Canyoning in the Gunma Prefecture

Now for the reason we took our trip to Minakami, Japan. It all started last summer while camping in Yagen Valley when the campfire conversation was reliving the exciting jump from a small cliff into the 6 foot deep stream. (I know...smart right)

Well someone brought up canyoning during this conversation and mentioned that there is a place in Japan that has tours. After a few days of digging we found the Canyons Adventure Experiences company which could show us the way to even larger cliffs and much deeper water as well. It wouldn't be until over one year later that we finally pulled the trigger and setup our very own canyoning trip.

Having arrived in Minakami late Saturday night, we got a full nights rest before setting off to the Canyons office on Sunday morning. After meeting up with Mike, our guide with 12 years experience and considered to be one of the pioneers of canyoning in Japan, it was time to get into our wetsuits, strap on our life jackets and helmets. We loaded up in the van and set off for our first half of the day in Maple canyon which turned out to be a great warm up for the second half of the day. Here are the pictures from the first half of the day.

Fake smiles as everyone gets over the initial shock of the cold water

Trekking back further into the canyon

All 10 of us heading down the large slide

Sandy & I headfirst down the slide

Sandy headfirst and backwards down a slide and into a pool

While the first half of the day was a good time by anyone's measure, we were all looking forward to the second half in Fox River where the cliffs and slides were supposed to be about triple the size of the ones from Maple Canyon. Fox River did not disappoint.

From the very start we laid down in a slide and headed into the canyon. It was literally 15 minutes in and we were faced with a 60 foot waterfall which we were about to ride into a giant pool down below.


From the top you could barely see what you were getting yourself into...but from the bottom you're able to look back on what was one helluva ride.

After the waterfall we climbed up the wall and onto a pedestrian bridge over the pool that we had just been dropped into and then made our way out onto a wooden chairlift. A few pulls of a rope and we were again out over the pool, but this time suspended in mid air by a handle bar before letting go and falling over 45 feet into the water below.




As if that wasn't enough of a rush, we then took it upon OURSELVES (not part of the tour as clearly indicated by our guides) to leap from the 50 foot bridge. I think this was the best part of the entire day.


The rest of the course was just as fun but couldn't quite compare to the size of the jumps and drops above. I could put up another 50 pictures of everyone sliding, jumping, flipping, and diving from cliffs and waterfalls alike, but I think you get the idea by now.

After our tour was over we got our Canyons membership cards which opens up a whole new list of canyoning adventures. Unfortunately Sandy and I won't be able to take full advantage of them as we're now two months away from PCSing to Virginia. Maybe somewhere along the way we'll get another chance to do some extreme hiking, but until then this experience will be one not soon forgotten.


Pictures made possible by Eddie's shockproof, waterproof Olympus Camera

Hotakasan Campground

Ten of us set off from Misawa for the 8+ hour drive down to the Gunma Prefecture. Specifically the Minakami area in search of this amazing time Europeans call "Canyoning" and Americans have coined "Canyoneering." Details on that in a post to follow.

Our home for the Columbus Day weekend would be the Hotakasan Campground which turned out to be one of the nicest campgrounds we've ever stayed at. It had concrete pads setup randomly along a hillside in a dense birch forest with running water to wash dishes, cooking grates if you so chose, and an abundance of fire pits. My only complaint was that the bathroom smelled like a zoo. I guess that's an acceptable trade-off when next to it is a ¥200 hot shower.

As always, everyone packed enough to feast at every meal. From seasoned ribs, to the jambalaya, steaks, and smores in the evening and hash browns, bacon, eggs, steak, and Starbucks Coffee for breakfast. (Starbuckscourtesy of me of course)

About a 30 minute walk, or 5 minute drive, from the campground was a beautiful waterfall too.


Then the greatest benefit of all...the Takaragawa Onsen. Approximately a 20 minute drive from the campground, this three bath, open air, and all natural coed onsen hit the spot after a full day of banging up the body on rocks, waterfalls, and ropes. The actual bath names are Maka, Hannya, and Kodakara. Our favorite being the Maka bath which is one of the most famous onsens in all of Japan.
It is the most frequent bath featured in TV shows, magazines, and advertisements. The whole area is actually very public. While you're enjoying the onsen there are people...tourists even...walking within 10 or so feet of you along the trails. Interesting to say the least.


All in all, great accommodations with plenty of luxury nearby from a camping perspective. Sure wish we could head back and do this again!

Yagen Valley in the Fall

As summer turns to fall and our time here in Misawa comes closer to an end, we're getting our fill of travels, sights, and activities. Having had a great time on our last visit to Yagen we decided to get a large group of people together and head up for one last trip. Only difference in this trip was that the air was a little cooler and the leaves had just begun to turn.

Setting up near the main fire pit this time, the perfect weather made for a relaxing evening as the sun set behind the hills. Everyone had a chance to enjoy cold drinks and grill up their steaks, dogs, and eventually smores.

The rest of these pictures are from the valley and surrounding areas. On Sunday Sandy and I just headed off with no particular goal but the guarantee that the GPS would lead us home
eventually.



We're both going to miss the Shimokita Peninsula...especially in the Fall.