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)
I used to whine that Japanese cuisine in Johor Bahru is horrifying and disappointing until I meet Warakuya Japanese Garden at Mount Austin. From the exterior itself, this restaurant looks so grand and luxury. The first thing comes to my mind is the price will be hefty. However, when I saw the queue in front of the restaurant, I already doubt their price is going to be really expensive. I know people just loves good food but at the minimum price. Who doesn't anyway? One of the best part of the restaurant is they are providing 42" LCD TV, free flow of drinks and seating area for the queue. You will never know time flies when you are having those things at the waiting area. Something that Sushi Zanmai needs to consider. Mango Sushi @RM11.90++ Outlook: 5/5 Creativity: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Overall: 4/5 - The moment I put the whole piece into my mouth, the sweetness of the mango already started to pamper my tongue. Once the biting started, the sweet taste is ge...
Contestants from all corners of the world were featured, including young ladies from the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Asian cities. They will vie for the Miss Chinese International 2017 crown as well as the First and Second Runners-up spots and the title of Miss Friendship 2017. Tan Sri Dato' Michelle Yeoh, Dato’ Nancy Yeoh and Hong Kong actors Simon Yam, Wayne Lai, Niki Chow and Eric Tsang are among the big names who added glitter to the prestigious Miss Chinese International Pageant 2017. The pageant, was taking place outside Hong Kong for the very first time, and was held at Resorts World Genting on 15 January 2017. Tan Sri Yeoh, Dato’ Nancy Yeoh, Simon Yam, Wayne Lai and Niki Chow will be among the judges at the pageant while Tsang will take on the role of master of ceremonies (emcee). Tan Sri Yeoh, who is also a brand ambassador of Resorts World Genting, hopes her presence will inspire all contestants. The actress, who was Miss Malaysia 1983 and voted as...
Never know about this place until I watched Ah Xian from the TV Programme which is known as "Taste with Jason". This restaurant is known as Chong Siew Lam Restaurant. No signboard to show this place but this is the only the crowded place in the whole street. They only serve for lunch so do expect great crowd roaming to this place between 12.00pm to 2.00pm. Steamed Tilapia Fish Head @RM20.00 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Overall: 4/5 - Tilapia is a freshwater fish and the best is to steam it. Without a doubt, they did it very well. The meat is so fresh but what is the best part is the gravy. Not sure how they made it but it brings a little wine taste in it with spicy kick. Absolutely uniquely delicious! Steam Salted Chicken @RM22.00 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - By steaming the chicken like that, the gravy has already penetrated the entire chicken meat. If you just eat the chicken itself, it i...
This is my first time dining at Sentul and glad to know this great Chinese restaurant which is known as Restoran Makanan Laut Lau Heong. This is the crowd at 6.00pm on Sunday. Crazy right? Let you see from another angle. They just own one shop lot but seems like owning an extra 4 parking space but still they are people standing and waiting for their seat including me! Curry Fish Head @RM25.00 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - This is their signature. You can choose a normal fish meat or a fish head like this. The curry is not really spicy at all. It contains more coconut milk taste than the curry itself. The fragrance of the curry and the coconut milk work perfectly. I can smell it before it is served. The fish heads are soft, tender, fresh and delicious. Highly recommend to everyone to try. Ginger Squid and Prawn @RM18.00 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: 2/5 Overall: 4/5 - Hardly taste the ginger but what makes me...
I have been always wanted to get hold of a real gun and shoot like James Bond, Neo in Matrix and Max Payne. I have invited my buddy, Suyin who is very interested in it as well to accompany me. Thanks to ILoveDiscounts , this dream is no longer a dream and it is made possible and affordable to everyone. The link of the deal as follows: RM105 for a handgun experience + 25 Rounds of Ammo Before we attend, we are required to submit our passport photo, photocopy of our IC and filling up their Vetting form. The documents are required for a background check to eliminate those who has criminal record especially related to gun. 14 working days are required to run the check. After that, it is compulsory to attend their briefing which is lasting at most 2 hours to learn and understand the safety rules. At the same time, to learn the basic techniques in shooting. Since this is a real gun and it is not a gun we are playing in a fun fair, we must adhere to their strict rules not just for prot...
