Rafting on the Tone

12.08.16

Tone River

Today we awoke to go to Minakami. On our way to Minakami we stopped to buy some fruit. It seems that fruit is not part of the everyday Japanese diet, since 5€ seems to be the standard price for two apples or some grapes. On the other hand, dried fruit is more commonly found. After having checked into the hostel, aligned with the rafting program (Canyons), we went to eat soba noodles before out big adventure. Soba noodles are eaten cold, off a shared wooden platter and dipped into a special sauce, mixed with spring onion.

View from Canyons hostel

After this traditional Japanese meal, we went rafting. Since we were the only foreigners taking part in the program, we were assigned to an instructor from New Zealand, who gave us English instructions on security. This meant that in contrast to the Japanese instructions we received a brief warning of what might happen and finished a good while before the others. Extreme safety measures are usually applied in Japan, to inform people on even the the most improbable risks, creating worst-case scenarios. Since in the middle of August, the weather in Japan is rather hot and dry, water levels were at their lowest. Therefore, the rafting itself reminded me more of a river cruise, but seemed worth it none the less. Since the rafting itself was not significantly spectacular, other means of entertainment were taken. All together we had the opportunity to swim in rapid water, jump from a 5m cliff and pose for pictures shown later in the hostel.

Barbecue with Instructor

In the evening, the instructors joined the guests for a pint. We ordered a barbeque and wine by the riverside. Since I am a vegetarian, I got my own menu consisting of tofu, salad, grilled onion and crisp potatoes. I am not going to lie, but I think that the others were slightly jealous of my food plate – of course I was willing to share after an appropriate period of gloating. When the night broke, our Japanese friend decided to take out his tenor and soprano saxophone. I am an amateur Saxophone player and played the blues bass line on the tenor while he played soprano solos. Mixed with the soothing sound of the river flowing, this jam session set a perfect ending to a wonderful evening.

Song of the Day: 

Riverside
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjncyiuwwXQ