Kyoto's Hozu River Rafting, which had been suspended following the capsizing accident in March, resumed operation on the 3th for the first time in about four months.
In March, a boat with a total of 3 people, tourists and boatmen, hit a rock and capsized in the Hozu River, commonly known as Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, killing two male boatmen.
The operating company, which had suspended river rafting operations, resumed operations for the first time in about four months on May 29 after reviewing measures such as improving the boats and introducing highly safe life jackets.
On the morning of the 2th, about 17 boatmen gathered at the boat boarding area in Kameoka City to carefully check the maintenance of the boat and the communication status of the radio.
Shortly after 9 a.m., about 20 passengers boarded the first boat, and after receiving instructions from the boatman on how to use life jackets and what to do if they were thrown into the river, they set sail for Arashiyama, Kyoto.
A woman in her 40s from Tokyo who came with her family said, "I was worried about getting on the boat, but when I actually got on it, it was very fun and I was able to ride with peace of mind."
Tomohachi Toyoda, Representative Director of the Hozugawa Pleasure Boat Business Association, said, "We would like to reaffirm that it is our responsibility to safely deliver customers to Arashiyama, and we would like to operate every day."