traveltowith

Find the Best Activities & Hotels for Families, Couples, and Solo Travelers

About UsContactTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy
© 2025 Traveltowith. All rights reserved.
t
Search...
Japan/Things to Do in Kyoto, solo trip

Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) (solo trip)

with kidswith babycouple tripsolo trip

How Solo-Friendly is Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari)?

82%Solo-Friendly
View Map

What makes it 82% Solo-Friendly: The two-hour gorge cruise gives dramatic scenery, photo angles, wildlife, and friendly crew stories, while solo logistics are simple via JR trains at both ends.

Google
Reviews4.6/ 5
(from 4,476 reviews)
Hozugawa River Cruise - Exciting boat ride in Arashiyama, Kyoto 2023
15 min
Start from:
0:00
Hozugawa River Cruise - Exciting boat ride in Arashiyama, Kyoto 2023
42.1K views • 1 year ago
Hozugawa River Cruise Arashiyama Kyoto, October 30th, 2022
6 min
Start from:
0:00
Hozugawa River Cruise Arashiyama Kyoto, October 30th, 2022
8.7K views • 2 years ago
Kyoto's Most Breathtaking River Adventure! - Hozugawa Boat Ride (4K)
9 min
Start from:
0:00
Kyoto's Most Breathtaking River Adventure! - Hozugawa Boat Ride (4K)
1.8K views • 10 months ago
If You Come To KYOTO JAPAN You Should Try This ! ( Hozugawa River Cruises )
11 min
Start from:
0:00
If You Come To KYOTO JAPAN You Should Try This ! ( Hozugawa River Cruises )
2.5K views • 2 years ago

Positives:

  • Crew engages solo travelers: Boatmen welcome questions and often invite you to try punting yourself.
  • Quiet reflection time: Between rapids, the ride offers peaceful river stretches ideal for photos or journaling.

Challenges:

  • No onboard toilets: Use facilities at Kameoka before departure—none are available on the boat.
  • Bench seating only: Wooden benches can feel hard; bring a thin seat cushion if you need extra comfort.
  • Must meet height requirement: Passengers must be at least 80 cm tall; no exceptions for smaller travelers.
Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) image 1
Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) image 2
Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) image 3
Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) image 4
Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) image 5
Found this helpful? Please support us by visiting 🏖️ our GetYourGuide partner link - The 10 BEST Activities around Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari), and we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us pay the bills and help more travelers!

What is Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari)?

  • A riverboat excursion traversing the 16-kilometer Hozugawa corridor between Kameoka and Arashiyama in Kyoto Prefecture
  • A craft that experienced boatmen propel and steer through the Hozugawa Gorge’s rapids, boulders, and winding rock formations
  • A seasonal attraction operating from spring through autumn amid cherry blossoms, maple foliage, and steep-sided riverside cliffs

What is so special about Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) for solo trip?

  1. Thrilling rapids through a narrow gorge
  2. Up­close views of named rock formations
  3. Hands­on punting experience with boatmen
  4. Quiet stretches for wildlife spotting and sketching
  5. Easy return via the Sagano Scenic Railway

Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours

Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for solo trip: Enough time for the boat ride and a quick Arashiyama walk after you disembark.

(View Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) on Map)

Solo-Friendly Activities in Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari)

Pick a side seat:

Sit on the left or right bench for unobstructed river views.

Tip: Arrive 20 minutes early to choose your spot.

Learn punting from the crew:

Ask the boatman to show you how to use the bamboo pole.

Tip: Be ready with your camera for close­up action shots.

Spot named rock formations:

Look for Eboshi­iwa (samurai hat) and Shishi­iwa (lion).

Tip: Crew will point them out—listen for their English commentary.

Sketch or journal the scenery:

Use quiet stretches to record changing foliage and rapids.

Tip: Bring a small notebook and a pen in a waterproof pouch.

Return via Sagano Scenic Railway:

Board the train at Arashiyama for lush gorge views.

Tip: Buy tickets online in advance to secure a window seat.

When is the best time to visit Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) (Kyoto, Japan)?

Spring brings cherry blossoms along the banks. Summer mornings are cooler and quieter. In autumn, fiery maples line the gorge. Winter boats have heaters—dress warmly.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to Kyoto on Trip.com

Explore These Activities

Reviews of Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) (Kyoto)

Powered by Google
Matthew Sharpe

Matthew Sharpe

Jul 2025

**American Family Visiting** There was plenty of parking onsite and the facilities were clean and staff was friendly. There was some English available for tickets, safety videos, and announcements. Purchasing the ticket was easy at the counter. There is no electronic ticket machine. Inside is also a souvenir shop and food/drinks which can be brought onto the boat. Boats normally launch when ...

