A Summer Weekend Trip to the Everglades Kahada: Barbecuing, Canoeing, Camping, and More!

Summerby the River

Summer is in full swing! Drive past the mountains and picturesque rice fields of Matsusaka and arrive at the Everglades Kahada, a summer haven situated on the bank of the beautiful Kushida River of Matsusaka. This article will walk you through an entire weekend trip you can take here, including a barbecue in the afternoon, an overnight cabin stay, a canoeing experience, and plenty of time spent in and around the river. Without further ado, let’s set off for the Everglades Kahada!

An American-style Camp Resort

After arrival, check in at the front desk with the kind staff and take a quick spin around the rental and souvenir store. Wooden planks line the interior of this cozy cabin-style building. Hanging off the store walls are decorations reminiscent of the US, like road plaques, vintage signs, and posters of the Everglades National Park, giving the place a quirky and charming American-inspired atmosphere.

Everything you may need for camping, including tents, life jackets, grills, pots, and rice cookers, is available at the rental corner. If you forget something at home, or if you’re traveling light, you’re sure to find what you need here.

Here you can also order generous barbecue packages that can even accommodate large groups of more than 10 people. Among the menu items are options for smaller groups, like a ribeye or t-bone steak set for two and single portions of baby back ribs, so you can definitely find something to suit your needs. They even have smores, if you’re looking for a classic campfire dessert!

TheSeason for Sizzling Barbecue

After the long drive here, it’s time torefuel with a nourishing meal! Head over to the grill where the smell andsizzle of kalbi, ribs, chicken, sausage, and offal (an authentic yakinikustaple called horumon) crisping upover the fire quickly fills the air.

If you’re with a large group, you may need tomake additional orders from the menu. Add on a soft French bread with herbbutter, or a classic American creation called beer-can chicken, which includesa whole chicken and detailed cooking instructions. Even if you don’t follow theoriginal beer-can chicken method, you can marinate the chicken with the cannedbeer, then roast it covered inside the grill until it comes out juicy andflavorful with the right balance of salt and pepper.

Whether you crave a variety of grilledvegetables, a chilled beer, or a sweet treat to top off your meal, you canbring all of your favorite foods and drinks to go with your barbecue! Crackopen your cooler and bring out your favorite salad mixes, fresh fruits, and ayu (sweetfish). The ayu are highly recommended for adelicious, Japanese-style spin on your barbecue. Sprinkle on some salt, skewerthem so that the bodies form waves, and roast them at an angle from the grillin true traditional fashion! The flesh falls off the bones easily when eaten,and the distinctly sweet flavor and tender texture are accentuated by the saltand the dynamic contrast of the crispy, savory charred bits.

▲Salted sweetfish brought in

Your PersonalGetaway in the Woods

Before the food coma starts to set in, it’stime to set up camp for the evening! The Everglades Kahada offers an overnightlodging option for everyone, whether you prefer a tent site or a rustic cabin.

If you’re looking to step away from technology and connect with your loved ones, an overnight stay at the Everglades Kahada makes the perfect opportunity. If you’re with your family or a large group, a cabin with a large living area, like the Everglades Rio Grande cabin, provides you a spacious room to gather around a table and take out some playing cards or your favorite board games.

Canoeingon Crystal Clear Water

A kind staff member will hold each of yourboats steady as you step inside and finally set out on the water. If you gettoo warm while paddling, take a rest and reach over into the river to let thecrisp, clear water cool down the skin. Just don’t tip the boat!

If you have energy to spare, paddle along the river before turning to enjoy the view. Look out into the distance to find the Chakura Roadside Station perched at the top of the hill overlooking the valley. The thick clusters of trees covering the hillsides will make it hard to believe that all of this is still close to the city.

Our hour in the canoe is up in a flash. Landward ho!

SplashingUnder the Summer Sun

Take a break from swimming and splashing to skip some rocks from the riverbed and relax under the shade on the steps. If the river water is calm, the surface reflects all of the surrounding trees like a mirror.

TheView from Chakura Bridge and Chakura Roadside Station

If you’re up for a detour, head over to the striking red Chakura Bridge right next to the Everglades campgrounds. This bridge takes you to the hilltop roadside station that can be seen from the river. Pause to admire the vibrant red contrasting with the fresh summer green of the trees before climbing up the winding staircase to the bridge deck.

After a short stroll over the bridge and up the hillside, you’ll be treated to a sweeping view of the Iinan tea fields nestled in the Kahada Valley. If the visibility is good, you can see all the way out to the mountains in the distance. The view of the river from above is just as exquisite as it is from the water’s edge.

Just past this point is the Chakura Roadside Station, one of Matsusaka’s two roadside stations that stock local specialties and other goodies fit to bring home as gifts or souvenirs. The building’s façade brings to mind a quaint, European cottage in the rolling hills. If you have a minute, stop by the chic café on the second floor for a cool drink and a snack before you head back to the Everglades!

AMemento of our Summer: Hunting for Colorful Stones!

Make a stop at the stone hunting area! At a small fee, you or your child can sift through the sand and the cool water to seek out and collect colorful stones. Apparently, there are even a few special treasures hidden among the stones, so make sure to search every corner!

Every excavated stone can be brought home as a souvenir. It’s the perfect end to the day!

summary

Don’t leave the Everglades Kahada without one final visit to the river! The cheerful clusters of hydrangeas lining the hillside by the river are even more vibrant under the late afternoon sun.
While rarer in other parts of the world,these vivid blue and purple blooms are emblematic of summer here. Take a momentto enjoy these cheerful flowers along with the stunning green of the riverbefore packing up and heading out.

If you enjoyed learning about the Everglades Kahada, save this article as reference for your next vacation! Barbecuing, camping, and canoeing at the Everglades Kahada can be a great way to spend your summer. You can find more information and make reservations at the website below. Happy travels!

Everglades Kahada

【Address】 1084-1
Iinancho Kayumi, Matsusaka, Mie, Japan 515-1411

【Website】
https://www.everglades.jp/kahada (Japanese)

Discover more hidden gems of Central Japan’s
nature at the links below!

[Click here for detailed tourist information on Matsusaka City , Mie Prefecture ]

Matsusaka City Tourism Information Site

Matsusaka City Tourism Information Official Instagram