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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.
Boat ride from Kameoka down to Kyoto
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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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.
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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.
Hozu River Boat Cruise
You will see massive rock formations, lots of different trees like cherry trees and maple trees, birds, fish, bridges, and trains passing by on the hillsides. There is a kiosk at the ticket office center/ waiting room selling bento boxes and other kinds of food and snacks. You are even allowed to bring alcohol on board, but smoking is prohibited. To get there take the JR Sagano/ San-in Line from Kyoto Station to Kameoka Station (a 27-minute train ride). The 2-hour Hozugawa River Cruise starts in Kameoka in west Kyoto, 30 km west of Kyoto Station.
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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 boats are heated in winter and operate during light rain (they will be covered in a plastic tent), but service is canceled in case of heavy rain or large changes in the water level. Feel the forces of nature at work in this glorious area of rural Kyoto. Get a good look at Tenryuji Temple, the head temple of a major branch of Zen Buddhism. Enjoy your free time in Arashiyama, and find a local spot for some lunch before heading back to the bus. Many prominent personalities, such as United Kingdom’s Princess Margaret and Emperor Showa, have enjoyed the ride on Hozugawa River. It was however famous writer Natsume Soseki who best described in his novel "Gubijinso" this picturesque getaway amidst the touristic turmoil and fresh winds reminding of history.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
At the times, the river was a transportation route for building materials from "Tanba", the mountain range from which the river originates. Over time, the type of products varied thanks to the "lord of the river" Ryoi Suminokura, a wealthy merchant who specialized in ship transportation of rice, wheat, firewood, and coal from 1606. You can reach the cruise jump-off spot by JR train then shuttle bus.
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.
Please wait until your number is called before heading down to the pier. The big screen next to the ticket counter also shows the numbers that have been called out. You can see a monument of the waterway founder Ryoi when your riverboat approaches its end stop at Saga-Arashiyama.
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