Fuji River Whitewater Rafting

Fuji River Whitewater Rafting is a half-day whitewater rafting trip on the Fuji River (Fujigawa) as it runs through Fujikawa town near the southern foot of Mount Fuji, in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Groups paddle inflatable rafts through roughly 6.5km of Class II-III rapids fed by snowmelt and mountain runoff, with Mount Fuji visible on clear days from stretches of the river. The trip suits first-time rafters as well as returning paddlers; most operators set a minimum age of around 10-12 and ask that participants be able to swim and have no serious heart or back conditions. A safety briefing on paddle commands, swimming position in the current, and rescue procedure is given on the riverbank before launch, and each raft is led by a certified guide who also carries a throw rope and rescue kit; support kayakers or a safety boat typically shadow the group at busier operators such as Natural Action, whose guides are trained in swiftwater rescue through Japanese rafting associations. Wetsuits, helmets, buoyancy aids and paddles are provided; participants should wear swimwear underneath and bring quick-dry clothing and a towel for after the float, since operators do not usually supply full changing outfits. The rafting season runs from April to November, with the highest water levels and biggest rapids typically in late spring during snowmelt and after heavy rain, while trips are cancelled or downgraded to a calmer route in very low water or in the event of typhoon-driven flood flow. Cold-weather trips in early spring or late autumn add a thicker wetsuit and sometimes a splash jacket. The river's volume can rise quickly after rain in the surrounding hills, so operators check river gauges each morning and may reschedule departures at short notice.