Japan: Cherry-Picked Highlights
Travel Date : March 23, 2025 - April 1, 2025
Overview
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Japan Rowing: Cherry- Picked Highlights
Offering a unique window into the landscape, waters, history and culture of Japan, this premier trip will be a unique and exclusive opportunity to experience rowing and culture in an exotic destination. Japan is a complex and multi-layered country. It is a fascinating destination, entrancing and mystifying foreigners for centuries. Whether on the water or the land we will experience big cities, smaller towns and rural communities. We will sometimes be surrounded by industry, concrete and development, balanced by stunning views of beautiful nature and human harmony. A bonus is that we should see some cherry blossoms, one of the most iconic seasons to visit Japan.
Years in Development
This is our first trip in Asia. We believe that this is the first commercial rowing tour to take place in Japan. In 2011, the World Rowing Tour, run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, circumnavigated Lake Biwa. Most Japanese rowers have no idea that rowing travel exists. To create this trip, Rowing The World started planning in 2021. We found an in-bound tour operator whose dedicated team has provided exceptional service. Extensive work has taken place to research potential locations, find local rowing partners, and select accommodation. The Rowing The World team went on a three-week research trip to Japan in early 2024. Many beautiful locations were visited. This tour features some of those highlights – it was very hard to narrow it down!
Japan Rowing and Culture
The focus will be on rowing, although there will be opportunities for cultural visits. We will have a guide and translator with us for the entire trip, offering an excellent chance to ask questions and learn more about not just history but also daily life. We will experience a lot just walking to the rowing clubs or enjoying the local cuisine! English is not widely spoken amongst rowers, but we will maximize the international interchange. This trip has personal significance for Ruth. Her grandfather was born here and was a rower! In a way, Ruth will be rowing into family on this trip.
We strongly recommend that participants spend more time in Japan before and after the rowing tour.
Read some of our blog posts about this trip:
The Thoughtful Rower explores Ruth family and rowing connections to Japan: https://thethoughtfulrower.com/rowing-into-family-in-japan/
Get a further flavour for Japan in the report on our research trip in early 2024: https://rowingtravelblog.com/japan-rowing-research-trip-report/
Trip Details
Price Type | USD | CAD | EUR |
---|---|---|---|
Per person (any room) | $6.625 | $8,825 | €6.180 |
IMPORTANT: If fewer than 20 people register, the price per person will be increased to cover overhead costs. There are many currency fluctuations occurring – we reserve the right to adjust the price (up or down) if big changes occur in the exchange rate.
We are not sure if we will accept non-rowing companions. If you might be interested, please let us know.
Difficulty & Daily Distances | Boats | Max Group Size |
---|---|---|
15-30 km/day Moderate |
Coastal coxed quads and recreational shells in some locations | 20 rowers |
!Important!: this trip includes coastal rowing. We will be rowing on the extremely busy Seto Sea, where wind and waves can be a factor, and there are very strong tidal currents. While we do not ask for prior coastal rowing experience, good level of rowing skill, strength and fitness is required for this trip.
Included
- 10 days/9 nights with 7 days of rowing
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners. Beverages and alcohol generally not included, with some exceptions
- All rowing services including a safety boat (exception Lake Suwa).
- Entrances to sightseeing visits
- Transportation by train and by coach
- Trip leader is Ruth Marr. A bilingual guide will be with the group.
- Accommodation include a ryokan, a luxury hotel and business hotels.
Sea and weather conditions will be an important consideration that can affect the itinerary – safety is a priority. Thus, on some days, the actual program may vary from this description.