Activities & Experiences · Kameoka to Arashiyama
Hozugawa River Boat Ride 保津川下り
A two-hour, 16 km descent of the Hozu river gorge from Kameoka to Arashiyama in flat-bottomed wooden boats steered by boatmen with poles and oars, through rapids and rock canyons.
Child (pre-school to elementary): ¥4,500
About
Boats have run down the Hozu river for 400 years, first carrying timber and goods to Kyoto, and since the 1890s carrying sightseers. The trip starts at the boarding area in Kameoka, a short walk from JR Kameoka Station, and ends at Arashiyama, near Togetsukyo. Three boatmen, one steering at the stern with a long oar and two at the front with poles, guide each boat through rapids and around boulders, cracking jokes in Japanese along the way. The gorge is wild and green, with cherry blossoms in spring and maples in autumn, and the Sagano Scenic Railway runs along the cliffs above. Boats run year-round, with heated covered boats in winter.
Highlights
- Two-hour, 16 km ride through the Hozu gorge
- Boatmen steering with poles and oars
- Small rapids and rock canyons
- Spring cherry blossoms and autumn maples
- Ends near Togetsukyo in Arashiyama
Tips
- Take the Sagano Scenic Railway to Kameoka and the boat back for the classic loop
- Same-day tickets can sell out in autumn; book online
- Boats can be cancelled after heavy rain
- Sit on the right side going downstream for some of the best views
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09
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Open in the appNearby
- Sanga Stadium by KYOCERASports & Sumo · 200 m away
- Hozukyo StationPhoto Spot · 4.8 km away
- Otagi Nenbutsu-jiTemple · 7.0 km away
- Adashino Nenbutsu-jiTemple · 7.2 km away
- Saga-Toriimoto Preserved StreetPhoto Spot · 7.3 km away
- Hoshinoya KyotoStay · 7.3 km away
- Gio-jiTemple · 7.3 km away
- Nison-in TempleTemple · 7.4 km away