THIS IS THE BIG ONE! Japan’s premier rafting course with the most powerful and exciting rapids that we have on offer. Dive into this one and make a splash! Nowhere else in Japan comes close to this in terms of rapid size and intensity. Big rapids interspersed with meandering pools, cliff-jumps and rapids that you can swim down, along with a delicious picnic lunch and lots of time to play games and relax. We guarantee a it will be a day to remember.
9 km of rafting through some of the best scenery in Japan with our professional, crazy fun guides ensure that you will be safe whilst enjoying this pristine white-water mecca. Fire up! Bring your sense of adventure and get ready for the most amazing rafting trip in Japan.
Koboke Long Tour Menu
Why Koboke?
Koboke Long Rafting Tour
Japan's greatest rapids
Biggest and Best White-water in Japan.
5+ hours on the river allowing lots of time to swim, play games, relax and refresh.
Incredible scenery.
Delicious bagel lunch
Options for 7m+ cliff jumps and rapid swimming
Sensational surfing spot (water-level dependant)
Koboke rocks!!
Introduction to Koboke Course
The Koboke Long Tour is HappyRafts’ premium rafting tour, featuring 8 major rapids and 10 minor rapids included in the tour. It’s a big day out loaded with action and adrenaline. It has a great mixture of white-water and calm pools with heaps of opportunities to swim, jump off rocks, and play play play! Highlights also include stunning scenery with fantastic views of the valley along with spectacular rock formations. This is the very best rafting tour that you can do in Japan! We whole-heartedly recommend this tour for anyone looking for the most awesome rafting.
Lunch Bagel Sandwich
Koboke Long Tour includes a lunch of HappyRaft's famous handmade bagel sandwiches☆ Some people come to HappyRaft just to eat our bagels – Yes they are that good!
In summer, while looking at the beautiful view of Koboke, everyone will enjoy YUM, YUM♩ Chilling out having a picnic at the river is just one more reason to choose the Koboke Long Tour.
How is the Koboke long tour different from the Oboke short tour?
The Koboke course is a completely different course to the Oboke course.
- The rapids are much bigger and more intense… in some cases double or triple the scale of intensity.
- The cliff-jump is also 2-3 times higher on the Koboke section.
- Scrumptious Bagel Lunch is included in the Koboke course- Oboke lunch is not included.
- Koboke course runs over 9km while the Oboke course is 4km.
Course
Km
The Koboke Long Course is Japan’s premier white-water rafting course. 18 rapids over 9km. This is the very best rafting available in Japan. Just Do it!
Grade４(Max5)
Grade(Max5)
Anyone aged 12 and above can experience this world-class whitewater rafting.Beginners are welcome. Let our experienced professional guides show you this amazing section of white-water.
Time required
hours
From registration to the end of the tour, it takes about 6.5 hours. We will spend around 5 hours on the river, working together as a team to take on one rapid after another, playing games, swimming, as well as enjoying our scrumptious lunch.
Conditions of Participation, Fees, and Other Information About the Tour
| Participation Requirements | 12 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: ¥1,000 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 Method | In order to ensure smooth reception on the day of your tour, 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 operate a tour is 2 people. Single bookings are welcome; however, if no other participants join by the tour date, the tour may still operate with an additional 50% surcharge.
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| Meeting and dismissal times | Meeting time: 9:45 am,
Start time: 10:00 am
Finish time: 4:00 pm ※Please note that meeting and dismissal times may be adjusted depending on weather, river conditions, and other circumstances. Thank you for your understanding. |
| 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 long rafting tours can be purchased for ¥2,000. ※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. |
Precautions
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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. -
Tours may be modified or canceled depending on weather conditions and river water levels.
Cancellations occur only in cases of severe conditions, such as heavy rain warnings due to large typhoons or when the river level exceeds our safety limits.
Tours are not canceled due to normal rainfall.Depending on the water level, children may not be allowed to participate even if adults are permitted to join.
If there is a possibility of cancellation, we will contact you as soon as the situation becomes clear.
If there is a high possibility of changes or cancellation due to weather conditions such as typhoons, we will contact you as early as 2–3 days in advance.
At the latest, we will notify you by the day before your tour.
If you would like an update at any time, please feel free to contact us.Please note that, in some cases, a decision to cancel may be made on the day of the tour.
If Happy Raft decides to cancel a tour due to weather, river conditions, or disasters, all tour fees will be fully refunded.
Thank you for your understanding. -
Guests under the influence of alcohol or with a hangover will not be allowed to participate.
In such cases, the tour fee will not be refunded. -
In the case that children are participating, we take care so that there is no danger to the children, but as parents are accompanying please follow the instructions of the guide so that children will not get injured.
Tour Flow
Assembly / Reception
Thanks for the drive! When you arrive at HappyRaft Base, please first enjoy the great outdoors and feel the nice breeze while looking at the Yoshino River. After registration, sign the consent form and other necessary documents.
