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Go on a spectacular train ride that will take you from Saga Station to Kameoka Station—that's 7.3 kilometers of magnificent scenery! Treat your senses to a nostalgic ride through Kyoto's picture-perfect natural landscape. The boat’s pier is close to JR Kameoka Station (亀岡駅), just a 5 to 10-minute walk away. The most popular route on the Sagano Romantic Train is the 25-min train ride from Saga Torokko Station to Kameoka Torokko Station (both in western Kyoto). All the way, you will be surrounded by tall forest-covered mountains.
Hozugawa River Boat Ride’s Timetable and Ticket
Kyoto's premiere spot for scenic beauty, flowing 16km between the mountains leading to Arashiyama, the Hozugawa River was once an important waterway used for transporting lumber to the capital. Experience the deep pools, rapids, and all the thrills of an ever-changing mountain river. 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 with oars and bamboo poles.
Night Walking in Azabudai Hills
They used long hemp ropes and walked along the shore of the river, this was called “hikifune” (pulling the boat back upstream with ropes by manpower). You can even see rope marks on many of the rocks along the riverside from the boat pulling. With long poles made of bamboo, boatmen steer the flat-bottom wooden boats down the Hozu-gawa River. The river takes you through steep mountain canyons surrounded by lush forests of pine, cherry, and maple trees that turn into a sea of beautiful colors during spring and autumn. The departure point for cruises is a short bus ride (170 yen) or ten minute walk from JR Kameoka Station (20-30 minutes, 420 yen from Kyoto Station). Alternatively, the pier is a 15 minute, 310 yen bus ride from Torokko Kameoka Station, the last stop on the Sagano Scenic Railway from Arashiyama.
What to see near Hozugawa kudari?
They first started to use the big Hozu-gawa River to transport logs from Tanba to build the new capital city Kyoto. The woods were bound together into big rafts and then sent downstream on the river. Rinsen-ji Temple, Osaka Castle, and Fushimi Castle were all built by timber transported on the Hozugawa River.
Here you can also see Daihikaku Senko-ji Temple, built by Ryoi to honor the people who lost their lives in the excavation of Hozugawa River. Also, food and other goods were transported on the Hozugawa River, like rice, wheat, firewood, charcoal. The river soon became a vital transport vein to Kyoto and a lucrative and thriving business.
On the other hand, in winter the boats are heated, and the crowds are noticeably absent, allowing you to take in the crisp silence of the colder months. In spring you may see cherry blossoms, and in summer the verdant green scenery and river breezes are a perfect anecdote to the heat of Kyoto City. After the rainy period in June, the river levels are a little higher, though the chances of being drenched are pretty low. If it does rain heavily or there is a typhoon, the cruises will be canceled. There you have it, everything you need to know about the Hozugawa River Boat Ride. You should consider putting the Hozugawa River Boat Ride on your to-do list if you are heading to Kyoto.
The Best Cultural Experience at Japanese Culture Experience An
However, competition arose with the opening of the JR railway in 1895 and the development of roads. At the end of World War II, river freight was stopped, and the ship operators shifted their activity to cruising boats. Nowadays, the 16 kilometers boat ride welcomes more than 300,000 tourists per year.
Kyoto river tour resumes after fatal boat accident in March - Kyodo News Plus
Kyoto river tour resumes after fatal boat accident in March.
Posted: Mon, 17 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Transportation add-ons
Hozu River, or Hozugawa, as it is called in Japanese, is a big river that runs through Kyoto city. The river originates in the Tanba Mountain range west of Tokyo, not that far from Mt Fuji. Hozugawa River runs through the mountains from Sonobe on the west coast of Japan, and through Kyoto city. And don’t worry if you are like me and get hungry during the 2-hour boat trip. You can buy all sorts of food and drinks from the kiosk boat, also hot food like hot dogs, dumplings, and grilled meat.
Address, timetable & access
When we were on Hozugawa River Boat in the morning, more birds and turtles appeared on the right-hand side. Because the side of the river was under the sun, it is possible that they flocked over to seek warmth on a cold autumn day. In addition, Arashiyama’s traditional buildings are also located on the right-hand side of the river. The Sagano Romantic Train runs in the same area as the Hozugawa River Boat Ride, between Saga-Arashiyama and Kameoka in Kyoto, along the Hozugawa River. So you will see the same landscape, although warm, comfortable, and dry from a train car instead of a boat. Of course, you miss out on the excitement of the rafting experience.
The Hozu river cruise or hozugawa kudari takes place several times a day from Kameoka to Arashiyama, the latter being less than 30 minutes from the crowds at JR Kyoto Station. Most people come here from Osaka or Kyoto on a day trip, however, you can stay overnight at one of several excellent ryokans nearby at Kameoka Onsen. This popular river route has a rich history dating back more than 400 years and offers visitors a chance to enjoy a leisurely and entertaining boat ride through one of Kyoto’s most beautiful areas.
The ride alternates between thrilling sections with strong currents and deeper stretches that are calm. Along the way, the boat's 20 passengers can enjoy birds, wildlife and the Hozu River Gorge's unusual rock formations. Highlights of the trip are the views of the beautiful, forested river banks of the Hozu Valley, some amazingly shaped rocks and gliding through some small rapids on the river. Holding expert knowledge about the Hozu River and how weather can change the water flow is essential to being a great boatman. Repairing and preserving nature in the area are also part of their duties. Check out what else you should not miss when going to Kyoto on our recommended 3-day Kyoto Itinerary.
Kameoka itself is 31 minutes from Kyoto Station, and I recommend that you leave Kyoto by 1130 am at the latest if you are going on a day trip. The Hozu River passes through Kyoto and the city of Kameoka, which lies to the west. Splendid mountains line the riverbanks, forming a landscape straight out of a painting. Delightful throughout the year, the mountains turn bright red in autumn, a landscape best enjoyed from a boat.
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