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Private Boat Charter in Arashiyama for Traditional Summer Ukai Performance <1-Hour>

5.00· 2 reviews

Highlights

Online pre-booking exclusive to VELTRA! Witness the summer tradition of "Ukai" from a private boat charter
Avoid the crowds and enjoy a relaxed viewing experience
Feel free to bring your own light snacks and drinks to enjoy on board

What to expect

Experience a magical summer night with an Arashiyama Private Cormorant Fishing Boat Tour. Guests board a traditional wooden vessel to witness the ancient art of Ukai under the flickering light of bonfires.

What's included

Cruise fee

Packages (3)

1-Hour Private Charter (Up to 8 passengers)Until Aug 15 / Aug 17 – Sep 23from USD 170.25

1-Hour Private Charter (Up to 15 passengers)Until Aug 15 / Aug 17 – Sep 23from USD 315.27

1-Hour Private Charter (Up to 20 passengers)Until Aug 15 / Aug 17 – Sep 23from USD 422.46

Schedule

Reception at Arashiyama Tusen North Pier
Departure
The houseboat glides gently upstream through the darkening waters of the Oi River. As boats pass each other in the night, the lanterns cast silhouettes of cormorants against the gloom, capturing the evocative charm of the ancient capital.
What is Ukai?
Ukai is a traditional fishing method where a master fisherman, known as an "Usho," handles several trained sea cormorants using tethers to catch river fish such as ayu (sweetfish).
Viewing "Ukai" from a Private Houseboat
As night falls and the torches (kagari-bi) are lit on the cormorant boats, the "Ukai" begins. Guided by the rhythmic sound of the boatman’s oar, six cormorants leashed to the master's hand dive and resurface in a mesmerizing dance, plunging underwater to catch ayu and other river fish.
Tour Ends

Location and Directions

Check-in / Check-out
Arashiyama Tsusen North Boarding Area
Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8385
Itinerary
Please come to the boarding point, using the blue boat floating on the shore upstream of Togetsukyo Bridge as a landmark. At the boarding point, please tell us the name of your reservation and you will be boarded.
Parking information
Parking is not available at the boat boarding point. Please use the nearby coin-operated parking lots.

Restrictions

In the event of bad weather or river flooding, service may be temporarily halted. Before visiting, please check the latest operational status on the official website or by calling directly. Please note that phone support is provided in Japanese.
https://arashiyama-yakatabune.com/
You are welcome to bring your own drinks and light snacks.
Please note that dining tables are not available.

Other requirements

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the departure time.
The event may be cancelled in case of bad weather.
Please note that even if you arrive late, the return time remains fixed. No extensions can be provided.

Additional notes

The activity schedule is subject to change or cancellation due to weather or traffic conditions.
For customers arriving by car: Parking is not available at the boat dock. Please use nearby coin parking lots.

Operated by

arashiyama-yakatabune (Code:203296)

Cancellation policy

On the activity day / No-show: 100%

Reviews

5.00

2 reviews

A valuable experience

Posted Date: 2025/09/15

Thank you very much. The reservation was easy, and the location was easy to find. It's a convenient site. Thank you.ありがとうございました予約も簡単で、場所もわかりやすかった　便利なサイトですね。ありがとうございました

Machine translated from Japanese

Reply from arashiyama-yakatabune

Dear FG, thank you for boarding with us this time. Our company offers not only the cormorant fishing experience but also daytime sightseeing cruises. We hope you will visit us again if the opportunity arises.FG様　この度は、ご乗船いただき　ありがとうございました。弊社は、鵜飼だけでなく　昼間の遊覧船もございます。また、機会がございましたら　お越しくださいませ。

Machine translated from Japanese

My long-held wish has come true.

Posted Date: 2023/08/20

カッパえびせん

I had seen cormorant fishing in the women's magazine "Kateigaho" before. As I grew older, I wanted to experience cormorant fishing as a sophisticated activity for adults, so this summer, I finally made it happen. Given that it was in Arashiyama, the scenery contributed to an elegance that exceeded my expectations. It was a precious and extraordinary experience to enjoy a historical Japanese tradition that nobles once watched, allowing me to appreciate the beauty of Japan once again. This will be… I had seen cormorant fishing in the women's magazine "Kateigaho" before. As I grew older, I wanted to experience cormorant fishing as a sophisticated activity for adults, so this summer, I finally made it happen. Given that it was in Arashiyama, the scenery contributed to an elegance that exceeded my expectations. It was a precious and extraordinary experience to enjoy a historical Japanese tradition that nobles once watched, allowing me to appreciate the beauty of Japan once again. This will be a memorable part of my summer. 以前、女性誌の「家庭画報」で見た鵜飼。年齢を重ねた遊び大人の女性の遊びとして、舟を一艘借りて鵜飼を体験して見たかったの思いがあり、この夏、漸く実現しました。嵐山と言う場所柄、景観も手伝って想像以上に優雅で、昔の貴族が見物した歴史ある日本の伝統文化を今世紀でも味わう事ができるなんて、日本の良さを改めて感じなら、この夏の思い出に残る貴重な非日常な経験が出来ました。

Machine translated from Japanese