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[Yanagawa Day Trip] Introducing Must-See Sightseeing Spots and Recommended Cuisine
Hello. I'm YOKO, a travel and food writer.
As a travel writer with 29 years of experience, I'd like to suggest a day trip driving course that you can easily take from Fukuoka. This time, I'll be visiting Yanagawa, one of Fukuoka's most popular tourist destinations.
It is about an hour's drive from central Fukuoka.
It's perfect for a short trip, as you can easily experience something out of the ordinary, such as river rafting, local eel, and charming townscapes.
The highlight of sightseeing in Suigo Yanagawa! "River Boating (Moat Tour)"
Yanagawa flourished as a castle town during the Edo period, and is crisscrossed by a network of waterways called "horiwari."
When it comes to sightseeing in Yanagawa, one thing you can't miss is the "river boat ride (moat tour)." This popular activity allows you to experience the atmosphere of a castle town while being rocked on a "donko boat."
Image: Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Federation
We make our way gently along the water, listening to the boatman's humorous guidance and occasionally humming local songs.
Both banks are dotted with white-walled storehouses, rows of willow trees, and bridges that exude history, creating a series of picturesque views no matter where you look.
There are some thrilling moments, such as passing through low floodgates!
Image courtesy of Fukuoka Prefectural Tourism Federation
You can also enjoy seasonal attractions such as the "Light Boat" tour of the illuminated moat on summer nights (reservations required, usually from mid-July to early October) and the limited-time "Kotatsu Boat" tour, a winter tradition.
The journey takes about 60 minutes. Currently, seven companies operate the "river boat tour," and each company has different boarding points and routes. Please check the website for details before boarding.
Let's go on a relaxing boat trip!
<Spot information>
■ Yanagawa River Cruise
Address: Near Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Opening hours: Varies depending on shipping company
Price: [Regular river cruise course (approx. 60 min)] Adults 1,800 to 2,000 yen, elementary school students 900 to 1,000 yen [Short round trip course (approx. 30 to 40 min)] Adults 1,000 to 2,000 yen, elementary school students 500 to 1,000 yen *Prices vary depending on the shipping company
Yanagawa City Tourism Official Website (River Boating) Website:https://www.yanagawa-net.com/ohori/
Enjoy plump and fragrant Yanagawa specialty "steamed eel" at "Genso Motoyoshiya Main Branch"
When speaking of Yanagawa, along with river boating, one thing you can't miss is "steamed eel." This local dish consists of rice soaked in a sweet and spicy sauce, topped with grilled eel and shredded egg, and steamed in a bamboo steamer.
There are many eel restaurants in the city, but one that is famous nationwide is the long-established "Gensho Motoyoshiya," which was founded in the Edo period and has been around for over 300 years.
The main store is located about a 10-minute drive from the Okinohata area, where the river cruise's final stop, Yanagawa Domain Tachibana Residence, is located. The building itself is charming and has a distinctive thatched roof, and was apparently built during the Meiji period.
Image: Genso Motoyoshiya
The restaurant has a large hall and private rooms (pictured), and all rooms offer a view of the courtyard while you dine. You can enjoy a relaxing lunch while immersing yourself in the spirit of travel.
Image: Genso Motoyoshiya
The moment you open the lid of our proud "Steamed in a bamboo steamer," the fragrant aroma that rises is irresistible. When you take a bite of the plumply steamed domestic eel, a sense of happiness spreads throughout your mouth along with the rich flavor of the secret sauce that has been passed down for generations.
Image: Genso Motoyoshiya
The menu includes "Steamed in a bamboo steamer" (4,800 yen) and "Special Steamed in a bamboo steamer" (5,200 yen) with liver soup and pickles, "Steamed in a bamboo steamer set meal" (5,900 yen) and "Special Steamed in a bamboo steamer set meal" (6,400 yen) with vinegared dish, liver soup and pickles, and the luxurious "Nanpu set meal" (photo below: 8,600 yen) with special steamed in a bamboo steamer, liver soup, grated daikon radish, vinegared dish, pickles and fruit.
Image: Genso Motoyoshiya
<Store Information>
■Original Motoyoshiya Main Store
Address: 69 Asahimachi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 10:30-20:00 (last order 19:30)
Closed: Mondays
HP:https://www.motoyoshiya.jp/
Perfect for travel memories! Muto Shoten sells stylish miscellaneous goods
While walking around the town, you should definitely stop by Muto Shoten.
