The Weekend and Hijimagari

This is pretty much the favourite picture of the weekend. Just about captures the feeling of being on top of what is known as The Abyss in Fox Canyon. The only thing stopping your plunge down into the foaming waters below is a guide in a glam-rock wetsuit. The second he lets you go, it's straight down into the abyss. You'll be tossed around by the water, whipped away by the current and pop up a little further down stream with a huge grin on your face. It's awesome.

Hijimagari Canyon in Kusatsu - new this year but some photos from the guides running it last year for the first time.

We've got many tried and tested Canyons that are a staple part of our adventures but we're always looking for new challenges. Last summer we found Hijimagari canyon over in Kusatsu, now renamed Azul, for the colour of the water in its pools.

Plenty of waterfalls, sliders and natural features with a few extra challenges designed by the guides for those of you that like a little extra thrill with your tours.

This is a fantastic canyon that this season is debuting as one of our special full day weekend tours. It's only available on set dates throughout the season, so if you are interested in adding its scalp to your collection, let us know.

Not for the Faint-hearted

It's almost Full Day Canyoning season. We're still enjoying the high water on the river for the rafting but soon it is the turn of canyoning to take centre stage.

If you've enjoyed a taster of this great sport on one of the half day tours then the full day option is definitely for you. As you would expect though, it offers more in every sense: more vertical, more adrenaline and more features.

With some of these canyons soon to open their doors for the season, we had to send some of the guides in to have a look.

First off, Deer Canyon in Kusatsu which opens up on the weekend of 30/31st May.

Deer Canyon is one of the most beautiful courses that we run. It has some really big waterfalls, 8 in all and also a couple of very fast sliders. It's technical, with lots of vertical and some stunning views.
If you are not familiar with Kusatsu, it is well worth a visit and has some terrific onsen for afterwards too (although the guides said it was pretty warm when they were over there.)

Next up, Yamanashi Canyon, over in (you guessed it) Yamanashi Prefecture. This is one that we don't advertise but is open to anyone who has been out on a canyoning tour with us before. We head over there once a month with a select group of just 10 customers. This river was made for canyoning, or vice versa, and is big. The waterfalls, the drops, the jumps - everything is huge.

There's one fantastic section where you get spat out of waterfall, plummetting into a pool far below you, that feels alot like plunging into the spin cycle of the washing machine. You will be scared at the top, but whooping with exhilaration at the bottom. This is full-on canyoning at it's very best. It's not on the website but if you think you can handle it, drop us a line. The next Yamanashi Canyon tour is the weekend of 6/7 June.

Glorious Weekend Weather.

Well, the forecasters were spot on with their "blue skies and sun" prediction. It's been a very warm 26 degrees today and a definite taste of the summer weather ahead of us.

The animal kingdom is well aware of the benefits of cooling off in the river during hot temperatures and some sensible people are catching on as well. Plenty of people rocked up here bright and early to get out on the river.

Conditions for rafting are so good at the moment that we can run really long courses. It's still highwater season and when conditions are this good, it is possible to put in right by our base.

A quick paddle from there and you are straight into the churning rapids. On a day as warm as today, that first wave breaking over you is welcome refreshment.

Canyoning is a cooler option with more time spent in the water and as usual, people out strolling, enjoying the weather, were treated to the site of wet-suited lunatics hurling themselves off cliffs and waterfalls.

Today saw the opening of the new Flying Fox feature at Fox Canyon. The initiated, who have already managed to make it down this twenty metre monster waterfall, now have another rush (in every sense of the word) to experience.

Golden Week Adventures

Golden week has provided some incredible conditions for rafting and canyoning, with high flows and plenty of sunshine. The guides have been making the most of it by doing super long courses.
(above) Rowan with an excited crew coming down through the Dragon Rapid, on the half day rafting tour. This is one of the grade 3 sections on the Tone River and one of the longest rapids in Minakami.
(photo: May 2nd)

Minakami Rafting Tour Information

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Fox Canyon, Minakami canyoning most popular course has started for the year. (above)Here's a keen crew just starting into the canyon, practicing sliding, swimming and hand signals before the real fun begins..... just around the next bend is Inaritaki (Inari waterfall)!

(photo: May 4th)

(above)A virgin canyoner can't wipe the smile of her face as she prepares to slide Inari Waterfall. If you look carefully (click on image to enlarge) you can see another customer at the bottom of the falls. It's a long way down!

(photo: May 4th)

Minakami Canyoning tour info