Hozugawa River Cruise - Exciting boat ride in Arashiyama, Kyoto 2023

See what it's like on the Hozugawa River Cruise, a relaxing boat ride through beautiful scenery with gentle rapids!
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The Hozugawa River Cruise is a scenic boat ride in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan, that pairs perfectly with the Sagano Romantic Train. The video includes how to get tickets, where to pick them up,prices and how to get to the boat dock in Kameoka. I really enjoyed the Hozugawa boat ride - the scenery is beautiful at any time of year, we saw so much wildlife and it's both fun and relaxing, with the white water sections! It's definitely worth it, even in early springtime before the cherry blossoms. If you're there in autumn, it's even more beautiful with the fall colours.
00:00 Intro
00:22 Sagano Romantic Train + boat
01:01 Tickets
02:54 Getting to the boat dock
04:30 Hozugawa River Cruise
11:21 Review
12:58 Arashiyama
Filmed in spring, in early March 2023.
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#japan #kyoto #japantravel #arashiyama #hozugawarivercruise

[@hozugawakudariboatride]

Thank you so much for sharing our river ride video! We're glad you enjoyed it! We'd also love to welcome you back for the rafting tour someday!

[@cakeswithfaces]

I loved it! Thank you for the lovely time!

[@zaldarie100]

Great Report! Did it 6 Weeks ago and it was so worth it.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Glad you enjoyed it too! The scenery's stunning!

[@bhclark3567]

We did this and the Sagano Romantic Train a couple of weeks ago and found both worthwhile. Your videos were very good at explaining the nuts and bolts of what to expect. I've recommended your videos to a friend.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks so much, that's much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed it too! It can be a bit confusing with all the station names in Arashiyama that are very similar.

[@Ninjabob42069]

We did this boat trip back in November of 2022 and it was definitely one of the high points of all of our trips to Japan (and by the way, it’s absolutely gorgeous in November; the fall colors are brilliant). We’re not “boat people” at all, but we had a blast. Highly recommended, and it was lovely to see bits of Arashiyama that weren’t the bamboo forest. Indeed, I may never go back to the bamboo forest again! There’s so much more to Arashiyama than that.

[@cakeswithfaces]

So glad you enjoyed it too! It was a highlight for me too. I'd love to see it in autumn, that must be stunning. You're right, there are so many things to do in Arashiyama, especially away from the main, central area.

[@Andy_001_]

That looks amazing. I've been to Arashiyama, but never went beyond the bamboo groves- now I want to go back and do this...😃

[@cakeswithfaces]

There's a lot more to do in Arashiyama, especially if you wander away from the main section! Definitely a place you can go back to and still enjoy it, finding new things to do each time.

[@user-wb3wg3we8w]

Next time when I take the Sagano Romantic Train, I will come back by boat. 💓 And, I'm glad you wrote down about the accident. This accident should not be forgotten. 🙏

[@cakeswithfaces]

I felt like the accident should be mentioned - it felt wrong to not mention it. I'm glad they could continue the cruise - I enjoyed it so much!

[@Omni0404]

3:10 Those bus tickets look so cool. I hope you could keep them at the end since they look like fun souvenirs. 7:26

[@cakeswithfaces]

There are a lot of good soundbites from people in this video!! 😅

[@loopyfrog]

how lovely and fun!

[@cakeswithfaces]

I really enjoyed it!

[@jennifermorton3675]

I’ve been looking forward to this vlog! Definitely adding this to the must do list.

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks, I was looking forward to editing it too! It was the highlight of our time in Kyoto for sure!

[@BoydXplorer]

Beautiful boat ride. Amazing view along the way. Tnx4sharing 👍

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks, I really enjoyed it!

[@lilacbirman]

Wow! Looks like a fabulous time! Thank you, I'll add it to my list for April!

[@cakeswithfaces]

I really enjoyed it - even more than the Sagano Romantic Train.

