Yanagawa River Cruise Fares Compared: 6 Companies, No-Reservation Boats, Duration and Kotatsu Boats (2026)

Yanagawa river cruise fares

Standard courses come in two types: a one-way trip of about 60–70 minutes and a 30–40 minute loop.
Shared boat fares are ¥2,200 for adults and ¥1,100 for children at Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu, and ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,000 for children at Daito Enterprise.
Some companies switch to kotatsu boats from December to February.

Yanagawa’s river cruises (kawakudari, also called horimeguri) are run by 7 companies. This page compares 6 of the 7 listed by the Yanagawa City Tourism Association, the ones that publish fares on their own websites. Each company’s standard course is one of two types. Three companies (Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu, Daito Enterprise and Suigo Yanagawa Kanko) run a one-way trip of about 60–70 minutes from near the station down to Ohana, the former residence of the Tachibana lords. Three (Jomon Kanko, Yanagawa Yusen Marue Kanko and Hakushu Kanko) run a 30–40 minute loop around Okinohata and Ohana that returns to the start. Some companies switch to kotatsu boats (boats with heated tables) from December to February.

柳川の川下り。会社ごとの料金と予約の要否、乗船場掘割を進むどんこ舟 — A donko boat (a flat-bottomed boat) on a moat (photo courtesy of Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Federation)

In short

Adults pay ¥1,000 to ¥2,200 depending on the company and the course.
60–70 minute one-way courses cost ¥2,000–2,200 for adults. Short loops start at ¥1,000.
Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu and Suigo Yanagawa Kanko take passengers without a reservation. Hakushu Kanko can also take you on the day if there is space.
Free parking is available at several companies. Hakushu Kanko offers a loop that returns to where you started.

Checked with official pages on October 17, 2026 (Japan time).

1. How to choose a Yanagawa river cruise (course, fare, reservation)

Riding from the station down to Ohana: Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu (Shogetsu boarding point, 5 minutes on foot from the station) or Suigo Yanagawa Kanko (Shimohyakucho boarding point, 3 minutes on foot from the station). Both take passengers without a reservation.
Cheap and short: Jomon Kanko (Ohana loop, from ¥1,000 for adults) or Yanagawa Yusen Marue Kanko (Okinohata loop, 30 minutes, ¥1,000 for adults).
Coming by car and returning to the same place: Hakushu Kanko (about 40-minute loop; free parking at Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa).

2. Yanagawa river cruises compared: 6 companies, fares, courses, reservations

For the standard courses, the 60–70 minute trips cost ¥2,000–2,200 for adults, and the shorter loops around Okinohata and Ohana start at ¥1,000. One more company listed by the tourism association, Yanagawa River Kanko, is not included because we could not find its own website. Source: Yanagawa City Tourism Association, “River cruises (moat tour)”

Company	Adult / child	Course and time	Reservation
Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu	¥2,200 / ¥1,100	Shogetsu to Ohana, one way, about 60 min	Not required (advance booking possible)
Daito Enterprise	¥2,000 / ¥1,000	Downstream course, about 70 min	— (shared boats are the norm)
Suigo Yanagawa Kanko	¥2,000 / ¥1,000	Shimohyakucho to Ohana, one way, about 1 hour	Not required if seats are free
Jomon Kanko	From ¥1,000 / from ¥500	Ohana loop, about 40 min, and others	Reservation preferred (phone)
Yanagawa Yusen Marue Kanko	¥1,000 / ¥500	Okinohata loop, 30 min	Phone or web form (private boats need booking)
Hakushu Kanko	¥2,200 / ¥1,100	Loop around Ohana, about 40 min	Same day if seats are free

The age limits for children differ by company (see each section below). A dash means no information was found on the official site.

3. The 60–70 minute courses down the moats (3 companies)

Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu and Suigo Yanagawa Kanko run one-way trips from near the station to Ohana, so you return to the station or your car by the company’s bus, a local bus or a taxi. From Ohana to Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station, a taxi is about ¥1,300 and a local bus ¥220, according to the guidance.

Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu (Shogetsu boarding point)

The boat leaves the Shogetsu boarding point at the foot of the arched bridge of Mihashira Shrine, passes through the castle’s inner moat and ends at Ohana and Okinohata, about 3 km and 60 minutes one way. The shared boat costs ¥2,200 for adults and ¥1,100 for children (ages 6–11). Children under 6 are free, up to 2 per guardian. Shared boats leave every 30 minutes from 9:40 to 15:10.

You can board without a reservation and buy a ticket at the window on the day. The company recommends booking in advance because some times are busy, and it may close same-day sales early when crowded. Peak-season fares may differ (same-day sales use the regular fare).

The boarding point is a 5-minute walk from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station, and a shuttle bus also runs from the station information center. The car park in front of the boarding point and two nearby car parks are free. After the trip, a shuttle bus runs 9 times a day from 12:00 to 16:30 from the city-run Honjo-machi tourist car park at the end of the route back to the station and the boarding point car park. Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu cruise guide (fares and timetable) / FAQ

Name	Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu (Shogetsu boarding point)
Address	329 Takahata, Mihashi-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka
Hours / Closed	Tickets 9:30–15:00 (shared boats every 30 min 9:40–15:10), open daily
Phone	0944-72-6177
Map	Open in Google Maps ↗
Official site	Open the official site ↗

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Daito Enterprise

The downstream course takes about 70 minutes. Fares: adults ¥2,000, children (ages 7–12) ¥1,000, young children (ages 4–6) ¥400, free for ages 0–3. Shared boats are the norm, and private charter is by inquiry. Free parking is available for cars and large buses. Daito Enterprise cruise guide

Name	Daito Enterprise
Address	18-9 Shirosumi-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka
Hours / Closed	March–November 10:00–17:00 (last tickets 16:00), December–February 10:00–16:00 (last tickets 15:30)
Phone	0944-72-7900
Map	Open in Google Maps ↗
Official site	Open the official site ↗

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Suigo Yanagawa Kanko (Shimohyakucho boarding point)

This one-way course from Shimohyakucho to Ohana takes about 1 hour. The shared boat costs ¥2,000 for adults (junior high school and older) and ¥1,000 for children (age 5 to elementary school). Children under 5 pay a ¥500 seat fee only if they use a seat. Boats leave within 30 minutes of check-in, and you can board without a reservation if there is space. Over the New Year period (December 30 to January 3), last check-in may be earlier.

