Hozugawa River Cruises (保津川下り, Hozugawa Kudari) are sightseeing boat rides down the Hozugawa River from Kameoka to Arashiyama. The cruises utilize traditional style, flat bottomed boats piloted by boatmen who guide the craft with oars and bamboo poles. The boats take about two hours to leisurely make their way down the river and are a relaxing way to see the natural scenery of the largely undeveloped ravine. The river cruises are often combined with a ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway.
The river originates in the central part of Tanba Mountain range, then, it flows around through the mountains from Sonobe to Kameoka City. Then, it runs into the Hozu-kyo Ravine and reaches world famous Arashiyama. It then merges to Kamo-gawa River, and to Yodo-gawa River. The river from Kameoka to Saga-Arashiyama, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, is called the Hozu-gawa River, famous for its beautiful ravine and boat ride.
4,100 yen (adults) and 2,700 yen (kids 4-12). Once again, my son doesn't have to pay anything. It is economical and fun to bring a 3 years old kid along with you in the travel. At this age, they already understand instruction and willing to cooperate with your demand. Every actions of theirs are really cute and adorable.
Time Estimate: Approximately 120 minutes, depending on water levels.
Capacity: Approximately 24 people (16 people for a winter boat), but it is subject to change without notice.
In case of rain: Even if it rains we operate our service as regularly with a tent on the boats. However, this does not apply to severe rainstorms or rise of the water level.
During winter: A red mat is spread out on the floor of the boat and there is a heater on top of the mat. Passengers sit directly on the floor of the boat. There are no chairs in the boat. You can see the scenery from glass windows of the boat covered with a transparent vinyl. It is warm inside.
The starting point is at Shin-Hozu Ohashi Bridge. To get to here, you need to walk to a bus stop which is located behind of the Kameoka Station. It is just a 2-3 mins walk. After that, you may need to wait for the bus. The bus frequency is every 30 minutes. It takes about 15 minutes ride to reach to this bridge. Once, you are there to purchase the ticket, you will need to wait for your number to be called. During peak season, the waiting time is going to be very long. It may takes more than an hour. I waited for 30 minutes.
The expression “Kawakudari,” a boat ride down the river, was started to be used when the history of using the Hozu-gawa River for transport began. It is a water transport whose history started when the capital was in Nagaokakyo City, even before there was a capital in Kyoto City. To help build the new capital lots of logs from Tanba, bound together into rafts, were transported down the Hozu-gawa River to Kyoto. Later the Tanba logs were in great demand and sent down the river by for the construction of Tenryu-ji Temple, Rinsen-ji Temple, Osaka Castle, and Fushimi Castle, Not only logs, but also rice, wheat, firewood, and charcoal were transported after Ryoi Suminokura, a wealthy merchant called the “River Lord” in Kyoto, opened the ravine up for boat transports in 1606. Transporting abundant and high quality of timber, grain, and firewood and charcoal was a thriving business but this vital role the river played was overtaken by rail transport with the opening of the current JR Sanin line in 1895, and later by road transport, such as trucks. From around 1945 rafting logs downriver stopped.
Not only is the scenery beautiful year-round, but the Hozugawa Ravine holds many unique points of interest, including; colossal boulders, glimpses of the surrounding mountains, mysterious deep pools, wildlife, charming flowers and trees, and intriguing geologic formations. The Ravine is and was so popular with tourist that in 1895 the sightseeing riverboat ride was introduced. Nowadays since the river no longer carries rafts or cargo the Hozu-gawa River is exclusively used for sightseeing.
The Hozugawa River Boat Ride is a world famous sightseeing experience whose travel distance is 16 kilometers-long, traveling from Kameoka to Arashiyama. About 300,000 tourists visiting us throughout year enjoy the beauty of nature in each season and thrill of the river ride.
You may argue that this experience is too expensive. However, please realize that this is a 3-manned Hozugawa-kudari which is done 100% manually. You can checkout the video below to understand how hard is it. They are really using their blood and sweat for the tourists to enjoy the journey. You will felt every Yen that you have spent is well worth it.
Near the end of the route, you will be greeted by a boat that selling food and drinks.
They have all kinds of skewers to amaze you. I am really surprised with the idea that they used to do business and make more money. The price is obviously more expensive than what you would be enjoying on the land but...
Look at this! Don't you think it is an amazing experience to eat while travelling slowly along the beautiful and clean Hozugawa river? It is all worth it.
Finally, we are at the final destination where this is the landing site. I am really curious about how do they get the boat back to the starting point. I can't ask them because their English is not very good. This is the only thing I dislike about this tour. The whole tour is in Japanese language. I cannot understand what are they trying to explain to us along the way.
This is the Togetsukyo bridge. The moment you are here, you will definitely fall in love with this place. Arashiyama is the best place in Kyoto.
Overall, the experience is great! My son enjoyed the ride and he always asking me to take him here again. The whole journey just took about 2 hours and it is just nice because my butt started to get uncomfortable already. The only cons is the language. If you feel this is really matters to you, then you can skip this tour.
Total Damage: 4,100 yen Service: 4/5 Price: 2/5 Recommended?: Yes Hozugawa-kudari 2 Shimo-Nakajima Hozu-cho Kameoka, Kyoto 6210005, Japan Tel:0771-22-5846 (Domestic) 81-771-22-5846 (International) Open Hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm (daily) (No service from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4)
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