All Reviews for 2026 Japan Cherry Blossom Tours

This year, the rainy season ended early, and due to the lower water levels than usual, we had about two hours of river rafting. Although it was the hot summer season, thanks to the shade, it was cooler than I expected, and the breeze during the rafting was very pleasant, making it comfortable. The boatmen entertained us with lively talks about plants, animals, and nature at various spots during the two hours. It was a special time where I could recharge my energy in a sense of liberation away from daily life! In spring, you can see cherry blossoms, and in autumn, the foliage, and without shade, you can enjoy an even more open feeling while rafting. I would like to try it in spring or autumn next time!

今年は梅雨明けが早く、例年よりも川の水量が少なかったこともあり、約2時間の川下りでした。夏の暑い時期でしたが、日除けがあったおかげで思ってたよりも涼しく、川下り中は風がとても気持ちよかったので快適でした。船頭さんたちは約2時間の中で、それぞれのスポットで植物や動物、自然の紹介等、軽快なトークを交えて楽しませてくれました。日常から離れた開放感の中で、エネルギーをチャージできるような特別な時間でした！
春は桜、秋は紅葉を見られるし、日除けがないためより開放感のある川下りを楽しめるそうです。次は春や秋に楽しんでみたいです！

The boatman's talk skills were outstanding, and it was a fun time that went by in a flash. I was sad when my recently purchased Hozu River boat ride towel fell into the river and sank during the rapids… ( ; ; ) But the boatman let me experience steering the boat, so it was a great experience! I thought it was harder than it looked. It seemed easy, but maneuvering a bus-sized boat with a pole while avoiding rocks in a rocky river is quite a challenge. It was hot this time, so I thought I would like to ride again during the autumn foliage season!

船頭さんのトーク力が抜群であっという間の楽しい時間でした。
途中、急流で直前に購入した保津川下りのタオルが川に落ちて沈んでしまったのが悲しかったですが…（ ; ; ）泣
でも、船頭さんが舵取り体験をさせてくれたのでいい経験が出来ました♪
見た目以上にハードだと思いました。簡単そうに見えましたが、岩だらけの川で岩を避けながらバス並みの船を棒？で操縦するのは至難の業です。
今回は暑かったので今度は紅葉の時期に乗りたいなと思いました!!

I experienced it during the rainy season in June, but it was still a time when it hadn't rained much. It seemed to be a period when the river's water level was lower than usual, and it felt like the boat was hitting the riverbed. We wrapped up after 1 hour and 45 minutes from the scheduled time. In the rapids, you might get wet. It was a hot day, but it was a bit cooler on the river, and I enjoyed hearing various historical stories. However, it is mandatory to present a voucher, and if you haven't printed it, you'll need to pay 50 yen to have it printed. At that time, the guide mentioned that if you use another ticket site accessible from the official website, printing is not necessary, which was a bit disappointing.

6月の梅雨に入ったけれどまだ然程雨の降っていない時期に体験しました。
通常より川の水が少ない時期のようで、川底に船があたるのような状況でした。予約時間から1時間45分で解散でした。
急流のあたりでは水に濡れることもあります。
暑い日でしたが、川の上は少し涼しく、さまざまな歴史の話などもあり楽しめました。
ただバウチャーの提出が必須で、印刷していないと50円で印刷してもらう必要があります。その際に、案内の方から公式サイトからいけるもう一つのチケットサイトであれば印刷不要であると情報があり、少し残念な気持ちになりました。

I have participated a few years ago, and the boatman is younger than before.

He was quite skilled in conversation, and I really enjoyed it.

The whitewater rafting was thrilling and better than the rafting in Wakayama.

I was surprised to see so many soft-shelled turtles along the river!

何年か前にも参加経験ありますが、その時より船頭さんが若年化しています。

話術巧みで、結構楽しめました。

急流下りではスリル満点で、和歌山の筏下りより良かったです。

川沿いにスッポンが沢山いてビックリしました！

Two hours flew by in no time. The breathtaking views of the Hozu River were amazing, and the guides were so much fun; I really enjoyed it. The level of thrill varies depending on the water level, but I believe the guides will keep the atmosphere lively no matter what. Masks are essential, but since eating and drinking are allowed, I was able to hydrate without hesitation. As we approached Arashiyama, a boat loaded with delicious treats came by, and I couldn't help but indulge in some dango. This time, it was all about the fresh greenery, so next time, I want to go see the autumn leaves.

