All Reviews of Yanagawa River Boating

Yanagawa: The Boatman’s Song

After enjoying authentic grilled eel rice and shrimp tempura in Yanagawa, Fukuoka, we boarded a flat-bottomed boat for the famous river cruise. Using only a bamboo pole, the boatman skillfully navigated the old waterways and stone bridges, showing remarkable expertise. The intense summer heat quietly faded amid the shade along the banks, the breeze over the water, and the tranquil scenery.

Most memorable was the boatman’s warm, resonant voice. He sang everything from “Nada Soso” and classic Teresa Teng songs to tunes from “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Doraemon.” As our boat drifted along, his singing filled the journey with joy and emotion. Yanagawa’s beauty lies not only in its picturesque waterways, but also in how the boatman transformed an ordinary cruise into a treasured travel memory with his songs and smile. It became one of the most unforgettable moments of our trip to Kyushu.

The Yanagawa river boat ride was really relaxing. You just drift along slowly the whole way, and it’s the perfect kind of do-nothing itinerary.

Sometimes the boatman even sings, which adds so much to the atmosphere.

The scenery along the canal is really soothing. The pace is genuinely slow, and it totally feels like a small town in Japan.

Most of the boatmen will sing or give explanations (mainly in Japanese).

Even if you don’t understand, it still feels quite charming.

Rain, extreme heat, or cold will definitely make the experience less enjoyable, especially in summer when it gets so hot you start questioning your life choices.

One of my most unforgettable places in Kyushu is Yanagawa, known as the 'City of Water.' The river cruise is about 4 kilometers long. What's special is that the boatman rows the small boat while singing Japanese folk songs... The boatman even does cute and funny gestures, letting you really feel the local culture and the charm of this ancient water town.

When passing under bridges, you have to duck or even lie down to avoid hitting your head on the bridge or branches. It's a really fun Yanagawa boat experience!

After the cruise, I highly recommend trying Yanagawa's famous eel rice at Wakamatsuya, a century-old restaurant. Wakamatsuya has been around since the Ansei era (1854-1859). The rice is steamed to perfection and tastes amazing. When you open the box, you can immediately smell the rich, unique sauce, and the seasoned eel is so flavorful. It's just so delicious! 😋

When the bridge is too low, everyone on the boat has to duck down to get through. It's actually really fun and interesting!