Experience a rafting tour at one of the foremost spots for rafting

experiences

Unleash your challenger's spirit! Experience an exhilarating rafting adventure in Nagatoro, Saitama, just 120 minutes from the heart of Tokyo!

3H ¥6,000~ 1 hour and 30 minutes from Tokyo
Chichibu Area Nature Activities
Experience the thrill of rafting just two-hours away from Tokyo! Dive into this 7-kilometer long adventure, navigating the exciting rapids that run through the majestic Chichibu Red Cliffs and the unique natural monument of Iwadatami, in this experience exclusive to Nagatoro. The term "Iwadatami" translates to "rock tatami" or "rock platform" and refers to the natural formation of rocks, resembling traditional Japanese tatami mats, that are the key scenic spot along the river. Our certified Rafting Association of Japan Guides, a.k.a RAJ Guides, ensure a safe, secure, and enjoyable journey. This 3-hour escapade includes photo data to capture unforgettable moments. The tour content changes daily based on the water levels, and each day brings new and unpredictable thrills! You'll never know what excitement awaits you, making every outing a unique and exhilarating experience. Don't worry if you don't speak much Japanese, as English speaking RAJ Guides are also available to make sure the adventure is as enjoyable as it is memorable!

During the rafting tour, the RAJ guides turn the rubber boat on its side in the rapids and ride the waves like surfing! River surfing is the climax of the tour, an insane but extremely exhilarating stunt, for sure!

Mid-tour, our RAJ Guides get playful, snapping shots of you as you disembark the boat and have a blast around waterfalls, all captured with waterproof cameras. Best part? You get to download these epic photos for free after the tour!

Grab the Boogieboard with your arms, don fins on your feet, and ride the river. This is the signature thrill at the Nagatoro Outdoor Center! “River Boogie” is akin to ocean bodyboarding but on the river instead. Your gaze is right at the fresh water’s surface, allowing you to feel the flow with every inch of your body. It’s an adrenaline rush like no other! Navigating downstream, dodging rocks, and riding the current is a popular, uniquely Nagatoro tour. You haven’t truly experienced it until you’ve tried it here!

While our tours are primarily reservation-based, spontaneous adventurers are welcome to join on the day if there’s availability! However, on weekends and holidays, it can get pretty busy, so we highly recommend securing your spot with a reservation. Don’t worry about gear; we’ve got rentals in all sizes, making it easy for you to join us empty-handed! Renting everything, swimsuit, fins, towels, etc., costs a mere ¥1,000 in on-the-spot rental fees.

Basic Information

Location
1429 Nagatoro-cho, Nagatoro-cho, Chichibu-gun, Saitama 369-1305
TEL
0494-66-4165

Business hours / Fee

Business hours
In season March to October, 10:00 AM -7:00 PM.
Check the booking calendar on the official website for tour availability.
Regular holiday
In season March to October, no days off.
Winter, irregular holidays.
Fee
From ¥6,000 per/person (prices vary according to dates).

How to get there

Access Information
Train: 3 min walk from Kami-Nagatoro Station on Chichibu Railway.
Car: 20 minutes from Hanazono IC on Kanetsu Expressway.
Parking
Free parking available.

Other

Remarks
Rafting tours: from 7 years old and up.
River Boogie tours - from 15 years old or over.

Map

Nearby spots

(SOLD OUT) Chichibu Premium Whisky Special Program: February 7th (Wed) to February 9th (Fri), 2024
(SOLD OUT) Chichibu Premium Whisky Special Program: February 7th (Wed) to February 9th (Fri), 2024

Chichibu Whisky Premium Tour: Experience the essence of Chichibu Whisky and traditional culture on a 2-night, 3-day journey! Start your adventure with an overnight stay in Old Folk-House Hotel, a beautiful example of traditional Japanese architecture. Explore the exclusive "Venture Whisky Chichibu Distillery," not open to the public. Engage in a unique activity crafting coasters from Whisky barrel materials, surrounded by the nature of Chichibu. Enjoy nature beside a campfire and on boats with warm blanketed kotatsu-tables. The tour ends with a Chichibu bar-hop, where you can savor Chichibu Whisky in local bars and fully immerse yourself in the rich culture of Japanese Whisky.