あっという間の二時間。保津川の絶景はもちろん、船頭さんたちのガイドも楽しく、本当に楽しかった。水嵩次第で、スリルの程度は変わりますが、どんな時でも、船頭さんさんたちが盛り上げてくださると思います。マスクは必須だと思いますが、飲食自由なので、水分補給は遠慮なくできました。嵐山に近づいた頃に美味しいものを積んだ船が寄ってきて、ついうっかり、お団子を食べてしまいました。今回、新緑だったので、今度は、紅葉を見に行きたいです。

The weather was great, and I had a lot of fun. The boatmen communicated well and made sure we didn't get bored. Thank you very much! The dinosaur tree was hilarious!

天候にも恵まれ楽しかったです。船頭さんたちのコミユニケーションも良く、退屈しない様にちゃんと考えてくださっていました。ありがとうございました
恐竜の木が笑えたww

I went in mid-May. The fresh greenery and the refreshing breeze from the river were pleasant. I also wanted to see the changes of each season. I will go again. They were helpful in allowing me to change to an earlier river cruise, one hour before my reservation at the ticket counter!

5月中旬に乗りました。新緑と爽やかな川面の風で心地良かったです。四季それぞれの変化も見たくなりました。また行きますね。窓口で予約より1時間早い川下りに変更も直前に受け付けてくださり、助かりました！

The rain from the previous day had cleared, and the weather on the day was cloudy with occasional sunshine. It was neither too hot nor too cold, making for a comfortable experience on the Hozu River boat ride. Since we were seated in the front row, we could clearly hear the fun stories from the boatman, which added to the enjoyment. The only downside was the murkiness of the water due to the rain the day before. I would love to visit during the cherry blossom season and the autumn foliage season as well.

前日の雨もあがり当日は曇り時々晴れ。
暑くもなく寒くもなく快適な保津川下りを体験できました。
最前列席だったので船頭さんの楽しい話もしっかり聞けて楽しさ増々でした。
前日が雨だったので水の濁りが唯一の残念項目。
桜の季節、紅葉の季節にも来てみたいと思いました。

Thank you for boarding with a good heart despite the 10-minute delay in arrival. The water flow was calmer than I expected, so I was a bit disappointed since I brought a large towel hoping to get splashed more. The boatman was sweating a lot while steering the boat, and his witty storytelling made me laugh. I regret not removing the roof cover when the boatman suggested it. Next time, I would like to board again after the typhoon or in autumn when the maple leaves change color. Thank you very much.

10分遅れの到着でしたが、心を良く乗船してくださってありがとうございました。
水流が思っていたよりも穏やかでもっと水をかぶることを期待して大きなタオルを持って行ってたので少し残念でした。
大汗をかいて船頭さんが操船されていて軽妙な語り口に笑わせてもらいました。
船頭さんから提案があった時に屋根のシートを外しておけばよかったと後悔してます。
次回は台風明けかモミジが色ずく秋にまた乗船したいです。
ありがとうございました。

I took the trolley from Saga Station to Kameoka Station, and then traveled by bus from Kameoka. There were taxis waiting at Kameoka Station, but they are reservation-only, so if you wish to travel by taxi, you need to make a reservation in advance at Saga Trolley Station.

During the river descent, three boatmen took turns talking to us, and the hour and a half flew by.

One point I would like to see improved is the requirement to print the voucher. Other tour companies allow for voucher-less check-in, where you can simply provide your name at the reception. It feels like a hassle to have to print the voucher and then also write the representative's name and address on paper at the site, making the process feel redundant.

