Just 60 minutes by car from Fukuoka lies Yanagawa, a former castle town famous for its 930 km of moats and waterways, and often referred to as the Venice of Japan. By far the most popular attraction today are the hour-long cruises in gondolas piloted by boatmen who talk about the town’s history and break out into folk songs. The scenery is stunning!
We’ve had our eyes on these calm waters for years and finally last month we took our SUP (standup paddleboards) there for a full-day paddle.
Inflated our boards on a public dock
The Taisho-era Namikura Warehouse (registered cultural property)
Some of the bridges are really low. Duck!
We stopped by this floating shop for ice cream
Behind Tachibana Garden, Ohana.
NOTE: SUP rentals and tours are not currently available, but SUP not prohibited. Right-of-way goes to the gondolas. Stay on the right-side. Canals are narrow and the water is shallow. This is NOT a place for novices.
Photos: Rupert Singleton
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn251, Nov. 2019)
