[Kansai ]Enjoy summer to the fullest! 10 recommended water activities

In Osaka, you can try wakeboarding on a day trip. It may seem difficult to stand on the water while being pulled by a boat, but even beginners can try it easily. Before starting, there is a thorough lesson on land. Here, you will thoroughly master how to stand and slide. After that, go out to the sea and observe the instructor's skills up close.
After watching the pros, it's time to try your hand at riding for the first time. It is difficult to stand up, but you will feel a great sense of accomplishment if you can glide on the ocean. After you finish wakeboarding, you can also enjoy a floating activity pulled by a boat. This tour offers a full day of fun in Osaka Bay.

Location：249-2 Shinmachi, Hannan-shi, Osaka-fu
Fee: 3,000 to 8,000 yen
Official website: https://wake-shakado.com/

Scuba diving can be enjoyed in Hyogo Prefecture, which faces two seas, the Seto Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan. On the Sea of Japan side, you can observe colorful fish in the beautiful, crystal-clear waters. Unlike tropical seas such as Okinawa, you can swim in deep, dark blue waters.
In the shallows, you can see colorful nudibranchs and small fish, and as you go deeper, you can encounter large black sea breams and schools of sardines. Snorkeling can be done in Oura Bay, where the waves are relatively calm, so even beginners can enjoy it. Enjoy the deep blue waters of the Sea of Japan, which are different from tropical waters.

Location: 1218 Aza Oura, Kirihama, Takeno-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture
Material: 3,000yen for elementary school students / 4,500yen for junior high school students and above
Official website: https://takeno-scvc.jp/

Hoverboarding can be enjoyed in Tatsuno City, which is located next to Himeji City. Even beginners can try hoverboarding with ease, as you will be given a detailed lecture before your flight. First, get a feel for flying on a trampoline on land.
After the training, we will go out to the sea to practice hoverboarding. The force of the water spraying from the special boots may make you lose, but remembering your training on land, you will try your hand at it. You will feel a great sense of exhilaration when you take off into the sky. After the hoverboarding experience is over, you can enjoy a barbecue with delicious meat. This is a plan that allows you to enjoy the summer sea to the fullest.

Location: 1250-109 Murozu, Mitsu-cho, Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture
Fee: 5,700 yen (*A separate facility fee of 800 yen is required)
Official website: http://aquariz.com/

In the Miyama area of Kyoto, where rich satoyama mountains abound, you can enjoy a thrilling canyoning experience. The first half of the course includes a shower climbing experience, and takes you deep into the canyon past waterfalls of various sizes. The second half of the course takes you through the mountains to join the main stream of the river. Once you join the river, you can start canyoning.
Let the river flow downstream as you go. Enjoy the gentle flow of the river and take a peek into the water. You will see small fish swimming leisurely and bright green moss. Even in the hot summer, the river water is cool and refreshing. This is a great activity to cool off while having fun.

Location: 1-1 Tagakami Gobo, Miyama-cho, Nantan-shi, Kyoto
Fee: 22,000 yen (per group) for up to 3 persons / 7,150 yen (per person) for 4 or more persons
Official website: https://tautasya.jp/outdoor/canyoning/

"The Hozu River in Kyoto, famous for the Hozu River rafting ", also offers thrilling rafting. On the 16-km course that descends from Kameoka City to Arashiyama, visitors can enjoy various aspects of the Hozu River, from rapids to gentle currents.
The rapids in the upper reaches of the river should be overcome by all the friends in the boat. At places where the current is calm, you can take your time and enjoy the scenery of the Hozu River. There is also a spot where you can jump into the river, so you can enjoy the Hozu River to the fullest. After the rafting experience, you can take a relaxing hot spring bath in Arashiyama to warm up your body. You can enjoy both rafting and sightseeing in Arashiyama as a set.

Location: 2 Shimonakajima, Hozu-cho, Kameoka-shi, Kyoto
Fee: 7,000-14,000 yen
Official website: https://www.hozugawakudari.jp/rafting

In Shiga Prefecture, you can experience SUP on the largest lake in Japan, "Lake Biwa ". First, you will practice on land, and when you get out on the lake, you will start from a sitting position. After that, when you get used to it, you can stand up and paddle the SUP. The instructor will take pictures of you, so you can take pictures that will look great in the spectacular scenery of Lake Biwa.
The meeting place is just a 5-minute walk from JR Shiga Station, and the popular sightseeing spot "Lake Biwa Terrace "is also conveniently located just a 5-minute drive away. After playing on Lake Biwa, go up to "Lake Biwa Terrace "and look at Lake Biwa from above. This is a sightseeing course where you can have plenty of fun on Lake Biwa.

