What to wear on the Hozugawa River boat ride
Warm months
Normal clothes, plus something waterproof you can pull on for ten seconds at a time. The rapids come and go quickly and nobody bothers with full wet-weather gear. A hat matters more than you would think, because the gorge has long open stretches and you cannot put up a sun umbrella. Keep a plastic bag for the phone.
Winter
Under the canopy you are out of the wind and the rain, and still sitting still on a bench for a hundred minutes in a cold river valley. Layers, a hat, gloves. I have seen visitors in December in a light jacket and they spend the second half of the run looking at their hands rather than the gorge. Timetables for the winter sailings are on the season page.
Skip the umbrella entirely. They are not permitted on board in any season, sun or rain, and a poncho does the same job without blocking the person behind you. How wet you actually get is covered on the splash page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need waterproofs on the Hozugawa boat?
A light raincoat or poncho is enough. You may be splashed, particularly in the front seats or when the water is high, but you are not going to be soaked.
Can I take an umbrella on the boat?
No. Sun umbrellas are not permitted on board. Bring a hat for glare and a poncho for spray.
What should I wear on a winter boat?
Proper layers, a hat and gloves. The winter boats run under a clear canopy from the second Monday of December to 9 March, with no heating to rely on. See what to expect on board.