Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 5-Day Shimanto River Canoe Customizable Tour
Paddle a canoe on the clear Shimanto River in Kochi, walk over its low sunken bridges, and visit the mountain town of Yusuhara. April to October.
Private · your group only◆5 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
The Shimanto River in western Kochi is often called the last clear river of Japan. It has no big dams on its main stream. The water is green and clean, and the valley is quiet.
The river is famous for its chinkabashi, or sunken bridges. These low bridges have no railings, so that floods can pass over them without breaking them. You walk across one and take photos close to the water.
The main activity is a canoe trip with a local canoe company. You get a short lesson on land, then you paddle a calm part of the river with a guide. No experience is needed.
You also visit Yusuhara, a small town high in the mountains, with wooden buildings by the architect Kengo Kuma. And you see Nakamura, the small town near the river mouth.
This tour runs from April to October, when the river is warm enough for canoes.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 people, never shared. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the canoe trip is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead take a riverside cycling route along the Shimanto and its sunken bridges.
DAY 1 Pickup at your Tokyo hotel and drive west to Okayama (about 8 to 9 hours with breaks).
DAY 2 Drive to the Shimanto area, with a stop at a sunken bridge on the way to Nakamura.
DAY 3 Canoe trip on the Shimanto River with a local canoe guide, then more sunken bridges.
DAY 4 Mountain town Yusuhara and its wooden buildings, then drive to Okayama.
DAY 5 Drive back to your Tokyo hotel (about 8 to 9 hours with breaks).
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Paddle a canoe on the clear Shimanto River
- Walk across a sunken bridge with no railings
- Get a lesson from a local canoe guide, no experience needed
- See Kengo Kuma's wooden buildings in Yusuhara
- Enjoy the quiet green valleys of western Kochi
Said plainly
Bring clothes that can get wet and shoes for water. Children must be able to sit safely in a canoe. The tour runs from April to October. If the canoe trip is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead take a riverside cycling route along the Shimanto and its sunken bridges. This tour has long driving days. The van has comfortable seats and we stop every 2 hours or so for rest areas, food and toilets.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Paddle a canoe on the clear Shimanto River
Walk across a sunken bridge with no railings
Get a lesson from a local canoe guide, no experience needed
See Kengo Kuma's wooden buildings in Yusuhara
Enjoy the quiet green valleys of western Kochi
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Canoe trip with local canoe guide, lesson and life jacket
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Okayama and Nakamura (Shimanto city))
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional towel and change of clothes rental
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
Plan a custom journeyYour private Japan day
Ready to reserve?
Choose a live date and complete secure payment in a few minutes.
From¥425,000
Check dates