The “Kintaikyo Cormorant Fishing Cruise,” a beloved summer tradition in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, began its season on Monday, June 1, 2026.
This popular event allows visitors to view the traditional fishing method—practiced on the Nishiki River, which flows at the foot of Kintaikyo Bridge, one of Japan’s Three Great Bridges—from a sightseeing boat. It offers a special experience where you can watch cormorants catch sweetfish up close, illuminated by the light of bonfires floating on the river at night.
The Power of Bonfires and Traditional Fishing on the Nishiki River
The Kintaikyo Cormorant Fishing is an event where visitors can watch traditional cormorant fishing from sightseeing boats floating on the Nishiki River.
After sunset, the flames of the bonfires illuminate the surface of the Nishiki River, creating a magical landscape. Against this backdrop, the traditional fishing takes place as the cormorant master guides the cormorants to catch sweetfish, allowing visitors to fully savor the unique atmosphere of a summer night.
Popular with both locals and tourists alike, this event is designed to be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from families and couples to young children and seniors.
A 2-Hour Ukae Sightseeing Cruise
Sightseeing boats operate from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
On the day of the event, check-in and boarding take place between 6:45 PM and 7:00 PM, with the cruise beginning at 7:00 PM.
At 8:00 PM, the main ukae performance begins, allowing visitors to enjoy this traditional fishing method.
Special “Yukata Day” Event Held
On designated days during the cormorant fishing season, “Yukata Day” is held, allowing visitors to board the sightseeing boat in yukata and enjoy the cormorant fishing.
This special plan, where participants wear their own yukata, includes a bento box and tea in addition to the boarding fee, offering a deeper immersion in the summer atmosphere.
Enjoy Local Delicacies Aboard
You can also order boxed lunches and drinks on the sightseeing boat.
The menu features options such as children’s meals, the “Suo Iwakuni Ukae Bento,” “Seoto,” and the “Nidan Kaiseki: Nishikigawa.” You can also order salt-grilled sweetfish, allowing you to enjoy your meal on board while watching the cormorant fishing.
Drinks include local Iwakuni sake, as well as beer, chuhai, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Fare and Reservation Information
The fare for the shared cruise is 3,500 yen for adults (junior high school students and older) and 2,000 yen for children (ages 3 to elementary school students). Children aged 2 and under are free unless they require a seat, in which case a fee applies.
Chartered boats are also available, with plans tailored to the number of passengers.
Reservations are accepted via the “Kintaikyo Ukai Website,” and applications must generally be submitted at least 6 days prior to the boarding date. However, depending on availability, boarding may be possible even just before departure.
Access Information
The meeting point is the “Ukai Boarding Pier” located on the Nishiki River upstream of Kintaikyo Bridge.
From JR Sanyo Main Line “Iwakuni Station,” take a bus for about 20 minutes and get off at the “Kintaikyo” stop. By car, it takes about 10 minutes from the “Iwakuni IC” on the Sanyo Expressway.
Additionally, the Shimokawara Parking Lot is available downstream from Kintaikyo Bridge.
Traditional fishing and a magical landscape unfold against the backdrop of the Nishiki River on a summer night. The “Kintaikyo Cormorant Fishing Cruise,” where you can experience the unique charm of a Japanese summer right next to the historic Kintaikyo Bridge, is expected to attract many tourists again this year as a seasonal sightseeing experience.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
