Asia
Japan
Chugoku
Shimane Prefecture
Matsue
Things to Do in Matsue
Matsue Horikawa Pleasure Boat
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Matsue Horikawa Pleasure Boat

See all things to do
See all things to do
Matsue Horikawa Pleasure Boat
4.5
Full view
About
Matsue retains a canal system and townscape with 400-year-old character, and this 50-minute boat tour is the quintessential way to see them. The boatmen will tell you about the local history and culture while you enjoy the natural scenery that changes with the seasons. The tour is open all year long with boats departing roughly every 15 minutes from three convenient locations surrounding the castle. You will remove your shoes and relax on board, enjoying the cool breeze in summer or the warm kotatsu (heated blanket) in winter. The roof provides shelter from the rain and sun, but watch your head! One of the characteristic features of the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat is that the roof lowers to fit under a few of the 17 bridges around the course.
Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
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Tours and Tickets by Matsue Horikawa Pleasure Boat
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
324 reviews
Excellent
164
Very good
123
Average
31
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Fearless 808
Honolulu, HI36 contributions
Great fun!
Dec 2019
The experience of having to duck down so that the roof can be lowered was fun.

We had the additional pleasure of having two volunteer guides from the Matsue Goodwill Guide Group to assist us in translation about the moat, castle, boats, and other information as we cruised around Matsue Castle for 50 minutes. (for contact information for the Matsue Goodwill Guide Group, go to the JNTO website, and search for "volunteer guides").

As it was December, we sat in the small boat around a kotatsu, a low wooden table draped by heavy futon, with a heat source underneath. It was warm and toasty inside the boat.

We started off with 6 people in the boast (each boat can fit 10 passengers), which allowed us to stretch our legs under the table. However at a certain point in the ride, the boat took on 4 more people. At that point it was a little cramped, especially for my legs.

Overall, an interesting and fun tour!
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fearless04792875219
Thank you for boarding!! Did you enjoy? As cherry blossoms bloom in April, please come again. I am not good at English. sorry ｍ(｡≧Д≦｡)ｍ
Written January 23, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RjessMMM
Vancouver, WA494 contributions
Relaxing and interesting
Jul 2013 • Family
The boat ride is via the moat around Matsue Castle. However the moat now surrounds much of the commercial district as well. It is a low boat. Some of the bridges are very low. The canopy is a permanent fixture above the boat and does drop down when you are under a low clearance bridge. Would not recommend this if you have back issues. You literally will be staring at your feet. It was actually funny to look at everyone hunched over.
The view is wonderful and there are many cranes and turtles just going about their business. I remember fondly a little girl at a library waving to us. You can get off at different points and then get back on. We stopped to look at the Samurai district.
Many stores around there including one that served a local beer on tap that was wonderful.
Would definitely do again.
Written July 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olga I
Tokyo, Japan62 contributions
Relaxing boat trip
Mar 2013 • Friends
We took the boat from Matsue castle till Kyomise Karakoro Square. It was a small boat (even with one of those heated blankets) with a really nice driver, however he spoke only Japanese, so it was rather difficult to understand the historical background of the area which we passed through. But never the less, I actually did not mind this, because I was totally captured by the nature, the surroundings, the houses, the bridges and the silence and this incredible spirit of peace. At one point, the driver had to lower the boat roof in order to pass one of the bridges, because it was really low. So we were almost lying in the boot, which was kind of fun. And as we passed a really wide bridge, the driver stopped underneath it and began to sing this traditional Japanese song and the echo of his voice surrounded us. It was great!
Written March 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy L
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan22 contributions
A relaxing cruise around Matsue Castle
Mar 2013 • Friends
The trip around the moat was extremely relaxing and pleasant and a number of attractions can be scene on the way around. During the tour, the gentlemen driving the boat gave us explanations and interesting facts about the history of the buildings and landmarks in the vicinity. It was a great way to view Matsue!
Written March 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annie N
Tokyo, Japan108 contributions
Wonderful Way to relax and enjoy Matsue Castle and its surroundings
Mar 2013 • Friends
My friend and I got on the first Boat at 10:30 am and we were the only passengers!! It was fun having our own private boat tour. The people were very nice to us. They had us take off our shoes, something that you get used to when in Japan, and sit around a kotatsu that lined the middle of the boat. A kotatsu is a type of Japanese heater. Our driver did not speak English but she was very nice and kindly explained things that we passed by in Japanese. She also turned on an audio that explained things in English when my friend and I gave her blank expressions to her Japanese explanations. She taught us a few simple Japanese words like "dan dan" which means thank you in the local dialect. She was a lovely singer and sang a few Japanese songs which made the boat ride even more peaceful. I'm not sure if it was the time that we went but most of the boats that we saw later in the day also had about 2 people as passengers in them. Take note that the boat awnings are lowered because the boat goes under some very low bridges. When this happens you have to lower your head/body. They will explain this at the beginning of the boat ride.
Written March 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hong An D
Shinjuku, Japan125 contributions
The Matsue Moat
Mar 2013 • Friends
The Horikawa Sightseeing Boat is a great way to start off a trip around the Matsue Castle. The people who drive the boats are very kind. They tell you about the surrounding area and visitor attractions. They also sing beautiful traditional songs that would typically be sung in the old days in Matsue. The boat ride gives you a good idea of where to visit. From the moat you can see the Samuai houses, the Lafcadio Hearn residents, and the Matsue History Museum.
Written March 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
roler
Olympia, WA66 contributions
Fun and quirky boats that make you duck!
Oct 2019 • Family
This is a pleasant tour around the castle moat. Guests sit on the floor of a boat, with a roof that cranks down to pass under some of the lowest bridges! You will have to duck! That was actually a really entertaining part of the trip!
Written October 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey F
Ilkeston, UK1,408 contributions
Good trip for ther flexible
Nov 2015 • Solo
I’d watched the boats & taken photographs from various places around Matsue There are lots of them & they all looked as if they were having a great time around the canals & the moat of the castle. It wasn’t until I got on my boat that I realised (a) everyone was sitting on the carpeted floor of the vessel, not on chairs & (b) you have to lay down flat whilst they lower the roof 4 or 5 times during the journey to negotiate the lowest bridges. That seemed no problem for most of the Japanese but for this rather inflexible Westerner it turned the journey into something of an ordeal. This may not prove difficult for others – but be forewarned! Numbers may also prove problematic. I was lucky & just avoided the coachloads of tourists, but I imagine the boats can get very crowded.

