Raging torrents and breathtaking ravines at times dousing you with water, at others passing in calmness.

So my brochure says. Arashiyama is a very touristy town just outside of Kyoto and from there I took a tourist train up the Hozu river gorge to Kameoka.

I think Kameoka means “turtle orchestra,” although my Japanese is not strong.

On the bus ride (almost as long as the train ride) from the train station to the dock, I talked to Mike and his son Shane from San Clemente. Mike had lived in Japan as a child and this was his first time back. Apparently it’s changed some since 1967.

We finally got to the boarding site and took off down the river.

The rapids were fearsome!

Okay, they really weren’t. Pirates of the Caribbean is probably scarier. Still, a person could do worse than floating down a lushly forested river gorge, even if a person is having a little trouble keeping the camera dry.

This guy was offering photos for ¥1575.

Near the end, another boat pulled up alongside us and offered food, including beer, sake, and grilled squid.

I opted for walking into town and getting chicken skewers and anpan instead.

There’s a famous bamboo forest there too. It’s a short walk, but impressive. I skipped the associated temple.