River Cruising
River cruising in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, offers a charming experience as you glide through historic canals built during the Edo period in a small boat. With the town once flourishing as a castle town, the scenery from the water’s edge feels as if time has stood still. The skilled boatmen navigate with traditional poles, adding local folk songs and humorous storytelling that enrich the journey.Each season brings its own beauty—cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves, and cozy kotatsu-boats in winter—ensuring that every visit offers a new discovery. The course also includes stops at cultural sites such as the Kitahara Hakushu Memorial Museum, dedicated to the poet raised in Yanagawa, the Mihashira Shrine, and historic merchant houses, blending nature and culture into a harmonious landscape.The boarding point is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station. The experience costs around 2,000 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children. Letting yourself drift along the calm waters, you’ll find peaceful moments that let you forget the bustle of everyday life. A river cruise in Yanagawa is sure to leave every visitor with a warm and lasting memory.
Nakayama’s Great Wisteria
Located in Nakayama, Mitsuhashi Town, Yanagawa City, Nakayama no Ōfuji (Nakayama’s Great Wisteria) is a famous wisteria spot, boasting a magnificent tree estimated to be around 300 years old. Every spring, it transforms into a dreamlike world of cascading blossoms, enchanting all who visit.The origins of this wisteria date back to the Kyōhō era of the Edo period (1716–1735). According to local lore, a sake brewer known as “Man-san” was captivated by the wisteria in Noda, Osaka. He brought seeds back home and planted them in his own garden. Decades later, the tree bloomed with magnificent flower clusters, drawing many spectators. Eventually, it was transplanted to the grounds of a local shrine, where it continues to be carefully nurtured by the local preservation society.From mid to late April each year, over 15,000 clusters of pale purple wisteria bloom across a trellis spanning approximately 2,000 square meters. The wisteria arch stretching over the shrine’s stone bridge is particularly breathtaking, captivating all who pass beneath it. Unusually, you can also see rare white wisteria flowers at this site.The annual “Nakayama Great Wisteria Festival” is held for about two weeks, attracting many visitors. From sunset until 9:00 PM, the area is beautifully illuminated, offering a magical atmosphere distinct from the daytime view. Numerous food stalls also pop up, with the wisteria-flavored soft serve ice cream being especially popular.This year, the festival runs until April 27th, but visitors can still enjoy the blossoms even after the official event ends.
The Great Wisteria of Nakayama has been lovingly preserved by the local community for over 300 years, and continues to be cherished as a beloved symbol of spring.
Steamed Eel in a Bamboo Steamer (Unagi no Seiro-mushi)
A local specialty of Yanagawa City in Fukuoka Prefecture, Unagi no Seiro-mushi (steamed eel in a bamboo steamer) is a beloved dish featuring fragrant, grilled eel placed atop rice mixed with a sweet and savory sauce and garnished with shredded egg, all steamed together to perfection. Said to have been created by order of the local feudal lord during the Edo period, this traditional dish has been enjoyed by generations.Steaming the dish allows the rich flavor of the sauce to soak into the rice, while the eel becomes tender and fluffy, staying warm and delicious down to the very last bite. Yanagawa is home to many long-established eel restaurants, known for their secret sauces passed down through generations and their meticulous preparation methods. This dish is especially popular among tourists.Enjoying Unagi no Seiro-mushi after a river cruise has become a classic part of the Yanagawa sightseeing experience. It’s a truly iconic local cuisine that lets visitors savor the taste and culture of the region with all five senses.
Conclusion
Yanagawa is a popular travel destination where visitors can enjoy both beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine. While it’s a bit of a distance from central Fukuoka, it’s easily accessible by train—so why not take a relaxing trip and see it for yourself?
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