As a port city with several waterways, Kumamoto offers up a few different boating opportunities. These include gentle cruises along local rivers and lakes, as well as ferry trips that take you further afield. Here’s a selection of what you can find in the prefecture.
Boating Along the Kuma River
The Kuma River is the longest in the Kyushu region, 115 km long and leading out to the Yatsushiro Sea. It’s also a fast-flowing river, considered to be one of the three most rapid rivers in all of Japan. There are several different boating experiences to be had along the river, most of them setting off from Hitoyoshi in the Kumamoto prefecture. These range from gentle cruises that take you past beautiful landscapes to thrilling rides, such as white-water rafting during the peak season (April-October). You can also visit Hassenba complex that includes the Kyushu Pancake Café. Boating trips are mostly within the 2,000 – 3,000 yen range.
Rowing Along the Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge offers some of Kyushu’s most beautiful natural scenery, a 7 km stretch running alongside the Gokase River between Kumamoto and Miyazaki prefectures. One of the best ways to experience the scenic wonders, which include the 17 m-high Minainotaki Waterfall, is by boat. You can rent a 3-person rowing boat for 30 minutes from 4,000 yen, just long enough for you to travel to the end of the gorge and back. If you have more time, you could opt for a day trip that includes a lunch and a visit to Takachiho Shrine. Costs are around 14,000 yen per person.
Ferry Trips from Kumamoto Port
The Kyushi Ferry Co. runs ferry trips from to Shimabara Port in Nagasaki every 90 minutes between 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on most days. The journey takes around an hour. It’s a no-frills excursion that focuses on getting you from A to B, but you’ll have time enough to marvel at the coastal scenery and enjoy the fresh air of the Ariake Sea. The cost is 1,180 yen for adults plus you can board your vehicle from 3,000 yen.
Amakusa Island Tours
The Amakusa Islands are a group of around 120 islands off the west coast of Kyushu, across the Yatsushiro Sea. Seacruise provides boat cruises around the islands, including the popular Five Bridges tour – a 30-minute ride that takes in the glorious Amakusa Gyo bridge and the wondrous Matsushima Archipelago. Costs are 2,000 yen per person. There’s also a dolphin spotting tour for 4,500 yen, as well as options to stop off and spend time on the main island.
Ezu Lake
Ezu Lake is a scenic lake within easy reach of Kumamoto city center. Located only 10 minutes from the city’s Suizenji Gardens, it stretches for 2.5 km. As well as being a popular picnic site during the summer, the lake also offers rowing and pedal boating if you fancy a fun experience with friends or a romantic cruise with a partner. Rental prices are just over 1,000 yen for a 3-person boat for 30 minutes.
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