Most of people think if you travel to Hatyai and not visiting their temples, you are just wasting your time at Hatyai. As for my personal opinion, if you come to Hatyai and did not go to Sports Shooting Club (SSC) Hatyai to experience the shooting experience with a real gun, I think you are not just wasting your time at Hatyai but you are wasting your time being a human. You only live once and there is no better way to understand these guns than coming over to SSC. Their gun selections are enough to satisfy your urge. From rifle, pistols, revolvers to shotguns. You would be surprised that their rifle is the cheapest. The price is stated from 890 baht nett for a 15 rounds. I have tried the rifle, beretta and this Smith and Wesson 4506 .45 ACP. This 45 is my favorite among all with 50m shooting range and 8+1 capacity. One of the most expensive gun to rent here. Basically you are shooting at the target paper like this. You can adjust the range of the target ...
Not really much entertainment in Sandakan even though they are just beside the sea. No nice beach for water activities and the nearest island like Pulau Selingan and Turtle Island are about 90 minutes away. As for the town itself, basically is this bowling centre called Champ's which has a very nice and good condition bowling alley, bowling shoes and bowling bowls if to compare with bowling centres like in KL. Not very big at all for their bowling centre which only has 12 lanes. Their shoes look so new! Here is a demonstration on how to bowl. Looks pro...I wonder how is the end result. So what do guys think? Is it a strike? They have a lounge here as well. And a cafe too! The price of the bowling is cost at RM4.80 per game per pax. We went at their most peak hours so their price basically has not much different than our KL City price. As for the bowling shoes is chargeable at RM2.00 per pax. FYI, the prices not inclusive government ta...
Driving in Singapore is really a pain especially the traffic congestion, parking hunting and speed cameras alert which is seems like everywhere. As for parking, weekdays parking is like vampire sucking all your money out from your wallet when the clock keeps ticking. Not just parking but their ERP toll is sucking the money out of your Autopass card too. However, I have realized that the best days to travel to Singapore is on weekends and especially on Sunday. ERP toll is free on Sundays. Parking rate are cheaper on Sundays and there are places are free parking too. Not much cars and peoples on the street on Sundays. Sunday is just perfect day at Singapore! Of course, if you plan to eat their buffets, Sunday will be not a suitable day as it will be super expensive. Anyway, today I just want to share one of the tourist attraction in Singapore which is the Merlion Park. I parked at Fullerton Hotel which has ample of parking spaces and it is only S$5.00/entry. The Fullerton Hotel is j...
That day my dream comes true when I finally able to have my tea time at TWG Tea with my two beloved ladies in my life. Yay! I always meet my Elayne jie whenever I am at KL. Sometimes I feel I am going to make her very bored already but I just love to find her even we do not have to talk a lot. Back to the topic, this is the menu of what you will see from the entrance. They do not just serve tea and bread only. They do serve western meal too but I prefer this place for a great tea time because of their exquisite outlook and comfortable seating. A tea book. Yes, you choose your desired tea from here. There are so many tea to choose from and you will get spoiled with choices. I took almost 15 minutes to choose my desire tea but in the end no result out of it. I had to get a waitress from Shezhuan, China with very fluent English to help me to decide. If you ever wonder what does TWG stands for, it stands for "The Wellness Group". It is established in 1837. If you ar...
My love with the Thai food never fades even I have left Thailand for 4 months already. I wanted to refresh my memories on the beauty of Thai food so I took the chance at Thai Thai restaurant which is located at Sunway Pyramid. The design not really Thai style but makes me remember about Ben's General Food Store who is using the same sets of chair as well. Spicy Tom Yam Mee Hoon @RM16.90++ Outlook: 3/5 Creativity: 3/5 Taste: 2/5 Price: 2/5 Overall: 2/5 - The tomyam soup aromatically great when it is in your mouth but once you swallow the burning hot sensation makes you feel very unpleasant feeling. I have drink a great tomyam soup with no such effect but I do not why I experience this here. Pineapple Fried Rice with Prawn @RM17.90++ Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - Fragrance rice and crunchy cashew nuts plus a little sourish kick from the pineapple. This is perfect for me. However, a little dry feeling when towards the fina...
Comments
Post a Comment