【Activity in Kyoto】Get on Canal Boat in Fushimi!

Fusihi Kyoto, an Old Castle Town

Fushimi is blessed with water and currently known as the nation’s leading sake producing area. In the past, Fushimi was a castle town that has been developed by Hideyoshi Toyotomi. And in the Edo era Fushimi was flourished as a center of Yodogawa ship transportation.
Because of this ship transport, people used many canal boats to carry the goods around such as rice and sake. Also people used this ship transport for carrying local people to travel around too.

When Meiji era started, steam boats began to run in Yodo river.  Since Fushimi’s canal boats were operated by human power, people stopped using them and steam boats became more common for daily use. So the demand of the canal boats decreased and this ship transport disappeared at the end of the Meiji era.

Canal Boats are Now Back

In 1991, this Fushimi’s canal boats was revival for the tourist attraction.
This canal boats are called “Sanjukkoku-bune”(Sanjukkoku boat) and “Jukkoku-bune”(Jukkoku boat). They named the river boat “Sanjukkoku” because the river boat used to carry thirty-koku. So “Sanjukkoku” means 30 koku(=4.5tons). And “Jukkoku-bune” was named because it is smaller than Sanjukkoku-bune. (“Jukkoku” means 10 koku (=1.5 tons))

The capacity of Jukkoku-bune is 20 people.  Boarding point will be southern back part of Gekkeikan Okura Museum.  There will be some wooden seats that you can sit.

Sanjukkoku-bune is for groups, and the capacity is 30 people. The boarding point is near Terada-ya. (Terada-ya is old inn that historically famous samurai Ryoma Sakamoto had stayed)
*There is currently no public operations of Sanjukkoku-bune. Please check the official website for the latest information.https://kyoto-fushimi.or.jp/fune/unkou/ (Japanese)

You can ride along Uji gawa river and Gou gawa river (outer moat of Fushimi Castle), and there are sake breweries are lined up on both sides surrounded by willow trees.  You will feel like you have time slipped the historic cityscape. There are some voice guide, but also the boatman himself will guide you when the highlight approaches.

Both of the boat will go to Misukoumon water gate. You can get off the boat and visit the Misukoumon museum which is the turning point of the tour and will go back to the boarding point. 

Tour on Jukkoku-bune takes about 55 min, and Sanjukkoku-bune takes about 40 min.  Why don’t you visit Fushimi and ride this canal boat and feel the local nostalgic scenery.

Jukkoku-Bune Boat Tour【十石舟】

Canal Boat Ride & Booking Information

Period of Operation	Saturday 16 March – Sunday 8 December 2024. However, August operations are available from 1-12 August (except Mondays).
Not in Operation	Every Monday (except public holidays). However, in April, May, October and November, they operate on Mondays).
Fare	Adults ¥1,500 (junior high school students and above) children ¥750 (primary schools students and below) Fees are subject to change.
Capacity	20 persons
Duration	55 minutes
Leaving Time & Boarding Spot	10:00 10:20 10:40 11:00 11:20 13:00 13:20 13:40 14:00 14:20 14:40 15:00 15:20 15:40 (16:00) (16:20) ( ) → No operation between 25th November and 8th December Boarding Spot / Google Map

• Please check the official website for the latest information
• Please be sure to check in and assemble at least 15 minutes before departure.
• The time required is approximately 50 minutes (including the time to visit the small museum).
• Departure times may be subject to change due to safety measures for the boat.
• The sailing time is subject to change at short notice due to safety reasons.
• Payment is due on the day only in cash. Please pay at the reception desk at the embarkation area.
• Reservations are accepted until 00:00 two days before the desired boarding date.
• Please make sure you have the correct boarding time.
• Online reservations can only be made for the Jukkoku-Bune.
• If you wish to charter a boat, please make your booking as a group of 20 people (the price is for 20 people).
• Children’s rates are half the price of adults (Please ask at ‘reception’ on the day as the reservation screen only shows adult rates).