Viewing Cormorant Fishing in Kyoto Japan
I was cleaning up some travel items and came across the following information on where to view Cormorant Fishing in the Kyoto area of Japan.
Dates/times may not be exact due to this info is a year old, but I thought it might help as general guide info for those who wish to see it. Below is also a quote on my experience viewing comorant fishing on the Oi river from a Japan Trip Report I did.
Our two highlights (as if the other attractions were mediocre!) in Kyoto were Sanjusangendo Hall and cormorant fishing on the Oi river. Sanjusangendo Hall contains 1000 life size, for Japan at least statues of the thousand handed Kanon which are displayed in a 400' wooden long hall. 500 are on each side of a 19' large Kanon. While we were there, some Buddhist monks were chanting and incense filled the air.
At dusk/night we also viewed cormorant fishing from our personally guided wooden boat (decked out w/candle lit lanterns), on the Oi river. To get to the Oi river from Kyoto station, either take the JR Sagano Line (you can use your railpass) and get off at the Saga Arishiyama station or take the Keifuku Railway to Arashiyama Station. From both walk to the river (it's pretty evident which way) and the bridge that crosses it, the Togetsu Bridge. On either side of the river will be boats lined up that will take you to see the fishing. A tip, most people get onboard the first boats they see (the side of the river closest to the stations), we walked across the river and had a boat all to ourselves which was VERY nice! When darkness falls the fishing boats light a fire in an iron basket which is hung at the front of the boat over the water. The light attracts the fish. The cormorants are on lines that the man tending them reels in when the birds come up w/ a fish. Two other men paddle the boat. It wouldn't be Japan if they did not try to sell you something, so after the show a boat comes by selling everything from trinkets and fireworks to noodles/soup. After the sales ship leaves the boats are left to drift into a log wall at the top of a 5' waterfall and by the moonlight you watch the black water flow under your boat and over the waterfall. VERY COOL. Finally it was time to get back to shore and our boatman poled the boat back to shore. We proceeded to take the train back to Kyoto station. Kyoto station at night is a beautiful sight. The ceiling is 50' above you and little lights twinkle on the ceiling making it look like stars. We then caught the Shinkansen back to Osaka for the night.
Below is the info. I don’t know if one area is “better” than the other.
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