Yet another outdoor adventure just a short bus ride away from Tokyo (population: 17 million).This time we went rafting and canyoning in Minikami. If you've been paying attention Minikami is were we went snowboarding in the winter. This was another organized trip through Chris's work which we jumped at because, well, we didn't have to lift a finger.
This was our first stay at a traditional Japanese ryoken (hotel). Granted, this ryoken was owned by a Kiwi and the tatami rooms came with bunk beds - certainly nothing Japanese about that.
An early rise on Saturday (7 am) complete with a carb filled pancake breakfast and we were ready for our introduction to canyoning. What is canyoning? Apparently someone came up with the bright idea of donning a wetsuit, life jacket and helmet in order to go diving, sliding, plummeting over waterfalls and rapids. Fun!
Looking like contestants on Fear Factor, we boarded a bus to Fox Canyon (again, not very Japanese). We got to the canyon and it looked very doable. The water was a little chilly but the wet suits were doing their jobs. We walked a little bit and then did some easy drifting. We then arrived at our first and biggest challenge -- a 20 meter waterfall. 
Being from the only country in the world that doesn't use the metric system the idea of going over a 20 meter waterfall didn't really register. But it was loud and the Brits, Aussies, etc all looked a little apprehensive. It turned out to be a lot of fun and we have pictures and video to prove it. After the waterfall a bunch of people (Chris included) climbed up the opposite cliff, took a makeshift swing to the center of the area and did an 18 meter free fall into the pool below. Lots of fun!
We continued snaking through the canyon and came to another waterfall (affectionately nicknamed the washing machine) that we were able to 
slide down feet first and headfirst. Nicole got crushed a few times in the spin cycle and even lost a sock (just kidding). Nicole also had the pleasure of being the only person without nose plugs and - well, a waterfall called the washing machine and no nose plugs and you get the idea). There's some great pictures of Nic taking a plunge from the cliff overlooking the pool - holding here nose!
slide down feet first and headfirst. Nicole got crushed a few times in the spin cycle and even lost a sock (just kidding). Nicole also had the pleasure of being the only person without nose plugs and - well, a waterfall called the washing machine and no nose plugs and you get the idea). There's some great pictures of Nic taking a plunge from the cliff overlooking the pool - holding here nose!We floated down to our last destination and had another opportunity to jump from a lower cliff. It was really like everyone was transported back
to childhood. People were jumping, cannonballing and flipping into these pools of water, it was a blast to watch everyone acting like complete goofballs. When were all good and water logged, we took our final group picture and headed back to camp for a much needed meal.
to childhood. People were jumping, cannonballing and flipping into these pools of water, it was a blast to watch everyone acting like complete goofballs. When were all good and water logged, we took our final group picture and headed back to camp for a much needed meal.
