Akaiwa Ferry is a historic ferry service crossing the Tone River between Akaiwa in Chiyoda Town, Gunma Prefecture, and Kuzuwada in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture. The distance between the two riverbanks is approximately 400 meters, and the motorized ferry takes about four minutes to cross the river.
Today, the ferry forms part of Prefectural Route 83, the Kumagaya-Tatebayashi Line, which connects Gunma and Saitama. It is an exceptionally rare example in Japan of a public road that crosses a river by ferry rather than by bridge.
Although many bridges span the Tone River, very few public roads officially designated as prefectural roads remain without a bridge. For this reason, Akaiwa Ferry is also known as a “waterborne prefectural road.” It continues to serve local residents while also preserving an important part of the region’s transportation history and culture. Approximately 20,000 people use the ferry each year, including local residents, tourists, and cyclists.
Akaiwa Ferry operates as part of Prefectural Route 83 and is owned by Gunma Prefecture. However, its actual management and operation have been entrusted to Chiyoda Town, which has carefully maintained the service as an important local means of transportation for many years.
Because there is no bridge at this location, passengers wishing to travel to the opposite bank must use the ferry. Without the ferry, travelers would have to make a considerable detour to cross the river via Musashi Ohashi downstream or Tosui Bridge upstream. The detour can add several kilometers to the journey, making the ferry an important transportation link even today.
Another distinctive feature is that the ferry is free of charge. Because it forms part of a prefectural road, it operates as public transportation rather than as a sightseeing cruise. Visitors are therefore encouraged to use the service with consideration for local residents and to observe appropriate manners.
The history of Akaiwa Ferry dates back many centuries. Historical records indicate that the ferry was already in use during the Sengoku period. According to historical accounts, the forces of the famous warlord Uesugi Kenshin used this crossing to cross the Tone River. This suggests that the location had long been an important river crossing.
During the Edo period, transportation by water on the Tone River developed significantly. The river became an important transportation route connecting the Edo and Boso areas with northern Kanto. The waters around Akaiwa were relatively deep and could accommodate large boats, making the area one of the points where boats traveling upstream from the Edo area could reach.
Akaiwa was also counted among the important ferry and river-port locations known as the “16 Major River Ports of Bando.” It played an important role as a center for the collection and transportation of goods.
Rice collected as land tax, everyday commodities, and goods associated with the journeys of feudal lords were transported through the area. The surrounding region became a bustling center of river transportation. In addition to Akaiwa, several other river ports, including Maigi, Kamigoka, Kaminakamori, and Shimonakamori, are said to have flourished along this section of the Tone River.
With the development of railways and roads during the Meiji period, transportation by river gradually declined. Many ferry crossings disappeared, but Akaiwa Ferry survived as an important local transportation service and has continued to operate to the present day.
In 1926, the ferry became a Gunma Prefecture-operated service. From 1949, Chiyoda Town took responsibility for its management and operation as an entrusted service of Gunma Prefecture. Although the ferry has changed over the course of its long history, it continues to support the everyday lives of people in the region.
Today, Akaiwa Ferry operates two motorized boats, the Chiyoda Maru and the Shin-Chiyoda Maru. In earlier times, the river was crossed using manually rowed boats, but the current vessels are equipped with engines, allowing for safer and more reliable operation.
Chiyoda Maru: Capacity of 23 passengers
Shin-Chiyoda Maru: Capacity of 20 passengers
The ferry moves gently across the calm waters of the Tone River and reaches the opposite bank in approximately four minutes. Although the journey is short, the scenery viewed from the river offers a unique perspective of the Tone River that cannot be experienced from a bridge.
Ferry operating hours vary depending on the season.
April 1–September 30:
8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
October 1–March 31:
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Service may be temporarily suspended when high water levels, strong winds, or other conditions make safe operation difficult. When the ferry is suspended, a red flag is displayed at the Gunma-side ferry landing. Visitors are advised to check the operating status before traveling.
Passengers boarding from the Akaiwa side in Chiyoda Town can speak directly to the boat operator at the small ferry shelter. The operator will then bring the ferry to the landing and take passengers across the river.
Passengers boarding from the Kuzuwada side in Kumagaya City will find a yellow flag at a waiting area near the river embankment. Raising the flag signals the boat operator on the Gunma side. Passengers then wait for the ferry to arrive before boarding.
This traditional signaling method is one of the distinctive features that gives Akaiwa Ferry its old-fashioned charm.
Bicycles are permitted on the ferry, making it a popular option for people cycling along the Tone River. However, mopeds and motorcycles cannot be carried for safety reasons.
Groups wishing to use the ferry can make arrangements in advance, allowing them to board more smoothly.
Rental bicycles are available near Akaiwa Ferry, and bicycles can be borrowed free of charge. Cycling paths have been developed along the Tone River, allowing visitors to enjoy the riverside scenery at a relaxed pace.
Several historic temples and cultural sites can also be found around the ferry landing. These include Ko-onji Temple, which has been selected as one of the “100 Famous Places of Gunma,” as well as historic sites associated with Ogino Ginko, one of Japan’s pioneering female physicians in the modern era.
Visitors can combine a ferry ride with a leisurely walk around these historic sites, experiencing both sides of the Tone River while exploring the region’s cultural heritage.
In modern Japan, where bridges and roads make crossing rivers an everyday experience, traveling by ferry offers a rare and memorable experience. At Akaiwa Ferry, visitors can enjoy the gently flowing Tone River from the water while experiencing a traditional form of river transportation that has been preserved for generations.
The crossing takes only a few minutes, but the short journey carries with it a long history dating back to the Sengoku period and a transportation culture that has supported local communities for centuries.
Akaiwa Ferry is a unique attraction where visitors can experience the history, scenery, and everyday life of the Tone River. It is well worth including in a sightseeing itinerary when exploring Chiyoda Town and the surrounding area.