On the west end of Kyoto, the quiet streets of Arashiyama give way to mountains. Threading its way through the mountains, the Hozugawa River meanders through a beautiful forested canyon before it flows into Arashiyama and under the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge. The Hozugawa River boat ride (also known as the Hozugawa Sightseeing boat and/or Hozugawa-kudari) is a leisurely float trip through the canyon. It takes approximately two hours to travel 16 kilometers down the Hozugawa river between Tanba-Kameoka and Arashiyama. Most of the river provides a smooth, calming journey, though there are a few rapids that supply some additional excitement along the way, and depending on the season you can enjoy cherry blossoms, vivid greenery, fall colors, and even snow! Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the Hozugawa River boat ride, and why we think it’s a great activity to enjoy while you’re in Kyoto.
About the Hozugawa Sightseeing boat ride
Up to 2 dozen passengers sail in traditional flat-bottomed wooden boats. A team of boatmen use long bamboo poles to steer the boats, pushing off the river bottom and the rocky outcroppings that line the route. They also use oars and sheer strength to move passengers through sections of flat water.
The scenery along the route is beautiful, no matter which time of year you take your trip. The river valley is forested, and in spring it’s lined with cherry blossoms; in summer, it’s lush and green; and in autumn, the hillsides are covered in shades of red and gold. You might even encounter snow on a winter sailing. Along the way, there is a lot of banter, comedic relief, and showmanship displayed by the oarsmen. It’s mostly conducted in Japanese, though you’ll hear the occasional joke in English, too.
The trip takes you 16 kilometers down the river, a journey that takes about 2 hours. During high water season though, the trip can be completed in as little as 1 hour. Departures still occur even if it’s raining, but may be canceled if it’s particularly stormy.
At the end of the trip, if you’re traveling during peak season, your boat will be met by a floating combini, or convenience store. This boat will pull up alongside you and sell you drinks and snacks including hot foods like mitarashi dango (rice dumplings with teriyaki sauce) and grilled meat.
If you think you’ll be hungry before the end of the journey, never fear. The boat’s ticket office in Kameoka sells a wide range of snacks (and souvenirs) that you can bring onboard with you.
When do Hozugawa-kudari boats depart?
During peak season, from March through December, boats depart on the hour every hour from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. They may possibly depart earlier, if the boat fills up. Through the summer months, there is also an additional 4 p.m. departure.
On weekends and holidays there are additional departures, and the timetable becomes irregular, as the boats usually fill up more quickly.
Sailings take place during the winter months, too, though on a shortened timetable. Boats depart every 90 minutes between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with additional weekend and holiday sailings. (There are no sailings over the New Year’s period.)
In the winter, the bench seating in the boats is removed, and passengers sit directly on the floor of the boat. The boat’s capacity is reduced as a result, from 24 passengers down to 16. A heater is placed in the boat and a plastic tarp covers it to trap the heat – passengers can see out glass windows along the sides of the boat.
How much do Hozugawa River boat ride tickets cost?
The price for regular departures is ¥4500 per adult or ¥3000 per child (ages 4-12). Children under 4 sail for free. Group rates are available for 35+ passengers, and private charters are also available.
Should I buy Hozugawa Sightseeing boat ride tickets in advance?
Reservations can only be made for groups of 10+ passengers, otherwise it’s first come, first served. Tickets can be purchased at the boat launch site
Where is the Hozugawa-kudari boarding site?
The boat launch is in Kameoka, in western Kyoto. You can reach the boarding site by taking the JR train. From Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano/San-in Line to Kameoka Station. The trip will take 27 minutes. From Kameoka Station, the boat launch site is less than a 10-minute walk, well signposted.
You can also take the Sagano Romantic Train to the boat launch site. The train runs through the canyon between Kameoka and Arashiyama, giving a top-down view of the river. It follows the same path as the Hozugawa River boat, just providing a different perspective.
Where does the Hozugawa River boat ride dock?
The boat trip ends in Arashiyama, close to the Togetsukyo Bridge that famously spans the river. From there, it’s approximately a 12-minute walk to the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station. If you are taking the train back to Kameoka, where you boarded the boat, the train ride is about 10 minutes. If you are taking the train into Kyoto, to Kyoto Station, the ride is about 20 minutes.
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Does the Hozugawa Sightseeing boat ride accept credit cards?
No, the boat trip is cash-only.
How safe is the Hozugawa-kudari boat trip?
In March 2023, a boat capsized, and two crew members were killed. Operations ceased for 3 months while an investigation took place. Additional safety measures were also put in place. For example, although life preservers were on board for all guests, wearing them was optional prior to the accident. Today, all guests must wear a life preserver during the trip. Boats have also been equipped with satellite radios to ensure communications capability at all times.
Although water levels on the river fluctuate, and there will be more or less rapids or rock outcroppings depending on water levels, the boat ride seems very safe as it operates today. On our Hozugawa River boat ride (which took place in August), the experience was mostly a gentle float trip, with a few small sections of rapids that livened things up but did not seem particularly dangerous. The boat moves quickly through these sections, but the water is not rough.
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Our experience on on the Hozugawa River boat ride
I enjoyed this trip much more than I expected to. Before we left on our trip, I thought the pace might be too slow, or the scenery too repetitive, to be very enjoyable. I was wrong! We took this trip after several hectic days of sightseeing. We had taken train trips out of Kyoto to visit Hiroshima, Nara, and Osaka, and were ready for a break. This boat trip was a lovely way to spend a morning recovering from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. We paired it with an afternoon tour of the Tenryu-ji gardens and Arashiyama bamboo grove, making for a zen and restorative day.
