Hozugawa River Boat Ride Experience in Kyoto

If you're taking the Sagano Romantic Train and then the Hozugawa River Boat Ride, it's best to allow an hour and a half between them. For example, if your train arrives at 11:00 AM, book the 12:30 PM boat ride. After getting off the train, there will be signs directing you through a tunnel to the bus stop. The bus will make a brief stop and then go directly to the Hozugawa River Boat Ride building. There's a small shop where you can buy snacks and drinks; definitely buy something to drink, as the boat shop won't appear for about an hour and a half after you board. The boatman on our trip was very entertaining, likely a veteran, and interacted well with the passengers. When we encountered rapids, he would playfully warn passengers about a little splashing. You won't get completely soaked, as there are tarps for cover. Throughout the journey, the boatman spoke a mix of Japanese and short English phrases, and also used gestures to point out the local wildlife. The boat ride is spectacular and highly recommended.

What a great experience! The staff work hard to make the ride a fun one! The sights are awesome and would love to experience it again in the fall season when the maple leaves turn orange and the cherry trees are in bloom. I would highly recommend this to others.

Seemless and quick check in. They get you on the boat and provide safety and instruction. Where comfortable clothing that you don’t mid getting a little splash of water on because it may happen. The scenery is breathtaking. You will end up on the other side of the river near shops with food and souvenirs as well as the bamboo forest.

BEST THING WE DID ALL TRIP! The guides/hosts are charming, hilarious and insanely fit and talented! Fitness goals have changed, I now just pray I can eventually do what these people can do! 2 hours on the river went by so fast, we just wanted to go back and start all over again. Please don’t miss this if you have an opportunity to do it, I cannot put into words how fun and special it was.

everything about this experience was nothing short of amazing. The people are friendly, the views were spectacular. highly recommend if you want to get away from the big city and see what Japan country side has to offer.

This was one of my highlights of Japan! The guides that took us down the river shared their humour, stories and some history! the scenic views of the mountain scape and river were unlike no other. we also saw monkeys and turtles on the way down. You don’t want to skip this attraction you might regret it.

Our Kyoto boat tour ended up being one of those unexpectedly perfect experiences. The scenery alone is stunning, stunning waterfalls, lush surroundings, and views that feel beautiful no matter the season—but what really made it unforgettable were the staff. Even with the language barrier, their humor came through effortlessly. They had us laughing the entire time, turning what could have been a quiet ride into something genuinely joyful. By the end, our faces actually hurt from smiling and laughing so much. It felt light, easy, and memorable in the best way. We absolutely loved it and would recommend it to anyone visiting Kyoto—it’s not just a sightseeing trip, it’s an experience.

this is the coolest thing I have ever done in my life. I saw so much wildlife and a variety of plants. the staff working the boat were so friendly and funny. even with limited English they still managed to make the whole boat laugh the entire time. I was kind of worried about sitting on a wooden boat for 2 hours but they made the time go by so quick I was sad it was ending. great opportunity for photos and cultural immersion. I had no idea that they had been in business for so long. I literally have no complaints, everything was as expected if not even better

A wonderful experience from start to finish. The views are amazing and the boat drivers are hilarious. “Happy New Year!” We heard this about a 1,000 times in the trip until the whole boat was yelling it. Make sure to use the bathroom, you will be on the river for a full 2 hours and there are not pit stops!

The boat ride on the Hozugawa River was truly delightful. We cruised along the river, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and the humorous guides with their jokes were very entertaining. Highly recommended. Thank you for this wonderful experience.