トロッコに乗って嵯峨駅から亀岡駅へ、亀岡からはバスにて移動しました。
亀岡駅にはタクシーも待機していましたが、予約制なのでタクシー移動を希望の方はトロッコ嵯峨駅にて事前予約が必要です。

川下り中は3人の船士さんが交代制でお話くださり、1時間半強があっという間でした。


1点、改善いただきたいのはバウチャーを必ず印刷していかなければいけないというところ。
他の催行会社はバウチャーレスなので、名前を受付でお伝えするだけでチェックインができるようにしてほしいです。バウチャー印刷の上、現地でも紙に代表名、住所等書かなければいけないので手続きが二度手間のように感じます。

On the last day of Golden Week, I thought it would be crowded, but it was actually very empty, and I was able to ride as planned without any wait time. I've ridden it many times, but the beauty of the scenery changes with each season, and I really enjoyed it.

GW 最終日で、混雑してるかと思いきや、すごくすいていて、待ち時間なく予定通りに乗れました。何回も乗った事がありますが、やはり季節毎の景色の素晴らしさがあって、とても楽しめました。

The story from the boatman was enjoyable, and the 1 hour and 40-minute river cruise was a very pleasant early summer experience. Since we had a reservation, we were able to enjoy the sightseeing smoothly as planned.

船頭さんのお話も楽しく、１時間４０分の川下りはとても楽しい初夏のひとときでした。予約していたので、スムーズに予定通りの観光が楽しめました。

The weather was favorable, making for a pleasant river ride. The boatmen were lively in their chatter, and it seems the water level was just right, lasting about an hour and a half. Towards the end, my shoes got wet, but perhaps because of the nice weather, they dried quickly, which was also a good experience. It's best to board in clothes that you don't mind getting wet, no matter where you sit. Lastly, the boat's food stall appeared, and it was a lot of fun.

Next, I want to go during the autumn foliage season.

天候にも恵まれて、気持ちの良い川下りでした。
船頭さんたちのしゃべりも軽快で、水量の加減のようですが、１時間半くらいでした。
最後の方で靴まで濡れてしまいましたが、季節が良かったのかすぐに乾いて、それも良い体験でした。
どの席に座っても濡れても良い格好で乗船するべきですね。最後に、船の屋台が登場してとても楽しかったです。

次は紅葉の季節に行きたいです。

On the first day of Golden Week, I went to Kyoto. It was my first time on a day trip bus tour, and I was a bit nervous, but the guide was very polite and explained everything clearly. Thanks to their thoughtful attention, including lunch and admission tickets, I was able to enjoy the day smoothly.

It was pouring rain, and my shoes and clothes were soaked and cold, but when the guide said, "You won't find Kyoto this empty any other time," I couldn't help but agree. I decided to think of the rainy (it was really heavy rain) Kyoto as having its own charm (laughs).

The driver's speed was frighteningly fast; it was really fast to the point where I was gripping my hands in fear. However, we made it from Osaka to Kyoto in under an hour, which I guess is a testament to their skill... I'll just leave it at that.

Since the weather was unfortunate this time, I hope to visit Kyoto on a sunny day next time. I look forward to it again then!

GW初日に京都へ行きました。
日帰りバスツアーというものが初めてで緊張してましたが、丁寧なガイドさんで説明もわかりやすく、お昼ご飯や拝観のチケット等、細やかな気遣いで終始スムーズに楽しめました。

大雨で靴も服もグッチョグッチョで寒かったですが、ガイドさんの『こんなに空いてる京都なんてないですよ』に、確かに〜と納得し、雨の(大雨でしたが)京都も趣があると思うことにしました（笑）

運転手さんの運転が怖いぐらい速くて、もうホントに速くて速くて手に汗握るほど怖かったですが、大阪から京都まで1時間かからず行けたのは熟練のなせる業なのか…？と、お茶を濁しておきます。

今回は生憎の天気だったので、次は晴れて日に京都へ行きたいです。その時はまたよろしくお願いします。

The weather was just right, neither too hot nor too cold, making it a pleasant experience. The boatmen provided explanations and engaged in enjoyable conversations while rowing. Their teamwork was excellent, and even while casually chatting, they seemed very experienced and knowledgeable, which was reassuring.

