, or play games using 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 successfully clearing the last rapids, the red bridge near Happy Raft Base comes into view and you are almost at the finish line. Use your last bit of strength to jump off the boat! You can swim as hard as you like, or just float around and enjoy the afterglow. A one-minute walk uphill from the riverside will take you back to Happy Raft Base, where you can register and change your clothes.
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've met today! Free to disband.
Frequently asked questions
Q、Will I fall off the boat or tip over?
No. Although we take the utmost care to avoid this with small children on board (taking into account the amount of water and the way we descend), rafting is a natural sport and we cannot guarantee 100% safety. If you are concerned, we recommend the Otoyo Family Rafting Tour. This course has a much lower chance of capsizing or falling over.
Q、Is there a dive?
Yes, there is! The size is about 1m to 4m (depending on the amount of water and other factors). It is free to participate, so you can decide after seeing the actual rock you will jump from. If you don't want to jump, watch and cheer on the jumpers from the boat!
Q、My child is scared.
Our guides will do their best to avoid scaring your child, and most of the time, children who were nervous at the beginning will finish with a smile on their faces. However, if they are too scared to have fun, we recommend the calmer Otoyo Family Rafting Tour. This is the perfect first experience for children who are scared or who are not very good in the water, as they can stay on the boat in peace.
