Japan · CANOES & KAYAKS

The 15 Kayak Trips in Japan That Earn Their Price

28 tours  ·  from $36 a head

The 15 best kayak trips you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Okinawa Iriomote Mangrove SUP or Canoe Tour - Paddling the Urauchi River
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Okinawa Iriomote Mangrove SUP or Canoe Tour

1.Okinawa Iriomote Mangrove SUP or Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 214 reviews · from $52Our pick

Spend about two hours paddling the calm mangrove waters of Iriomote-jima, using a canoe or SUP. Your guide handles safety, shares details about the river and island, and takes waterproof photos for free. Canoeing suits ages 3 to 65, while SUP is for ages 12 to 59. English service may vary by day.

“Great experience in an amazing nature, very peaceful, quiet moment with a great coach, Iriomote in general has a beautiful nature”

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Okinawa Ishigaki Mangrove SUP or Canoe Tour - SUP or canoe: which should you choose?
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Okinawa Ishigaki Mangrove SUP or Canoe Tour

2.Okinawa Ishigaki Mangrove SUP or Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · from $52

Spend about 90 minutes paddling the sheltered Miyara River mangrove forest near Ishigaki Port. Choose SUP or canoe, use the supplied safety gear, and watch for birds and other wildlife. Guides such as Hiroki and Ken have helped mixed Japanese and English groups feel included. Children may be placed in canoes based on conditions.

“It was magical Ken was most helpful and took great photos for us. The experience was very unique and calimong”

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Okinawa Iriomote SUP or Canoe and Sightseeing in Yubujima Island - What the morning transfer looks like
Canoes & Kayaks, City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Okinawa Iriomote SUP or Canoe and Sightseeing in Yubujima Island

3.Okinawa Iriomote SUP or Canoe and Sightseeing in Yubujima Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · from $82

Spend about six hours around Iriomote-jima with IRIOMOTE ADVENTURE PiPi, using a SUP or canoe on sheltered mangrove rivers and visiting Yubu Island. The tour includes transport from Uehara Port or Uehara-area lodging, equipment, a Yubu Island ticket, water shoes, showers, and free photo data. Lunch is not included, and English support may vary by departure.

“The experience was fantastic. The mangrove forest is not something we've ever done before and it was beautiful. Our guide was really friendly and engaged well with everyone. Doing it in a small group worked well. Loved the shots we got Read more”

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Iriomote Island 1-Day Snorkeling & Mangrove SUP or Canoe - 9:00 AM pickup and the Uehara Port meeting point
1-Day Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Iriomote Island 1-Day Snorkeling & Mangrove SUP or Canoe

4.Iriomote Island 1-Day Snorkeling & Mangrove SUP or Canoe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · from $99

Spend about six hours on Iriomote Island, paddling a sheltered mangrove river by SUP or canoe and snorkeling near Barasu Island. Guides provide instruction, safety gear, wetsuits in winter, free photo data, and warm showers. Pickup is available from Uehara Port and Uehara-area accommodations.

“Had a great time with this tour operator. Excellent logistics, furnished proper equipment, and was on-time with activities. Was very easy to find at the port. Strongly recommend if you have just a day to visit Iriomote and want a couple of pre planned activities.”

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Okinawa Ishigaki Kabira Bay SUP or Canoe Tour - Kabira Bay, the main attraction
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Okinawa Ishigaki Kabira Bay SUP or Canoe Tour

5.Okinawa Ishigaki Kabira Bay SUP or Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · from $52

Spend about 90 minutes on Kabira Bay in a SUP or stable canoe, with views of Ishigaki’s clear coastal waters and photo data included. The tour is available in Japanese or English, though some departures may be Japanese-only. Children may be placed in canoes for extra stability.

“Fantastic location and saw two manta rays swimming through the water while on the SUP. Our guide was fantastic and very fun.”

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Okinawa Iriomote Mangrove SUP or Canoe and Splash Canyoning Tour - Starting at Uehara Port at 9:00 AM
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Okinawa Iriomote Mangrove SUP or Canoe and Splash Canyoning Tour

6.Okinawa Iriomote Mangrove SUP or Canoe and Splash Canyoning Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · from $99

Spend about six hours on Iriomote with a mangrove SUP or canoe outing followed by splash canyoning. Guides provide safety gear, shoes, warm showers, and free photo data. Pickup is available at Uehara Port and Uehara-area lodging. The tour runs in Japanese or English, though Japanese-only guiding is possible.

