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A Historical Ferry Connecting Shibamata and Matsudo
Starting from the 1600s, this historical ferry has linked Shibamata in Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward with the shore on the other side in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture.
As there is no timetable, the ferry takes off when a certain number of people board it.
Cross a handmade pier to where the boat is docked and pay the captain. Even if there is no boat, it will soon appear from the other shore, so line up and wait for it.
This hand-rowed boat leaves the noise of the city behind in a relaxing 5-minute cruise.
When hand-rowing is impossible due to weather and river conditions, or when such service is suspended, a riverboat maybe used.
On the Katsushika Ward side, it’s about 5 minutes on foot from Shibamata Taishakuten. This temple served as the setting for the 1969 Japanese movie, “The Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)”. Located in a popular tourist area, this is a recommended addition to sightseeing plans.
Yagiri-no-Watashi
The Boat-landing Area (the Shibamata side)
The View from the Boat
Twilight
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I came here with high hopes to try it out, but the facilities and environment felt pretty basic. It was a bit different from what I imagined, so I just took some photos and left.
Yagiri-no-Watashi is a ferry terminal that's been around since the Edo period. It's also the setting for the song 'Yagiri no Watashi,' with lyrics by Miyuji Ishimoto and music by Toru Funamura. I really love this somewhat melancholic love song, so I always wanted to visit. The quiet river and the view across the water are so evocative. It's amazing to find a place in busy Tokyo that still has the atmosphere of the Edo era. Maybe because I kept thinking of that gentle, bittersweet song, everything here felt like a poetic movie scene. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to actually ride the ferry, but I'll definitely do it next time.
This is the only ferry still operating in Tokyo. There’s no set schedule—once enough people show up, the boat leaves. The ride takes about 5 minutes. It connects Shibamata in Katsushika Ward and Yakiri in Chiba. I was surprised that after a short while, the boatman switched to using a motor instead of rowing, which was different from what I had imagined.
You don't have to go out to the countryside—right here in Tokyo, you can enjoy a fun, nostalgic experience full of history.
