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)
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...
It’s known as the Ha Long Bay of the land. About 150 kilometers from the famous Vietnamese bay where hundreds of islands form a natural wonder is another equally as impressive landscape. This one, known as Trang An, is nowhere near the coast, though. The mountains are connected by rice paddies, not water. You can cycle to them, not sail. And – best of all – they are not full of foreign tourists. Such is the joy of a Trang An boat tour. Trang An Heritage Complex is a part of Ninh Binh province, it is about 100km away from Hanoi city center. If Halong holds an impressive and magnificent beauty, Trang An will be its best rival. Though smaller in size, you will be lost in a wonderland with the karst mountains, lush green forests, sparkling and crystal-clear river and the endless rice field running to the horizon. In general, the cost of entrance fees & boat trip of three routes is the same ( 200.000vnd/ person) on a shared- rowing boat (maximum 4 people/ 1 boat). You can ch...
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...
Have you ever stay in a Durian Farm before? No? At Bao Sheng Durian Farm, you can do it! This 6.7 acres durian farm has been established in Balik Pulau since 1959. It really took them full 60 years to get the fruit of their hard work. Their villa is well equipped with air-con, hot shower and LCD TV with hundreds of Blu-Ray quality movies in it! They have existing queen size or king size bed and extra bed can be requested. To get close and personal with the King of Fruit...the accommodation charges will be Deluxe Villa is charged at RM280/night and standard villa will cost you RM180/night. They only have 1 Deluxe Villa and 2 Standard Villa only. So it is very easy to be fully booked during the durian season. Advance booking is greatly recommended for at least 3 months ahead so that you will be able to choose the right schedule for the durian you wish to taste. Why stay in a durian farm? This is what you see when you open the window with all the durian trees around you. The fre...
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...
Here I am back again to Pulau Mabul after 3 years, a place where I was born to be a submarine boy a.k.a diver, Uncle Chang. This is the link to Uncle Chang from 3 years ago. Many things have changed in this 3 years...undeniably, myself too. And so did Uncle Chang. Let's see their changes... Their chalet has gotten bigger and more beautiful...In conclusion, his business got bigger. New diving center and also the docking point. Far away from the original ones because was hit by a horrible storm. He is lucky to got away with minor diving equipment lost. They are going to move back to the original diving center once the renovation completed which I believe by now it should be done. New chalets facing the sunset. It is a beautiful scenery to stay in but the sun has made every single chalets here like a microwave. Especially when they still cutting out power supply from 8.00am - 5.00pm. Now, a very long walk from the dive center to the gathering place. The...
Continuing from my previous post ...This is the second part of my Jungle Trekking adventure. The route is from Perhentian Island Resort to Teluk Dalam. There is a junction like this to direct you to Teluk Dalam. Jungle trekking started! Let's finish this adventure! A lot of monitor lizards in this island. Please do not feel afraid to see them because they are more afraid that you are. Here is the Teluk Dalam and as you can see the beach is very small. Not much spaces for you to do any beach activities here. So you can only sunbathing in front of your own chalet. Please watch out anchors like this when you walk along this beach. It is like a booby trap and you might get a deep cut on your leg. You do not want this to spoil your holiday mood. Actually not the boatmen to be blamed for this. This beach is really really small. No choice that this anchor is appearing everywhere along the beach. Water Taxi here are very expensive. Here are the destinations liste...
Now we have came to the 5th post about my Sandakan food adventure trip. This time I will bring you something which is very locally made and will not find at KL. The place is called Sing Yi Food Centre which their pork dumpling contain century egg inside. Maybe some of you might have tried it before at some place at KL. But I can tell you this is totally different. You need to taste it for yourself only you will realized. 皮蛋刀麻切 + 猪肉丸+鱼付 @RM5.50 Outlook: 3/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - 刀麻切 is the name of the noodle. Not really sure how to translate that into English thou but it is a pretty unique noodle which I have never taste it before. Even the 鱼付 as well! Why they did not bring this specialty to KL? Surely is a hit! 皮蛋刀麻切 @RM3.50 - This is a plain one with nothing extra added inside like the above. Close shot on the pork dumpling with century egg. The Teh-C here is not bad too! It is really a recommended ...
My Japanese cuisine addiction has reached Kota Kinabalu. Nagasaki Japanese Restaurant is the place to help me to cure it. Japanese restaurants in Kota Kinabalu has limited choices to compare with Klang Valley so Nagasaki is one of the famous Japanese restaurant in Kota Kinabalu. Sashimi Moriawase @RM40.00++ Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 4/5 Overall: 4/5 - 4 types of fish given which are tuna, salmon, yellowtail and butter fish. From the picture, you can see the meat are thick. The feeling of sinking the teeth into the thick meat and the fish freshness and the sweetness immersed out from into my mouth is indefinable awesome. The best is still the butter fish. The smooth meat comes with butter alike fragrance is really a stealer of the whole sashimi moriawase. It feels great to find a fine quality Japanese cuisine in Kota Kinabalu. Cold Somen @RM10.00++ Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 4/5 Overall: 4/5 - It is reall...
What else you can do at Bukit Tinggi? After you past by the horse riding and rabbit farm, you will see a tol alike place where they will collect entrance fee. The charges are: Weekdays: RM10/pax (adult), RM8/pax (child) Weekends: RM12/pax (adult), RM10/pax (child) *child is 4-12 years old. Once you pay the entrance fee, you are able to access Japanese Tea House, Botanical Garden and Colmar Tropicale. Once you past by the tol alike, you will be facing a T junction where on your left is to Japanese Tea House and Botanical Garden while on your right is to Colmar Tropicale. Today, I will share with you the road to the left which are Japanese Tea House and Botanical Garden. It is a very curvy and steep road to this Japanese Tea House. They are ample parking space for you to park your car here without any charges required. After you park your car, you have to walk up the hill for 10 minutes to reach to the Japanese Tea House. The air here is cool and breeze. You will feel peaceful and relax...
Comments
Post a Comment