One downside was the narrow spacing between people, and the seating had almost no cushioning, making it difficult to relax and enjoy the scenery comfortably. Since the duration was relatively long, maintaining that position was quite tough. The couple behind us kept murmuring about it quietly, which was a bit unpleasant. For those with back pain, it might be a good idea to bring a small cushion.

暑くも寒くもなくちょうど良い気候で参加できました。
船頭さんたちは漕ぎながら説明と
楽しいお喋りをしてくれます。
チームワークもよく何気なくお喋りしながらも
経験も豊富で熟知してらっしゃる感じで安心できました。
難点は人と人との間隔が狭く
座るところもクッション性がほぼないので
ゆったりくつろぎながら景色を楽しめないところでしょうか…。
時間もわりと長いのでその体勢が結構辛いです。
後ろのご夫婦がそれをずーっと小声でブーブー
言っていたので、そこは気分が悪かったです。
腰痛もちの人などは小さい座布団を持参するといいかもしれません。

It was wonderful to go down the Hozu River during the fresh green season. Thanks to the excellent commentary from the boatman and the desperate steering from the new boatman, we thoroughly enjoyed the hour and a half river ride. We stayed at Yunohana Onsen, and on the way back, we returned to Arashiyama by river, then after disembarking, we also visited the Monkey Park, making for a fulfilling weekend. It's convenient that you can purchase boarding tickets in advance from the website.

新緑の季節に、保津川下りができて最高でした。船頭さんの絶妙なトークに、新人船頭さんの必死の舵取りのおかげで、一時間半の川下りを存分に楽しめました。湯の花温泉に泊まって、帰りに川下りで嵐山まで戻り、下船後、モンキーパークにも行って、充実した週末を過ごしました。あらかじめサイトから乗船券を買っておけるのは便利です。

The weather was quite nice, and it felt good. The boatmen provided enjoyable explanations, which was great. Although the river was swollen from the rain the day before, we didn't get as wet as we thought we would. We had a lot of fun navigating close to the rocks; it was thrilling yet stable.

お天気もまずまずで、気持ちが良い日でした。
船頭さん達も楽しく説明してくれて、とても良かったです。
前日までの雨で増水していましたが、思ったほど濡れる事もありませんでした。
岩の横ギリギリを通ったり、スリリングだけれど安定感のある川下りでとても楽しめました。

It was an average amount of water, and the river descent lasted about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The weather was nice, and there was a pleasant flow with occasional thrills, and we saw many wild monkeys. Toward the end, a food stall boat was docked, allowing us to enjoy some snacks and have a great time.

平均的な水の量だったそうで1時間40分程の川下りでした。お天気もよく心地よい流れと時々のスリルがあり、野生のサルも沢山見れました。
終盤に屋台船が横付けされ、ちょっとした飲食もでき楽しい時間でした。

The cool river descent was refreshing on a hot day.
Since it was hot, the sunlight was intense on the way back from Kameoka Station to the car.
You can also stroll around Arashiyama, and the parking is free, so I recommend it.
There are several moments on the train ride back when you can look down at the places you were at before.

暑い中、涼しい川下りは気持ちよかったです。
暑い中だったので、帰りに亀岡駅から車までの日差しがきつかったです。
嵐山の散策もできるし、駐車場無料だし、おすすめ。
帰りの電車の車窓から　それまで自分たちがいた場所が見下ろせる瞬間が何回かあります。

I hadn't properly explored Kyoto since my school trip, so I chose a tour that wouldn't require me to worry about transportation or meals during the busy Golden Week period. There were fewer people than I expected, and the guide was very nice, so even though it was a fast-paced tour in the heat, I had a great time!

修学旅行以来ちゃんと京都をまわったことなかったので、GW期間中で人出が多いだろうから、移動や食事に気を回さないでもいいツアーにしました～☆ミ
思ったより人が少なかったし、案内役のガイドさんもとても良いかたでしたので、暑い中でのかけ足ツアーでしたが、めっちゃ楽しかったです♪

As a local, I was lucky to be able to book a river rafting trip during the peak season, which I had always wanted to do. You can enjoy the two-hour journey without getting bored thanks to the guide's rowing skills and techniques. Be prepared for the bumps and splashes, and enjoy some local beer while you're at it!

