Hozu River Boat Ride
The Hozu River Cruise in Kyoto is a historic river cruise that takes you by boat down approximately 16 km from Kameoka to Arashiyama. Dating back to the early Edo period, it boasts a history of over 400 years. With skilled navigation by experienced boatmen, the ever-changing beauty of the gorge throughout the seasons, and the thrill of navigating powerful rapids, this is one of Kyoto’s most iconic tourist experiences.
The Hozu River Boat Ride in Kyoto is one of the city’s most iconic river tours, taking passengers by boat from Kameoka to Arashiyama—a distance of about 16 km—in approximately two hours. With a history spanning over 400 years, it developed as a waterway following the dredging of the Hozu River by Kakukura Ryōi in the early Edo period. Today, the tradition continues as a tourist boat ride, where skilled boatmen expertly maneuver the boats, allowing passengers to enjoy the beauty of the gorge—which changes with the seasons—and the thrilling rapids. It is a valuable opportunity to experience Kyoto’s nature, history, and traditions firsthand.
Reservations & Registration
- Registration Period & Deadline
- Same-day tickets are available; reservations must be made by the day before.
Basic Information
- Season
- January 5 through December 28
- Closed Days & Excluded Dates
- December 29 through January 4; also, due to rising river levels, inclement weather, and twice-yearly river safety inspections
- Meeting Time & Hours of Operation
- From March 10 through the second Sunday in December, hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. From the second Monday in December through March 9, hours are 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Schedule
- The distance from the Kameoka boarding pier to the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama is 16 kilometers. The boat ride takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- Duration
- Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes (Travel time may vary depending on river conditions.)
- Group Size
- Minimum 1 people – Maximum 27 per session
(1,800 per day) people - Participation Restrictions
- Children under 80 cm in height are not permitted on board.
- Language Support
- Staff: Japanese,English
- Accessibility
- There is an elevator to the ticket counter. There is a ramp leading to the boarding area.
Pricing
- List Price
- Adults: 6,000 yen Children: 4,500 yen (infants through elementary school students)
- Included in Price
- Boarding Fee
Access & Meeting Place
- Meeting Place & Ticket Pickup Location
- 2nd Floor of the Hozu River Boat Tour Boarding Area
2nd Floor of the Hozu River Boat Ride Boarding Area - Parking Information
- 3 tour buses. 100 passenger cars
Operator Information
- Operator Name
- Hozu River Boat Tour Cooperative
- Address
- 2 Shimonakajima, Hozu-cho, Kameoka City
- Phone Number
- 0771-22-5846
- Official Website
- https://www.hozugawakudari.jp/
Area & City/Town Introduction (Kameoka City)
Kameoka City has long been the center of Tamba Province. Toward the end of the Sengoku period, Akechi Mitsuhide built Kameyama Castle, and the city flourished as the castle town of the Kameyama Domain.
Today, the city is home to its “Three Major Tourist Attractions”: the “Hozu River Boat Ride,” the “Sagano Torokko Train,” and “Yunohana Onsen.” In addition, visitors can enjoy nature-based activities such as “rafting,” “paragliding,” and “BBQ at the River Station and Waterfront Park,” allowing you to fully experience the unique charms of this area. The area is also blessed with the charms of each season: cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers in spring, bellflowers in summer, cosmos and autumn foliage in fall, and sea of clouds from late fall through early spring.
