Japan’s extensive transportation system not only attracts many railway fans, but even ordinary travelers can also use various means of transportation, making free travel itinerary more diverse.Among them, the various types of cruise ships in the wide lakes, downstream rivers and curved rivers allow people to visit the scenery from different angles. They are definitely a tourist transportation tool outside of the land railway and the itinerary.
A must-see cruise experience in Japan
Japanese cruise ships can be divided into three main types: "観光船", "Yayakata" and "kawashita". "Sightseeing boats" are generally petrol-powered cruise ships. There are usually differences between general routes and sightseeing routes, with and without meals. "Houseboats" are Japanese-style Japanese boats with a roof, usually with meals. Choose to provide heating and warm clothing and cushions in winter; "川下り" is a boat that is similar to a boat down the current. The hull is usually larger and resembles a house boat, usually with a simple splash-proof or rain-proof roof.
After experiencing the river cruises along the Kinugawa River in Tokyo, the coastal cruises in the Yokohama area, and the lake cruises in Lake Toya, Hokkaido, I feel that it is the Kyoto, Osaka, and Shiga area, which provides the most diversified cruise experience from the coast. , Lakes, rivers to rivers, from modern steamboats to traditional houseboats and river boats. The choices are very rich and diverse. It is a must-see itinerary that is highly recommended in the Kansai region.
Next, let’s introduce the recommended cruise routes in Kyoto and Shiga when traveling to the Kyoto area!
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Kyoto area
Kyoto City, full of Japanese style, has two sightseeing cruise routes, Kawashita ri and Yakatabana, which are the most distinctive in Japanese style. "Ishifune" and "Arashiyama Pass" are the main features, and the "Okazaki Sakura Corridor Ten Shifune" near Nanzenji Temple, which is limited to the cherry blossom season.
The Arashiyama Pass on both sides of the Arashiyama Togetsu Bridge is located at the disembarkation point of the Hozugawa Cruise Route. There are various types of cruises such as pure river crossing, pure sightseeing, food and dining, Ugai school, and other small boats that can be rented. Those who can't enjoy the river flow can continue to try the boat type of houseboat.
There are two types of yakata boats in the Fushimi area, "Ten Shi Boats" and "Thirty Stone Boats". They are both on the river course next to the Okura Memorial Museum of Laurel Crown. There are people who plan to travel to the Fushimi area to visit the wine country and Sakamoto Ryoma and Atsuhime pilgrimage. You can take a cruise here, and it is very convenient to take the Kintetsu or Keihan Line railway from the center of Kyoto.
After far away from the downtown area of Kyoto, the cruise location is located in the Amanohashidate, Ine Bay, and Tango Peninsula areas in the north of Kyoto City. It is a general sightseeing cruise type. The "Amanohashidate Sightseeing Ship" and "Ine Bay Tour Cruise" are operated by Tango Marine Transportation Company. There are two sightseeing routes, and the two places are connected by the "Amanohashidate・Miyazu~Ine" transportation ship route.
Hozu River Down Ri (Hozu River Cruise)
- Boat fare: 3,900 yen/adult
- Embarkation location: 2 Shimonakajima, Hozu-cho, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Inquiry Unit: Baojin River Cruise Enterprise Group
- Official website:http://www.hozugawakudari.jp/cn/
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Arashi Gorge の House Shape Boat (Arashiyama Pass Ship)
- Boat fare: 1,100 yen/adult (general cruise ship)
- Boarding location: Togetsukyo bridge two shore ni ride field
- Inquiry Unit: Arashiyama Shipping Co., Ltd.
- Official website:http://www16.plala.or.jp/kyoto-yakatabune/
Kyoto・Okazaki Sakura Corridor Ten Stone Boat Meguri (Kyoto・Okazaki Sakura Corridor Ten Stone Boat Cruise)
- Boat fare: 1,000 yen/adult (seasonally limited, cherry blossom season from March to April)
- Boarding location: Nanzenji Boat Ride Boarding Site
- Enquiry: Kyoto Prefecture Travel Industry Cooperative Association
- Official website:http://www.kyoto-tabi.or.jp/jikkokufune.html
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Fushimi Ten Stone Ships and Thirty Stone Ships (Fushimi Ten Stone Ships and Thirty Stone Ships)
- Boat fare: 1,200 yen/adult
- Boarding location: Gekekekan Okura Memorial Hall’s boarding area (ten stone boats), Teradayahama boarding area (three stone boats)
- Inquiries: NPO Fushimi Tourism Association
- Official website:http://kyoto-fushimi.or.jp/ship/
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Amanohashidate sightseeing boat (Amanohashidate sightseeing boat)
- Boat fare: 350 yen/adult (Miyazu-Amanohashidate), 520 yen/adult (Amanohashidate-Amanohashidate)
- Boarding location: Amanohashidate Pier, Ichinomiya Pier, Miyazu Pier
- Inquiry unit: Tango Marine and Land Transportation Co., Ltd.