地元民ながらいつかは行きたいと思っていた川下りにトップシーズンに予約できてラッキーでした。2時間という長丁場を船頭さんのオール捌きとテクニックで飽きずに楽しめます。揺れと水しぶきを覚悟の上で地ビールでも飲みながら楽しんで下さい

There were occasional cheers at the natural Splash Mountain. It seems that this time was during a period of low water volume, so the flow was mostly gentle, which took a bit longer. During times of higher water volume, it seems the duration is shortened by about 30 minutes.

Since the boats for the river descent do not have roofs, a hat that won't blow away is essential. (The sightseeing boats near Arashiyama do have roofs.) Additionally, if you sit at the edge of the boat, water splashes can get in your eyes over the splash cover, so having sunglasses is even better.

I’m not good at waiting in line, so it was reassuring to have reservations for both the trolley and the river descent. I was also able to reserve a taxi, so after arriving at the Torokko Kameoka Station, I hopped into the waiting taxi and reached the river descent check-in in about 5 to 6 minutes. By the way, there are no taxis available for hailing at Torokko Kameoka Station.

天然のスプラッシュマウンテンに時折、歓声が上がっていました。
今回は水量が少ない時期のようで、緩やかな流れがほとんどだったので、少し時間がかかりました。水量が多い時期は30分短縮されるようです。
川下りの船には、屋根がないので飛ばされない帽子が必需です。（嵐山付近の遊覧船には屋根があります。）
また、船の端に座ると水よけのカバーを超えて水しぶきが目に入るので、サングラスがあると尚良いです。
並ぶ事が苦手なので、トロッコも川下りも予約で安心でした。
タクシーも予約出来たので、トロッコ亀岡駅に到着して待っているタクシーに乗り込み、 駅から5〜6分で川下りの受付まで来られました。
ちなみにトロッコ亀岡駅に流しのタクシーはいないそうです。

The interesting talks from the boatmen were the best. I was moved by their appearance as they rowed the boat, sweating. This was my second time, and I want to go again.

船頭さん達の面白いトークが最高でした。汗をかいて船を漕ぐ姿に感動しました。今回で2回目ですが、また行きたいと思います。

The three boatmen were perfectly in sync, and we had a wonderful time. I think I'll participate every season.

3人の船頭さんの息もぴったりで、楽しい時間を過ごせました。。
四季折々の度に参加してみようと思います。。

It was my first time participating, and it was a more enjoyable boat trip than I had imagined. The stories from the boatmen were fun, and the hour and a half flew by. There were wave shields set up, but having a light jacket was just right. I want to go again next year.

初めての参加でした。想像以上の楽しい船旅でした。船頭さん達のお話も楽しくてあっという間の1時間半でした。波よけも設置されてますが、薄手の上着があってちょうど良い感じでした。また、来年も行きたいです。

The Hozu River boat ride is very soothing, depending on the season and water levels! I had a wonderful time!

This was my first time using Veltra domestically, and the detailed explanations made it easy to understand, so I will continue to use it in the future.

However, this time I wanted to take the tram to the location, but I had to use JR because it was either same-day reservations or waiting in line. I thought it would have been even better if there were tours that included that option or more explanations available.

保津川下り、時期や水量によりますが癒やされます!とっても良い時間を過ごせました＼(^o^)／

ベルトラ、国内利用初めてでしたが、丁寧な説明でわかりやすいのでこれからも利用させてもらいます。

ただ、今回は、現地まで行くのにトロッコ列車に乗りたかったですが、当日予約か並ぶしかなくてJR利用になりました。セットで利用できるツアーや、説明があればなお良かったかな、と思いました。

I wanted to take the trolley from Arashiyama to the boarding area, but since it was during Golden Week, I couldn't make a reservation for the trolley, so I took the train to JR Kameoka Station instead. The weather was great that day, making it a perfect outing.

There were four boatmen (the number changes depending on the water level), and they were all very friendly, sharing various stories along the way. I particularly enjoyed the stories from Kaz○Stan○do (a charming older gentleman and lady, haha)!