[@194DAG]

Thanks for great video. Train and boat ride look really good 😊

[@cakeswithfaces]

I'd definitely recommend them, especially the boat!

[@christopherhightower7308]

wow, that looked cool and fun! :D

[@cakeswithfaces]

I really enjoyed it! Definitely a highlight of the trip!

[@Roland1.]

I am in Tokyo at the moment. Tomorrow next stop for the few nights Kamakura. 🎉

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ooh enjoy!! My fav in Kamakura is the bamboo garden at Hokokuji Temple. 😍

[@Roland1.]

@@cakeswithfaces I'm going to see this bamboo garden... Thanks

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@Roland1. Fantastic, it's one of my fav places! So serene.

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Awesome job Amy thumbup

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thank you!

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

No problem Amy see next time

[@amandahayward]

Wow, what a fantastic trip Amy and well worth the money. When the Romantic train 🚂 passed by, I found myself waving at the screen 😂. Thanks Amy 🫶♥️

[@cakeswithfaces]

Hehe, it's nice that it's so friendly!! 🙌

[@dougz5005]

I have done a similar boat ride to this in Kinugawa. And I was really looking forward to doing this in Kyoto last year. But there was a boat capsizing and some deaths, and the business was shut down for a while including while we were there. Hopefully they figured out all the safety measures, and I look forward to going on it later this year.

[@cakeswithfaces]

It's very sad about the accident - which happened shortly after I went on it last year. For what it's worth, the boatsmen seemed very skilled and the boat ride's been running for years, so fingers crossed it was a one-off.

[@bh0666]

Just back from incredible trip to Japan. Your exceptional guidebook and vids gave us the confidence to visit so many places with ease! I owe you one, Thanks!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Aww thank you so much, that's great to hear! 🥰 What were your favs in Japan?

[@bh0666]

@@cakeswithfaces Mrs Bh06 keeps asking the same, different answer each time. That said, I offered my seat on busy Ginzo line to an elderly gent who declined, and spent the next three stops in conversation both of us able to laugh at my excruciating Japanese, that was a buzz. Shibuya sky visit with not a cloud in sight and surprisingly peaceful despite being sold out for the day. Loved Nagoya, could go on and on. Roll on Expo ( our next planned visit )

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@bh0666 Ah they sound like lovely memories! I love these moments you have sometimes talking to random people when you're on your travels! 🙂

[@LucianCiel]

I really like your videos. They’re nice and entertaining. Would you be able to explain collecting stamps?

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks so much! There'll be a video about souvenir stamps coming up, so look out for that! It'll explain everything!

[@alysonfordyce3415]

I think you should make your own stamp book for japan to sell in your shop ;)

[@cakeswithfaces]

I'd love to! But I didn't want to seem like I was copying Neko Neko Post, where I got mine from! 🙈

[@tanjem]

Go Saga-arashiyama( JR station) .Get tickets next door from saga Torokko station . Then buy a bus ticket for 310 yen to the place where you board the cruise ..and ticket price was 4500 yen for the cruise ticket .

[@cakeswithfaces]

Yes that's it!

[@user-ot8up9ix5h]

Where did you get your stamp book please. It looks so cute with the pictures.

[@cakeswithfaces]

It's from Neko Neko Post, which is run by Sharla in Japan and her friend Ushka: nekonekopost.cratejoy.com/

[@elexisselorio]

silent viewer no more. :) Im from PH and travelling to Japan in August and id love to try this. My hotel is in Namba Osaka , should i ride the train to and alight at Kameoka Stn and walk to the Hozigawa River Cruise dock? As per google 7mins. Or do i need to go to torokko kameoka station and ride the bus? Thansk for answering, Youre videos are great!!!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Yes, you can absolutely get the train to Kameoka Station and walk to the boat dock. The bus is completely separate so you don't have to take it. :-)

[@kapilachandrabharathi7134]

Hello C w F Thanks to you n all the other U tubers. Just back from 2 week trip to Japan Made best use of our time got best views seats online bookings with all your info Cheers

[@cakeswithfaces]

Ah that's great to hear, thank you! What were the highlights of your trip?

