[River boating experience in Yanagawa]

Yanagawa is also known as the city of water because of the canals that run crisscrossing the city, and is one of the major cities in the Chikuho region. The city is famous for its "river boat rides," which use the canals that were leveled for defense purposes in the Edo period and still remain to this day. Why not try a trip down the river and enjoy the water scenery that changes with the seasons?

You can see charming townscapes and places associated with Kitahara Hakushu in the surrounding area.

 

[Winter only: Kotatsu boat]

Don't worry if you think it's cold in the winter. During the period from December to the end of February, the boats are equipped with kotatsu (heated tables) so you can enjoy the river cruise while staying warm, even on cold days. Another great thing about river cruises is that you can make friends with the other passengers. You can purchase coffee, soft serve ice cream, beer, and sweet sake while on the boat.

 

*Highlights of the river boat trip

・Oroshibana (Shotoen) This was the residence of Tachibana, the feudal lord of Yanagawa, built during the Edo period. It is now a traditional Japanese restaurant. Within the grounds of over 23,000m2, there are a Japanese house, a Western-style building, a museum, a restaurant, and more.

The Japanese garden "Shotoen" with its beautiful pond surrounded by many pine trees and garden stones is worth a visit. It seems that you can also stay overnight and hold weddings here.

・Sluice gates and bridges The boat passes through sluice gates that are just wide enough for the boat to pass through. Depending on the boatman, he may jump onto the railing of a bridge, or jump onto a boat that has passed under the bridge, amusing the audience with his "eight-boat jump" performance.

Apparently, there are some boatmen who entertain the guests. This is where the boatmen's skills are put to the test.

・Namikura This building was built in the late Meiji period, and the water composition created by the red bricks is one of the Yanagawa features. The heavy red bricks and triangular roof are symbols of Yanagawa.

 

[Spring: Yanagawa Doll Festival, Sagemon Meguri, February 11th to April 3rd]

The "sagemon" displayed on both sides of the doll stand at the Yanagawa Doll Festival are said to have originated from the end of the Edo period, when parents would make small items out of old clothes and decorate them in place of dolls to celebrate the birth of a baby girl, in hopes of her happiness and healthy growth. A total of 51 colorful "sagemon" are hung from a bamboo ring, consisting of 49 small items in a row of seven, and two large Yanagawa balls in the middle, representing the parents' wishes for their child to live even one more year in an era when life expectancy was said to be 50 years.

・Hinasama Water Parade March 17th

A gagaku band, the Emperor and Empress dolls, and young girls in their finest attire board a river boat and slowly make their way down the river. Unlike the usual river boat trip, this one is characterized by the fact that the boat is rowed from downstream to upstream.

・Hinamatsuri (Flowing Doll Festival) April 3rd

 

[Iris flowers: late May to early June]

Along the river course, about 30,000 irises of about 30 varieties bloom in full glory in the Kabashima Iris Garden.

 

[Summer: Lightship mid-July]

The light boat, which is only available in the summer, features floating lanterns and firefly lights set up along the course, allowing you to experience a fantastic river boat ride. You can enjoy a slightly more luxurious night river ride in a different atmosphere than during the day.

・Yanagawa Sunflower Garden

The best time to see them is from late July to early August, when about 500,000 large sunflowers bloom across the reclaimed land along the Ariake Sea. They are lit up at night, making them even more dazzling.

 

[Autumn: Hakushu Festival Water Parade]

The poetic saint Kitahara Hakushu passed away on November 2, 1942. This water parade is held for three days from November 1 to 3, including the anniversary of his death on November 2. At dusk, about 60 donko boats decorated with ground cherries lanterns depart one after another from the castle moat water gate for a night river cruise. There are stages all along the river course, where local performing arts, choral choirs, brass bands, and more are performed. At the end, about 1,000 fireworks and launch fireworks are launched into the night sky to welcome the event, marking the finale.

After the fireworks, there will be a chorus of Hakushu's "Kikorai" at the Hakushu Poetry Monument.

 

[Hiyoshi Shrine]

Recently, more and more people are collecting goshuin stamps. The goshuin stamps and goshuin notebooks of Hiyoshi Shrine are very beautiful.

It comes in two colors, pink and cream, and was created about two years ago with the idea of creating something that could be used as a souvenir from Yanagawa. The surface is decorated with Yanagawa's famous sagemon, as well as Hiyoshi Shrine's famous "Otafuku" character. It is very popular and apparently receives inquiries from all over the country.

 

[Speaking of Yanagawa]

If you visit Yanagawa, you should definitely try the "steamed eel" in a bamboo steamer. As the name suggests, steamed eel is made by steaming rice and eel in a bamboo steamer. It is a specialty along with "river boating" in Yanagawa, and there are about 30 restaurants in the city. Among them is "Genso Motoyoshiya," the restaurant that continues to preserve the tradition as the birthplace of steamed eel. This restaurant was the birthplace of the local delicacy that is one of the two major Yanagawa specialties: "river boating" and "steamed eel."

Original Motoyoshiya 69 Asahimachi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture [Business hours] 10:30-21:00 (last order 20:30)

 ※土日祝は予約不可　〔定休日〕月曜　TEL 0944-72-6155

 

What do you think? Yanagawa has events and seasonal flowers that can be seen throughout the year, so you can enjoy it any time of the year. It takes about an hour to get there from Hakata Station, and if you use the Nishitetsu train, a discounted ticket that includes a round-trip ticket, meal vouchers for designated stores, and a full-fledged ticket that can be used at various places is on sale until April 3, 2019. This ticket can be purchased at each station. It is sure to be a rare experience to visually appreciate Japanese culture that is full of history.