What other travelers are saying about Kuranomachi Pleasure Boat, Tochigi
Very fun boat ride on the Uzuma river. You get to see the old buildings around the area and pass under the bridge.
The gondolier gives explanations about the history of the area and the importance of the river, as well as the types of ducks that swim through the river (conducted in Japanese).
There was also a section where he sings traditional music that was sung by the people that would pass through this river.
There are small packs of duck food on the boat in case you want to feed the ducks.
The ride was fun and informative. The service was great by both the receptionist and the gondolier.
The ticket gives you a one-day pass to use the boat as many times as you like. (The content of the boat ride does not change)
The ride itself is around 20~30 minutes.
Huge recommendation for tourists in the area.
The boat tour costs 700 yen per person and lasts approximately 20 minutes. The tour takes you along the Uzuma River through Tochigi City's historic district with commentary from the boat operators.
No reservations are required. The boats operate on an ad hoc schedule, departing once a minimum number of passengers have gathered. You can simply arrive at the boarding area and wait for the next departure.
The Kuranomachi Pleasure Boat Agency is located a 10-minute walk from Tochigi Station. The boarding area is easily accessible from the station and well-signposted in the historic district.
No, boats do not operate during adverse weather conditions including rain, strong winds, or storms. It's recommended to check the Kuranomachi Yuransen website or contact them before traveling to confirm operations on your planned visit day.
During the 20-minute journey, you'll see traditional storehouses from the mid-19th century lining the river while boat operators share the history of Tochigi City and perform traditional Japanese songs. You can also purchase fish food to feed koi in the river and browse souvenirs at the on-site shop.
We went on the first day of Golden Week, and we didn’t have to wait too long! From paying to getting on the boat, we waited maybe about 20-30 minutes. It was a nice experience and the boatmen (?) are very knowledgeable about the area and its history. Everything is done in Japanese so you need to have some basic understanding, but they’re all very nice!
If you want to have a nostalgic glimpsed of what is the life during the Edo period, this is the place to visit in Tochigi, enjoy the arts foods and architecture during that time and have fun feeding the carp and riding the boat while listening to the singing boat man,
