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Japan
2012
Nishizawa Canyon of the Fuefukigawa may
be Japan's most iconic river. In some ways it's similar to Dry Meadow
Creek, what was once California's icon river. Both require a good
amount of hiking for relatively few drops. Thankfully there is more
kayaking on the Fuefukigawa and a good trail for access.
Shannamar Dewey enjoying every
paddler's favorite pastime.
On the Fuefukigawa the clean bits of whitewater
are monumentally good. Daniel Brasuell in the teacups.
Laura Farrell, it's just a special place.
Shannamar Dewey starts one of the most photogenic sequences in the world.
Laura Farrell, it's just a special place.
Shannamar Dewey starts one of the most photogenic sequences in the world.
David Maurier with
an interesting little splash in the teacups.
Rok Sribar and a bit of whitewater
perfection.
Yoshihiro Takahashi takes it down the crack.
Remote yet not with a trail aside the water. Shannamar Dewey, Laura Farrell and Diane Gaydos.
David Maurier dropping into a...cleanish falls.
Diane Gaydos drops in as the team waits below.
Not in pictures are quite a few manky, shallow boulder gardens and a portage or two. Still worth it. Yoshihiro Takahashi drops into a two stage waterfall.
Shannamar Dewey tucks up for stage two.
Yoshihiro Takahashi enjoying a waterfall in scenery only Japan can provide.
The Fuefukigawa is featured in Daniel's video number Sixty-Eight.
The largest drop on the Fuefukigawa is questionable. If it was
the first day of a trip I still doubt most would run it, the chance of
taking a hit and sustaining a minor injury is too high at low flows.
But a minor injury on the last day, well that's not such a big deal.
Daniel Brasuell trying to get far enough
left.
At this moment I pause to question the
choice kayak companies make when they pawn off poorly colored boats on
team members. Yes, they will be harder for dealers to sell too. Yes,
getting an image published is free advertising. In this case the image
with the red boat was published over the blue and white one. In fact
I've never sold an image with a blue and white kayak in it, yet plenty
with red. Interesting.
Yoshihiro Takahashi takes it down the crack.
Remote yet not with a trail aside the water. Shannamar Dewey, Laura Farrell and Diane Gaydos.
David Maurier dropping into a...cleanish falls.
Diane Gaydos drops in as the team waits below.
Not in pictures are quite a few manky, shallow boulder gardens and a portage or two. Still worth it. Yoshihiro Takahashi drops into a two stage waterfall.
Shannamar Dewey tucks up for stage two.
Yoshihiro Takahashi enjoying a waterfall in scenery only Japan can provide.
Eventually the Fuefukigawa turns into a strange series
of shallow dams made to control erosion. We hike out on the trail with
big grins, only disappointed that our time in Japan is at an end.
Apparently the fall colors on the Fuefukigawa are something to behold,
that's something I'd love to come back and photograph people kayaking
through one day...
Thanks again to Yoshihiro Takahashi for hosting us, and his immeasurable patience with our volume levels. With the right person, Japan is an incredibly accessible destination. If you want to get off the beaten whitewater path, experience wonderful culture, history and whitewater, consider hiring Yoshi as a guide. Spirit Japan
Thanks again to Yoshihiro Takahashi for hosting us, and his immeasurable patience with our volume levels. With the right person, Japan is an incredibly accessible destination. If you want to get off the beaten whitewater path, experience wonderful culture, history and whitewater, consider hiring Yoshi as a guide. Spirit Japan
The Fuefukigawa is featured in Daniel's video number Sixty-Eight.
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