We arrived at Arashiyama in about an hour and a half, and it felt just right—not too short, but also not too long, so I was very satisfied. I definitely plan to visit again during a different season.

Since you can get wet or feel cold depending on the weather that day, I think it's best to have a jacket regardless of the season. I will definitely come back to visit!

トロッコで嵐山から乗船場に行きたかったのですが、GWということもありトロッコの予約が出来なかったのでJR亀岡駅まで電車で行って向かいました。
当日は天気も良く絶好の日程でした。
船頭さん達は4人体制で、（水嵩によって人数が変わるとのこと）皆さん優しい感じで色々と道中お話しいただきました。
特にカズ○スタン○ードさん（可愛らしいおじおねいさん笑）のお話が面白かったです！
当日は1時間30分くらいで嵐山まで到着しましたが、もう終わりかという感じで短すぎることもなく、かと言って長すぎる旅でもなかったのですごく満足しました。
また、季節が違う時にぜひ行こうと思います。
水に濡れたり、当日の天気によっては寒く感じることもあるので上着は必ずどの季節でもあったほうが良いと思います。
また、絶対に遊びに行きます！

This was my first time using this service. I thought it would be difficult to visit the main spots in Kyoto on my own, so I decided to join. We took the train to Fushimi Inari, but after that, we traveled by bus. Since we did a lot of walking, the bus transportation was really helpful. I was able to fully enjoy each sightseeing spot, and I'm really glad I participated in this tour.

今回初めて利用させていただきました。京都の主要箇所を自分たちで回るのは難しいと思ったので参加しました。伏見稲荷までは電車での移動でしたが、その後はバスでの移動でした。歩き回ることが多かったので、バス移動はかなり助かりました。各観光地をめいいっぱい楽しむことができてよかったです。このツアーに参加して本当良かったで

I participated twice, once at the beginning of the autumn foliage season and once at the end of the cherry blossom season! There were three crew members on the boat, taking turns rowing at the front and back. True to the Kansai region, they kept us entertained with witty jokes while sharing information about the surrounding scenery and the details of the Hozu River descent.

Generally, we smoothly glided over the flat water, but there were also some acrobatic descents due to the changes in elevation, allowing us to enjoy both a leisurely boat ride and an exciting adventure.

On the day of the trip, you can buy tickets at the boarding area, but since it's hard to predict how crowded it will be, I reserved group tickets in advance through VELTRA (at the same price as on-site purchases), which helped me plan my trip more effectively!

(However, since weather conditions can vary on the day, reservations may have their pros and cons...)

紅葉時季の初めと、桜の終わりの時季と2度参加しました！
船には3人の船員さんが乗り、交代で先頭・船尾を漕いでくれます。
さすが関西、ウィットの効いたジョークも交えて、
飽きさせず周囲の景色や保津川下りのあらましなどを話してくださいます。

おおむね、平坦な水面をすいっと進みますが、
ところどころ段差でアクロバティックな下りもあり
長閑な舟遊びとエキサイティングな舟遊びと両方楽しめる感じです。

当日、船乗り場でチケットを買うこともできますが
混雑具合が読めませんので、
あらかじめ団体チケットを抑えているVELTRAで
（現地購入と同額で）予約しておけて、旅行が計画的にできました！

（当日の天候とかもあるので、予約は良し悪しあるかもしれませんが…）

The water flow was low, and we slowly went down the river for two hours. With three guides leading us in a fun way, we were able to enjoy ourselves without getting bored. At the end, a boat from the shop came, and we had delicious mitarashi dango! The cherry blossoms were still around, and the scenery was beautiful, so I think I will visit again during the autumn leaves or when the water flow is strong. Wearing masks and not cramming too many people in, I believe we can still enjoy it even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

水流が少なく２時間かけてゆっくり川を下りました。3人の船頭さんが楽しくガイドしながらなので、退屈することなく楽しめました。最後に売店の船が来て、おいしいみたらし団子を食べました！桜がまだ残っていて景色も綺麗で楽しかったので、また紅葉の頃か、水流が激しい頃に、訪れようと思います。マスクして、人数も詰め込むことなくで、コロナ禍でも楽しめるんじゃないでしょうか。