The Geibikei boat ride is enjoyable even in rainy weather (Photo-essay)

When checking the weather forecast for the first full day of my recent Japan trip, I freaked out a bit upon seeing that the forecast was for rain for part of it since pretty much everything I wanted to do in Tohoku involved being outdoors for quite a bit.  After weighing my options, I ended up electing to go travel from Sendai to Iwate Prefecture for a 90 minute human-powered boat ride along Geibikei, a scenic 2-kilometer gorge formed by the Satetsu River that's surrounded by limestone cliffs that are over 50 meters high.

When the sun is shining, they dispense with the unphotogenic roof covering for the boat but I was glad to have it for at least part of the ride as it was indeed raining when I first got on.  Happily, the rain stopped midway along the ride, and I didn't get encounter that much rain again on again until the final day of this recent Japan trip (when I was in Tokyo, with plenty of indoor activity options).  Also, for the record: I was not the only person who elected to go on this boat ride that day; and the impression I got that all of us who did so did in fact enjoy the experience. :)

The Geibikei boat ride is enjoyable even when it's raining

The combination of water, rocks and greenery makes 

for quite the scenic -- dare I say gorgeous? ;b -- sight

 At the halfway point, the boat's 15 or so passengers 

had the option to get out and stretch our legs for a bit

In the area is a wishing hole into which people attempt to throw 

"lucky stones" -- something far harder to do than it looks!

All too soon, it was time to head back to the boat

Reflections on the calm water

Our jolly boatman, who was full of chatter, and even 

regaled us with a couple of songs along the way :)

And should anyone wonder: yes, Puppet Ponyo 

did go along for the ride :D