What is Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato National Scenic Beauty and where is it located?

Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato is a designated National Scenic Beauty site located in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. This historic waterfront district showcases traditional Japanese riverside architecture and cultural heritage along the Suimon River, featuring preserved Edo period buildings and scenic canal views that have been recognized for their exceptional natural and cultural value.

What are the best attractions and activities at Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato?

Top attractions at Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato include traditional boat rides along the historic canals, exploring preserved merchant houses and warehouses from the Edo period, visiting local museums showcasing river transport history, walking along scenic waterfront promenades, and experiencing seasonal festivals. Visitors can also enjoy photography of the picturesque riverside scenery and traditional Japanese architecture.

How do I get to Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato from major cities in Japan?

To reach Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato, take the JR Tokaido Main Line to Ogaki Station from Nagoya (30 minutes) or from Kyoto via Maibara (1.5 hours). From Tokyo, take the Shinkansen to Nagoya then transfer to local trains. From Ogaki Station, the historic Funamachi Kawaminato district is accessible by local bus or a 15-minute walk to the riverside area.

When is the best time to visit Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato for sightseeing?

The best time to visit Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato is during spring (March-May) for cherry blossoms along the waterways, and autumn (September-November) for colorful foliage reflecting in the canals. Summer offers boat festival events, while winter provides serene snow-covered scenes. Early morning and late afternoon provide optimal lighting for photography of the historic riverside architecture and scenic beauty.

Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato (National Scenic Beauty)

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Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato is formally recognized as a National Place of Scenic Beauty under the designation "Oku no Hosomichi Scenic Spot – Ogaki Funamachi Riverside." Located in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, this historic riverside port occupies a place of exceptional cultural significance in Japanese literary history as the final destination of poet Matsuo Bashō's famous journey documented in "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deep North), which he completed in autumn 1689 after traveling approximately 1,500 miles over 156 days.

The Suimon River served as both the outer moat of Ogaki Castle and a vital shipping route connecting to the Ibi River. During the Edo period, Funamachi Port functioned as a bustling commercial hub with significant flows of goods and people. Today, the historic Sumiyoshi Lighthouse still stands at the port remains, preserving the atmosphere of that era. The site holds deep meaning for haiku enthusiasts, as Bashō composed his final poem here about parting like a divided clamshell as autumn ends.

Visitors can explore the adjacent Oku no Hosomichi Musubi no Chi Memorial Hall, which features exhibits on Matsuo Bashō and his journey, including 3D presentations depicting his travel route and materials about his poetry. The memorial hall charges an admission fee of ¥300. The riverside location provides scenic walking paths along the Suimon River, particularly stunning during cherry blossom season from late March to early April when approximately 100 cherry trees bloom along the waterway. During spring, visitors can enjoy river cruises for ¥1,000 per person or traditional tub boat rides for ¥2,000 per boat, with cruising times of approximately 30 minutes.

The site is located approximately 16 minutes on foot from JR Ogaki Station's south exit. Ogaki Station is accessible via the JR Tokaido Main Line, with connections from major cities including Nagoya (30 minutes by rail) and ultimately Tokyo and Osaka. The waterfront area is free to access, with admission charges applying only to the memorial hall. Ogaki is known as the "City of Water" due to its abundant groundwater resources, adding to the atmospheric quality of this historic port setting.

What other travelers are saying about Ogaki Funamachi Kawaminato (National Scenic Beauty)

January 2026 I came here to visit the Oku-no-Hosomichi Musubi no Chi Memorial Museum, and couldn't help but take a photo of the picturesque boat and bridge on the clear river. At first, I thought it was just a tourist attraction, but I was surprised to learn that it's actually a recreation of the port that symbolized Ogaki, the "City of Water." I also learned that Basho traveled by boat from here, which made me feel like people in the past also departed from this place. Learning this background somehow felt like it overlapped with my own journey, and I spent some time gazing at it, imagining the scene from back then.

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Jan 11, 2026

🌸Ogaki City Funamachi Port Ruins🌸 The night cherry blossoms are amazing🌉 The best cherry blossom spot in Ogaki City‼️ The contrast between the red bridge over the river, the river, and the cherry blossoms, as well as the cherry blossoms reflected on the river's surface, are stunning😍 It gets crowded during cherry blossom season, but with food trucks and other attractions, it's always bustling with people🚗 It's a view we want to preserve forever🎶

Saturday, April 4, 2025 The cherry blossoms 🌸 are in full bloom. There were a lot of people. They were doing a boat ride. I asked the boatman from the road, and he told me there were 10 boats. The fare was 1,500 yen, but they were fully booked. Maybe we'd be lucky enough to get on one? That was unfortunate. Looking forward to another opportunity.

The remains of a river port that connected Kuwana with water transport using the Suimon River. Perhaps it is also one of the symbols of Ogaki, the Water City.

Nationally Designated Place of Scenic Beauty I visited this spot in mid-September 2023 while exploring Ogaki-juku. Since the Edo period, it has served as a transportation route connecting Ogaki and Kuwana. In 1689, Matsuo Basho set sail for Ise after completing his masterpiece of travel literature, "The Narrow Road to the Deep North." In the early Showa period, as many as 10,000 ships reportedly passed through the port annually. Today, the Sumiyoshi Lighthouse and riverboats evoke memories of the past, making it a relaxing spot blending history and charm.