Kumagawa River Rafting

**Traditional vs. rafting:** The traditional wooden boats (kuma-gawa kudari) are slow, scenic, and cultural — the boatman sings folk songs and narrates local history. Inflatable rafts are active sport. First-timers: do the traditional boat in the morning, inflatable raft in afternoon (combination packages available, ¥8,000). **July flood recovery:** The 2020 flood devastated Hitoyoshi. The river tours resumed in 2021 with new safety protocols. Some stretches still show flood damage (exposed tree roots, altered banks) — a reminder of the river's power. **Aoi Aso Shrine:** At the rafting start point, Aoi Aso Shrine (国宝青井阿蘇神社) is a National Treasure thatched-roof shrine from 1613. The combination of ancient shrine and river start creates a spiritual sendoff for the journey downstream.