This tour lets participants leisurely explore the Kumano River on a Sandanbo boat blown by the breeze. Take in the scenery along banks and the sounds of birds, their flapping wings, the river, and the wind.

The Kumano River has a long history and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. This river flows through the southern Kii Peninsula region between Mie and Wakayama Prefectures. In the past, it flourished with the transport of goods and acted as a “river pilgrimage trail,” connecting the sites of Kumano Sanzan. The lifestyle and culture of those living in its basin have always been tied to the river. Traditional sandanbo sail boats were active on the Kumano River from the late Edo period (1603 - 1867), transporting a variety of goods in both directions. They relied on the wind to move and their skilled operators would need to take advantage of the surrounding terrain. These days, when the engine stops and the boat moves with the wind, you can hear birdsong, the wind, and other sounds of nature as though you've joined with it. It makes us want to preserve the pure stream of the Kumano River and the life connected to it for future generations. Come experience the Kumano River, touch the history and its lifeways, and rethink the relationship between humans and nature.