Many of Roopt's share houses are located in coastal areas of Miyagi Prefecture, offering opportunities to enjoy not only seafood but also a wide variety of marine activities. We hope that all Roopt residents and guests will also enjoy the marine activities that Miyagi has to offer. This time, we'll be sharing an article about our sea kayaking experience in Ishinomaki City!
I recently experienced sea kayaking with a guide from Nakano Kayak, a company that offers programs on the Oshika Peninsula, a place brimming with the charms of both the sea and the mountains. This was only my second time sea kayaking, and my first time having a guide. In this report, I'll share the "fresh" enjoyment I felt precisely because I'm unfamiliar with sea kayaking! I hope you'll also enjoy reading this from the perspective of "What kind of sea is Ishinomaki?"
Before I give you my experience report, here's an introduction to Nakano Kayak.
Nakano Kayak offers sea kayaking programs guided by representative Kana Nakano. They have a variety of plans to suit different needs, including half-day and full-day experiences for beginners, tours for experienced paddlers, and private charter programs for families.
Furthermore, Nakano Kayak is an officially recognized school of the Japan Safety Paddling Association (JSPA). Whether you're a complete beginner trying sea kayaking for the first time or a novice who's paddled a little before, you can participate with confidence.
This sea kayaking experience took place at Ogihama on the Oshika Peninsula, located in the southeastern part of Ishinomaki City. Because Ogihama is an inlet, the waves are calm, making it one of the best places for sea kayaking. The white deer sculpture "White Deer Oshika," a symbol of the "Reborn-Art Festival" which has been held since 2017, is also exhibited here at Ogihama.
First, they explained the equipment and how to paddle a kayak. Wetsuits and water shoes are also available for rent at this time, so even first-timers without their own equipment can feel at ease. *Rentals require reservations.
Before heading into the sea, we receive a lecture on land on how to get in and out of a kayak and how to paddle. We then set our drinks and valuables in their designated places and are ready to go. After a short practice session in the shallows, we finally set off.
What personally impressed me was the functionality of the kayak's storage. You can secure drinks with straps, and you can put smartphones and other items in a dry bag (waterproof bag) and then cover it with a hidden opening. Even from a layman's perspective, I felt that it was "very conveniently designed."
Following Mr. Nakano's guidance, we paddled our kayaks forward. The title of this article is "Experiencing the Sea of Ishinomaki with All Five Senses," and I think you'll understand what that means as you read on.
The first things you notice are the waves and the wind. Even slight waves and wind can change the direction of the kayak, and skillfully maneuvering the paddle to overcome the waves and wind is part of the fun. It felt like I was conducting a physics experiment.
As we paddled along, the natural beauty of the Oshika Peninsula unfolded before our eyes. Looking out at the sea, we could see seaweed and small fish with the naked eye, and looking at the mountains, we could admire magnificent scenery of trees and rock formations. Mr. Nakano explained the different types of seaweed, the methods of cultivating marine products, and the reasons behind the shapes of the rock formations. He also patiently answered any questions we had, such as "What kind of seaweed is this?", making it a very educational and worthwhile experience.
Incidentally, Ishinomaki also suffers from a lot of damage caused by wild animals, and Japanese deer are particularly numerous on the Oshika Peninsula, eating and scattering grass and tree buds. This was a good opportunity to see the serious extent of the damage caused by deer.
After paddling for about an hour, we took a break at the beach where the aforementioned "White Deer Oshika" kayak was on display. There, we were able to hear many stories from Mr. Nakano, including why he moved to Ishinomaki and stories related to kayaking, which deepened our connection. Mr. Nakano, a coffee lover, ground the beans and brewed the coffee right there, and combined with the pleasant fatigue, it was simply exceptional.
After a good rest, we started paddling again, and since I still had plenty of energy, we decided to paddle around the entire Ogihama area and return to our starting point. We were able to catch a glimpse of life on the coast, such as seeing a fisherman acquaintance of Mr. Nakano preparing for fishing. Plus, we got to see many beaches and forests that are inaccessible by land, which made me feel like I got a little extra value.
We returned to the starting point, and our fulfilling 3-hour experience, including preparation, came to an end! The 3 hours flew by, and I was already thinking, "Next time, I'd like to try the full-day course!"
During this experience, I asked Mr. Nakano about the best aspects (i.e., the appeal) of sea kayaking, and he shared the following three points. These are three things that I also experienced firsthand, and I would like our readers to experience them as well.
① Enjoyable for all ages and genders: As I discovered when I tried it myself, it doesn't require as much skill as you might think, and you can paddle with minimal effort, so anyone, young or old, can enjoy it. It's great for solo use, but also enjoyable with friends and family.
② The sense of accomplishment from reaching your destination under your own power. Although you're going slowly, before you know it you've paddled a considerable distance, and you can experience the sense of accomplishment of "I've paddled this far on my own." Being able to go to places that you can't reach by land also seems to be a factor in that sense of accomplishment.
③ It encourages conversation and is refreshing. Unlike fast sports like cycling or touring, cycling involves leisurely pedaling and taking breaks, making it easier to have a lively conversation. When the sea is calm, there is no sound of waves and it is truly quiet, so you can communicate well even if you are a little distance apart.
Having had the opportunity to experience sea kayaking with Nakano Kayak, I feel that I was able to spend a truly fulfilling time that went beyond the realm of typical marine activities.
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