“We ended up only doing the Mangrove Forest portion in the Afternoon. Ferries to Uehara were cancelled due to wind, so we had to ferry to Ohara (south side of Island) and take a bus to Uehara. This meant we were too late to join the morning Read more”

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Okinawa Ishigaki Kabira Bay SUP or Canoe and Blue Cave Snorkeling - What the SUP and canoe session feels like
Canoes & Kayaks, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Okinawa Ishigaki Kabira Bay SUP or Canoe and Blue Cave Snorkeling

7.Okinawa Ishigaki Kabira Bay SUP or Canoe and Blue Cave Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $89

Spend about four hours on Ishigaki with SUP or canoe time at scenic Kabira Bay, followed by snorkeling near the Blue Cave. Guides such as Akari, Seiki, Loui, and Yudai have helped make the outing friendly and safety-focused. Pickup may be available, but meeting details arrive by the day before. The tour runs in Japanese or English, depending on the day.

“This was the coolest thing I’ve done. The staff supplies you with a life vest, water shoes, flippers and goggles. There is one guide leading the way and one guide behind us. The water was very calm and was easy to swim. I’d recommend taking your time while in the ocean. It can get tiring a bit, but feel free to just relax, float and enjoy the time. Around 11 am, we went to kabira bay for lunch which was nice also. Definitely recommend!”

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[Ishigaki]Mangrove SUP/Canoe + Blue Cave Snorkeling - What the guides add to the morning
Canoes & Kayaks, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

[Ishigaki]Mangrove SUP/Canoe + Blue Cave Snorkeling

8.[Ishigaki]Mangrove SUP/Canoe + Blue Cave Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · from $89

Spend about four hours on Ishigaki combining a SUP or canoe trip through the Miyara River mangroves with snorkeling at Blue Cave. Guides such as Taka, also called Takahiro, may lead the outing in English or Japanese. Pickup, safety equipment, photos, insurance, winter wetsuits, and a hot shower are included, but snorkeling equipment costs an additional ¥1,000.

“It has been a great experience! We enjoyed it a lot. The canoë, the paddle, the scuba diving: that was all absolutely wonderful. The only negative point is the price…very expensive. The lunch should definitely be included”

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Okinawa Miyakojima 1 day Sea Turtle Snorkeling & Pumpkin Cave & Sea Kayak - Morning search for sea turtles
1-Day Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Okinawa Miyakojima 1 day Sea Turtle Snorkeling & Pumpkin Cave & Sea Kayak

9.Okinawa Miyakojima 1 day Sea Turtle Snorkeling & Pumpkin Cave & Sea Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · from $99

You’ll snorkel for sea turtles and coral fish, then paddle by canoe into Miyakojima’s Pumpkin Limestone Cave. English or Japanese guidance is available, and guide Yuri has earned praise for clear explanations and teaching Japanese words connected to the cave. Expect wet clothes, moderate physical effort, changing times with tides, and free waterproof-camera photo data.

“This was an amazing experience! Yuri was an awesome guide and his English skills were very good. He did such a good job explaining the significance of the site along with teaching us the Japanese words for different things in the cave. He Read more”

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[Miyako Island / Half Day] Pumpkin Limestone Cave & Sea Kayaking - What the cave experience is really like
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

[Miyako Island / Half Day] Pumpkin Limestone Cave & Sea Kayaking

10.[Miyako Island / Half Day] Pumpkin Limestone Cave & Sea Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · from $64

Paddle from the Pumpkin Cave parking area to Miyakojima’s famous Pumpkin Hall, then climb through the cave with a guide. This two-hour tour suits first-timers ages 7 to 59 and includes equipment, safety support, and free photo data. Wear clothes that can get wet, leggings if possible, and use a restroom before arriving.

“We had a great time and the activities are exciting. All gears provided and the guide is helpful and professional.”

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Ishigaki Island: 2-Hour Miyara River SUP or Canoeing Tour - The 75-minute paddle through Miyara River
2-Hour Experiences, Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Ishigaki Island: 2-Hour Miyara River SUP or Canoeing Tour

11.Ishigaki Island: 2-Hour Miyara River SUP or Canoeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 81 reviews · 2 hours · from $54

Spend two hours exploring Ishigaki’s Miyara River, including about 75 minutes on the water by canoe or SUP. Your guide points out mangrove plants, birds, and wildlife while keeping the group together. Guides such as Sota, Yuki, and Aoi are praised for clear English and friendly instruction. Hotel pickup, equipment, insurance, and photo data are included.