[SOLD OUT]  Held on January 25th (Thursday) to 26th (Friday), 2024 Chichibu Premium Whiskey Experience Tour aboard Restaurant Train
[SOLD OUT] Held on January 25th (Thursday) to 26th (Friday), 2024 Chichibu Premium Whiskey Experience Tour aboard Restaurant Train

Indulge in a luxurious "Chichibu Bar Hopping Tour" aboard an exclusively reserved train. The program starts with a private reservation of the "Fifty Two Seats of Happiness Express," a sightseeing restaurant train where you'll enjoy a special lunch meticulously curated by the chef and paired with premium Japanese whiskey "Ichiro's Malt." Then savor an overnight stay at a traditional Japanese architectural gem, the "Old Folk House Hotel." The next day, an exclusive tour awaits at "Venture Whisky Chichibu Distillery," a distillery typically not open to visitors. The journey concludes with a special Chichibu Bar Hopping experience, as you disembark from the train to relish Chichibu Whiskey at local bars to your heart's content.

Only on December 2 (Tuesday)! Experience the Chichibu Night Festival with float pulling and a festive celebration ♪
Only on December 2 (Tuesday)! Experience the Chichibu Night Festival with float pulling and a festive celebration ♪

The Chichibu Night Festival boasts a rich history spanning approximately 300 years. It is renowned as one of Japan's three major float festivals and earned its place on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2017. Why not immerse yourself in the allure of this historic festival? At its heart are six splendid floats, with the float-pulling experience being the most cherished aspect. This unique opportunity allows you to join hands with locals in moving the exquisite floats, dating back to the 1700s, creating unforgettable memories. Knowledgeable guides are available to share fascinating tales about the Chichibu region and the Chichibu Night Festival in multiple languages. Discover the festival's stories that resonate in every nook and cranny of this vibrant community, gaining insight into the profound connection between Chichibu's residents and the festival. Furthermore, you can enhance your festival experience by delving into the background of how the people of Chichibu have coexisted harmoniously with this grand tradition. As an added bonus, you'll receive original tenugui (hand towels) and work gloves as souvenirs during the float-pulling activity.
The event will be held only on December 2, 2025 (Tuesday)

Experience float-pulling at the Chichibu Night Festival, with a local tour and Kabuki performance!
Experience float-pulling at the Chichibu Night Festival, with a local tour and Kabuki performance!

Experience the Chichibu Night Festival, one of Japan’s most famous traditional festivals, located just a short trip from Tokyo. Join locals in Chichibu to help pull historic floats, some dating back to the 1700s and decorated with sparkling gold leaf. As night falls, the floats become stages for an exclusive Kabuki performance by local actors, offering a rare chance to experience authentic Japanese culture up close. This Chichibu festival near Tokyo is a unique cultural experience you won’t want to miss.

Itinerary: (1) Meet at Seibu-Chichibu Station (2) Train car pulling experience (approx. 60 minutes) starting at 2:30 PM (3) Exchange time (approx. 60 minutes) (4) Guided local tour and free time (approx. 90 minutes) (5) Kabuki performance (approx. 120 minutes)

Please check the reservation website for detailed information.

This event is only available on Tuesday, December 2, 2025!

Sake Brewery Tour at Matsuoka Brewery
Sake Brewery Tour at Matsuoka Brewery

There are different varieties of Japanese sake, and the taste of each depends on many different factors. The Mikadomatsu sake brewed at Matsuoka Brewery relies on the mineral-rich natural water of Ogawa-machi, perfectly suited for sake brewing, and rice carefully selected from all over Japan, which together with superior techniques handed down over generations of brewers, result in this exquisite sake. On this brewery tour, you can observe the meticulous sake-making process and taste the aromatic and delicious brews of Matsuoka Brewery. *Children may enjoy the high-quality mineral-rich water used to brew sake, drawn from 130 meters underground.

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