East Power offers a variety of canoe experiences, ranging from a light plan that allows you to enjoy a one-hour river descent to a five-hour plan to thoroughly explore the Kushiro Shitsugen. This time, we opted for a course where you can experience the lower reaches of the Kushiro River flowing on the east side of the Kushiro Shitsugen, specifically a round trip on the Arekinai River early in the morning. The Arekinai River is a short 2 km river that extends from Tōro Lake, a former sea lake within Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, to the main stream of the Kushiro River. The gentle flow of water allows you to leisurely take in the scenery of the great outdoors and feel the presence of birds and wildlife.

The meeting point is JR Tōro Station. It takes about 40 minutes to arrive from downtown Kushiro. Upon arrival, Matsuzawa warmly greets you with a car and it's a quick 2-minute drive to the starting point, Tōro Lake.

Once there, you sign the necessary documents and complete the payment, then promptly begin the experience. First, you put on the life jacket that has been prepared according to the height and weight you provided in advance. After placing your valuables in a waterproof bag, you listen to the safety instructions. The most important thing to be cautious about is capsizing. Across all operators, an average of 1.2 capsizing accidents occur yearly, so it’s crucial to listen carefully to the guide's instructions for safety. By the way, East Power has never experienced capsizing, which was reassuring even to this writer who is not fond of outdoor activities.

Once ready, you promptly get into the canoe and set off! The canoe seats three, and with guide Matsuzawa joining, beginners can feel at ease.

Since this experience took place early in the morning, we were able to enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Tōro Lake enveloped in mist rising from the water surface, contrasted beautifully by the sunrise over the vast nature. After thoroughly enjoying the scenery, we proceeded from Tōro Lake to the Arekinai River. The Arekinai River is narrow, with trees growing densely right next to it, providing an experience akin to traveling through a forest. "Starting with this river, the Kushiro River remains in its natural state, untouched by riverbank construction. The opportunity to canoe in such an environment is quite rare nationwide. Because the nature is untouched, you can feel the presence of wildlife very closely. From autumn to winter, as the leaves fall, it’s an excellent time to spot animals easily," Matsuzawa says.

Paddling the canoe under the overpass of the JR Senmō Main Line, a grand panorama of Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland unfolds. We encountered pairs of migratory birds, such as ducks gracefully swimming alongside the canoe, Ezo deer quietly watching us from the shadows, and black kites poised on tree branches scouting for prey.

As we descended the Arekinai River and reached the main stream of the Kushiro River, we arrived at the turning point. Across the river runs the track of the JR Senmō Main Line. It was still early morning, so we didn't see any trains, but instead, we were greeted by a fluffy Ezo red fox running along the tracks. Depending on the timing, you might catch a glimpse of the "SL Winter Wetlands" train, which operates exclusively in winter, from the Kushiro River. "The Kushiro River has a fast current and a long course, offering a more active canoeing experience. On the other hand, the Arekinai River is calm with almost no current, making it ideal for beginners or those who want a lighter canoeing experience," Matsuzawa says. Due to rain from the previous day, the river was flowing backward, a rare occurrence attributed to the minimal height difference in the Arekinai River.

During the return trip to the lake, we barely needed to paddle as we drifted along with the current. Additionally, the high water levels allowed for a rare opportunity to explore waterways that would normally have been dried up. "Because it's a natural river, the situation changes daily. The shape of the river and the scenery you can see are different every day, which is why it's enjoyable to come back repeatedly. The views are entirely different between early morning and evening, and across the four seasons. Some repeat visitors come to experience these changes multiple times," Matsuzawa says.

