Tame the Torrents at Scenic Kitayama Gorge

A 600-year-old Japanese tradition amid the wonders of nature that still enthralls today

Come to Kitayama, a historic village tucked away in the mountains of the Kii peninsula, and hop aboard a Ikada-Kudari log raft for a whitewater ride rooted in history.

Part of Yoshino-Kumano National Park, Kitayama Gorge is the ancestral home of the river runners—loggers who learned to navigate the rapids long before roads were paved.

Your guides will ferry you downstream using the same techniques employed by their ancestors. The gorge is a breathtaking slice of unspoiled nature, with emerald waters, sheer cliffs, and verdant foliage on every side. 

For an even more unforgettable experience, arrive the evening before and spend the night at the rustic Okutoro Onsen hot spring resort to prepare for your adventure.

Access: Drive from Shin-Osaka station (about 3 hours 15 minutes).

Log Rafting in Kitayama River（Kitayama village tourist information center）