Washington Hotels
Hotel Gracery
Ride the Rapids and Soak in Kyoto’s Wilderness – The Hozu River Boat Ride
The Hozu River Boat Ride lets you experience a historic waterway that once powered Kyoto’s commerce. From Kameoka to Arashiyama, you’ll travel 16 km through a steep gorge aboard a wooden boat, taking about two hours to navigate rushing currents while enjoying dramatic mountain views and a dash of thrill.
The adventure traces its roots to 1606, when merchant Suminokura Ryōi blasted through boulders to open a route that shipped timber and rice to Kyoto. It was converted into a sightseeing route during the Meiji era, and it now draws some 300,000 visitors a year from around the world who come for Kyoto’s raw nature and the excitement of the descent.
Cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, blazing foliage in autumn, and snow-draped cliffs in winter—each season paints the canyon differently, while the boatmen’s lively commentary offers insight into the surrounding mountains and the river’s storied past.
| Period | Varies annually — please check the timetable https://www.hozugawakudari.jp/service/timetable |
| Address | 2 Hozu-chō Shimonakajima, Kameoka, Kyoto 621-0005 |
| Access | ・Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: board the Keihan Line at “Kiyomizu-Gojo” Station, alight at “Shichijo” Station, walk to JR Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano Line toward Sonobe, alight at “Kameoka” Station, then walk about 8 min. from the North Exit to the Hozu River Boat Ride boarding point. ・Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: board the Subway Tozai Line at “Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae” Station, alight at “Nijo” Station, transfer to the JR Sagano Line toward Sonobe, alight at “Kameoka” Station, then walk about 8 min. from the North Exit to the Hozu River Boat Ride boarding point. |
| URL | https://www.hozugawakudari.jp/rafting/hozugawarafting-english |
Base of this trip
Hotel Tavinos Kyoto
3-min walk from Shimizu-Gojo station on the Keihan line／7-min walk from Gojo Station on the Karasuma line／10-min walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto line
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
5-min walk from Kyotoshiyakushomae station on the Tozai line
