Yanagawa, a suburb of Fukuoka, is a world-famous water town. The urban area is crisscrossed by rivers with a total distance of 930 kilometers. The waterways for cruise ships surround the ancient city of Yanagawa. When it was originally built, it was not only focused on the function of protecting the city. It can also be used for dredging to prevent floods, as well as for agricultural irrigation and fire-fighting water storage purposes.
Boating on the Liuchuan River at Songyue Boat Station
Yanagawa River CruiseQuick Facts: Basic Introduction to Yanagawa Cruises
Yanagawa currently has five rafting companies, each with its own boating dock. They are all located in the northeast corner of Yanagawa Ancient Town, scattered on the waterway in front of the Johori Water Gate. The most well-known boat operator is undoubtedly Yanagawa Kanko Kaihui Co., Ltd., which provides discount tickets with Nishi Railway. It was founded in Showa 36 (1961).
When arranging a short trip to Fukuoka this time, we specially arranged a full day trip to Yanagawa and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. This is also an officially recommended one-day tour route. The ferry terminal is at the Matsuki Ferry Terminal. You can purchase it at the service counter of Nishi Railway Yanagawa Station. After purchasing the ticket, go directly to the counter and take the free shuttle bus provided by the boat operator.
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Yanagawa cruise ticket purchase fee and free shuttle bus
The Yanagawa cruise fee is 1,800 yen per person, half price for children under 11 years old, and free for children under 5 years old. The ticket includes a free shuttle bus to and from the station. When buying the ticket, the service staff will provide a Chinese description and a shuttle bus schedule.Remember to pay attention to the departure time of the return shuttle bus. If you miss it, you have to take a taxi, bus or walk back to the station!
- Business hours: 09:30-14:30, open daily
- Cruise fee: 1,800 yen/adult, 900 yen/child
KlookKlook. Trip Booking:Yanagawa Cruise.Tasting Yame tea|Dazaifu Yanagawa One Day Tour
▲ Yanagawa cruises can be divided into two types: shared boats (shared boats) and yokiri boats (exclusive boats). Unless there are enough people, general tourists can just take the shared boats.
▲ The boat fare for boarding in 2016 is 1,600 yen, including free shuttle bus to and from the boat terminal.
▲ After purchasing the ticket, the counter will provide a simple card with the number of people and date on the boat, which is the proof of boarding.
▲ The service counter will provide Chinese instructions, mainly about the cruise route and shuttle bus rides to and from the station.
▲ Unless the weather is bad, it will operate every day. The shared boat will leave when it is full, so there is no need to worry about the schedule.
▲ Next to the ticket counter entrance is the shuttle bus boarding point, and the bus stop in front of Yanagawa Station is on the left front.
▲ After crossing the bridge from the parking lot, you will see the way of worship at Sanju Shrine in front, and Matsuetsu Ferry Yard on the left.
Yanagawa Cruise's city-circling rafting experience
After starting from Matsuetsu Wharf, the Yanagawa Cruise will first pass through the Johori Water Gate, and then it will depart for about 70 minutes. It is mainly a rafting route that detours the ancient city of Yanagawa.The artificial rivers surrounding the ancient city had the function of defending the city, so the waterways were wide enough to allow cruise ships to pass. Most of the river cruises overlapped with the walking route, but the atmosphere and scenery of the boats had a different flavor.
The official website shows that the cruise route is 4.5 kilometers in length and the whole journey time is about 70 minutes. In fact, we stayed on board for 2 hours. We went to Songyue Wharf at 10 o'clock and arrived at Chongduan Wharf at 12 o'clock at noon. The boat went very smoothly. After all, it was not. Rafting on the river, the most "thrilling" part of the whole journey, is probably when you often pass by low piers, remember to lower your head and body.
▲ The cruise route goes around the ancient city of Yanagawa, and it is also possible to walk.
▲ The pier provides sun-shading hats for rent, 100 yen each. If the sun is hot, you can consider borrowing them before boarding the boat. You can pick them up after you deposit coins in the cash box on the table.
▲ Although the sun was not too hot that day, it was more interesting to wear a hat like a boatman!
▲ The Yanagawa Castle Horizumi Gate, listed as a historic site, is in front of you. Most of the Yanagawa rafting routes use this as the starting point and heading to the Okita Pier at the end.
▲ Before the departure of the general cruise itinerary, a group photo of the passengers is usually taken on behalf of the passengers. You can buy them on board and then return to the service counter to pay for them.
▲ The midway boatman will stop at the waterside stall, and everyone can buy snacks and ice products according to their needs.
▲ In the final stage of the cruise, the boat passed through the low-bottom tree trunks, everyone lowered their heads, and the boatman jumped over with stunts.
The shopping street and eel rice delicacies at the end of the cruise
The boatman is very hardworking and explains in Japanese seriously. He will also sing a few songs along the way and stop at a "water" stall selling snacks. The boatman's movements and expressions are not very exaggerated, but his sincere service mood can be seen, but The time may be too long, and the last stage may be a bit at a loss for words and silence, or maybe you just want the boat passengers to enjoy the scenery, so just take a quiet look at the waterfront scenery at this time.
The final terminal of the Yanagawa Cruise is right at the tourist shopping street of Yanagawa, and there is a free shuttle bus stop sign for returning to Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station. There are many eel rice restaurants in Yanagawa Shopping Street, which is also a must-eat delicacy when coming to Yanagawa. The shopping street also has many shops selling souvenirs. The Kitahara Hakuaki Family Memorial Museum is also next to the shopping street, so you can stop by and visit it.
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▲ Arrive at the Chongduan Wharf at the terminal.
▲ Okida Pier is right in front of the famous eel rice restaurant Wakamatsuya. You can take a free shuttle bus here on your return trip, and you can choose to return to Shotsuki Pier or Yanagawa Station.
▲ When you come to Yanagawa, you can't just have a cruise, but it's also important to eat eel and rice!
How to get there by car? Traffic information and surrounding environment of Yanagawa Cruise
Take the Omuta Line from Fukuoka's Nishitetsu Tenjin Station, and you can choose direct flights. The one-way fare is 850 yen. It takes 48 minutes to reach Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station. Next to the bus stop in front of Nishitetsu Station is the service counter of the Rafting Company. Buy the ticket here. , You can take the free shuttle bus at the door to Songyue Wharf.
▲ The above picture shows the traffic route from Yanagawa Station to the ferry yard, and the picture below shows the cruise route.
▲ From Tenjin Station in Fukuoka, take the Nishitetsu train and go directly to Yanagawa Station without changing trains.
