What activity can be enjoyed in the middle of Hokkaido summer?

Canyoning!

Enjoying nature's water slides and huge leaps

are thrills you cannot experience every day.

Become one with nature... body and soul.

Wild Hokkaido!

The Furano region spans central Hokkaido

and has 1,000-meter-high mountains and deep forests.

It is home to the Pontonashibetsu River

and its gorge about three km downstream...

with a popular canyoning course

known for its powerful currents and areas

where you can enjoy jumping into the deep stream.

Taking up the challenge today is Polish fitness instructor, Aga Kusama.

This is her first time canyoning.

I like to hike. I like mountains.

I like to be in the nature, you know, so hiking.

I also like oceans, so snorkeling.

Being in the water, swimming.

So today, it's excellent because we can combine these two.

We can hike and we can be in the water in the same moment.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Hello, nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

Good morning!

Her guide is Ohno Satoshi, who has over 30 years of experience.

Canyoning takes some expertise.

With his guidance, Aga can stay safe and have fun.

Preparations complete, they head into the forest.

This is what we are wearing today.

Aga's rubber wetsuit has high heat retention

and is quite buoyant and strong.

So, I'm ready.

Now, we'll head to the starting point.

Yeah, let's go.

Here we go!

Soon, they reach the Pontonashibetsu River, their starting point.

The stream here is about five meters wide, and the water is calm.

Okay, this is the starting point.

First, she needs to learn how to float.

With feet pointing downstream, lying face up, like a sea otter.

The key here is to relax.

Aga gives it a try.

Oh, my God!

That was amazing.

It's very easy to lose the balance,

but it feels so safe with a life jacket and everything.

Next, they come to a rapid where huge boulders narrow the stream.

This is white water.

It's moving very quickly. It's fast water.

I'm a bit scared.

Satoshi shows her how it's done.

Just relax and go with the flow.

I'm a bit scared.

It's a bit scary, but I have to do it.

Aga goes for it.

The water rushes by with a roar as she gingerly moves forward.

There she goes, safely in the flow.

She did it!

Once past the rapids, it's a different world.

Her view opens up to a beautiful canyon.

It takes some courage to enter the roiling waters,

but when your run is done, it's exhilarating.

Yeah, I was so scared at the beginning,

but then I would just let it go and just try to relax,

and then everything just flows.

Whoa, that was amazing.

I was just looking in the water just trying not to hit any rocks.

But it's amazing being in this environment.

They head further downstream.

To be safe, they walk along the shore

where the rapids are too turbulent.

However, soon after ducking under a fallen tree, the trail runs out.

The stream narrows here, hemmed in by sheer rock walls.

This landform is called a gorge.

Okay, at the next point, you can jump.

The strategy here is to jump into the water.

The only way through this walled-in gorge is to go with the flow.

Here I go!

It's over two meters deep here, and they aim for the deepest point.

Aga follows.

Even though she can't see the bottom,

she must conquer her fear and jump in.

She takes the plunge.

Way to go, Aga!

Watch the sky. Nice, nice, nice!

How do you feel?

That was so exciting.

This is more exciting than I thought.

With proper equipment and knowledge,

canyoning is an experience far from the ordinary.

One of its appeals is its whole-body immersion in nature.

Next is an even higher jump. It's very nice.

Okay, we are jumping.

Aga is starting to see the fun in canyoning,

so now she heads toward an even more thrilling spot.

The rock here is about three meters high.

Her knees quake when she gazes down.

She looks a bit nervous.

This is my first time and I have to tell you,

my adrenaline level is so high at the moment.

My body is shaking. I'm shaking! I'm shaking...

Looks like she's ready. Can she do it?

Beautiful jump.

Incredible!

The sense of accomplishment when you overcome your fears

and attack a new obstacle is the best thing about canyoning.

Now for "SENSEI's Tips."

Here's a handy tool that Satoshi carries on him.

It's a toxin aspirator.

The aspirator can be used on bee stings and snake bites.

It's a first-aid tool anyone can use.

Place it against the problem spot, then press and release.

It's great for insect bites, too.

The two continue canyoning the Furano forest gorge.

They carry on, letting nature take them where it may.

This is great.

Suddenly, the canyon narrows, the water gets deeper,

and they're face to face with a waterfall.

The water turbulently spills over the rocks.

Are they really going to go over this?

Whoa, that looks scary.

Yeah, yeah. But it's only a little scary.

What's a little?

Little for you is a lot for me.

I think it's okay.

Tying themselves together for safety, Aga is finally ready to get in.

Nice, nice, nice. Okay!

And... she's clear.

It wasn't that bad. It wasn't that bad.

It was nice.

It feels like a hot tub, like just being inside of the hot tub.

You just feel the energy of the water,

you know, and there's nothing you can do.

You just have to go with the flow.

She had never been in a waterfall basin before.

And while it was only for two seconds,

the strength of nature was overwhelming.

The canyoning duo head for the final spot.

This is the most exciting challenge on the course.

A five-meter jump into the water.

Are you ready?

No.

No? Oh no!

The strategy here is to push hard off the edge of the cliff.

The goal is to land in the middle of the stream.

This is scary.

This is the scariest thing I've...

Here she goes.

Three, two, one.

Three, two, one.

With a great leap, she plunges in.

Well done, Aga.

That was nice.

Very nice, very nice!

At first, Aga couldn't hide her fear.

But, after experiencing this watery world,

she is now completely enchanted by it.

Yeah, it's really high thrill.

It's different from hiking.

If you're hiking, then you're just walking in nature.

Here, just because you're in the water

and feeling the energy of the water,

you feel more connected to the nature.

The beautiful landscape, and then you have the smell.

The smell of the forest. The smell of the moss.

So, it was really a great experience.

Thank you so much for that.

Wild Hokkaido!

takes you on great activities in the great outdoors of northern Japan.

Join us next time for another adventure!