One of the things I’ve learned during my time in Japan is that beauty hides in the most unexpected places. One minute you’re walking through what looks like a totally normal town—traffic, vending machines, convenience stores—and then suddenly you turn a corner and… it’s like you’ve stepped into a painting.
That’s exactly what happened when I visited Yanagawa.
As soon as we crossed this tiny stone bridge near the punting station, everything felt different. Quieter. Slower. Kinda magical, to be honest. We bought our tickets, stepped into one of the long wooden boats lined up along the canal, and it felt like we were travelling not just down the river—but back in time.
The ride is called Kawakudari, and it’s a 70-minute punting tour with a local guide (or punter) wearing a traditional bamboo hat and steering the boat with this super long pole. You can rent your own hat too for 100 yen if you want to look the part—and yes, I absolutely did that.
The punter guided us under super low and narrow bridges (duck your head!), along peaceful tree-lined waterways, and into what used to be the moat around Yanagawa Castle. He was so skilled at navigating tight corners that I just sat back and stared, impressed. Pro tip: don’t stick your hands outside the boat unless you want to test your reflexes against stone walls.
There are tons of routes through the waterway system, but the one I took was quiet and full of greenery—so peaceful that I almost forgot I was still in a city. Our punter told stories about Yanagawa’s history, talked about famous people from the town, and even sang a poem by Kitahara Hakushu, a poet who was born here. I didn’t understand much of the Japanese, but he threw in a few English words, which was really kind of him.
Along the riverbank, there are little stalls selling snacks and drinks—just wave to the vendors and the punter will pull over like a floating food truck stop. I saw ice cream, coffee, and even sake if that’s your thing (I stuck with the ice cream).
No matter what time of year you go, the views are gorgeous, but I heard cherry blossom season is next-level beautiful. I definitely want to come back for that.
The tour I joined starts at the ticket station, which is just a five-minute walk from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station. If you’re driving, there’s even free parking for customers. I found a 10% off coupon on their website, so definitely check that before you go. Boats leave about every 30 minutes, and while it’s a one-way ride, they’ve got a free shuttle bus that brings you back to the starting point. Or, you can grab a map and figure your own way back with local buses or taxis. There are even private tours available if you book in advance.
If you’re looking for something a little different—calm, beautiful, and just so Japanese—punting in Yanagawa is seriously worth the trip.
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