[Intermediate Level] Peaceful SUP Experience on Hiroshima's Serene Rivers (Hiroshima Station to Peace Park Course)

【STORY】

Contemplating Peace at 'Water Front City Hiroshima'
Hiroshima is not just a monochrome image; it is a place filled with beautiful nature, a healthy environment, and the most peaceful atmosphere in the world. Through the new sport of SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding), set out to discover the reasons from your unique perspective atop the river.

This tour starts from the Enkou River in front of Hiroshima Station and paddles towards Peace Park, covering a distance of 5km.
(Note: This course is designed for intermediate-level participants, so we recommend joining if you have experience paddling over 3km on a SUP board.)

Hiroshima City is characterized by six rivers that have played a significant role in its development due to its topography. In the past, the upper reaches of these rivers were bustling with charcoal iron manufacturing, and transporting iron materials to places like Osaka was an essential function of these rivers. During the summer, the sight of children jumping and swimming in the rivers, engaging in water play, was a common scene and rivers were an integral part of the daily lives of Hiroshima's people.

However, everything changed drastically on August 6, 1945, when the world's first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Many lives were lost in the rivers, creating a distance between the people of Hiroshima and the rivers.

After the atomic bomb was dropped, it was believed that grass and trees would not grow in Hiroshima for 75 years. Despite this, the city, centered around its pre-war river-based technology, culture, and the people's resilience, has been rebuilt into the beautiful city we see today, with rivers, greenery, and expansive skies leaving a lasting impression.

Through this tour, feel the peace of present-day Hiroshima and enjoy the landscape that connects to the future by riding on SUP.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Experience not just the enjoyment of the rich scenery but also the regenerated Hiroshima alongside the water through this special SUP journey.
• Embrace a sustainable tour that creatively repurposes the rare historical heritage, Gangi (steps descending to the river), as the launch site for SUP on a global scale.
• Since the feeling of Hiroshima praying for peace and moving towards the future by paddling through the Aioi Bridge, the target of the atomic bomb attack.
• Land on the opposite bank of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and let the guide lead you through the Peace Park, visited by many from both domestic and international locations.
• Enjoy the healthy river culture of Hiroshima with a sincere SUP lecture by our instructors.

【SCHEDULE】

The meeting time for this plan will be set by the organizers based on the river's tidal level and the season, and we will contact you before the final reservation confirmation.
Please note that the meeting time at the time of booking (8:30) may vary (8:30 to 16:00), so please be aware of this.

[00:00]　Meeting and preparation. On land, there will be SUP lectures, paddle stretches, and warm-up exercises. - in front of Hotel FLEX -
[01:00]　Use the gangi to descend to the river, we'll float the SUPs and depart. - in front of Kamiiyanagi Bridge -
[01:30]　Paddle forward while enjoying the view of the evolving cityscape in front of Hiroshima Station, which is undergoing redevelopment. - Kyobashi River (In front of the Home TV Building) -
[02:00]　Aim for the large gangi that has survived since the Edo period while taking in the beautiful riverside scenery. - Honkawa River (in front of the large gangi of camphor tree) -
[02:30]　Paddle under the Aioi Bridge, which was the target of the atomic bomb attack, and head towards the Atomic Bomb Dome. - Honkawa River (in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome) -
[03:00]　Land at Peace Memorial Park, where an English guide will lead the way. - Peace Memorial Park -
[03:30]　Experience concludes. Return to the starting point.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration： 3.5 hours
• Meeting point： In front of Hotel FLEX [MAP]
  7-1-1F, Kaminoboricho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken 730-0014
  
• Access： 
  5 minutes on foot from JR Hiroshima Station South Exit.
  Approximately 5 km (about 20 minutes) from the Sanyo Expressway Hiroshima IC.
  Located on the north side of "Kamiyanagibashi," just across the river from Hiroshima Station.
  
• Language support：Japanese, English
• Included： 
  ・Instruction
  ・SUP Board Rental
  ・Guide fee (English or Japanese)
  ・Wetsuit Rental (only during cold weather)
  
• Excluded：Drink
• Items to bring：
  ・Drink
  ・Towel
  ・Change of clothes
  ・Cash for purchasing additional drinks on landing (It is recommended that you prepare coins and 1,000 yen bills.)
  
• Clothes：
  Comfortable and water-friendly attire, hat, sunglasses, sandals
  <Example of Clothing>:
  Summer: Rash guard, board shorts, leggings, etc.
  Winter: Wetsuit (free rental available)
  
• Participation requirements：
  ・Over 10 years old
  ・Weight: Participants should be under 110kg.
  ・Participation is not allowed for individuals who have consumed alcohol on the day of the activity.
  ・Participation is recommended for those with swimming experience.
  ・Not recommended for travelers with back problems.
  ・Not recommended for pregnant travelers.
  ・Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.
  
  [Please choose the size of your SUP Board]
  - S: Weight up to 60kg
  - M: Weight between 60kg and 80kg
  - L: Weight between 80kg and 110kg
  
• Special support：Luggage storage is available.
  
• Free WI-FI：No
  
• Toilet：Yes (Western-style) 
• Other things to note :
  ・The actual experience time will be determined by the organizer to coincide with the high tide time, due to the influence of river tides. The start time may be subject to change. Detailed times will be communicated to customers before finalizing the reservation.
  ・The experience may be canceled on the day depending on the weather. In such cases, we will notify you by email by 3:00 PM the day before. In the event of a cancellation determined by the organizer in advance, a full refund will be issued. (The experience will proceed in light rain conditions.)
  ・During the experience, the instructor may interrupt or modify parts of the tour based on safety assessments.
  ・Before the experience, please sign a consent form regarding precautions, and during the experience, always follow the guide's instructions.
  ・Please understand that there is a risk of injury in the natural environment, and consider purchasing insurance yourself.
  (We introduce insurance that you can easily join)
  −1-Day leisure insurance
  https://ehokenstore.com/1dayleisure
  −Montbell outdoor insurance
  https://hoken.montbell.jp/
  ・There is a possibility of getting wet and falling into the river during the experience. (Showers and changing rooms are available.)
  ・Please ensure waterproof protection for your smartphone.
  ・Guides may take promotional photos during the experience. If this is a concern, please notify us before the tour begins.
  ・Depending on the situation, the end time of the experience may vary.

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

Until 72 hours before the experience start time: 0%
From 72 hours before the experience start time to start time: 100%
Cancellation after the experience has started or cancellation without contact: 100%