Yagiri Ferry is a traditional river ferry connecting Yagiri in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, with Shibamata in Katsushika, Tokyo, across the Edo River. The ferry continues to operate today, carrying both local residents and visitors.
The ferry is closely associated with the name Yagiri, and its long history provides a glimpse into the way people traveled before modern bridges and roads were developed. With its simple boat crossing and peaceful riverside surroundings, Yagiri Ferry offers visitors an experience that retains something of the atmosphere of old Japan.
Yagiri Ferry has also been selected as one of the 500 Attractions of Boso. Together with the area around Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, it has also been recognized by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan.
The origins of Yagiri Ferry date back to the early Edo period (1603–1868). It was established as one of 15 river crossings in the Tone River system that were provided by the Edo Shogunate for local residents.
In its early days, the ferry was not a sightseeing attraction. It was an important part of everyday life, allowing people to cross the river for work, farming, shopping, and other activities.
The ferry was originally operated under government control, but it later became privately operated. Since the beginning of the Meiji period, members of the Sugiura family have served as boatmen and continued the operation of the ferry.
Yagiri Ferry became widely known throughout Japan through the novel Nogiku no Haka (The Wild Chrysanthemum), written by Meiji-period author Saichō Itō and published in 1906.
The novel tells a poignant love story set in the Yagiri area. Because of its connection with the work, Yagiri became associated with Japanese literary history, and a literary monument commemorating Nogiku no Haka can still be found in the area.
Yagiri Ferry gained even greater recognition during the Showa period through the popular Japanese song “Yagiri no Watashi.” The song helped introduce the name of the ferry to audiences across Japan.
The ferry has also appeared in the long-running Otoko wa Tsurai yo (Tora-san) film series. In particular, it appeared in the first film, released in 1969, in a scene in which the main character, Torajiro Kuruma, played by Kiyoshi Atsumi, returns to his hometown.
Today, Yagiri Ferry is especially popular with tourists, but it has retained its traditional character as a simple means of transportation. The ferry landing is relatively modest, with only a small number of souvenir shops and local facilities rather than a large commercial tourist complex.
This understated atmosphere is part of the appeal. Visitors can enjoy a short boat ride while experiencing a landscape that feels quite different from the busy urban areas of Tokyo and neighboring Chiba.
Service may be suspended during rain or severe weather. On particularly windy days or when there are many passengers, a boat equipped with an outboard motor may be used instead of relying solely on manual rowing.
The ferry landing on the Yagiri side is somewhat far from the nearest railway station. For this reason, many visitors start their journey from Shibamata on the Tokyo side, cross the Edo River, and then return by ferry.
The area can become especially busy around the New Year period, when large numbers of visitors travel to Shibamata Taishakuten for their first temple visit of the year.
Since April 28, 2012, Keisei Bus has operated a bus stop named Yagiri no Watashi near the ferry landing on the Yagiri side. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, buses operate between Matsudo Station and the ferry area, making access from the Chiba side more convenient.
In 2013, the Yagiri Tourist Information Center was established by the Yagiri Scenic Landscape Preservation Association. The center provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of Yagiri.
Visitors can also purchase locally produced vegetables and regional souvenirs. Fresh agricultural products from the Yagiri area are particularly popular and provide a chance to discover another side of the region beyond the ferry itself.
According to the information provided, Yagiri Ferry operates daily from around mid-March through the end of November. Outside this period, services are generally provided on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and days when events are held at Shibamata Taishakuten.
The stated operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., although service can be suspended in bad weather. The one-way fare listed in the source information is 200 yen for passengers of junior-high-school age and older, and 100 yen for children. Bicycle transport is also available for an additional fee according to the applicable fare schedule.
Yagiri is an area of Matsudo City that is broadly divided into Kamiyagiri, Nakayagiri, and Shimoyagiri. Several theories have been proposed regarding the origin of the name.
One theory connects the name with the Second Battle of Kōnodai during the Sengoku period. According to this story, the Satomi army ran out of arrows, and the expression supposedly changed over time from “yakire” to “yakiri” and eventually “Yagiri.”
Another theory suggests that the name refers to a battlefield where arrows were flying through the air. The expression can be interpreted as wishing to “cut off the arrows,” in the sense of saying that arrows were no longer wanted.
These are traditional explanations of the place name, and the exact origin is not definitively established.
Yagiri is located in the southern part of Matsudo City along the Edo River. Farmland spreads across the riverside area, creating a surprisingly rural landscape close to the Tokyo metropolitan area.
One particularly attractive landscape extends from the Yagiri slope forests down toward the agricultural land along the Edo River. Residential areas can also be found throughout the district, while the Sakagawa River flows from north to south through the area.
The western part of Yagiri consists of elevated land that has provided relatively stable ground since the Jomon period. Shell mounds and other archaeological remains from this period have been discovered in the surrounding area.
Other areas were once affected by rising sea levels and have different geological characteristics. Today, agriculture remains an important part of the local landscape.
Yagiri is particularly known for Yagiri Negi, a local variety of green onion. It is recognized for its thick stems and naturally sweet flavor.
In 2007, Yagiri Negi was registered as a Regional Collective Trademark, helping to establish its identity as a distinctive local agricultural product.
The nearest railway station to the Yagiri area is Yagiri Station on the Hokuso Line. The Monument to Nogiku no Haka, associated with Saichō Itō’s novel, can be reached from the station in less than about 10 minutes on foot.
To reach the ferry landing on the Tokyo side, take the Keisei Kanamachi Line to Shibamata Station. The ferry landing is approximately a 10-minute walk from the station.
From the Yagiri side, visitors can travel from the west exit of Matsudo Station on the JR Joban Line by Keisei Bus. Bus services to the area around Yagiri Ferry are available particularly on weekends and public holidays.
When traveling by car, the area can be accessed via National Route 6, also known as the Mito Kaido, as well as National Route 298 and Chiba Prefectural Route 1, the Ichikawa-Matsudo Line, commonly known as the Matsudo Kaido.
The Matsudo Interchange on the Tokyo Gaikan Expressway is located to the north of Yagiri, providing another convenient route for visitors arriving by car.
Yagiri Ferry is more than a short boat ride across the Edo River. Its history as a local transportation route dates back to the Edo period, while its connections with literature, popular music, and film have made it a familiar part of Japanese cultural heritage.
Visitors can combine a ferry ride with a walk around Yagiri and Shibamata, explore the literary history associated with Nogiku no Haka, or visit Shibamata Taishakuten. The surrounding farmland, riverside scenery, and local produce also reveal a quieter side of the Tokyo metropolitan area.
For travelers interested in experiencing a traditional form of transportation while discovering the history and everyday landscape of Japan, Yagiri Ferry offers a memorable journey across the Edo River and a glimpse into the enduring character of old Japan.