Fukuoka

Along Yanagawa's Famous Canals

A quiet summer evening

Tristan Scholze Mar 08, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>Donkobune, the canal boats of Yanagawa</p>

<p>The Ohana Estate inlcudes the mansion as well as a museum, restaurants, a hotel, shops, and a Japanese garden</p>

<p>Unagi restaurants, many in old traditionally-styled buildings, abound in Yanagawa</p>

<p>Each worker can collect and park a line of boats at the end of the day</p>

<p>View of a boat parking lot near the Ohana Estate</p>

<p>Waterfowl and turtles inhabit the canals</p>

<p>While most boats have solid, muted colors, some have designs</p>

<p>The canals were originally an irrigation network until fashioned into canals some 400 years ago</p>

I first visited Yanagawa on a peaceful summer’s evening after the crowds had gone for the day. Although it was too late to try a cruise on one of the donkobune, or boats that line the 470 km of canals here, there was plenty to see on a walk around the historic district. Most of the shops close in the late afternoon, but the waterways are also lined with cafes and restaurants renown for the local specialty, unagi (freshwater eel). Animal lovers will enjoy the friendly cats, ducks, and turtles. It’s a pretty town, dotted with patches of local beauty and mystique.

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Tristan Scholze @tristan.scholze

I'm also known as Faer Out. I love learning about people and nature. I've traveled around the world and throughout Japan, and I hope to continue seeing and experiencing the wonder of this planet as long as I live.Based in Japan for nearly two decades, I'm a Japan Travel expert for Fukuoka and Sag...