The boarding point is a 3-minute walk from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station, and there is a free car park on the north side (limited spaces, first come, first served). After the trip, a free shuttle bus runs from in front of Ohana to Shimohyakucho every 20–30 minutes from 11:30 to 15:00 (about 10 minutes). Suigo Yanagawa Kanko official cruise guide

柳川の川下り。会社ごとの料金と予約の要否、乗船場どんこ舟から見た掘割 — The moats seen from a donko boat (photo courtesy of Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Federation)

Name	Suigo Yanagawa Kanko (Shimohyakucho boarding point)
Address	1-6 Shimohyakucho, Mihashi-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka
Hours / Closed	9:00–17:00 (shared boat tickets 9:10–15:30), open daily
Phone	0944-73-4343
Map	Open in Google Maps ↗
Official site	Open the official site ↗

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4. The 30–40 minute loops around Okinohata and Ohana (3 companies)

The three companies around Ohana return you to where you boarded in 30–40 minutes, so you do not need to plan a way back.

Jomon Kanko (in front of Ohana)

The boarding point is right in front of Ohana, the Tachibana residence of the Yanagawa lords. The Ohana loop (about 40 minutes) costs ¥1,000 for adults (junior high school and older). The official site gives the child and infant fare as “¥500 for 1 elementary school child and 2 young children” (the wording suggests ¥500 covers that group together; confirm with the company). There is also a 90-minute course from the upper moat, and its fare depends on the course. Trips are generally on shared boats, depending on conditions on the day. Reservations are preferred, and the company asks you to phone in advance. Parking is available. Jomon Kanko official fares

Name	Jomon Kanko
Phone	0944-72-8647
Map	Open in Google Maps ↗
Official site	Open the official site ↗

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Yanagawa Yusen Marue Kanko

The “Okinohata loop boat” through the Okinohata town takes 30 minutes. Fares: adults ¥1,000, children ¥500, free for ages 0–3. The official plan page does not give the age range for children. The Yanagawa City Tourism Association lists children as ages 6–12. Apply by phone or through the form on the official site. Private boats must be reserved. Yanagawa Yusen Marue Kanko official plans

Name	Yanagawa Yusen Marue Kanko
Address	18 Shirosumi-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka
Phone	0944-78-2772
Map	Open in Google Maps ↗
Official site	Open the official site ↗

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Hakushu Kanko (Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa)

This loop goes around Ohana in about 40 minutes and returns to where you boarded. Fares: adults (junior high school and older) ¥2,200, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥1,100, free for age 2 and under. A private boat is ¥20,000 per boat (up to 16 people). You can board on the day if seats are free, but the company recommends reserving by phone or online on weekends, in the tourist season and in the evening. Payment on site is cash only.

Check-in is in the lobby on the 1st floor of Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa, and the boarding point is behind the hotel. You can use the hotel’s free car park (100 cars), about 20–25 minutes by car from Miyama-Yanagawa IC. By train, take the Horikawa Bus from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station to its final stop, Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa. Hakushu Kanko FAQ / Free parking notice (October 14, 2026)

Name	Hakushu Kanko
Address	10-1 Yashiro-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka (behind Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa)
Phone	0944-32-8944
Map	Open in Google Maps ↗
Official site	Open the official site ↗

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5. Winter kotatsu boats and the February water drain

From December to February, Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu, Suigo Yanagawa Kanko and Hakushu Kanko say they run kotatsu boats. Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu may use boats with chairs on rainy days, and Hakushu Kanko uses an electric kotatsu, not charcoal.

Every year in mid-February the moat water is lowered for about 10 days, and the courses change. In 2026 the period ran from 16:00 on February 16 to 10:00 on February 25, as announced by Suigo Yanagawa Kanko. Current official guidance says that during this period Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu runs a loop of about 40 minutes from Shogetsu through Shirobori Sluice to Mihashira Shrine (adults ¥1,700, children ¥850), and Suigo Yanagawa Kanko runs a round trip of about 30 minutes between Shimohyakucho and the sluice. As of October 17, the 2027 dates and fares were not yet on the companies’ official sites.

Sources

10 pages we checked

Checked with official pages on October 17, 2026 (Japan time).

1. How to choose a Yanagawa river cruise (course, fare, reservation)

2. Yanagawa river cruises compared: 6 companies, fares, courses, reservations

3. The 60–70 minute courses down the moats (3 companies)

Yanagawa Kanko Kaihatsu (Shogetsu boarding point)

Daito Enterprise

Suigo Yanagawa Kanko (Shimohyakucho boarding point)

4. The 30–40 minute loops around Okinohata and Ohana (3 companies)

Jomon Kanko (in front of Ohana)

Yanagawa Yusen Marue Kanko

Hakushu Kanko (Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa)

5. Winter kotatsu boats and the February water drain

Sources

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