This is the third installment of our series introducing great spots for kayaking and SUP. We enjoyed a cherry blossom cruise towards Minato Mirai in Yokohama.
The route starts from Makita Park in Minami Ward, Yokohama City, and goes down the Ooka River towards Minato Mirai, where landmarks like Landmark Tower and the Red Brick Warehouse are located.
A map of the route is included at the end of this article, so please refer to it for details.
To reach Makita Park, the starting point, take the Yokohama Municipal Subway to Makita Station and walk for about 5 minutes.
If you are driving, use a nearby parking lot. The fee is about 1000-1500 yen per day.
Upon arriving at Makita Park, you can launch your kayak from a gate in the "Fureai Aqua Park" area within the park.
To use this gate, you must apply in advance to the Kawasaki River Improvement Office and borrow a key.
It is also convenient to apply for the key to the gate that leads outside from the landing where you can take a break along the way.
Since the number of keys is limited, it is recommended to apply early with plenty of time.
When planning your visit, be sure to check the latest information on the Kawasaki River Improvement Office website.
Assemble your kayak in front of the gate. Open the gate and carry the kayaks one by one. It's finally time to depart.
From Makita Park, the river splits into two directions: Negishi Bay and Minato Mirai.
This time, we're heading towards Minato Mirai, a popular tourist spot in Yokohama.
Before heading to Minato Mirai, we took a slight detour upstream towards Gumyoji, where cherry blossom branches hang low. We arrived in about 5 minutes.
We enjoyed the magnificent cherry blossom trees, admiring them and taking photos.
Returning to the starting point, we proceed along the Ooka River towards Minato Mirai.
Passing by Noge and Miyakobashi, you can have the special experience of kayaking alongside places you usually enjoy on land.
This time, we also enjoyed the cherry blossom trees planted over a wide area.
This spot is particularly popular during this season.
There were also many stalls, and the area was bustling with cherry blossom viewers.
There are also many motorboats, such as cherry blossom viewing boats, coming and going.
Although hand-powered boats generally have priority, motorboats will slow down when approaching.
However, the wake can cause significant rocking. Proceed with caution.
We also met students from a SUP school.
We felt a sense of camaraderie as fellow water activity enthusiasts.
Passing under the JR Negishi Line elevated tracks, the scenery transitions into an urban landscape.
After a 2.5 km cruise, we finally arrived at Minato Mirai!
Even at a leisurely pace, the journey took about 1 hour.
There's also a mooring spot in front of Yokohama Island Tower.
With convenience stores and restaurants nearby, it's a great place for a lunch break.
There are no mooring points around the tourist attractions further ahead, so it's best to stop here.
As you venture into the bay, you can enjoy a special feeling of viewing Yokohama's famous tourist spots, such as Cosmo World and the InterContinental Hotel, from the water.
As we approached the ocean, the wind and waves grew stronger, so we proceeded cautiously towards World Porters.
The cherry blossoms along Kishamichi were in full bloom, and the area was bustling with people.
Continuing on, we arrived at our final destination, the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse!
We took commemorative photos with a large ferry in the background and enjoyed the charming scenery.
After enjoying ourselves to the fullest, we returned the way we came, and our kayak cruise, exploring cherry blossoms and Yokohama's tourist attractions, concluded successfully.
This time, we departed from Makita Park at 10 AM, and with photo opportunities and a lunch break, we returned around 3 PM.
If you proceed smoothly, this route can be enjoyed in about 2-3 hours.
Following the second installment of our kayak/SUP spot series, which featured the Arakawa Lock Gate and Skytree, this article introduces another spot where you can enjoy urban scenery.
This time, we were also able to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom, making for a truly luxurious experience.
≪Route Map≫
≪Launch Point≫
Makita Park "Fureai Aqua Park"
≪Recommended Points≫
Good access by car and train
Even more special during cherry blossom season
Panoramic view of Yokohama's tourist spots
≪Important Points≫
Need to borrow a key in advance
You need to apply to theKawasaki River Improvement Officein advance and borrow a key. Please check their website for details.
Motorized boats, jet skis, etc.
Motorized boats may pass by. Based on the "hand-powered priority" rule, motorized boats will slow down and wait for hand-powered kayaks to pass, but waves may still be generated.
Sea breeze
As you approach the sea, the wind can become strong, causing kayaks to rock more. Please be careful.
≪Recommended Nearby Spots≫
＊This information is current as of the time of writing. Please be sure to check the latest information yourself and enjoy responsibly while adhering to the rules!
