“Utakata” boat tour / Float between History & Nature
Discover a unique boat tour around Okayama Castle and Korakuen — one of the three great gardens of Japan.
Moon Viewing Cruise
A special experience viewing the moon and Okayama Castle from the serene water.
Kotatsu Boat Tour
Stay warm and cozy! A guided tour around Okayama Castle on a traditional heated table boat.
Cherry Blossom Cruise
Enjoy the seasonal cherry blossoms from a unique viewpoint on the water.
Guest Reviews
The “Ujo Kawadoko” is a water activity experience on the Asahi River, which flows through Okayama City. Using a large, circular stand-up paddleboard (utakata boat), you can gently glide across the river’s surface while enjoying views of the illuminated Okayama Castle and the surrounding nature. Special tours are also held, such as during the “Magic Hour” at dusk and the “Moon Viewing Tour” on the night of a full moon, offering an extraordinary and healing experience. It is also possible to lie down on the board to gaze up at the starry sky and the castle, making for an experience that will refresh your mind and body.
The Philosophy of the Utakata Boat
“The river flows onward, never ceasing, but the water is never the same. Foam gathers in the still pools, forming and vanishing, never to remain.” —Kamo no Chomei, 1212 Hōjōki
Our name, ‘Utakata Boat,’ is inspired by the utakata from this timeless passage—the transient bubbles that grace the water’s surface, appearing only to disappear.
Just as its name implies, our two-meter circular boat is a bubble manifest, floating gently upon the water. As the scenery shifts from moment to moment, we invite you to embrace a profound connection with the present: a once-in-a-lifetime encounter known as ichi-go ichi-e.
We, too, are always in the flow of time. That is precisely why we cherish the moments when we can pause, be still, and truly treasure the beauty that stands before us—for it will never come again.
This is the heart of the Utakata Journey.
Access & Parking Information
By Car
There are several parking lots near the departure point. Options include the Ujo Park Parking Lot (a 10-minute walk), which also has good access to Okayama Castle, and the Korakuen Garden Parking Lot (a 15-minute walk) for those visiting the garden.
By Public Transportation
From Okayama Station on Foot It is a 15-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Okayama Station.
From Okayama Station by Tram Board the Okaden tram bound for Higashiyama at the Okayama-Ekimae stop. Get off at Shiroshita station (Fare: ¥120 for adults, ¥60 for children). Our location is a 3-minute walk from the station.
