Mogami-gawa River Cruise最上川舟下り

Enjoy the Mogami-kyo, valley of four seasons in the everlasting stream of time.

The Mogami-gawa River, running through Yamagata Prefecture, is loved by the local people as a "mother river," offering them rich and various gifts each season. One of the best sceneries along the river would have to be that of the Mogami-kyo Valley, which you can enjoy from the boat on a Mogami-gawa River cruise.Goshiki-numa (five-color marsh). It is known for its varying water colors which can change several times a day. Also well known is the Zao Shizen-shokubutsu-en (botanical garden), a treasure house of alpine plants. Aboard the ropeway car, you can take a bird's eye view of the whole Yamagata Basin, or enjoy the night view and the starry sky from a lodge or inn.

During the cruise, you float down the river for approximately one hour, while listening to songs sung by a boatman. For your entertainment, these traditional and local songs can be performed not just in Japanese, but also in English, Chinese, or Korean. If you make a reservation, you can also enjoy dining on the boat during the cruise.

There are many optional tours available, such as those which let you get off the boat along the way to stroll through the surrounding nature.