[@kapilachandrabharathi7134]

@@cakeswithfaces Hiroshima, Himeji Castle,Minoh park, Sagano romantic train, Mt Fuji and ofcourse Shinkensen Shinsaibashi Dotonbori in Osaka teramachi in Kyoto and Shibuya in Tokyo for shopping Tks

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@kapilachandrabharathi7134 Sounds fantastic! Great choices - so glad you enjoyed it!

[@kapilachandrabharathi7134]

@@cakeswithfaces Now faces with a tough task That's where next in Asia. I have done many countries except South America Any suggestions😊

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@kapilachandrabharathi7134 I might be the wrong person to ask as I keep getting drawn back by how many places there are to visit in Japan! But I'd like to go to South Korea and/or Vietnam one day.

[@yabbadabba888]

Thank you for sharing. Very information. do you recommend buy the tickets in advance for the train and boat ride? i'm going end of march 2024

[@cakeswithfaces]

That's a popular time to visit Japan, and it's the holidays in Japan - it'll be busy so I'd recommend buying tickets as early as you can. You can buy tickets for the train from any JR ticket office in the Kansai region. For the boat, get there early. Note that boat tickets sold online don't necessarily guarantee you a spot on a particular day - check the details carefully!

[@IceCream-hp7mm]

This looks like a lot of fun, would you say it's better to do the Romantic Train + Boat ride back as the first to-do in Arashiyama or later in the day?

[@cakeswithfaces]

The boat tickets are allocated when you get to the boat dock, so I'd say it's best to go earlier in the day, just in case it's busy. You can buy the boat tickets at the train station, but they don't guarantee you a seat on a particular boat. You can buy the train tickets from any JR station in the Kansai region. It's popular, so I'd recommend getting them as soon you arrive in Kansai.

[@eatlovepray92]

Hi there! May I know what time did you reach at the station to buy the sagano romantic train ticket?and What time did you take for the sagano romantic train? The video is good!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Thanks! You can buy tickets for the romantic train from any JR station in the Kansai region. I bought them 2 days before, when I first arrived at Kyoto Station. At that point you can decide which time you want to take the train - I took it around lunchtime or early morning.

[@user-sb1fv7uz6b]

hi there! my family and I are thinking about taking this river boat ride following the Sagano Romantic train ride; it seems like you got both tickets there at the station - can I ask what time do you recommend for people to arrive at the station to get the tickets? Thank you so much! :)

[@cakeswithfaces]

I'd recommend going in the morning, just in case tickets sell out. You can buy the train tickets in advance but not the boat tickets (at least, they don't guarantee you a seat on the boat on a particular day). The train's really popular, so I'd recommend buying them as soon as you arrive in Kansai. You can buy them from any JR station in the Kansai region.

[@MsDarouny]

We are planning to visit Japan [Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka] in late March and early April. What clothing should we bring?

[@cakeswithfaces]

I'd take layers - t-shirts, zip-up hoodies, hoodies and a jacket. It can be chilly, but it can also be t-shirt weather, and you'll need a jacket in the evenings even if it's warm in the day. Comfy shoes are always very important in Japan as you'll be doing lots of walking. Take a pair of shoes you can wear in the rain too, as it can rain at any time of year in Japan. I took a winter coat with me (going at the same time earlier this year) and didn't need it - actually it was annoying taking it around when we moved hotels! All the videos in this playlist were filmed mid April if that helps (starting from the 2nd week of April): kzbin.info/aero/PL-YXkErUfa4kg17V1kGBo6NnndELkM0yy And the vlog series I'm publishing at the moment was all filmed at the exact time you'll be going - although I think it was unseasonably warm this year: kzbin.info/aero/PL-YXkErUfa4nYNS8_nUehVwdLMoW5ypHc

[@enilocha5568]

hello, how long will it take from the last station of the Sagano train station to the river boat station? I'm planning on the schedule. Thank you!

