Yoichi River

余市川 | I-oti

Hokkaido Paddling / Niseko Region

Photo of Rob Thomson Founder of Hokkaido Wilds

Posted on Jul 30, 2024

by Rob Thomson

Posted on Jul 30, 2024

by Rob Thomson

0 0

12km

Distance

1 day(s)

Time

3.78 mpk

Gradient

4/5

Water clarity

Class II+

Difficulty

Apr-May

Best season

The Yoichi River 余市川 is an upper-beginner-friendly river flowing into the Japan Sea east of Niseko, via the fertile orchard plains of Niki and Yoichi. The area is well known for its cherries, apples, wine, and whiskey, so there's plenty to see and explore even off the river. If you're looking for a fast-flowing river with runnable drops, spring is the best time to paddle the Yoichi. The portage-able CIII Tsukimi Drop will keep experienced paddlers on their toes. In summer, the river is a just-only-paddleable river with just a few swifts.

We visited this route on May 7, 2024

Thanks to Greg and Mari for the water level notes

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Difficulty

Grade: II+

Engagement: E1

Remoteness: 2/5

Number of portages: 1

Longest portage: 100m

Total portage distance: 100m

Overall portage difficulty: 3/5

River Details

This route is on Yoichi-gawa (余市川), or I-oti in the Ainu indigenous language. The river is a Class A (一級河川) river, 50km in total length. This section of the river is between 5m and 20m wide. The gradient for this section of river is 3.78 mpk (19.96 FPM).

Weather: Windy.com weather forecast for Yoichi-gawa

Ideal water level: 23.25m
Water level paddled 23.3m
Water level notes: The Yoichi River can include pretty long sections of continuous wave trains with little to no eddies once the level gets up around 23.30m and above, so anything over 23.30m is best for experienced paddlers. Anything below 23.00m will require paddlers to portage around the Tsukimi-bashi railway bridge drop (there may not be enough water to cover the concrete blocks). In high summer, the water level can get as low as 22.50m, which may require some river-walking and will likely scratch boats up.

Location

Yoichi River flows through the fertile plains of Niki and Yoichi, one of the most productive fruit orchard regions in Hokkaido. Cherries, blueberries, haskaap, apples; summer in the area is a real treat. The area is close to Sapporo (50km to the east) and Niseko (30km to the south). Yoichi River flows from south to north, from the volcanic Akaigawa caldera to the Japan Sea.

Put-in Location: Google Maps

The most common put-in location for paddling the Yoichi River is on river right under Oe-bashi Bridge 大江橋 on National Highway 5, here. There’s a large gravel area to park a vehicle. If you’re accessing this paddling trip by train, we recommend getting off at Ginzan JR station 銀山駅 and walking 2km east to the river, putting in on river left under Izabetsu-bashi Bridge イザリベツ橋 here. We’ve not put in there before, but a trail leads to the river from the gravel parking area. Putting in this high on the river will require portaging around the Oe Weir 大江頭首工 (either right or left).

Take-out Location: Google Maps

Paddlers will most commonly take out just downstream from Ayumi-bashi Bridge 鮎見橋, at a gravel boat ramp before the salmon fence (in operation from July till October). In spring, before the salmon fence is installed, there is a great surfing wave at higher water levels at the take out. Niki JR train station 二木駅 is a 2km walk southeast from the take out near Ayumi-bashi Bridge. An alternative take-out, much further downstream is the Yoichi River Boat Ramp 余市川斜路, right next to the Nikka Whiskey Distillery. From there, it’s a short 600m walk through the whiskey distillery (entry fees may apply). Note that downstream of Ayumi-bashi Bridge, the river slows down considerably and will be hard work paddling if there’s an on-shore breeze. Yet another take-out option is to paddle out into the Japan Sea. The river mouth is usually quite manageable, so paddling out from the river to the Japan Sea, taking out on the beach, is feasible.

General notes

This Yoichi River run is one of the closest Class II+ (in places CIII-) runs to Sapporo City. As such, it’s a popular river paddling trip especially in the high-water seasons of spring and autumn. In summer, the water level can be very low, which will pose a problem especially in the lower portion of the route where the river widens – there may be considerable river walking required.

In autumn, you’ll be sharing the river with salmon as they return to the river to spawn. At most times of the year, there’ll be plenty of birdlife on the river too.

This section of the river finishes upstream from the Nikka whiskey distillery, which is well worth a visit, even if you’re not into drinking whiskey.

Route description

Clamber down the concrete bank under Oe-bashi Bridge and put in either just upstream or just downstream of the bridge. Putting in on the upstream side of the bridge allows for a small wave train right off the bat. The first few hundred meters after putting in are on swift but manageable water. Soon, however, the river funnels down frequent constrictions with small wave trains here and there. The main hazards to watch out for are low-lying branches or trees that might have fallen over the river, usually at bends.

Just past half-way through this section of river (about 10.5km from the put-in), you’ll arrive at the low Niki-toshuko Weir 二木頭首工. At certain times of the year, this weir is runnable on the far right, through the open gate. However, this gate is closed from early summer, and the weir will require portaging to get around. You can do this on the river left.

About 500m downstream of the weir is the main crux of this section – the Tsukimi-bashi Bridge Drop 月見橋落込み. It’s a man-made concrete-block cascade right under the iron railway bridge. The concrete blocks are jagged and rough. There are three main channels. Usually, the two channels on the right are more likely to be runnable. That said, regardless of the water level, this is a must-scout drop. Wood can get lodged in the concrete blocks. Pull up about 50m upstream of the drop on the river left and walk downstream to assess your options. It’s also possible to take a look at the drop from the Tsukim-bashi Bridge. Generally speaking, the drop is only runnable in higher-water conditions, when the water level is high enough to cover the blocks.

