The Hozugawa boat ride at a glance
The Hozugawa Kudari is a boat ride through the Hozu gorge. You board in Kameoka and get off in Arashiyama, so you travel with the current. A boatman steers and poles through the rapids. The regular shared boats have a nominal 24 seats, and the number can change with the water level.
The ride takes about 2 hours, depending on the water level. Plan some buffer, as the time is not fixed. Prices include tax.
Our picks: Hozu river boat tours
Our take: the train-and-boat tour is the best mix for most visitors. The private day from Kameoka adds two paid stops, and the bus tour from Kyoto Station is the budget option.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private Arashiyama day with the Hozu river boat
- Hozu boat ticket
- Ōkōchi Sansō and monkey park entry
- Digital photos
Starts at Kameoka, rides the boat down to Arashiyama and adds Ōkōchi Sansō and the monkey park, with tickets arranged.
Check availability →
Romantic Train, Hozu river boat and bamboo forest
- Sagano Romantic Train ticket
- Hozugawa boat ticket
- Bamboo forest walk
Both rides with the tickets sorted, which saves you booking them yourself. The onsen is optional and paid extra.
Check availability →
Romantic Train and Hozu boat from Kyoto Station
- Bus ride
- One-way Romantic Train ticket
- Hozugawa boat ride
A bus takes you from Kyoto Station to the train, and you return by boat. The train ticket is one-way.
Check availability →Boat rides and river tours around Arashiyama
River and sightseeing options around Arashiyama and the Hozu valley, with current prices and availability. Check what each option includes before you book.
Fares, discounts and charter
Prices in JPY for 2026, per person unless a boat is stated.
| Ticket | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | JPY 6,000 | Tax included |
| Child, toddler to elementary school | JPY 4,500 | Toddlers pay too |
| Disability ID, at the counter | JPY 5,400 / 4,050 | 10% off, not available online |
| Groups of 35 to 99 | 5% off | – |
| Groups of 100 or more | 10% off | – |
| Charter, per boat | JPY 144,000 / 162,000 | Normal / peak times, base occupancy up to 17 |
The charter prices are for the whole boat, not per person. The disability discount is given at the counter with a disability ID, and foreign IDs are not guaranteed to be accepted. Online bookings use the regular fares.
Schedule and season 2026
The regular calendar runs from 10 March to 13 December 2026. On weekdays boats leave hourly from 09:00 to 15:00. On weekends and public holidays they run continuously when enough people have booked. For 5 January to 9 March 2026 the winter times were 10:00, 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30.
The boats do not run from 29 December to 4 January. The operator also schedules a few safety-check days each year, so check the yearly calendar for your date.
Winter rides are open boats without heating. The exact start of winter operation in 2026 is set by the operator, so check the calendar if you travel in December.
Booking and on the day
Book the day before
Up to 9 people can book online, and the online deadline is the day before. Groups of 10 or more book by phone.
Day tickets are possible
You can try a ticket on the day, but availability and a short wait are not guaranteed. In autumn the online time slots fill up, so book early.
Life jackets are required
Everyone wears a life jacket. Passengers who cannot or do not want to wear one are not taken. The minimum height is about 80 cm, so ask the operator if your child is close to that.
No toilet, no umbrellas
There is no toilet on board and umbrellas cannot be used. Bring a rain jacket instead, and in cold months extra layers.
Combine it with the train
The Sagano Romantic Train runs from Saga to Kameoka, so train up and boat down makes a natural loop. The two are separate tickets with a transfer in between. The boat operator suggests booking the boat about one hour after the train departs: for example train from Saga at 09:02, Kameoka at 09:25, boat at 10:00.
This is a planning example, not a guaranteed connection. If you do not have a train ticket, you can still reach the boat landing by JR and bus. The Torokko Kameoka station is about a 5-minute walk from JR Umahori station, and a transfer bus to the landing takes about 15 minutes for about JPY 500.
A boat capsized on the river on 28 March 2023. Boats run to the schedule above, and life jackets are required on every ride.
Which way to see the gorge
For most first-time visitors, the boat is the more memorable ride and the train is the easier one.
| Option | Time | Price 2026 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Kameoka to Arashiyama | about 2 hours | JPY 6,000 | Travellers who want the rapids and the river |
| Sagano Romantic Train | about 25 minutes | JPY 880, last announced 2025 | Short, comfortable views of the gorge |
| Train up, boat down | about half a day | Both tickets | A full morning on the Hozu |
For most visitors with a free morning, the train up and the boat down is the best way to use the valley. If you have less time, take the boat alone.
Hozugawa river boat: frequently asked questions
How much does the Hozugawa boat ride cost?
JPY 6,000 for adults and JPY 4,500 for children from toddlers to elementary school, tax included, in 2026.
How long does the ride take?
About 2 hours, depending on the water level. Do not plan a tight connection right after the landing.
When do the boats run in 2026?
From 10 March to 13 December 2026, hourly on weekdays from 09:00 to 15:00. Weekends and holidays run continuously when enough people book. There are no boats from 29 December to 4 January.
Is the boat heated in winter?
No. Winter boats are open and not heated, so dress warmly.
Do I have to wear a life jacket?
Yes. Passengers who cannot or do not want to wear one are not taken. The minimum height is about 80 cm.
How do I book?
Online up to 9 people, with the deadline the day before. Groups of 10 or more book by phone. A ticket on the day may be possible, but is not guaranteed.