A report on the Kurashiki Riverboat Experience! We also introduce recommended gourmet spots in the area to stop by while waiting for boarding or afterward.
2024.11.27The Kurashiki flows through the main street of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter . I took part in the "Kurashiki River Boat Festival," a fun boat ride down the river. When you change your perspective, the familiar scenery looks different, and you can once again appreciate the beauty of the white-walled town with swaying willow trees. During the Edo period, the Kurashiki was a major artery for water transport, with boats carrying cargo from all over the country passing through. Riding the boat wearing a hat and feeling the history of that time, I felt like I had traveled back in time.
-
Table of contents
- What is the "Kurashiki River Boat Festival"?
- Tickets can be purchased at the Kurashikikan Tourist Information Center.
- Meet at the boarding point 5 minutes before departure
- Enjoy Kurashiki sightseeing from the Mizukami
- The 15-minute ride is over!
- Drop-in gourmet spot ① Kurashiki Udon soup udon Furuichi
- Drop-in gourmet spot ② Kotori Furatto
What is the "Kurashiki River Boat Festival"?
Tourist riverboats operate on the Kurashiki , which flows through the heart of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter . You can enjoy the view of Kurashiki's townscape, which retains traces of the Edo period, from the Mizukami as the boat moves along at a leisurely pace.
On Saturdays from September to October, the " Night Kurashiki River Boat Floating " is also held.
Tickets can be purchased at the Kurashikikan Tourist Information Center.
To ride a riverboat in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter , first purchase your ticket at the Kurashikikan Tourist Information Center along the Kurashiki . If you take your time, tickets will sell out, so we recommend making your reservation as soon as you arrive in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and then enjoying sightseeing. Tickets are only sold on the day, so during the tourist season, customers line up before the tickets go on sale, and it was so popular that people made reservations in the morning and boarded at 3 p.m.
Meet at the boarding point 5 minutes before departure
We were told to gather five minutes before the scheduled departure time, so we went to the riverboat boarding point on the opposite side of the river from the Kurashikikan Tourist Information Center, where we had bought our tickets early. The Aka Japanese umbrellas were a landmark, so we were able to find it easily.
Farewell to the previous group
We lined up a little early, so we were able to see the previous group boarding and departing.
After checking your ticket, put on your hat.
Before boarding, our tickets were checked and we put on our hats. It was a very hot day, but the hats let in a breeze and were surprisingly comfortable. I thought they were a sunshade packed with the wisdom of our ancestors.
Enjoy Kurashiki sightseeing from the Mizukami
This time I was able to ride at the front. The boatman was at the back rowing the riverboat using a bamboo pole. We slowly headed south, first towards the Seto Naikai Sea (downstream). If we continued south, it would take about 15 kilometers to reach the Seto Naikai. As we went along, the boatman gave us explanations, so we could enjoy sightseeing.
Cormorant
A cormorant suddenly popped its head out of the river right next to the boat. I was surprised. It was very used to people and swam alongside the riverboat without any sign of fear, popping its head out and catching fish. I was surprised to be able to see a cormorant so close to the water surface at eye level. It had a cute face.
Go under Nakabashi Bridge
We passed under Nakabashi Bridge, which is in front of the Kurashikikan Tourist Information Center, a popular photo spot. It was a rare opportunity to see under a bridge, so it was a valuable experience. On the underside of the bridge, the name of the person who built it was engraved. As it is an important cultural property, it cannot be painted, so it is difficult to see unless you look closely.
Kurashiki lattice and 400-year-old black pine
As the riverboat heads west, you'll see a Kurashiki lattice building on the right side of the boat. The lattices on the wooden windows are designed so that they can be seen from the inside but not from the outside, and this type of architecture is commonly seen in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. There is also a 400-year-old black pine tree, said to be the oldest pine tree in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter .
Yurinso
Yurinso was built by Ohara Magosaburo, known as the founder of the Ohara Museum of Art , a symbol of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter , out of concern for his sickly wife. After it became the property of the Ohara Museum of Art of Art, it has served as a guest house, welcoming many Showa guests, including Emperor Showa. The building is characterised by its distinctive green roofing tiles, which were specially ordered from a roofing craftsman in Sakai, Senshu.
Turn around at Imabashi and head home
We turned back at Imabashi Bridge in front of the Ohara Museum of Art. Taking photos of this view from the top of Imabashi Bridge is a standard tourist activity in Kurashiki, but the view from the river was different and refreshing. Even the scenery reflected on the water's surface was picturesque.