Image: Muto Shoten
It's the perfect place to look for souvenirs, with a wide selection of original products featuring Yanagawa motifs, including seaweed from the Ariake Sea, miscellaneous goods and food from local Yanagawa companies, stationery, and tenugui hand towels.
There are so many different products packed into this small space, and everything is so cute that you'll find yourself staying for a long time.
You can take a break and enjoy coffee in the cafe corner.
Image: Muto Shoten
Our top recommendation is the "Yanagawa Magnet" (600 yen), which depicts a river cruise. It features a red brick building called Namikura and iris flowers. Don't miss the rugged, three-dimensional texture!
Image: Muto Shoten
<Store Information>
■Mutoh Shoten
Address: 37 Shinmachi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 10:00-19:00 (last order 18:45)
Closed: Irregular
Instagram:@mutoushouten_yanagawa
Cute and delicious! Enjoy a cool and hot sweet treat with "Kabashima Hyouka"
A must-visit sweets spot for sightseeing in Yanagawa is Kabashima Hyouka. This shop is loved by locals and tourists alike for its colorful ice pops and smooth gelato.
The shop is located in a charming old house and is also available for eat-in. The interior is decorated with "sagemon," a hanging Hina doll ornament unique to Yanagawa.
Image: Kabashima Hyouka
These popsicles, which are made with the utmost care to preserve the flavor of the ingredients, are made with fruits grown at the affiliated farm, Anri Farm. They are colorful and come in a variety of varieties, including mango, Amaou, and Amanatsu mandarin oranges. There are usually around 15 varieties available, including seasonal specials. Prices start from 150 yen each.
Image: Kabashima Hyouka
And when you see the packaging, you'll find yourself exclaiming, "So cute!" about the gelato. They always have around 10 different flavors on sale, including the rich and creamy "Milk Gelato" made with plenty of Hokkaido milk and fresh cream, as well as "Amaou," "Chocolate," and "Banana." Prices start from 300 yen each.
The most popular item is the "Mango Gelato," which is made with mangoes grown on their own farm and contains no food additives. It contains approximately 40% fruit juice, giving it a luxurious taste that can only be achieved on their own farm.
The shop's trademark is the hippopotamus-designed "Kabachan Yaki" (150 yen each). It's a taiyaki-style sweet. The flour is harvested from their own farm, and the bean paste is made in collaboration with a yokan maker in Saga. They offer white and black bean paste.
Image: Kabashima Hyouka
<Store Information>
■ Kabashima Ice Cream
Address: 53-2 Honjocho, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 11:00-16:00
Closed: Wednesday
HP:https://kabajirushi.com/
Refresh your mind and body with a day trip to the hot springs at Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa!
At Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa, located in the center of Yanagawa, you can easily enjoy natural hot springs even on a day trip. It is about a 3-minute drive from the Yanagawa Tachibana Residence, Ohana, and about an 8-minute drive from Muto Shoten.
The source of the hot spring is Yanagawa Onsen, which was discovered in 1965. It is a bicarbonate chloride spring known for its beauty-enhancing properties, and its pH value, which is the index of how thick the water is, is high at 8.3, making it a great choice!
One of the baths available for day use is the observation bath on the fifth floor, from which you can see boats going down the river.
Image: Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa
There is an open-air bath on the first floor. This bathtub is made of rocks and has a very open feel. Be sure to stop by after enjoying Yanagawa to the fullest.
Image: Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa
The soft, thick water will soothe your tired body.
Be sure to stop by after enjoying Yanagawa to finish off your day.
<Store Information>
■ Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa
Address: 10-1 Yashirocho, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Daytime hot spring opening hours: [Daytime] 5th floor observation bath 11:00-15:00 (last admission 14:00), 1st floor open-air bath and sauna 12:00-15:00 (last admission 14:00) [Evening] 18:00-21:00 (last admission 20:00)
Day trip hot spring closed: Tuesday afternoon session
Day-trip hot spring fee: 600 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary school students, 100 yen for children aged 4 to preschool
HP:https://kamenoi-hotels.com/yanagawa/onsen/
A day trip to Yanagawa is easy to get to, and you can relax with its scenery, gourmet food, and hot springs. Be sure to consider it as a destination for your next holiday! (Text by YOKO)
【reference image】※Sentence/YOKO
*Photos: Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Federation, Genso Motoyoshiya, Muto Shoten, Kamenoi Hotel Yanagawa
#go out Check them all out!
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