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Lovely Play & Recreation

Fun games in the river. Recreational games

“What exactly are you supposed to do when playing in a river?” You might be wondering that yourself.

Simply wading in the shallows or swimming a little can make for a fun day by the river, but for those who want to know a bit more about children’s summer outdoor activities, here are some recommended games and recreational ideas you can enjoy at the river.

We’ve got everything from activities that require no equipment to fairly serious adventures!

Get out into nature, dive in wholeheartedly, and we hope you make all kinds of new discoveries!

Fun river activities. Recreational games (31–40)

Firefly watching

Fireflies (Hotaru) in Inukanno, Nishibetsuin-cho, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture
Firefly watching

From around May to June, you can see fireflies along the river.

Festivals and concerts are often held to coincide with this, so it might be a good idea to check for information in early spring.

The period when fireflies can be seen is short, so please keep that in mind.

E-boat

PR Video for the Kitakami River Basin Exchange E-Boat Tournament
E-boat

An E-boat is a ten-person, human-powered rowing boat.

Its selling point is how easy it is to operate, so anyone can get started casually.

It’s often done on wide, calm rivers, which keeps the risk low, and on some rivers you can enjoy it as a leisurely cruise.

Canoe/Kayak

Canoe & Camping: How to Paddle a Canoe | Coleman
Canoe/Kayak

Canoeing and kayaking are activities where one or two people paddle a boat to go down a river.

They’re smaller than the boats used for rafting, so they’re more maneuverable—and more thrilling, too.

There are tours where you can explore narrow caves that only canoes or kayaks can enter, and see breathtaking scenery, so be sure to look for those.

Napping by the riverside

How about taking a nap surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature? All you need is a picnic blanket, something to cover yourself with like a blanket depending on the season, and a cushion or pillow.

A hammock is also recommended if you have one.

Napping while surrounded by the genuine sounds of a flowing river and birdsong is quite a luxury, isn’t it?

In conclusion

We introduced river activities and recreational games. River play is something both adults and children can get totally into and enjoy. It’s definitely something you’ll want to try at least once in the summer! A nearby riverside spot is fine, but there are also designated safe places for river activities, so if you’re going with children, be sure to look them up in advance.