Yanagawa

February 4, 2026: The trip was fantastic! Our driver and guide, Xiao Li, provided excellent service. He was very warm and attentive to his guests. He took us on a boat trip, where the boatmen gave enthusiastic performances. There were heated tables, which kept us warm in winter. He also recommended the eel rice, which was delicious and served in a beautiful setting. It was a great trip for families and a relaxing and enjoyable day. Thank you, Xiao Li!

The whole trip was great value for money. There were signs for us as soon as we exited Yanagawa Station, and the boating experience was also very good. The package included the journey to Dazaifu, which was a great deal!

A big thank you to our tour guide, Hedy, for leading us along the way and explaining the origins of each attraction. This trip was all about taking a boat ride on the Yanagawa River, and it was a truly wonderful experience. We could hear the boatman singing while cruising, creating a great atmosphere. We even had ramen at the Ichiran Tourist Factory for lunch. The whole day went very smoothly, and we were lucky enough to see a beautiful snow scene at Shiraito Falls! 😍

Arrive early; parking is free at the hotel. Someone will come to confirm your location. The process is very comfortable and relaxed. The boat has people of different nationalities, and the boatman provides commentary. The fare is cheaper than buying tickets on-site.

The bus tour was very convenient, but I was a little nervous when we arrived at the meeting point on the day because I didn't see the bus (it was parked quite far away), and no one came to call us. I was a bit worried seeing other tour groups from different countries board and drive away. Luckily, the bus arrived after 8:30 because a Japanese person called for participants to scan a QR code. There weren't many people participating, so the itinerary wasn't too rushed, and the overall time management was quite comfortable. You have to take off your shoes before boarding the cruise ship. There are blankets and heated tables, so it's very comfortable and not cold. We passed many bridges, and the scenery was beautiful. However, it was quite amusing to see the boatmen counting "one, two, three" before squatting down instead of jumping onto the bridge. If you want to eat eel rice, you should find a place quickly because you only have about an hour to eat. This time, I ate at Wakamatsuya nearby, which was delicious and served quite quickly. After eating, there was still enough time to walk back to the meeting point. The plum blossom rice cakes in Dazaifu are also very delicious. There were many shops along the way, and I didn't specifically look up which one to eat at, but they were delicious when eaten hot. I also went to find a dessert shop that many people recommended; the strawberry ones were really over-the-top.