Beyond the Tsukimi-bashi, it’s about 5km of relaxing paddling to the take out at the salmon fence facility. In the spring, when the fence is not yet installed, there’s a great surfing wave across the width of the river. If you’re taking out at the Yoichi River Boat Ramp 余市川斜路, be ready for some flat-water-like paddling for about 4km – the river slows down considerably after the salmon fence (portage around the salmon fence on river left).

Route Timing

Trip time: 7hrs 0min

Including all the shuttling (either by car or public transport), it’s best to allow a full day for paddling this section of the Yoichi River.

Transport

Public transport:

The most convenient public transport option for paddling the Yoichi River (for example with a packraft) is to access the river by JR train. Take the train either from Kutchan JR Station (location – if you’re coming from the Niseko area) or Yoichi JR Station (location – if you’re coming from Sapporo) and get off at the sleepy, un-manned Ginzan JR Station (location). From Ginzan Station, it’s a 3km (30-minute) walk to the river at river left under Izabetsu-bashi Bridge イザリベツ橋 here. This will put you about 5km upstream of the Oe-bashi Bridge put-in, so make sure to allow extra time for paddling that extra distance (you’ll need to portage around the Oe Weir 大江頭首工, either right or left, just before the Oe-bashi Bridge). Another option is the Sapporo to Iwanai bus run by Hokkaido Chuo Bus Company. From Yoichi Station (location), the bus stops at Oe-chuo bus stop 大江中央バス停 (location). From Oe-chuo bus stop, it’s a 10 minute walk to the Oe-bashi Bridge put-in. Google Maps has directions and timetabling options. There is also a community bus (10-seater van) available for use (timetable here) that stops at all bus stops, including Oe-bashi Bridge bus stop 大江橋バス停 (location).

By car:

There is plenty of gravel parking space at the Oe-bashi Bridge put in on river right under the bridge (location), on river left at the take-out at the salmon fence area just downstream of Ayumi-bashi Bridge (location), and at the Yoichi River Boat Ramp 余市側斜路 (location). For those keen to paddle out into the Japan Sea and land on the beach, note that there’s nowhere to leave a parked vehicle near the river right of the river mouth. The nearest convenient beach take out with parking is at Hamanaka Moire Beach 浜中モイレ海水浴場 (location), about 1.5km north of the river mouth.

Physical maps

Print: HokkaidoWilds.org 1:25,000 TOPOMAP+
Niseko Backcountry map: Buy on Amazon.co.jp | See companion site for more purchase options

Official Topo Map: Shikaribetsu (然別) – map no. NK-54-20-6-1

Official Topo Map 2: Niki (二木) – map no. NK-54-20-2-3

NOTE: The official 1/25000 topo map(s) above can be purchased for 350yen from Kinokuniya bookstore next to Sapporo Station or online (in Japanese).

route safety

Main hazards on the Yoichi River are strainers at bends, the weir(s), and the Tukimi-bashi Drop. The Tsukimi-bashi Drop in particular can be nasty if there’s wood lodged in there, so scouting this before running is an absolute must.

See our tips for keeping safe while canoeing, kayaking and packrafting in Hokkaido here.

Weather forecast

Windy.com weather forecast for Yoichi-gawa

CampSites

None

Onsen nearby

For paddlers travelling by vehicle, we recommend Tsuru-kame Onsen 鶴亀温泉 (location, 850yen) for a post-paddle soak. They have multiple pools, large saunas, cold plunge pool, and a viewing platform from which to look at the sea. If you’re on foot and just want to warm up, then consider dropping in to Kotobuki-yu Sento 寿湯銭湯 (location) right next to Yoichi JR station. This very traditional sento has been in operation since 1932.

Extra Resources

Book of Leisurely Hokkaido Rivers by Ishimoto (2009), p.68-69

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Show Full Route Notes

Route Trip Notes

HokkaiCamp.com description of the route (translated)

The Yoichi is a popular river where you can easily enjoy clear water, and it is also close to Sapporo. However, in summer, the water level drops significantly, and many ayu (sweetfish) anglers appear, making it unsuitable for river activities. It is best to visit during the spring season when the water is abundant. Additionally, the surrounding mountains offer beautiful autumn foliage, making this season a good time to visit as well. You might also be able to see salmon swimming upstream.

It was October, leaves turning brown, temperatures marching downwards towards winter. The Yoichi had long been on our hit-list, and after watching water levels for a few months, we noticed that finally the autumn rains had filled it up enough for a good packraft run.

Ian was keen to get out before he returned to Switzerland, so we agreed to meet at the put-in for a paddle together in our packrafts.

We inflated the rafts, drove one car down to the take out, drove back to the put in, and were on the water by about 10am.

It only took a few splashes to feel happy we were wearing drysuits. In only a couple of months, this entire area would be covered in deep snow.

Rain showers came and went. Sun shone, lighting up hillsides, framed by dark skies.

Being autumn, we were lucky to be able to paddle straight through the weir – the gate on river right was open.

A few hundred meters downstream of the weir, we pulled up to scout the Tsukimi-bashi drop.

Haidee and I chickened out, but Ian went for it. He paddled it in style, and went back for seconds.

The remainder of the paddle was made interesting by all the salmon that had escaped the grip of the Indian Wheel, and had managed to swim upstream.

After the paddle, Ian headed straight back to Niseko, while Haidee and I headed back to Sapporo. On the way, we stopped at some fruit stalls to pick up some harvest goodies.

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