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Dec 06 2011 12 Comments

Tokyo’s only man-powered ferry boat

Tokyo’s public transportation system is legendary. And quite rightly so too. I live minutes away from a monorail. The city’s train network is positively mindboggling, not to mention punctual. And then there’s the super fast and smooth shinkansen. Heck, even bus drivers are polite and wear nice hats.

Yet as convenient as all of the above are, in regards relaxation, none of them can compete with the old-worldly and wonderfully tranquil nature of Yagiri-no-watashi in Shibamata — Tokyo’s only man-powered ferry boat.

Tokyo man-powered ferry Yagiri-no-watashi

For a mere 100 yen one can have the pleasure of silently crossing the Edo River, then alighting in Chiba Prefecture on the other side.

Tokyo man-powered ferry Yagiri-no-watashi

Unfortunately it quickly becomes apparent that there’s absolutely nothing there except field after field of negi, although in some respects that’s a bonus, as it means the only option is to hop on board again and enjoy the ride back. And as it really is so peaceful.

Tokyo man-powered ferry Yagiri-no-watashi

That’s pretty much perfect.

Tokyo man-powered ferry Yakiri-no-watashi

Categorized: Culture, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Don says

    12/6/2011 at 8:37 am

    That makes the list of things I’d like to do if I ever manage to get to Japan!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/6/2011 at 11:26 pm

      Combined with Shibamata, it’s definitely a nice day out.

      Reply
  2. Marc Tobolski says

    12/6/2011 at 11:01 am

    You can actually see one of the ferries crossing in Google Maps! Outstanding! Thanbks for the tip. Definitely worth a visit.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/6/2011 at 11:28 pm

      No way, didn’t realise that.

      Not at all. Just hope you enjoy it as much as I did when you go there.

      Reply
  3. JCDU says

    12/6/2011 at 12:41 pm

    I want to see me some negi 🙂
    Must’ve been quite the peaceful experience!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/6/2011 at 11:29 pm

      There’s certainly plentry of it to see!

      Reply
  4. winnie says

    12/7/2011 at 6:30 pm

    Oh…it is so cool!!!

    Beautiful pictures.

    Do they have this on this cold season too?
    I want to board this ferry boat with my daughter 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/7/2011 at 6:58 pm

      Thanks Winnie.

      Yes, they do. From December onwards it still runs by all accounts, but only at the weekends and national holidays. So you can still go and enjoy it.

      Reply
      • winnie says

        12/7/2011 at 8:58 pm

        Thank you, Lee 🙂

        Reply
  5. Gijs says

    12/8/2011 at 9:52 pm

    Can someone give the Googlemaps link to this location? Like to do this when I’m in Japan again!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/8/2011 at 9:59 pm

      Here you go. You can even see the boat: http://bit.ly/sJjw4h

      Reply
      • Gijs says

        12/11/2011 at 2:53 am

        Tnx!

        Reply

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