Fukuoka in One Day: Yanagawa River Cruise — Guide Peko
November, 2025
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 8:00am Meet at the Cruise Center
- 10:10am Yanagawa River Cruise
- 11:10am Lunch
- 12:10pm Ohana
- 1:10pm Stroll around Okinohata
- 4:05pm Disband at the Cruise Center
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Fukuoka began at 08:00, when the guide met the guests at Cruise Center, and finished at 16:05. The day ran to 8 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at 11:10.
From there the group visited Yanagawa River Cruise at 10:10, Ohana at 12:10 and Stroll around Okinohata at 13:10.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Nishitetsu Fukuoka to Nishitetsu Yanagawa by train (870JPY); Nishitetsu Yanagawa to Nishitetsu Fukuoka by train (870JPY); In front of Tenjin Solaria Stage by bus (210JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 1,950JPY per person.
What Is a Private Yanagawa River Boat Tour Like During the Hakushu Festival? A Licensed Guide's Report
On the day of the tour, the Hakushu Festival was being held, which shortened the normal operating hours of the river boat cruise and was expected to cause crowding, so the meeting time was moved up by an hour and a half. Even though we arrived before the departure of the first boat, we were still unable to board it. During the waiting time, I stood in line while the guests looked at the exhibits and strolled around the area so they would not get bored. Because the ancestral home of Yoko Ono's grandfather was located in Yanagawa, the boatman sang "Christmas Time," and since one of the guests was a huge Beatles fan, it turned into a big sing-along with the boatman. The guest seemed to be having a great time, and the atmosphere on the boat became lively. At Ohana, they seemed to particularly enjoy the garden with its quietness and the sound of the waves.
Click here for more details: Fukuoka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Nishitetsu Fukuoka～Nishitetsu Yanagawa | 870JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Nishitetsu Yanagawa～Nishitetsu Fukuoka | 870JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | In front of Tenjin Solaria Stage / Nishitetsu Bus～Hakata Port International Terminal Chuo Pier / Nishitetsu Bus | 210JPY |
| Total | 1,950JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Fukuoka tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Cruise Center at 08:00, and the tour finished at Cruise Center at 16:05.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours and 5 minutes in total, from 08:00 to 16:05.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Yanagawa River Cruise, Ohana and Stroll around Okinohata.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,950JPY per person across 3 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Peko is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Fukuoka itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello everyone .
Please call me Peko.
I’m National government licensed Guide Interpreter.
I like travelling, Japanese archery, and tea ceremony.
I visited 17countries.
Also I lived in Netherlands for a year and three months.
local people always showed me their hospitality. So, I think it’s my turn to show visitors to Japan the spirit of hospitality.
Currently, I live in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka.
Fukuoka has been an important place of defense and trade since ancient times, because it is close to the continent,
So, Fukuoka is blessed with historic, cultural sites, as well as beautiful scenery and fresh seafood.
Especially, channel between Yamaguchi and Moji is must see spot for you.
If you come to Mojiko, I highly recommend the “Shimonoseki & Moji Port Full Day Tour”.
Kanmon Strait round tour is so fascinating, varied and exciting for you.
You can enjoy breathtaking scenery ,historical places, walking under the sea tounnel, ferry ride, bus, stream of first current and gourmet.
Let’s enjoy Kanmon with me!
Also Kitakyushu city got the first prize of “New three Major Night Views of Japan in 2023.
We can see and enjoy panoramic night view from mountain.
Why don’t you go around and enjoy Fukuoka with me.
Endless discover is waiting for you.
Apr 6, 2026
Sandra_V
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Peko was delightful, knowledgeable and very informative. She planned a great itinerary
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Great day in Fukuoka
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Great day in Fukuoka
Excellent day in Fukuoka with our guide Peko. Very informative and fun, and even on a dark
and rainy day we were able to see a great deal, including the largest statue of a reclining
Buddha. Highly recommend!
May 25, 2025
Susan_L
Peko was a very nice &…
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Peko was a very nice &…
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Peko was a very nice & good guide. She happily adapted to my requests and I’m very
grateful to her for coming out in the pouring rain! Great city & great tour guide.
Mar 20, 2025
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I had a great time! My…
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I had a great time! My…
Viator review: Kitakyushu Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
I had a great time! My guide Peko did an amazing job talking about the history and significance of the area. It’s like time traveling to when Japan was just becoming industrialized. You can tell as soon as you step into the train station nearby. If you go on a holiday, make sure to get your fill of blowfish sushi in the fish market.