Daisen Hinomaru Securities
On the right is Daisen Hinomaru Securities, a long-established securities company famous for the stock price trends that are handwritten every day on a board in front of the entrance.
The 15-minute ride is over!
We passed under Nakabashi Bridge once more and returned to the boarding point. The boat ride was about 15 minutes long, and even on a hot day, it was comfortable thanks to the umbrella and the fact that we were close to the water. This was my first time riding the Kurashiki River Boat, and I highly recommend it!
[Kurashiki River Boat Floating]
Address: 1-4-8 Chuo , Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture ( Kurashikikan Tourist Information Center)
TEL: 086-422-0542
Operating hours: First departure at 9:30 - last departure at 17:00
* Departs every 30 minutes
*Break time from 12:00 to 13:00
*When a heatstroke alert is issued, it will be in the afternoon.
Closed: March to December / 2nd Monday (excluding public holidays) January to February / Weekdays *Operates only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
Year-end and New Year's holiday rates: 700 yen for adults, 350 yen for children (ages 5 to elementary school age), free for children under 5 *Only available on the day (reservations not accepted)
Drop-in gourmet spot ① Kurashiki Udon soup udon Furuichi
For lunch, we went to Kurashiki Kurashiki soup udon-an Furuichi, which opened in November 2023. It's located next to the Kurashiki Municipal Parking Lot. This exquisite bukkake, an evolution of the flavor of soup udon Udon Kurashiki Furuichi, located in front of Kurashiki Station, soup udon the ultimate in quality and flavor, served in Bizen Pottery ware!
Shrimp tempura assortment and soup udon
Our recommended menu item is the "Shrimp Tempura Assortment soup udon(1,690 yen)." The noodles are chewier than usual, thanks to the fact that they are boiled all at once in a large pressure cooker. You can choose between hot or cold soup udon, but since it was a hot day, I went for the cold soup udon . The tableware was made by Isesaki Shu, a descendant of a Living National Treasure of Bizen Pottery , and the atmosphere and flavor feel elevated when Bizen Pottery ware. The tempura is freshly fried and crispy, and can be enjoyed with three types of sauce: rock salt, matcha salt, and tempura sauce. It also comes with shiratama zenzai for dessert, which left me feeling full!
They have many inbound customers, and the Wagyu beef shabu-shabu udon menu is apparently popular.
There is also a tablet menu available, and it is multilingual, so foreign visitors tourists can feel at ease.
A Toyotomi of souvenir items available
The shop also has a wide selection of souvenirs including the soup udon we received in the store, which can also be purchased from the official website. They are popular souvenirs unique to Kurashiki.
[Kurashiki soup udon Bukkakean Furuichi]
Address: 2-1-16 Chuo , Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture Chuo
TEL: 086-435-3900
Business hours: 11:00-19:00
Closed: None
Parking: None
Kurashiki Udon soup udon An Furuichi | Official Website
Drop-in gourmet spot ② Kotori Furatto
Kotori Furatto opened in June 2023 on a back street Higashi of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter . Its Taiwanese cafe menu and Japanese dumpling menu stop passersby in their tracks. It combines Showa nostalgia with Taiwanese retro, and the prices are reasonable. There is also a tatami room on the second floor, complete with a black telephone and retro electric fan, making it popular for its nostalgic and cozy atmosphere.
Charcoal grilled dumpling set
The delicious smell of dangos was wafting from my nose, so I ordered the "Charcoal Grilled Dango Little Set (600 yen)." It comes with two dangos and a choice of flavors: walnut miso, mitarashi, kinako, and red bean paste. Apparently, in winter, you can enjoy them while they're grilled over a tabletop Irori (traditional sunken hearth). It also comes with candied sweet potato, ice cream, and tea, making it a popular menu item with women. The dangos were slightly sweet and had just the right amount of chewy texture, making them delicious.
Taiwanese shaved ice mango flavor
Taiwanese lanterns were lit on the ceiling, creating the atmosphere of a local food stall. Since it was a hot day, I also had the mango shaved ice (850 yen). You can add condensed milk to taste. The natural sweetness of the mango was delicious. And best of all, it's reasonably priced. Definitely a great place to take a break while exploring Kurashiki's Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter !
[Kotori Furatto]
Address: 2-16-27 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
Business hours: 11:00-18:00
Closed: Tuesdays (may be closed on other days)
Parking: None
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.