- Official website:http://www.amano-hashidate.com/
Ine Bay Meguri Cruise (Ine Bay Cruise Ship)
- Boat fare: 660 yen/adult
- Boarding location: Ine Bay Megurino Boat Boarding Site
- Inquiry unit: Tango Marine and Land Transportation Co., Ltd.
- Official website:http://www.inewan.com/
Shiga area
The Shiga area surrounds the largest Lake Biwa in Japan. Kyoto’s main rivers and water sources also originate from this area. Of course, various cruise activities and routes are better than the Kyoto area. If you mention the cruise from Kyoto to Shiga, I recommend the Omi Hachiman Water Village Cruise and There are two types of Lake Biwa cruises.
The Japanese boat cruise route in the water town of Omi Hachiman can be said to be the most traditional Japanese cruise. At present, there are three main boat-shaped cruise routes: "Omi Hachiman Water Village", "Maruyama Water Village" and "Shima Mazu Water Village".The water village house-shaped boats in Omi Hachiman usually use human water sculls to move the boat forward. It is quite traditional and allows people to slowly experience the scenery of the water village in a leisurely manner.
As for the general cruise route of Lake Biwa, it is mainly operated by Lake Biwa Steamship. It is divided into three routes: "Michigan", "Lake Biwa Tour" and "Takebu Island". The first two routes can be taken at Otsu Port and those staying at Kyoto hotels. , You can take the nearest JR to Keihan Railway.
Omi Hachiman Mizugo Meguri (Omi Hachiman Water Village Excursion Boat)
- Boat fare: 2,160 yen/adult (shared ride)
- Boarding place: 880 Kitanosho-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture
- Inquiry unit: Omi Hachiman and Boat Tour Cooperative Association
- Official website:http://www.suigou-meguri.com/
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水郷のさとまるやま (Maruyama Water Town Cruise)
- Boat fare: 2,160 yen/adult (shared ride)
- Boarding location: 1467-3 Maruyama-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture
- Inquiry unit: Mizugo no Satomaruyama
- Official website:http://www.za.ztv.ne.jp/tekogi.maruyama/
Island Pearl Water Sightseeing Boat (Island Pearl Water Village Sightseeing Boat)
- Boat fare: 2,100 yen/adult
- Boarding place: XNUMX Maruyama-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture
- Inquiry Unit: Island Pearl Water Cruise Department
ミシガンクルーズ (Lake Biwa steamboat・Michigan pleasure boat)
- 乗船料金：2,260円/成人(密西根60)、2,780円/成人(密西根早班、90)、2,980円/成人(表演艇)
- Boarding location: 5-1-1 Hamaotsu, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture (Otsu Port)
- Enquiry: Biwako Steamboat Co., Ltd.
- Official website:http://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/
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ぐるっとびわ湖岛めぐり (Lake Biwa steamboat, Lake Biwa tour boat)
- Boat fare: 8,950 yen/adult (round trip)
- Boarding location: 5-1-1 Hamaotsu, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture (Otsu Port)
- Enquiry: Biwako Steamboat Co., Ltd.
- Official website:http://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/
Takebujima Meguri (Lake Biwa Steamboat, Takebujima Excursion Boat)
- Boat fare: 2,590 yen/adult (Imazu Port - Takebu Island round trip), 3,070 yen/adult (Nagahama Port - Takebu Island round trip), 3,400 yen/adult (Hikone Port - Takebu Island round trip)
- Boarding location: Imazu Port, Nagahama Port, Hikone Port
- Enquiry: Biwako Steamboat Co., Ltd.
- Official website:http://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/
Conclusion
The same landscape scenery, when the viewing angle is changed from land to water, it can definitely bring new and different feelings. Therefore, before traveling to various places, I will always look for the local waterway tour route when planning the itinerary before going. Looking at the water sightseeing styles of various countries and regions, it can be regarded as a itinerary planning practice that is worth including in tourism.
From Bangkok, ThailandAmphawa Floating Market CruiseBaliUbud Ayung River RaftingUntil the sampan kaito in Hong Kong, there is always a special cruise experience that makes people memorable again and again.Coming to Japan, which is known for its cleanliness and rigor, in addition to making it more refreshing when taking a boat, the diversified types of cruises, combined with the four seasons of high latitudes, make the cruise experience even more varied.
Further reading▶️Kinki Passenger Ship Association |http://kinki-ships.com/
