Yanagawa River Cruising

Yanagawa City

A castle town cruise in a small boat among the Venice of Fukuoka.

Yanagawa is a nostalgic town 50 minutes from Hakata by train with the vestiges of its days as a castle town. Yanagawa Castle was built around 1588, and called the “Water Castle” at that time. The reason for this was the water-filled moats crisscrossing the town. A moat is a channel built around a castle to keep out enemies and animals, and often filled with water. Yanagawa river cruising takes place in these moats in small boats. In spring the cherry blossoms are beautiful, and in summer the irises bloom, for a thoroughly charming river cruise that is like a Japanese version of Venice.

Namako walls and Yaemon Bridge – the view of the town changes from the water!

The river cruise is about 3 kilometers long. The pilot stands at the end of the boat, skillfully guiding it with a long pole. The view of the town seen from the river presents a slightly different face than when walking. The view of the Namako walls, reminiscent of the town’s days as a castle town, and Yaemon Bridge that is just barely big enough to admit one boat at a time, as well as the green tunnels made by the branches of willow and cherry blossom trees arching out into the water is spectacular. The songs the captain sings are nursery rhymes penned by the local poet Hakushu Kitahara. The soft singing voice is the perfect match for the leisurely speed of the boat.

Visit the popular literary and gourmet spots.

After enjoying the river cruise, get to know Yanagawa’s charming literary and gourmet side. The Shogetsu Literati Museum was a traditional Japanese restaurant frequented by many men of letters, including Hakushu Kitahara. It is now open as a literary museum. Ganso Motoyoshiya is the originator of the seiro mushi style of steamed eels, with a history of over 300 years. This popular location is a veteran store that has passed down its secret sauce and cooking techniques faithfully over the years since its inception. Broiled Japanese eels are served on a bed of rice to make the seiro mushi, a dish known as a Yanagawa local cuisine. After soaking in the scenery of the river cruise, this is the perfect place for lunch.

For reference

Yanagawa River Cruise Shogetsu Pier

Address

329 Okinohatamachi, Yanagawa-shi, Fukuoka-ken
Telephone

0944-72-6177
Hours

9:00 A.M. to dusk
Price

1600 yen
Website

http://www.yanagawakk.co.jp/index_e.html
Access

Fukuoka Airport is a 1 hour 50 minute flight from Haneda Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 2 hour flight from Narita Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 1 hour flight from Itami Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 1 hour flight from Kansai International Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 2 hour 15 minute flight from New Chitose Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 1 hour 30 minute flight from Chubu Centrair International Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 50 minute flight from Matsuyama Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 45 minute flight from Miyazaki Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 1 hour flight from Naha Airport.
From Fukuoka Airport Station, take the subway to Tenjin Station (11 min).
Walk from Tenjin Station to Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station (10 min).
Take the train from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station to Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station (50 min).
The area is a 5 minute walk from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station.

Shogetsu Literati Museum

Address

329 Mitsuhashimachi Takahatake, Yanagawa-shi, Fukuoka-ken
Telephone

0944-72-4141
Hours

9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Closed

Open 365 days a year
Price

Free of charge

Ganso Motoyoshiya

Address

69 Asahimachi, Yanagawa-shi, Fukuoka-ken
Telephone

0944-72-6155
Hours

10:30 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Closed

Second and fourth Mondays
Price

Seiro mushi (with eel-liver soup and pickles): 3,500 yen
Website

http://www.yanagawa-cci.or.jp/kigyo/kigy0361.html
Access

From Fukuoka Airport Station, take the subway to Tenjin Station (11 min).
Walk from Tenjin Station to Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station (10 min).
Take the train from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station to Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station (50 min).
The restaurant is an 11 minute walk from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station.