“Drizzly day but still went out. Kata was nice to stop at shop prior to getting to river so we could get a wetsuit. Guide took lots of pics so we did not need to take our phone and risk losing it. Short trip, informative and relaxing.”

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Early Morning Kayaking With Views of Mt Fuji at Lake Kawaguchiko - The 7:00 am instruction and practice period
Canoes & Kayaks, Mount Fuji Day Trips, Tour Reviews

Early Morning Kayaking With Views of Mt Fuji at Lake Kawaguchiko

12.Early Morning Kayaking With Views of Mt Fuji at Lake Kawaguchiko

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · from $66

Start at 7:00 am with NaturaBase on a beginner-friendly, small-group kayak tour of Lake Kawaguchiko. Guides Graham or Kato explain paddling, point out local history and lake sights, and take photos as you paddle toward the best Mt. Fuji views. Equipment, bottled water, and selected cold-weather gear are provided.

“Great experience and guide. The water was peaceful and the views of Mt Fuji were amazing. Our guide Graham was both informative and skilled. He made this extra special.”

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Iriomote 1 Day Mangrove SUP/Canoe, Barasu Island & Yubu Island - Barasu Island and the power of the tide
1-Day Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Iriomote 1 Day Mangrove SUP/Canoe, Barasu Island & Yubu Island

13.Iriomote 1 Day Mangrove SUP/Canoe, Barasu Island & Yubu Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · from $99

You’ll paddle through Iriomote’s mangrove waterways by SUP or canoe, visit Barasu Island, then ride a traditional water buffalo cart to Yubu Island. The tour runs about six hours, includes equipment, guides, Yubu Island admission, hot showers, and free tour photos. Guides may include Tomochin, Yusuke, Chill, Chiba, Xavi, or Shu, with Japanese or English support depending on the day.

“Thank you for the tour! I went as a solo traveller and even if I didn’t speak Japanese I had a lot of fun. Mangrove canoeing was a new experience and we saw a lot of different animals on the way. My guide Tomochin was very kind and fun. He sRead more”

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Okinawa Ishigaki Sunset SUP or Canoe Tour - Miyara River Hirugi Grove and the evening route
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Okinawa Ishigaki Sunset SUP or Canoe Tour

14.Okinawa Ishigaki Sunset SUP or Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $52

Meet at Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal for a guided sunset paddle near Miyara River Hirugi Grove. You’ll spend about 90 minutes on a SUP or canoe, watching the evening light, exploring river scenery, and hearing about local landforms and birds. Children may use canoes when conditions call for extra stability. Japanese or English service depends on the day.

“They aren’t very organized, I was supposed to have an English speaking guide and on the day they said that would only be possible on the following day, it was supposed to be a small group and at the end we were part of a very big group (Read more”

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Okinawa Miyako Beach SUP or Canoe and sea turtle Snorkeling - Choosing SUP or canoe for the first session
Canoes & Kayaks, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours in Okinawa

Okinawa Miyako Beach SUP or Canoe and sea turtle Snorkeling

15.Okinawa Miyako Beach SUP or Canoe and sea turtle Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $89

Spend about six hours on Miyakojima combining a choice of stand-up paddleboarding or canoeing with guided sea turtle snorkeling. Your guide supplies the water gear, safety equipment, and free photo data. Beginners are welcome, but you must be comfortable wearing a life jacket, mask, and fins. The meeting place and exact times are confirmed the day before.

“Giant corals! Lots of fish! Pray for good weather! Go during summer for warm weather! Also after snorkeling, go eat at hirochan syokudo. Also…rent a car if possible. And if you do the SUP, for first timer test your balance. If uncomfortable then just sit down and paddle.”

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New in Canoes & Kayaks

★ 5.0Miyako SUP or Canoe Tour on a Spectacular Beach in MiyakoFrom $4924 reviews
★ 5.0Kayaking in Anbo RiverFrom $11119 reviews
★ 5.0Beautiful sunset kayak tour in OkinawaFrom $3512 reviews
★ 5.0Ishigaki Mangrove SUP or Canoeing and Phantom Island SnorkelingFrom $9821 reviews
★ 4.5Ishigaki Island: SUP or Kayaking experience at Kabira BayFrom $5414 reviews
★ 4.7Iriomote island: Mangrove River SUP or Canoe Cruising TourFrom $5016 reviews
★ 4.6Iriomote: Mangrove SUP or Canoe and Yubujima sightseeingFrom $8015 reviews

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