【Beginner's Guide】 I experienced the popular "packraft" that I want to enjoy in the summer

I tried out the increasingly popular "packraft" as a water activity. I will report on the charm I felt while actually riding it and how to get started with packrafting.

Packrafts are inflatable boats that can be taken anywhere

Packrafts are lightweight (approximately 3 kg and up) and high-performance inflatable boats. They are called packrafts because they can be folded down to a size that fits in a backpack. The material is usually coated polyurethane, which allows them to be compactly folded and inflated to carry them anywhere, making them appealing. Due to their versatility, they are also referred to as activities that are gaining popularity in summer leisure.

How to choose a packraft

Packrafts are generally designed for one or two people, with prices ranging from about 40,000 to 150,000 yen, and high-performance models that can navigate rivers over long distances tend to be relatively expensive. Paddles also vary in price from 10,000 to 30,000 yen depending on the material.

Although they are lightweight and inexpensive, the way to choose a packraft varies depending on the intended use and experience. Beginners may find that a packraft with a certain weight is more stable, and their activities will likely focus on quiet lakes and rivers.

To start packrafting, guided tours are recommended.

You can start easily since basically, no boat license or permit (*) is required. However, if you begin without understanding the environment or how to handle it, there is a danger to life. Therefore, it is recommended to participate in a guided tour at first. If you do not participate in a tour, checking with the local municipality of the area you will use should help prevent troubles.
* Regulations or notifications may be required depending on the location and situation of use.

I participated in a tour and experienced pack rafting

From here, I will report on my actual participation in the tour and my experience with pack rafting. My impression of riding the pack raft is that it is easy to do even for beginners and it is a vehicle with a wide range of uses.

First, regarding transportation, even when carrying the pack raft, paddle, life jacket, and a backpack with my change of clothes altogether, it is not bulky at all, as shown in the image. It seems that some people enjoy loading it onto bicycles, making it a very portable item as a boat.

When unfolding it, a bag-like pump is used to inflate it. There is a bit of a trick to it, but once you get used to it, you can inflate it quickly. Finally, inflating is completed with a portable pump.

Though it was scary to get on, I climbed in while ensuring I didn't lose my balance, and we quickly set off!

Thanks to our guide on this tour, we were able to ride packrafts on a lake that seemed inaccessible to the general public, allowing us to enjoy a very quiet environment. An older couple, who were also tour participants, had their dog with them on a two-person packraft, and they were having a great time.

After playing, all we had to do was dry the packrafts, release the air, and fold them up. During this time, we enjoyed some tea, engaged in conversation, and had a hammock experience, allowing us to spend some leisurely time. With the availability of packrafts, it felt good that we could fully enjoy various waterside fields, broadening the scope of our travels. I am looking forward to heading into summer with my packraft as my companion, aiming for nature.

Article/Words by Kazuma Tanaka

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