River Boat Ride
Many a tea estate in Japan are located along rivers, as the mist from the water that rises early mornings bless the tea plants by prohibiting frost from forming and damaging the delicate tea leaves.
Ride along these tranquil rivers in a traditional roofed boat, or yanefune (屋根船), expertly steered with a single bamboo pole, by the helmsman, or sendo (船頭) in Japanese.
A boat ride on the Uji River offers a serene opportunity to slowly soak in spectacular views of Uji from the waterfront. Alternatively, a boat ride on the Arashiyama river sails amongst some of Kyoto's most beautiful mountain peaks.
The spring sakura and autumn foliage are spectacular when seen from the water, but other seasons deserve exploration as well . From May to June, the mountainsides and riverbanks are covered in lush, vibrant green from new leaves. Splashes of purple from late blooming wisteria may also be in view.
From June until August, sailing on top of the water offers cool, gently breezes—a pleasant respite from the summer heat, while in winter, the air becomes crisp and bare tree branches reveal the underlying formation of the mountains.
Experience Duration: 1-2 Hours, depending on location
What You'll Do
Take a relaxing riverboat ride.
What's Included
☆ Riverboat fee
☆ Rental life vest
What's Not Included
Any guest purchases
Guest Requirements
☆ Guests are required to behave in a civil and respectable manner.
☆ Guests are required to wear a life vest
☆ Guests must by 80cm or taller to join
☆ Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
Activity Level
Low
This is a seated boat ride
Accessibility Level
Wheelchair Accessibility:
Not wheelchair accessible.
How To Order
The River Boat Ride can only be purchased in combination with a Tour and not as a standalone experience.
To Order:
1: Adjust the quantity to match the number of tour attendees. For example, if four people are attending, then the quantity should be set to 4.
2: Add experience to cart.
3: Add any additional Add-Ons to cart.
4: Prior to checkout, ensure there is one or more Tours added to your cart. The date of the experience will be the same date of the tour selected.
5: Check out to complete reservation. Our Concierge will contact you shortly thereafter to confirm logistics and answer any questions.
Once confirmed, you will be sent a payment link. Payment is due within 24 hours of the link being sent and payment constitutes a placed order.
Cancellation Policy
☆ Boat ride continues in light rain but will be cancelled in severe weather, strong wind or a rising tide; In this case a 100% refund will be issued.
For Guest Requested Cancellations:
3 Days or Less Prior To Experience Start Date: 100% of Order Amount Reserved As Cancellation Fee; 0% of Order Amount Returned
For more details, reference our Cancellation & Refund Policy.
Pairs well with
This experience must be purchased in combination with a tour
Adjust the quantity to match the number of experience attendees
All tour additions subject to experience availability checks
Experience may be cancelled in inclement weather; In this case a 100% refund will be issued.
River Boat Ride
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
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River Boat Ride
Journey to the Past
Did you Know?
Did You Know?
Uji is blessed with a perfect climate for growing tea due drastic temperature changes from day to night and the morning mist that rests over Uji river, protecting the tea plants from frost.
Itinerary
1 PM
All Aboard!
Board the boat, put on a life vest and enjoy the ride.
Pairs Well With
Uji Tea Tour
Located in south Kyoto, Uji is an ancient town seeped in history.
A literary gem celebrated in classic poems and a beloved retreat for Heian era (794 to 1185) aristocrats, grand structures such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Byodo-in was erected during this time; It remains just as magnificent in present day.
Uji is equally renowned for being the location for the ending chapters in The Tale of Genji, a classical poetic work depicting aristocratic life in the Heian era. Written by a Murasaki Shikibu, a talented Japanese female creative, The Tale of Genji is of similar cultural stature to the works of William Shakespeare and is considered to be the world’s first novel.
In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along Uji River, a 25 kilometer river that traditionally served as a transportation route, connecting Kyoto to surrounding prefectures, but is now enjoyed via sightseeing boats when its tree-lined banks bloom with sakura. Tea connoisseurs will look forward to early summers in Uji, when tea estates turn vibrant green, while the autumn foliage found at temples create a tranquil scene for nature lovers come fall.
Take a stroll with us thru the birthplace of matcha and sencha and allow our guides to share more of Uji's vibrant history--as well as the best places to try and buy Japanese tea.
Tour Duration: Half Day Tour: 3.5 Hours ・ Full Day Tour: 7 Hours