Hozugawa Rafting Big Smile — Attraction in Kameoka

Big Smile truly lives up to its name! Our two-hour rafting adventure on the Hozugawa River was an unforgettable experience, made even more special by the incredible staff. From the moment we arrived, the team was welcoming, professional, and full of energy. Their enthusiasm was contagious, setting the perfect tone for an exhilarating ride.

Our leader was exceptionally skillful, guiding us safely through the rapids while keeping everyone engaged and entertained. With six of us on the boat, he ensured we worked together seamlessly, turning the ride into a thrilling yet coordinated adventure. His expert navigation through the twists and turns of the river made every rapid feel exciting, while his humor and encouragement kept us laughing the whole way.

The entire staff made sure we felt safe, comfortable, and completely immersed in the experience. They brought a fantastic balance of adrenaline-pumping action and lighthearted fun, making this rafting trip one of the highlights of our visit. If you’re looking for an adventure filled with excitement, teamwork, and top-notch guides, Big Smile is the perfect choice. A huge thank you to the team for making this an unforgettable journey—we’ll...

From a rafting hobbyist :

One of my more enjoyable rafting experiences !

The wet suits were clean !! Which is way more important than people give it credit for .. It didn't have any residual smell of sweat / mold (which can be quite unpleasant and definitely not a good time)

The rapids itself were about a level 3 - managable , but still exciting . it's an experience that may be enjoyed by family / kids / first timers , our guide Han-chan♡ and Gyan-chan♡ are very skilled and strong we could have probably gotten away with not paddling at all 😅

I enjoyed the boat games (fell into the water a few times) and the cliff jumping :0) I would have liked if we could have had the time to cliff jump a few more times but it did get pretty crowded after a while ( there was another company incoming so we moved on)

We took the train back from the end point which I was a bit apprehensive about at first , but it was a smooth journey and our guides were very conscientious - cleaning the water off the floor and ensuring we didn't bother anyone

Would...

Really fun! Not too rough waters so good for beginners. Some of the guides were from Nepal. Can't bring our cameras or phones for rafting but the rafting guides take photos for you. Unfortunately our group only got a few good shots in. The rest of the photos were alright... I recommend anyone to just ask your guide to take as much pictures as possible, because it costs about ¥2,000 for one CDR with all the photo data.

Summary:

The Good: -Friendly guides -Good for beginners -Can float in the river --One small cliff jumping spot for groups -Absolutely beautiful scenery

The Bad: -1 hour and 40 minutes rafting felt too short! Had too much fun! -Just a couple of decent pictures taken by our guide. -Our pictures didn't look a great as the pictures on the Big...