Arashiyama Yakatabune Boat Tour Enjoy Ukai (Cormorant Fishing) and Gozan Okuribi (bonfire)
Highlights
Overview
Kyoto
Available Sun
Pick-up not available
What to expect
Shared Boat Special Sightseeing Plan
Bookings available for one person or more! This is a shared boat service, meaning you will share the ride with other guests, but it is a more affordable option compared to a private charter.
[Boarding Date and Time]
Saturday, August 16, 2026, 19:00–21:00
*You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks (small items that can be eaten by hand).
*Dining tables are not provided.
Overview
Schedule
Check-in at Arashiyama Tsusen North Boarding Area (Check-in from 18:00)
VELTRA staff will be available at the reception desk from 18:00. Please ensure you check in by 18:45.
*Only group representatives are required to line up for registration.
*After check-in, please wait with your group at the North Boarding Pier. Please use the restroom beforehand.
After check-in, please gather your entire group and wait at the meeting point (Arashiyama Tosen North Pier).
Once the boat arrives and preparations are complete, boarding will proceed in order. Please note that we cannot wait for guests who are not present when their group is called for boarding.
Drifting through the cool evening air, the yakatabune boat slowly makes its way upstream on the Oi River at night. One by one, boats pass by, and the silhouettes of cormorants illuminated by lantern light evoke the timeless charm of the ancient capital.
The elegant Japanese boat is skillfully operated by an experienced boatman who has inherited traditional techniques. With just a single, slender, and flexible bamboo pole, the boatman maneuvers the vessel with ease and precision.
Six cormorants, tethered to the hands of the master fisherman (Usho), respond to the rhythmic sound of the oars and swiftly move back and forth above and below the water's surface. They dive into the river to catch ayu (sweetfish) and other freshwater fish.
"Ukai" is a traditional fishing method in which a fisherman, known as an "Usho," skillfully controls several trained cormorants (umiu) using hand-held ropes to catch river fish such as ayu (sweetfish).
The lighting begins around 8:00 PM, with the fires being lit in order from Higashiyama in a counterclockwise direction: "Daimonji," "Myo/Ho," "Funagata," "Hidari Daimonji," and "Toriigata."
From the Arashiyama yakatabune boat, you can see "Daimonji" (from a distance) and "Toriigata."
The final bonfire of the Gozan Okuribi, "Toriigata," is lit on Mandara Mountain (Mandara-yama) in Saga Torii-moto, at an elevation of approximately 100 meters.
*Toriigata cannot be seen from the boat. Please disembark and view it from the ground.
Restrooms are also available at the South Boarding Area.
*The lighting time may be subject to change depending on weather conditions
Dismissed on-site
Location
Pick-up/Check-in Time & Location
Drop-off/Check-out Time & Location
Location
18:00
Location, direction and description
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![20211011050933_1360186892_15662_9]()
Please look for the blue boats floating along the riverbank upstream of Togetsukyo Bridge as a landmark and proceed to the boarding area. At the pier, provide your reservation name to board the boat.
[Regarding Transportation to the Meeting Point]
Due to the Gozan Okuribi event, heavy congestion is expected in central Kyoto and around the Arashiyama area. Please use public transportation whenever possible and allow plenty of time to arrive at the meeting point. Additionally, be sure to check the meeting location and route in advance using Google Maps or similar tools by the day before your trip.Parking information
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Parking is not available at the boat boarding area. Please use nearby coin-operated parking lots.
Important activity information
Important activity information
Restrictions
- You are allowed to bring food and drinks (limited to items that can be consumed easily by hand). *Please note that tables for eating and drinking are not provided.
- For inquiries regarding the details of this course, please contact VELTRA directly through your My Page.
Additionally, if you wish to cancel your reservation, please make sure to do so via VELTRA's My Page. - [Inquiries via Email]
After logging into your VELTRA My Page, go to your booking history, click "Inquiries" for the relevant reservation, and then use the "Contact Us" button at the bottom to notify VELTRA via email about your cancellation.
▼ Log in to My Page here:
https://www.veltra.com/jp/mypage - This tour is conducted in Japanese only.
Additional notes
- The boat is scheduled to operate in light rain; however, it may be canceled in the event of sudden weather changes, severe weather conditions, or rising water levels.
- The bonfires on each mountain are scheduled to burn for approximately 30 minutes, but the lighting times may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
- Please take all trash with you, including any wrappers or waste from the snacks provided.
- For customers arriving by car:
Parking is not available at the boat boarding area. Please use nearby coin-operated parking lots.
Required items to bring & attire
- Rain Gear (Raincoat)
*While the yakatabune boat is equipped with a roof and rain covers, sudden heavy rain may still result in your clothes getting wet. Please bring a raincoat or other rain gear as needed.
Booking requirements (# of participants, vehicles, hours, etc.)
- You can book a maximum of 15.
Reviews
Activity Provider arashiyama-yakatabune
Activity Provider
FAQ
Payment / Cancellation Policy
Payment Methods
- Credit card payment
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Cancellation Policy
- Any cancellations made after the booking confirmation date will be subject to a charge of 100% of the total amount.
Change Policy
- It will be under the same conditions as the cancellation fee.
*In the case of a change in the number of participants, a fee equivalent to the cancellation fee will be applied for each person.
Operation days
- Everyday
Payment / Cancellation Policy
Payment Methods
- Credit card payment
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Cancellation Policy
- Any cancellations made after the booking confirmation date will be subject to a charge of 100% of the total amount.
Change Policy
- It will be under the same conditions as the cancellation fee.
*In the case of a change in the number of participants, a fee equivalent to the cancellation fee will be applied for each person.
Top-Rated Activities for Kyoto
Summer Festivals & Specials other tours and activities
- You are allowed to bring food and drinks (limited to items that can be consumed easily by hand). *Please note that tables for eating and drinking are not provided.
- For inquiries regarding the details of this course, please contact VELTRA directly through your My Page.
Additionally, if you wish to cancel your reservation, please make sure to do so via VELTRA's My Page. - [Inquiries via Email]
After logging into your VELTRA My Page, go to your booking history, click "Inquiries" for the relevant reservation, and then use the "Contact Us" button at the bottom to notify VELTRA via email about your cancellation.
▼ Log in to My Page here:
https://www.veltra.com/jp/mypage - This tour is conducted in Japanese only.
- Rain Gear (Raincoat)
*While the yakatabune boat is equipped with a roof and rain covers, sudden heavy rain may still result in your clothes getting wet. Please bring a raincoat or other rain gear as needed.
- The boat is scheduled to operate in light rain; however, it may be canceled in the event of sudden weather changes, severe weather conditions, or rising water levels.
- The bonfires on each mountain are scheduled to burn for approximately 30 minutes, but the lighting times may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
- Please take all trash with you, including any wrappers or waste from the snacks provided.
- For customers arriving by car:
Parking is not available at the boat boarding area. Please use nearby coin-operated parking lots.
- You can book a maximum of 15.
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STEP 1Book one (1) select tour or activity
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STEP 2Receive a coupon upon confirmation
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- STEP 3Book another activity, and use the coupon for a discount!
Coupon Participation Period:
- Valid for one (1) booking per account during the designated promotional period.
- Cannot be used on the same activity on the same date and time as the first activity, or applied to activities that have already been booked.