Briefing on the tour / Start changing your clothes
Explanation of the general schedule for the day and the contents of the tour. Around this time, both the guests and the guides start to get excited! Let's go!
Start the whitewater rafting!
The total distance is 9 km, including 8 big and violent rapids, and in the morning we will descend about 5 km and 5 big rapids. In between the rapids, there are small rapids and calm areas where you can jump in from boats or rocks, play games with boats, and look up at the spectacular view of the Koboke gorge from the water. There are endless ways to have fun. The morning went by in a flash. You're getting hungry ^^^.)
Lunch of all-you-can-eat sandwiches with freshly baked bagels at a lunch spot overlooking the spectacular view of Koboke Gorge.
A sandwich of ham, tomato, lettuce, tuna, cheese, and jam mixed with cream cheese like a dessert! YUM, YUM, YUM while enjoying the spectacular view of Koboke gorge! Even just eating lunch outside is delicious! Delicious~! Eat up!) Recharge your batteries for the second half of the rapids!
About 4km to go. 3 major rapids. The most difficult part of the Koboke course comes closer!
After getting used to the course in the morning and fully recharged after lunch, we are ready to take on the biggest rapids of the course! As we descend the 8th major rapids, we see a different view from the one we saw in the morning! The sky was blue! The water is clean! You will find yourself with a different sense of self!
Goal
The smiles on everyone's faces filled with a pleasant sense of fatigue and a sense of accomplishment are the best.
Change clothes/view slideshow of tour photos
After returning to the HappyRaft base and changing clothes, we'll have a look at the photos from today's tour. Don't forget to take a photo with all the friends you met today! Free dismissal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q、 Is it okay for beginners?
YES!!
Please do not worry. We kindly ask that you listen carefully to the guide’s safety briefing before the tour.
Experienced guides certified by RAJ (Japan Rafting Association) will accompany you. Our guides are fully trained to ensure that your rafting experience is both enjoyable and safe.
If you are new to rafting and still feeling unsure, we recommend trying the Oboke Short Tour as a gentle introduction to white-water rafting.
Q、Is it okay if I'm not confident in my physical strength?
It’s okay. In the rapids, everyone works together to paddle the boat, but in calmer sections we move slowly or simply float on the surface and let the current carry us along. Even those who are not confident in their physical strength can fully enjoy this tour.
Rafting is a fantastic way to experience Koboke, and our professional guides will ensure a safe and enjoyable day on the river.
Q、What is available at the lunch spot?
There is a covered outdoor space by the river for lunch, with restrooms, tables and chairs, and running water available.
Happy Raft provides freshly made homemade bagel sandwiches for lunch.
We also prepare drinks such as sports drinks and tea at Happy Raft and bring them to the lunch spot.
Q、What can I bring to the lunch spot?
You may bring small personal items to the lunch spot that you might want to use during lunch, such as cigarettes, sunscreen, or sanitary products (restrooms are available at the lunch spot).
All items from different groups will be placed together in one bag and carried by our staff to the lunch spot.
To make it easier for us to identify your belongings, please put your items in a small pouch or plastic bag.
As space is limited, please keep your items to a minimum.
※ We take great care when transporting your belongings; however, during hot weather they may be left in the vehicle for some time, which could cause damage to electronic devices. For this reason, we do not recommend bringing mobile phones to the lunch spot. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any damage or malfunction. Thank you for your understanding.
Q, Does the long rafting tour always take place on Koboke?
As long as the water level is within the regulations set by RAJ (Rafting Association of Japan), we will run the Koboke course. However, if the water level rises due to heavy rainfall caused by typhoons, we may need to change the course.
When the river is extremely high, we may use the Oboke Long Course, the Ananai Course, or other sections to ensure a safe tour. These courses are also world-class and offer an amazing rafting experience.
When water levels rise, sections that are normally too shallow to raft become navigable, delivering thrilling and powerful rapids.
After rain, the Yoshino River transforms dramatically. Its usually crystal-clear water takes on an “icy milk coffee” color, and all the rapids become larger and more intense, creating an extremely exciting rafting experience. We have been running these sections for over 20 years and have a deep understanding of which areas are most suitable under different river conditions.
Q, I am coming from far away and I do not know if I should take a day trip or stay overnight.
Of Course you should stay with us! The guesthouse is a renovated old house in the mountains, where you can spend time in nature and relax.After rafting, you can have a barbecue at the guesthouse and have a beer or two 😉 The next day, wake up to the sound of birds chirping, take a walk around the inn, try the trekking course, or take a swim in the river. You can meditate or read in the great outdoors. If you have come all this way, rafting is not the only thing you should do. Please enjoy the surrounding wilderness as well! HappyRaft's guesthouse can be booked together with the tour. Of course you can stay the day before the tour!
I will turn 12 a few days after the tour. Can I still participate?
The participation requirement is 12 years of age or older at the time of the tour.
Unfortunately, you would need to wait until after your birthday, once you have officially turned 12, to join the tour.
We look forward to welcoming you then!
