Highlights
- Roughly 1,300 years of unbroken history — once placed under the protection of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, and still performed today by ushō holding hereditary Imperial Household Agency appointments.
- Ushō masters work leashed cormorants by open torchlight to drive ayu sweetfish into their nets, nightly at 19:45 throughout the May 11 – October 15, 2026 season.
- Roofed sightseeing boats depart the Nagarabashi Bridge south landing between 18:15 and 19:15; free viewing from the riverbank is also possible.
Background & story
Ukai on the Nagara River is one of Japan's oldest continuously practiced fishing traditions, historically placed under the protection of successive rulers including Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu; today its ushō hold hereditary Imperial Household Agency appointments, linking the nightly spectacle to centuries of court patronage.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- About 20 min by JR Tokaido Line from Nagoya to JR Gifu Station. From JR Gifu Station or Meitetsu Gifu Station, take a Gifu Bus bound for Nagarabashi (about 15 min) to the Nagarabashi-minami / Kawaramachi stop, then walk 1 min to the boat landing; taxis are also available from either station (exact fare/time not confirmed — ask at the station taxi stand). Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- Shared sightseeing boat (2026 rates): ¥4,200 adults / ¥2,100 children on regular days; ¥5,100 adults / ¥2,600 children on peak dates. Watching for free from the riverbank is also possible.. Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers
Good to know
The season is already underway when you read this (it runs nightly May 11 – October 15, 2026), so no need to wait for a "start date" — just book any operating night. Watch for exceptions: no shared (乗合) boats run on the Gifu Nagara River Fireworks night (August 8, 2026 — charter boats only), and there is a single rest day in late September. On selected summer weekend nights in July–September (納涼鵜飼), a later second sitting also departs around 20:40 for viewing near 21:10. Confirm the current schedule and any added sittings on the official Ukai Boat Office site before booking.
Getting there
Nagara River (Nagarabashi Bridge boat landing) — 1-2 Minatocho, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture 500-8009 (Gifu City Ukai Viewing Boat Office)