Kitayama River

Northern Wakayama's Kitayama area is best known for its centuries-old tradition of log rafting down the Kitayama River. Visitors stand on platforms of lashed cedar logs while skilled boatmen navigate gentle rapids and green pools through a gorge of steep cedar-covered walls, a practice that began when loggers floated timber to coastal markets. The riverside scenery is exceptional. Beyond rafting, the area offers hiking through old-growth forest, mountain onsen villages, and access to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage network. The remote location takes effort to reach from major cities, but the unspoiled valley and the unusual tradition of standing on a floating log make it worthwhile.