Matthew

Matthew

Jun 2025

This experience was an absolute blast! The crew working is very funny and knowledgable and overall a very good time. The value for this experience is very good, and I will highly recommend it. We were able to see some birds that we never saw in the city, as well as some wild monkeys. It was lots of fun.

Sae

Sae

Jun 2025

This was such a fun and adventurous experience! The staff were incredibly friendly and made it even more enjoyable by giving us a humorous and engaging tour during the boat ride. Excellent service and warm hospitality all around. One tip: if it’s a sunny day, be sure to apply sunscreen beforehand—it can get quite hot out on the water.

Casey White

Casey White

May 2025

This boat ride is approximately 2 hours in duration. It was a very leisure ride with a few light rapids (which were my favorite part). We did not get wet at all. The boat was comfortable and the crew were very engaging and fun. We also saw some nice wildlife along the way. At the end of your ride, there is a refreshment boat with snacks and drinks available for purchase. We tried the dango, which ...

Belle Nippanon

Belle Nippanon

Apr 2025

The Hozugawa river boat ride was such a fun and relaxing experience. The 2-hour journey was filled with calm and cool weather, making it a perfect way to unwind. There were a few exciting moments along the way, but nothing too scary—just enough to keep it interesting. There were three boatmen who took turns rowing. They were incredibly strong, professional, and friendly. They kept chatting with u...

Typical Budget for Solo Traveler (1 Adult)

ItemCost (Approx.)
One­way boat ticketJPY 6,000
Return Sagano train ticketJPY 880
Riverside snackJPY 300
Total EstimatedJPY 7,180

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari)

  1. Book early morning slots: Weekday departures at 9 AM are less crowded and cooler in summer.
  2. Use waterproof storage: Keep phone and wallet dry in a sealable plastic bag during rapids.
  3. Check weather forecast: Rain can make rapids stronger; adjust your schedule or bring a raincoat.
🚗 Planning to explore multiple Kyoto attractions? A rental car often costs less than daily taxi trips. Check Trip.com for deals. New users save up to 8% OFF.

Map of Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari)

Address: Japan, 〒621-0005 京都府亀岡市保津町下中島2

Map will load when you scroll here

Scroll down to view the interactive map

Looking for other Things to Do besides Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) (Kyoto)?

← See other Things to Do in Kyoto (solo trip)

About Hozugawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari)

Opening Hours

Monday:9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday:9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday:9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday:9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday:9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday:9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday:9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Phone Number

+81 771-22-5846

Average price

US$ 41.53
Promo on Trip.com
T
Book on Trip.com

Explore Popular Things to Do

🇯🇵 Japan, solo trip

Things to Do in Tokyo, solo trip
Tokyo
Things to Do in Osaka, solo trip
Osaka
Things to Do in Kyoto, solo trip
Kyoto
Mount Fuji AreaSapporoHakoneFukuokaNagoya

🇨🇦 Canada, solo trip

Things to Do in Toronto, solo trip
Toronto
Things to Do in Montreal, solo trip
Montreal

🇮🇪 Ireland, solo trip

Things to Do in Dublin, solo trip
Dublin
Things to Do in Cork, solo trip
Cork
Things to Do in Galway, solo trip
Galway

🇬🇷 Greece, solo trip

Things to Do in Santorini, solo trip
Santorini
Things to Do in Athens, solo trip
Athens
Things to Do in Heraklion, solo trip
Heraklion

🇰🇷 South Korea, solo trip

Things to Do in Seoul, solo trip
Seoul
Things to Do in Busan, solo trip
Busan
Things to Do in Jeju, solo trip
Jeju

🇦🇺 Australia, solo trip

Things to Do in Sydney, solo trip
Sydney
Things to Do in Melbourne, solo trip
Melbourne
Things to Do in Gold Coast, solo trip
Gold Coast
BrisbaneCanberra

How You Can Support Us

If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!

It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!

Average price

US$ 41.53
Promo on Trip.com
T
Book on Trip.com
traveltowith
HomeDestinationsAbout
Kyoto, Japan

searching for