My extreme sports experience in the summer holiday

I went to Otari with my family, to go white-water rafting, on the Hime River. It is a 5km course, and it took an hour. The river wasn't deep, but very fast and cold. There were huge rocks everywhere, and if we crashed into a rock it was very exciting, and there were a lot of rapids. It's really bouncy going through a rapid, scary because you don't know where you are going. I don't know how the instructor can control the raft or know where to go.

My brother fell in and everybody laughed. He was picked up by another raft. He enjoyed the experience. He went again the next day with his friends, and lost his glasses (see Rule 10). My mum had a lot of fun & we all want to do it again in another season or on another river. The instructor said the river is twice as high in Golden Week (mid-May), so the rapids are more violent then.

Here are the rules and some suggestions to enjoy your rafting trip:

1.  You have to hold the T part of the paddle. If you don't hold the T part, it might hit you or another crew in the face.
2. You have to put your feet in a secure place. If you don't, you won't be able to stay on the raft when it hits rough water.
3. You have to do what the instructor says. If you don't, the raft might flip over.
4. If you fall into the river, you mustn't try to swim or stand up.You should float on your back with your feet first.
5. You must wear a life jacket and a helmet.You should also wear crocs or sneakers, and a wet suit if the water is freezing cold.
6. You have to paddle hard together when you go through the rapids. If you don't, the instructor can't steer the raft.
7. You don't have to be able to swim.
8. You have to be fit and healthy.
9. You have to have insurance.
10. You have to leave your phones, cameras & valuable in a locker. If you take them with you, they'll get broken or you'll lose them.
11. You have to enjoy the danger and high five your crew mates. 

Posted by Tomoro

Information sheet - Izakaya (a Japanese bar) in Japan

No shoes!

• You have to be 20 to drink in an Izakaya. If you look young, sometimes ID card is required.
• Some izakayas will have tatami areas. Be sure to remove your shoes before stepping on the tatami mats.
• Many izakayas will have a locker with wooden keys. Make sure exactly where your locker is.
• While being seated at your table, you will usually find a small white towel, called "Oshibori". You should wipe your hands before eating.
• A lot of izakaya will automatically serve you a small dish when you are first seated. You have to pay a small charge for this dish.
• Many people tend to start with beer. But there are various drink menues in izakayas.
• You are allowed to smoke in izakaya in Japan.
• In izakayas, it is traditional to share the dishes. As a group, sharing each dish by taking small plate.
• When receiving drinks, it is polite to hold the glass with both hands. One hand should be underneath and one on the side.

Posted for Yuki