Hello, fellow travel lovers!
This time, I experienced the "Yagiri no Watashi," the ferry that connects Tokyo and Chiba.
This is no ordinary ferry! It’s full of thrills and surprises (haha).
Now, let me share the details with you.
Where’s the Boarding Area? The Sign is My Only Clue…
First, as I walked around looking for the boarding area, I came across a lone sign that made me wonder, "Is this really it?"
There’s no timetable or ticket machine in sight. Not even a price list. The simplicity of it all had my heart racing a bit.
The pier was rickety, adding an extra thrill to the experience!
The entrance gate was rusty, making me wonder, "Is this really the right place?" But as I waited, the boat did come closer. What a relief!
Ferry Specs (River Width: 130m, Depth: 6m)
Yagiri no Watashi operates by shuttling back and forth across the Edo River, which is 130 meters wide and 6 meters deep, using a motorized boat.
The one-way fare is 200 yen, the ride takes about 10 minutes, and the capacity is 30 people.
I handed the boatman 400 yen for a round trip, and off we went!
When disembarking on the Chiba side, please pay only the one-way fare.
In the 6-meter deep river, the bottom is completely invisible. By the way, we’re using life jackets as cushions!
It's quite a modern ferry, isn't it? (haha)
The modern guide is quite unique!
When you think of a boatman, don’t you imagine someone wearing a hat and telling stories about history…?
What awaited me instead was a boatman with bleached long hair wearing a Betty Boop sweatshirt!
It was different from the image I had, but that gap was quite amusing.
Moreover, the topics he discussed were modern, with him rapidly covering celebrity gossip and political commentary. Honestly, there were parts I couldn’t quite catch, but overall, I enjoyed it (haha).
You can also enjoy sightseeing in Shibamata from the opposite shore!
By the way, there’s free parking in Matsudo on the opposite shore, so some people park their cars there and enjoy sightseeing in Shibamata by boat. It’s convenient for those who want to drive!
Summary
Yagiri no Watashi is a historic ferry that has been operating since the Edo period, but it was a fun experience guided by a unique modern boatman! It offered both thrills and laughs, making for a truly memorable river crossing. Be sure to take a ride when you’re sightseeing in Shibamata!
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
Round-trip boat ride duration: 20 minutes