Location: 392 Arakawa, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Fee: Adults (4th grade and up) 4,500 yen / Children (6 years old to 3rd grade) 1,500 yen
　　　Facility fee of 100 yen is required separately.
Official website: https://www.goodtimes88.jp/biwako-sup/

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  SUP Guided Tour - Dotonbori Course

  Osaka City Minami Area(Shinsaibashi, Namba, Nipponbashi)

  Recommended for familiesRecommended for couplesSmall GroupTraveling with the GirlsTrip with the GuysTo Make MemoriesCharterOn the RiverOutdoor ActivitiesOut of the OrdinaryIncludes GuideNature

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  Click here for details

You can experience water tubing at "Setagawa "in Shiga Prefecture. The Seta River is the only river in the Kansai region where this activity is available. You can go down the river in a one-person boat with a floating ring. After practicing in a calm area, you will slowly go down the Seta River while enjoying the current. On the rapids along the way, avoid large waves as you go.
The water is closer to the surface than on a rafting boat, so you can enjoy a powerful river rafting experience, either going over the waves one person at a time or all the participants grabbing the boat and plunging into the waves together. This is a water activity that is sure to bring even adults back to their childhood.

Location: 1215-5 Nango-cho, Ishiyama, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Admission: Adults (19 years and older) 6,000 yen / High school students 5,800 yen
Official website: https://www.friendship-adventures.com/tube_seta.html

Rafting can be enjoyed at "Yoshino River "in Nara Prefecture, one of the clearest rivers in the Kansai region. As you proceed through the gentle current, you will come to a rapid point where the water splashes. You can float on the river or swim with other boat members. You can feel the Yoshino River with your five senses by floating or swimming in the river.
The whole family can enjoy an exhilarating rafting experience, as participants can be as young as 4 years old. The experience of crossing the rapids while gazing at the beautiful river will surely be a memory you will cherish for a lifetime.

Location: 1260 Misasa-cho, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture
Fee: Adults 6,500 yen / Children 5,500 yen
Official website: https://www.evaguri.com/rafting/

Try sea kayaking at "Yuasa Bay "in Wakayama Prefecture, which is easily accessible from Osaka City. You can choose from a course that allows you to spend a full day at sea or a course that allows you to enjoy only half a day at ease. You can enjoy sea kayaking with an adventurous spirit as you slip between large rocks and land on secret beaches that can only be accessed by kayak. Half-day tours are available for elementary school students and up, so families can enjoy Wakayama's ocean to the fullest.
The ocean is beautiful during the daytime, but a sunset tour is also recommended. At dusk, paddle a kayak while watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. You will feel relaxed as you listen to the quiet sound of the waves while watching the sky and ocean turn orange.

Location：1434 Sugihara, Yuasa-machi, Arita-gun, Wakayama
Fee: 7,000-12,000 yen
Official website: https://www.island-stream.com/

Enjoy diving in Kushimoto-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, the southernmost tip of the Kii Peninsula. In the beautiful sea, which boasts some of the clearest visibility in the Kansai region, you can encounter colorful fish thanks to the warm ocean currents. If you choose a diving store specializing in beginners, you can rest assured that your instructor will teach you carefully.
When you dive into the sea, you will see more than 100 kinds of corals. And you will be healed by colorful small fishes swimming through the corals. In addition to regular diving, we also offer "Nudibranch Diving Plan "where you can find and closely observe nudibranchs. Let's experience the deep world of diving in the beautiful sea of Wakayama.

Location: 617-27, Kushimoto-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama
Fee: 14,300 yen
Official website: https://kushimotodivingcenter.com/

We have introduced 10 water activities you can enjoy in the Kansai area. Whether it is the ocean, a river, or a lake, you can enjoy the abundant nature of the Kansai region. On a hot summer day, let's cool off by touching clean natural water. These activities are sure to be enjoyed by both adults and children.