That Japanese Twist

One of the many fun things about Japan is that it adds its own unique Japanese flair onto everything (everything) it takes from outside.  For example, food-wise, some sandwiches sport maple syrup, fruit & whipped cream, or even noodles, and オムライス(“omuraisu”)—a mound of flavored rice wrapped in an egg blanket—challenges the traditional omelet.  Commercial-wise, jingles and underlying messages fall into a completely different breed.  Fashion-wise, shoes are either: a) high-heeled, b) an array of neon colors, or c) both a & b.  Other articles of clothing and accessories are showered with bows, lace, pastels and the likes.   Office and school supply-wise, pens and pencils regularly show off sparkles, characters and charms.  Even a Kit Kat bar can’t merely be a Kit Kat bar in Japan; there are endless varieties that other countries—for whatever reason—just don’t have the pleasure of enjoying, including Sweet Potato and English Breakfast Tea.

And then there’s the whitewater rafting experience we had at Kyoto’s Hozu Canyon last weekend.  This little daytrip definitely wins the most surprising and interesting (and fun) rafting experience in my book.

We expected the typical rafting experience—a little paddling, some currents and rapids, possibly some swimming, and probably some type of minor mishap like getting stuck on a rock for a brief period before we would all huddle to one side of the raft to shift the weight and send ourselves back along the river's natural flow. 

But instead the day turned out to feel like we were on one of those Japanese game shows, filled with those assorted tasks that you never even remotely imagined would be asked of sane people.  After each stretch of rapids, a “High five!” chorus echoed from the guides, to which (as we were strictly briefed in the beginning of the trip) we were to simultaneously raise all of our oars above our heads to join them in the middle as a celebratory gesture.  Once we reached our first stretch of calm water (approximately five or six “High five’s!” later), the trip—in true Japanese fashion—took a swift turn, morphing into a series of random, odd unique “ trust games,” with a little white water in between.

First, we were all instructed to stand on the edge of the raft, hold hands and lean back without falling into the river.  Um, yeah.  We followed instructions like a herd of terribly-confused-yet-awfully-amused sheep.  The glaring issue in the back of (I think) all of our minds though was that we were the ones who were the center of this “amusement.” 

Proud to say that our stellar raft was the only one on the tour to survive this one dry….not that it mattered though, since we all got soaked during the next activity, better known as jumping off a cliff. 

After cliff-jumping we were roped into another “game.” Literally roped.  Like, we were each tied to a rope via our lifejackets and instructed to stand on the raft’s edge once more to horizontally hover—à la Superman style—above the water and put faith in our companions that they would hold us steady.

This little exercise didn’t work out as well though.  Too bad we’re all so untrustworthy.

Before we had arrived at the rafting company’s hut, we had passed the time by reading the company’s incredibly generous list of FAQ’s.  Initially, it was pure entertainment.  But as our river journey took shape post-high fives, cliff-jumping, and leaning both backwards and forwards off the edge of the boat, one particular excerpt became much more insightful.

 “You don't need physical strength. The reason is you don't have to paddle all day long. You just have to paddle in the rapid. All you need is feeling to have fun.” --Big Smile Rafting, Japan

True words of wisdom, readers.  Only in Japan would a rafting company be so…zen.

Oh, and then the final leg of this company’s thoroughly-planned tour turned out to look like this:

I could explain, but isn’t your curiosity/confusion just so much more fun?!