Yakatabune Boat Cruise Experience (Hozugawa River, Arashiyama）

Yakatabune refers to a Japanese-style pleasure boat with a roof, tatami-matted floor and low tables in order to enjoy on board a lavish dinner featuring Japanese traditional cuisine or Japanese green tea with delicious wagashi confectionery.

This kind of cruise started during the Heian Period (794-1185) and it was considered as a form of luxury entertainment for the aristocracy who enjoyed Hanami cherry blossom viewing during the spring season and the vivid red maple leaves during the fall while reading Waka poetry and playing music.

Yakatabune boats are concentrated in the bay areas for example Tokyo Bay and Yokohama Bay, but also in Kyoto`s Arashiyama. Moreover, Tokyo`s Yakatabune is different from Kyoto`s Yakatabune. The first one features a modern atmosphere and the second one a more traditional atmosphere. In the first case the boat is adorned with lanterns and equipped with various facilities for example air conditioning, western toilets and even Karaoke. You can also go to the upper deck to take photos, enjoy the scenery and breath fresh air.