Returning by making a U-turn along the same river we came, I was surprised by the scenery unfolding before us. Despite traveling the same path, it felt like navigating through a completely different river on the return journey. This is due to changes in the play of light on the trees as the angle of the sun shifts over time, as well as experiencing the natural environment and presence of wildlife from different perspectives not seen on the way out. Moreover, the return journey’s altered water flow affects the canoe's speed, creating a distinct difference. As we proceeded under the sunlight, a large shadow suddenly crossed overhead. It was a red-crowned crane, registered as a Special Natural Monument. This majestic bird, with a wingspan exceeding 2 meters, is one of Japan's largest birds and is a rare species that thrives in the Kushiro Shitsugen. "There are about 1,900 red-crowned cranes in Japan, and it's lucky to see two of them! During the canoe experience, you might see them roughly one in five times," says Matsuzawa. Although it was a fleeting moment that couldn't be captured on camera, the sight was spectacular. While still exhilarated, we noticed a male Ezo deer intensely watching us from the base of a tree at an exceptionally close distance. "Autumn is when male Ezo deer become quite sensitive, and you can hear their intense calls. Their antlers are also at their most beautiful this time of year. You can generally tell their age by the size of their antlers," Matsuzawa says.

Upon exiting the Arekinai River and returning to Tōro Lake, the sun had risen high, and the lake's surface sparkled brilliantly under its light. Matsuzawa's words about how the scenery can look completely different depending on the time and place were truly felt. "I often hear from participants that it feels like they aren't in Japan. The nature viewable at Kushiro Shitsugen is that grand and exceptional. That's why I'm thinking of offering experiences that can be enjoyed by a wider range of guests. Currently, I'm operating as a one-man team, so I only accept reservations for 1-2 people. However, in the future, I'd like to provide experiences that families could enjoy. Of course, the exclusivity of having a private tour will remain, so you can have the vast nature of Kushiro Shitsugen all to yourself," says Matsuzawa. The one-hour tour felt so short, yet it allowed us to enjoy the magnificent nature and wildlife safely while listening to Matsuzawa's guidance, even as first-time canoeists. The view of Kushiro Shitsugen from the canoe, inaccessible from observation towers, offers a truly "extraordinary" experience. It’s a highly recommended activity to try when you visit.

Because it's a canoe experience through the great outdoors, safety precautions are essential. Actions like "suddenly turning around" or "making unauthorized movements" on the canoe are prohibited as they might lead to capsizing accidents. Remember to use restroom facilities before the tour since there are no opportunities during it. If you are prone to motion sickness, it might be wise to take medication beforehand. Also, pay attention to your clothing. In summer, insects are present, so wearing long sleeves is advisable. From autumn to winter, it's important to wear insulating outerwear like down jackets, gloves, hats, and scarves to block the cold air. Even if it was warm in the morning, sitting still in a canoe with wind can chill your core over time. It’s particularly essential to make thorough preparations for early morning or evening tours.

East Power offers year-round canoe and nature tours in the Kushiro Shitsugen. It's very popular due to the opportunity to enjoy the vast nature of the wetlands that changes with the seasons, and in winter, you can explore the snowfields wearing snowshoes. Matsuzawa, the guide and representative, is from Kushiro City. Although he left his hometown to work in the apparel industry, he decided to return to Kushiro with a desire to engage in outdoor activities he had always loved. There, he met a senior canoe guide and joined a company that operates guided tours. After gaining practical experience in canoeing and nature guiding, he went independent in 2020 to establish East Power.

"Many people find the idea of a canoe experience a bit intimidating and think they can’t do it themselves. But that's actually not the case. While we might need a bit of help on windy days, there's hardly any need to paddle by yourself. That's why it's an activity that even those not familiar with the outdoors can enjoy with peace of mind."

Matsuzawa emphasizes the importance of spending extraordinary time leisurely in nature. Early mornings, with fewer other visitors, are recommended as you can have the majestic nature all to yourself. During our visit, we saw "kearashi," or sea smoke, which can only be seen on cold early mornings, due to the calm wind. Early mornings are also when wildlife is most active, allowing for a close encounter with the breathing of animals during the canoeing experience. "I love to travel and have explored many places across the country, but I'm always amazed by the local nature, the Kushiro Shitsugen. The landscape woven by the grand nature of the wetlands is truly unique. I became a canoe and nature guide because I want many people to see and feel this scenery," says Matsuzawa. True to his words, during this canoe experience, we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the wetlands and the Kushiro River.

The meeting location may change depending on the reservation plan, so please check in advance.