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!

Thank you Ken-san from Kashiwa for giving us an unforgettable and amazing trip. The beautiful weather, coupled with Ken-san's resounding singing and humorous commentary, made Yanagawa unforgettable. We took the Water City Sightseeing Railway from Tenjin Station and got off at Yanagawa Station. Although we missed the bus, we quickly took a taxi to our meeting point at the Kame-no-i Hotel. The location was very convenient; we could go for a steamed eel set meal right after our boat trip. The leisurely streets, free from the crowds of tourists, were truly comfortable. Yanagawa is wonderful!

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! 😍

Our family of 14 bought a KKday package, which was very convenient for visiting Yanagawa and Dazaifu, allowing us to visit both places in one trip. The boat trip on Yanagawa was definitely worthwhile; the boatmen were very nice and even joked around with us. The shopping streets on both sides of Dazaifu were also great for browsing. The package includes a plum blossom rice cake per person, so remember to collect it!

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.