Other than the discomfort, & the lack of any English commentary, the 50 minute round trip was very interesting. We saw a lot of the more picturesque parts of Matsue (a very pretty & liveable place) including the lovely Samurai quarter. We didn’t get such great views of the castle due to the trees, & other parts are rather more mundane, but if you are in Matsue it’s certainly worth the time to take a round trip on a boat.
Written November 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ciramisu
Singapore, Singapore156 contributions
Great way to experience the city on water
Apr 2015 • Solo
Foreigners can get ~33% discount on the ticket, price becomes 820JPY instead of 1230JPY, just show your passport/mention when buying the ticket. The ticket is a one-day free pass, so you can hop-on and hop-off as many times as you like in that day.

Went in end-winter when it was still coldish, so inside the boat there was the heated table, very comfortable! The boatmen explain (in Japanese) the history/sights of the city as they maneuver the boat around the moat, they mentioned pretty interesting things! Whenever there's a good view or some animals in sight, they'd give a heads up as well.

There are some parts of the canal where bridges are really, really low, so to pass through, they can lower the canopy of the boat, and you have to bend real low inside the boat, till your face touch your feet. Pretty unique experience!

There are 3 boarding/alighting places - Matsue Castle, Kyomise and Matsue Horikawa Fureai. I highly recommend taking a ride on the boats!
Written May 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rika P
Quedlinburg, Germany168 contributions
Relaxing while cruising through a beautiful scenery
Mar 2013 • Friends
There are many old castle towns in Japan, but what makes Matsue so unique is its water landscape. Lake Shinji and many small rivers and canals create a really beautiful scenery.
Around the castle of Matsue you can still explore the moats with their numerous old bridges, every one with a special name and history. Therefore the best way to enjoy Matsue is to take the boat and join the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat Tour around the castle and through the city.
There are three starting points for the boat tour. The main departure point is close to the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum and the Samurai Residence (Buke Yashiki). The second arrival and departure point is close to the Karakoro Art Studio and the Kyomise shopping area with many restaurants and shops, and the third point is directly at Matsue Castle. With the ticket for this boat tour it is possible to go to any location several times on the same day. So it is a really convenient way to travel around.
Before the boat sets of, the guide practises with the passengers how to duck, because the boat can lower its roof with a special engine in order to make the boat fit under the low bridges. This is a really exciting part of the boat tour. Every time when a low bridge comes in sight, the guide tells you to crouch down fast, so that he can lower the roof.
The boats also come with heated tables and are really cozy. You need to take off your shoes, before you hop on the boat. The tour guides are very individual and different from each other. Most of them can only speak Japanese, but that is no problem because they try their best to make each tour unique. Some of them sing old songs about Matsue or play some old music and they put much effort in explaining and showing every sight around the moats.
During the tour you can enjoy the view of the nicely preserved buildings along the water and you can see many wild animals like big cormorants, different kind of ducks, herons, turtles, cicada and big dragonflies, depending on the season. The animals often come really close, so it is a great opportunity to take photos.
In spring the boat tour is even better, because there are numerous cherry trees along the banks and the pink blossoms complete the picture of ancient Japan. If you ever visit Matsue city and have 50 minutes to spare, this boat tour is really a must-do to explore this beautiful place.
Written June 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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