[@cakeswithfaces]

Maybe about 15-20 mins? The buses seem to be timed with the train and boat to get you there without having to wait long.

[@victorkwok3788]

thanks, we are planning to do the romantic train ride and boat ride, may I know where we can get the stamp book?

[@cakeswithfaces]

I got mine from Neko Neko Post: nekonekopost.cratejoy.com/ Rainbowholic also has a nice selection of them (and a shop in Tokyo!) rainbowholicshop.com/collections/stamp-collection-notebook

[@primokarmasilver]

Man that looks fun, be cool if they did like a night tour but probably be dangerous ..and haunted

[@cakeswithfaces]

Night boat might be dangerous, but they do a night version of the tram in Arashiyama with yokai at certain times of the year!

[@ThatsSoJordy]

Hey! Do you think the boat and train are a doable day trip if I’m staying in Osaka?

[@cakeswithfaces]

Absolutely! There are very quick trains between Osaka and Kyoto Station. I'd buy the train tickets as soon as you get to Kansai - you can buy them from any JR station in the Kansai region.

[@ndeckersightseer]

Does the boat fill up often? Wondered if need to preorder ?

[@cakeswithfaces]

It's popular so I'd recommend getting there early. Be aware that some tickets you can buy online are just vouchers and don't guarantee you a seat on the boat.

[@nzmh2034]

Hi, i have a question regarding the boat ride ticket. i plan to take jr train to Kameoka station, so where to buy the boat ticket? inside the Kameoka station? thanks

[@cakeswithfaces]

You'll be able to buy it from the boat dock, which is just a short walk from Kameoka Station.

[@user-bi5mb4sz6g]

Hello! If you are not planning to take the Romantic train, can you go directly to Kameoka Station and buy the tickets there?

[@cakeswithfaces]

Yes, you can take the regular JR train to Kameoka. From there, you'll need to take a bus to the boat dock (like we did in the video) and you can get boat tickets there. Or you can buy boat tickets from the Sagano Romantic train station in Arashiyama like we did.

[@kevinkhor100893]

May i know when was this filmed?

[@cakeswithfaces]

First week of March - it was the first day they ran the boats in summer mode without the heaters/roof.

[@alirezza7]

Is this kids friendly boat rise?

[@cakeswithfaces]

There were children on the boat when I went on it - they'd just need be able to sit still for long enough, as it's quite a long boat ride (1 hour 40 mins - 2 hours depending on the conditions). You have to remain seated (for safety); the boat's not large enough to stand up or move around.

[@nor-in5kj]

Is it worth it? How much is it

[@cakeswithfaces]

Oh did I not mention prices in the video? :-) It's 4500 yen, so it's pricier than the Sagano Romantic Train. However, I enjoyed it much more than the train and it's quite a long trip, so in my opinion it was totally worth it!

[@user-vq7lw4of3x]

Did you go to Hozugawa this time, or have you been to Ise or Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture? If you haven't yet, I recommend you go there once.

[@cakeswithfaces]

This time I went to Hozugawa (in the video). I'd love to visit Ise one day!

[@usri100]

Hi, just wanna ask, is it suitable enough for pregnant woman?

[@cakeswithfaces]

On the official site it says it's not recommended if you're less than 5 or 6 months pregnant (not sure if that's a mistranslation and they mean more than?), but you can board at your own risk. When I went, it was quite smooth, but there are lots of rocks in the water so there is a risk of bumping. There are relaxing parts as well as the short white water rushing parts.

[@usri100]

ok, thanks for the info :)@@cakeswithfaces

[@tanjem]

kind of expensive for boat trip ...

[@cakeswithfaces]

Yes - personally I thought it was worth it as I enjoyed it so much. It's quite a long trip and you have the services of 3 drivers.

[@tanjem]

@@cakeswithfaces FYI now it is 6000 yen .

[@cakeswithfaces]

@@tanjem Prices always go up 😭 But at least the exchange rate is in our favour at the moment.