We took the first boat out on Sunday morning, departing at 10:00 AM.
We were the only guests that day, so we had the boat all to ourselves.
In addition to the recorded commentary, the friendly boatman explained various aspects of Okayama Castle's charm.
We were able to see Okayama Castle from many different angles, and it was well worth the price!
The boarding point has now moved to the foot of a bridge near Okayama Castle.
Blessed with fine weather, we enjoyed a refreshing breeze on the boat and listened to the boatman's clear explanations, making for a very worthwhile boat trip.
Okayama Castle 🏯, viewed from the Asahi River, changes its appearance depending on the viewing angle.
I wouldn't have known this if I hadn't listened to the boatman's explanations.
We were also shown the arched Tsurumi Bridge.
I highly recommend taking a boat tour.
It's a great recommendation! 👌
The other day, my child and I took the Okayama Asahikawa Sightseeing Cruise. The guide explained the history and culture of Okayama Castle and the surrounding area in an easy-to-understand way, with a touch of humor, and the 30 minutes flew by. Okayama Castle looked different from when viewed from land, and it made for great photos! My child was thrilled and said, "I want to ride it again!" It's a recommended spot that families can easily enjoy.
I took this cruise when I visited Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden. While many reviews and photos of this cruise show a peach-shaped boat, that boat departs from the Korakuen Garden side of the Asahi River, while this sightseeing boat departs from the Okayama Castle side (Ishiyama Park).
The ticket office is located near the center of the stalls if you walk along the Asahi River embankment from Okayama Castle; there are signs and banners.
It's a little hard to find, so if you head straight for the sightseeing boat, you'll easily spot it.
If you're going to Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden, buying a combined ticket here is the most economical option. (Cruise only: 1500 yen, combined ticket: 2000 yen)
The sightseeing boat dock is directly below the ticket office, but there are no stairs, so you have to use a ramp, which makes for a longer route. I recommend allowing plenty of time.
The sightseeing boat started with passengers wearing life jackets.
The 30-minute boat tour takes you past the Tsukimi Bridge connecting Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden, offering a leisurely view of Okayama Castle, the modern building of the Prefectural Office, a U-turn before Aioi Bridge, and finally to Okayama Shrine and Tsurumi Bridge, located beyond the boat dock.
The boatman provided many interesting explanations, including about Okayama Castle, making the 30 minutes fly by. According to the boatman, the embankment on the opposite side of the Prefectural Office is particularly beautiful and bustling during cherry blossom season.
We booked the earliest tour at 10 AM, but it was only half full. From the boat, we could see Okayama Castle in ways not visible from within the castle grounds. Despite the hot, summery day, the breeze was pleasant, making for a wonderful experience.
Everyone was very kind, creating a great memory.
More about Okayama Asahikawa Sightseeing Cruise from our blog
