Overnight Cycling-rafting Adventure in Kochi

• Thrilling 4-hour rafting experience on the mighty Yoshino River, equipment included
• Excellent quality road bike or multi-gear commuter bike, as you requested, with the necessary equipment included
• Stay at mountain-side home in the dramatic Otoyo valley, dinner included

This overnight thrilling tour is for active people on a modest budget or to do a worthy workout. Day 1 has you cycling up from Kochi City to Otoyo valley. You will stay at a historic and picturesque mountainside home. Day 2 takes you rafting from mid-morning until mid-afternoon, followed by an easy downhill ride back to Kochi City. The overnight cycling and rafting Kochi tour will indeed become the highlight of your trip to Japan. 

We also recommend a self-drive 4-day tour in Kochi which takes you around Ohenro and more.  

This overnight tour will let you enjoy two of the best outdoor experiences in Kochi: cycling and rafting!

You will pick up your bicycle at a designated location in Kochi City. Your trusty steed will either be a commuter bicycle with 10+ gears or a road bicycle with 22 gears, depending on your request and budget. The ride will take you up Route 254 and 32 as far as the Otoyo valley, 400 meters above sea level. While this sounds difficult, the rise is gentle 90% of the way, with just one 3 km section accounting for about 250 m of the climb. That is short enough that you can walk it too much if it gets too much, and the overall distance is just 32km. We estimate that most people can do the distance in 2-4 hours.

Once at your destination in Otoyo (the supplier facility is just steps from the station there), you will be greeted by our supplier and given a short orientation of the rafting facility. In the end, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the peak of the steep mountainsides of the valley for a magical evening of dinner, drinks, and a long soak in the bath. The views from the homes we use are spectacular, so be sure to bring your camera.

 You will be picked up from your accommodation and taken to the rafting base to get changed and receive safety orientation. Then it is time for the river – a course that will run about 2-2.5 hours on the water itself. The system is enormous fun and includes several rapids and quiet stretches squeezed between high cliffs. The experience also includes free photos of you that you can get from a CD. Following the rafting experience and getting changed, you will enjoy some snacks and then start your return trip to Kochi, largely downhill out of the Otoyo Valley.

 09:00 Arrive at bicycle pickup point (typically Kochi Station or Kochi Airport, depending on our prior advice to you). Receive instructions on bike usage, bike care, road safety, and support.
09:30 Depart for Otoyo destination.
13:00 Arrive at our rafting supplier’s home base, for teaming with other crew members in your raft, course introduction, fitting, and basic instructions
13:30 Optional hiking or canyoning in the afternoon. See options below, else you have free time to explore the pretty hillsides of Otoyo.
16:30 Arrive back at Home Base, get changed, chill for a spell
17:30 Supplier will take you back to your accommodation, and prepare a BBQ.
18:00 Dinner 

The third day of our tour will be about experiencing the unique and rich culture of the Shonai Region and its deep ties to the sea trade with the rest of Japan.

We will begin our day with a visit to the Sanno Club Museum in downtown Sakata. We will learn how this region’s extensive trade with the rest of Japan shaped this region economically and culturally.  We will also get to see many of the local crafts of Sakata, including kasafuku dolls which we will make with local craftswomen from the city. 

Following this, we will walk over to Somaro Maiko Teahouse, where we will experience a stunning private performance by the beautiful maiko of the Shonai Region, along with a bento lunch in their home. 

After exploring the rest of the home at Somaro, we will then drive over to Sakata Station.

08:30 Pick up from your accommodation by supplier’s driver
09:00 Arrive at the home base, then introduction, fitting, and basic instructions
09:30 Travel in supplier’s van to the launch point, where the safety orientation starts, along with instructions on how to handle the paddles and raft.
12:00 After 2 ½ hours of incredible thrills and fun, you arrive at the pickup point, just meters away from the supplier’s home base
13:00 After changing, enjoy a free bagel baked on the premises, and receive your complimentary photo CD with all the shots taken by your river guide
14:00 Head out for the return trip to Kochi
17:30 Arrive at Kochi Train Station or Kochi Airport