Yagiri no Watashi

You can enjoy a traditional hand-rowed boat ride on the Edogawa River for about 5 minutes, swaying gently on the waves. It's only about 150 meters to the other side, Tokyo's Katsushika Ward Shibamata, but the river scenery and the sound of the water splashing create a charming atmosphere. It's recommended for when you want to take a break from the noise and busyness of the city and relax.

The ferryboat that was used by farmers with fields to cross the river during the Edo period played an important role as a living base for people and has been passed down for about 380 years to the present day. You can experience the history of this period. It's also a famous spot as the setting for the hit song "Yakko no Watashi" by enka singer Takashi Hosokawa, and is popular among tourists who love history and enka music!

Katsushika Ward, Shibamata, or the birthplace of Tora-san, is famous. The ferry crossing "Yagiri no Watashi" that goes back and forth between Matsudo and Shibamata has also been a topic of discussion as it has frequently appeared in the "Tora-san" movies. Across the river in Shibamata, there are plenty of attractions such as "Toraya," a dumpling shop that was filmed as Tora-san's childhood home, and the "Tora-san Memorial Hall" where you can experience the world of the movies. It's a classic to take a Tora-san tour while riding the ferry.

In addition, there are several tourist spots within walking distance of the ferry crossing area, such as the beautiful sculpture-filled temple "Shibamata Taishakuten" associated with the character Tora-san, the only publicly accessible residence of the Tokugawa family "Todotei", and "Nogiku-en" where you can enjoy views of Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms. The location is also convenient for sightseeing, making it recommended for families and couples looking for a relaxing date.

Amazingly, the fare for the ferry is very reasonable at 200 yen for adults (junior high school students and above) and 100 yen for children (4 years old to elementary school students). There's no need for reservations, procedures, or timetables - just pay the ferryman on the spot and they will depart as soon as customers arrive. Even if the ferry is not at the landing, it will return soon, so the waiting time is minimal. The ferry operates every day from March to November, but from December to March, it only operates on weekends and holidays, so be sure to take note.