Summer Fun in Matsusaka: Swim, Canoe, and Camp in the Kahada Valley!

Kahada
Valley and the Kushida River

When the weather gets warmer and the new leaves sprout from the trees, summer is in full swing and the great outdoors call for adventure. Step into the Kahada Valley of Matsusaka, a bountiful region known for the historic Wakayama pilgrimage route. Here you’ll discover the Kushida River, a crystal clear river flowing straight through the heart of Japan. Kushida River’s exceptional water quality places it among Japan’s top 18 cleanest rivers, making it the perfect place to swim and canoe.

Camping and glamping facilities throughout
the valley also offer a chance for you to surround yourself in nature while
remaining in the vicinity of popular local areas filled with things to do and
see.

Take
off your jackets, pack your swimsuits, and let’s set off on a journey along the
Kushida River to find the best spots to spend summer in Matsusaka’s Kahada
Valley!

Swimming
and Canoeing at Everglades Kahada

Drive through the scenic mountains of Matsusaka to a popular river wading area by the Everglades Kahada that is ideal for cooling down in the summer heat.

With the Everglades Kahada, Chakura Roadside
Station, and Chakura Bridge situated close by, this entire area is the perfect destination
for a full summer day.

Visitors staying at the Everglades Kahada can
also spend an hour leisurely canoeing along the riverbank near the campgrounds
while gazing out at the lovely tree-covered mountainsides with friends or
family.

Everglades Kahada

[Address] 1084-1 Iinancho Kayumi, Matsusaka,
Mie, Japan 515-1411

[Website] https://www.everglades.jp/kahada (Japanese)

[Notes]

- Canoeing is offered as a special event for
visitors staying overnight. Check the website for updated details.

- Life jackets are required inside the canoe.
Participants without life jackets can borrow them at the front desk.

- All children 12 and under are required to
wear life jackets while playing in the river.

-Water shoes or sandals are recommended for swimming in the river.

Swimming
and Canoeing in Iitaka

Venture into the heart of Matsusaka to the
Iitaka area. Here, you can rent a canoe from the local non-profit organization
isierra. Guides will provide all gear and explain everything you need to know,
making it the perfect opportunity for families with smaller children to spend a
day in the river.

Canoe down the Kushida River bank near Iitaka
Roadside Station where you can enjoy looking through the clear waters straight
to the smooth rocks at bottom. Canoeing experiences are offered in two
sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, so you can reserve based
on your schedule. You can take a break in the middle of the experience and go
for a swim.

You can even bring your furry friends with
you! Your dog will be provided a life jacket and allowed to come on board the
canoe with you at an extra fee.

The Iitaka Roadside Station here is just one
of the many local spots worth visiting after your canoeing experience. The area
is filled with unique restaurants, hands-on activities, and sights that will
make for a fulfilling day in the valley.

You can also head down to the riverbank here
whenever you like, whether you want to take a quick dip or spend a whole day in
the water after canoeing.

isierra

[Website] https://i-sierra.com/ (Japanese)

[Notes]

- Canoeing is offered on Saturdays and
Sundays only. Reservations required. Participants meet at Iitaka Roadside
Station.

- Canoeing is available for participants aged
3 to 75. Small children must be accompanied by a guardian.

- Participation is limited to 2-5 people per
group.

- Participation fees are around ￥3,000+ for small children, ￥5,500+ for elementary-aged children, ￥7,000+
for all other participants, and ￥3,000 per dog. Cash
and PayPay only. Check the website for updated details.

-　Morning sessions are 9:30am-11:30am. Afternoon sessions are 1pm-3pm.

Iitaka Roadside
Station

[Address] 177 Iitakacho Miyamae, Matsusaka,
Mie, Japan, 515-1502

[Website] https://www.iitakaeki.com/　(Japanese)

Swimming
Near Haze Station

Situated in the west side of Matsusaka near the
borderline with Nara is Haze Station (pronounced hah-zay), the cozy sister establishment to the central Iitaka
Roadside Station and the landmark for the next swimming area. Take the
suspension bridge to the right of the building to get an overhead view of the
Kushida River, then cross over and head left to find a designated wading area
where the river is shallow and the flow is gentle. The stone steps leading
under the trees down to this hidden gem of a riverbank provide the ideal area
to relax in the shade, enjoy the scenery, or have a picnic.

The surrounding area is also filled with
local treasures to explore after a summer swim. Come inside Haze Station to
refuel with a lunch menu using regional ingredients, or wander around the
nearby clay art garden with over 5,800 square meters of handmade sculptures and
tiles.

Haze Station

[Location] Iitakacho Haze, Matsusaka, Mie,
Japan 515-1725

[Website] https://www.iitakaeki.com/sightseeing/category/haze/　(Japanese)

Camp
or Glamp by the River in Everglades Kahada

In addition to their canoeing tours, the
Everglades Kahada provide a variety of overnight options to suit any
preference. You can reserve American-style cabins right on the riverside, some
including their own personal bathrooms, showers, and even barbecue grills. Some
of these cabins are dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friend with you
to enjoy the summer sun!

If you prefer a night of camping under the
stars, the Everglades offers well-maintained campsites in a variety of styles
and locations. Choose from gravel sites, grassy sites, and riverside sites to
set up your home base. Bring your own tent, or rent one easily along with other
essentials from the Everglades rental shop.

Summer isn’t complete without a barbecue! You
can bring your own tools and ingredients, or rent tools and purchase a barbecue
package. Reserve the day camp plan to use the barbecuing facilities, or use the
included grill if you’re renting a cabin. Combine this with an afternoon in the
river for a perfect summer day.

The Everglades provides a variety of
convenient services to visitors, including kitchens, a playground, trash
facilities, and coin-operated showers. EV charging stations are also available
at the parking lot for any visitors coming in electric-powered vehicles.

Everglades Kahada

[Address] 1084-1 Iinancho Kayumi, Matsusaka,
Mie, Japan 515-1411

[Website]
https://www.everglades.jp/kahada/staying/　(Japanese, for reservations)

Camp
or Glamp in the Mountains in Tsutsuji no Sato

Take a drive deep into Matsusaka’s
mountainsides to Tsutsuji no Sato, where campgrounds and cottages offer the
chance for a summer retreat surrounded by nature.

The campgrounds provide rentals for tents and other essentials, so visitors don’t have to worry about bringing their own. They also have a variety of facilities available for a comfortable stay, including coin-operated showers, a barbecue grill, and a dining hall. The dining hall serves local cuisine like shabu-shabu or Matsusaka beef sukiyaki that you can reserve along with your stay. You can also head out to a local restaurant or shop for regional produce for your barbecue at the nearby Iitaka area.

Recommended hikes in the area include a
casual 10 minute walk from the campground to the Arataki Fudoson Temple and a
1.5 hour hike to the Arataki waterfall, both of which provide amazing views of
the surrounding forests and mountains.

Tsutsuji no Sato

[Address] 1076-3 Iitakacho Ako, Matsusaka,
Mie, Japan 515-1505

[Website]
https://www.ma.mctv.ne.jp/~arataki/　(Japanese)

summary

From canoeing to camping, the Kahada Valley
provides plenty of opportunities for summer fun whether you are passing through
on a road trip or staying for a night or two. Perhaps a dip in the Kushida
river, a bite of Matsusaka beef, and a night spent camping in the Kahada Valley
mountains might call to you this summer!

The
spots listed here are only a small portion of the things that make the Kahada
Valley a lovely destination. Learn more about the Kahada Valley and Matsusaka
at the links below.

https://matcha-jp.com/en/24875
https://matcha-jp.com/en/24876
https://matcha-jp.com/en/24815