Heavy Rain Disrupts Tourism Ahead of Silver Week

The river cruises in Nagatoro, Saitama Prefecture, are one of the area's best-known attractions, taking passengers through rapids and past scenic gorge landscapes.

However, rising river levels caused by persistent rain have forced the service to suspend operations, leaving the usual departure point without any of the boats normally lined up there.

A visitor from Tokyo who had hoped to take the cruise said, "We were actually planning to go down the river too, but obviously we couldn't. It rained more than I expected, and I felt things were getting pretty bad. I think we'll head back early."

The cruises operated by Chichibu Railway had been suspended for 11 consecutive days as of September 16, and there was no clear prospect of services resuming after the Silver Week holiday period begins on September 19.

The rain is also causing concern at one of Nagatoro's largest barbecue facilities.

Masataka Furusawa, manager of Nagatoro Furusawa-en, said around five reservations had already been canceled for the Silver Week period. "If it were sunny throughout Silver Week compared with the rain continuing like this, the impact could amount to millions of yen," he said. "We are getting quite a few more inquiries about experiences such as making udon noodles and catching fish by hand. We want to develop those kinds of activities."

The prolonged rain has produced a very different effect at Fukuroda Falls, a popular tourist destination in Ibaraki Prefecture.

Visitors reach the falls by buying a ticket and walking through a tunnel, emerging to a dramatically altered view as the recent rain has greatly increased the volume of water.

Fukuroda Falls is regarded as one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls, alongside Kegon Falls and Nachi Falls.

The normally scenic cascade has been transformed by the rain, with large volumes of brown, muddy water crashing violently over the rock face.

Visitors said the unusual conditions made the falls even more impressive. One tourist from Mito said, "You rarely get to see it like this." A visitor from Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, said, "I'd like to see it when it's sunny too, but I like how much water there is." Another visitor from Mito said, "I'd heard people saying the waterfall was incredible right now, so I came to see what it was like, but it was beyond what I imagined. It's almost a little frightening."

Businesses nearby have also noticed the increase in interest.

Keisuke Komuro, president of Takimotoya Honten, a restaurant about a seven-minute walk from the falls, said, "More people are coming and saying, 'It's raining, so let's go to Fukuroda Falls.' We have more tourists than you might expect considering the rain."

The shop is known for its yuzu miso, selling about 6,000 containers a year, and is hoping for strong business during the five-day holiday period. However, Komuro said there were concerns about the weather because of an approaching typhoon. "Fukuroda Falls can be viewed from the tunnel, so we hope people will still come even when it's raining," he said.

While some parts of Japan are struggling with prolonged rainfall, other areas are facing water shortages.

In Imari, Saga Prefecture, reduced-pressure water supply began on September 15 for the first time in 32 years, lowering the amount of water flowing from household and business taps.

At Kubota Fresh Fish, where large quantities of water are essential, Michiko Kubota said the shortage was difficult to manage. "We wash this area with water, and frost builds up inside the refrigerator, so we use water there too. We really have problems if we don't have water," she said.

Kubota said she is trying to conserve water at home, including by reusing stored water for washing, but there is a limit to how much a fresh food business can reduce consumption.

"There are some things we simply can't cut back on here at the shop because of hygiene," she said. "For now, all we can do is wait for the rain to fall."

Source: FNN