Yanagawa River Cruise
Located in southern Fukuoka Prefecture, Yanagawa is known as a city of waterways, with a network of canals dating back to the Edo period. Its main attraction is a river cruise through the city aboard a donko-bune punt. Listen to the boatman's commentary and songs while taking in the seasonal scenery and enjoying a leisurely journey.
On a slow-paced trip through Kyushu, the most moving experiences are often not the glamorous sights, but the warm moments that span the years and connect the memories of three generations.
Yanagawa’s “donko boats” are truly one of Kyushu’s most iconic heartwarming experiences across generations.
The elderly boatman steered through the waterways with an oar, cheerfully humming the children’s song “Momotaro.” This warmhearted tour, with the boatman “giving it his all,” brought a great sense of comfort and emotion, whether accompanying an elderly family member who was 88 at the time or taking elementary school-aged children.
Even now, my 91-year-old mother still fondly remembers the fun of the boat ride. Pairing it with steamed eel rice (seiro-mushi) makes for the perfect combination at this sightseeing spot.
































































