You can watch UKAI from the bank of the Nagara River. However, for up close observation of the astonishing teamwork between the usho and cormorant birds, it is highly recommended that you try riding an old-fashioned UKAI viewing boat.
In addition to the opportunities it provides for UKAI watching, the ride also gives you unique and refreshing views of the surrounding local scenery on the river.
- UKAI Viewing boat
- UKAI viewing boats are old-fashioned houseboats with roofs that will allow you to view UKAI performances up close.
- There are 40 boats of 5 different sizes, each accommodating 15 to 50 persons.
- You can take a “scheduled boat” or a “charter boat”. Both kinds of boat take you to the same UKAI performance.
Reservations
1. Making Reservations at Gifu City Cormorant Fishing Viewing Boat Office (UKAI Watching only)
Reservation is available by telephone, fax, or internet. If you make reservations through the Cormorant Fishing Viewing Boat Office, meals will not be served on the boat. Please bring your own meal or arrange catering services by yourself.
Note that there is no place to buy food or drink on the boat or at the boarding area. Please prepare your food and drink in advance if you plan to take meals or refreshments on the boat.
|
Scheduled Boat Course A |
Scheduled Boat Course B (1) |
Scheduled Boat Course B (2) |
Charter Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reception | Reception | |||
| 5:30 p.m.~ | Boarding | Boarding | ||
| around 5:45 p.m.~ | Brief Orientation by a Cormorant Fishing Master | |||
| 6:15 p.m. | Departure | Reception / Boarding | Reception / Boarding | Departure and dinner time as requested |
| 6:45 p.m. | Dinner on boat | Departure | ||
| 7:15 p.m. | (Dinner on boat) | Departure | ||
| 7:45 p.m. | UKAI watching | |||
| around 8:30 p.m. | Getting off the boat | |||
Reservations for UKAI viewing boat
- Reservations
- Reserve at Gifu City Cormorant Fishing Viewing Boat Office by telephone, fax, or internet.
-
- Gifu City Cormorant Fishing Viewing Boat Office (boarding area)
- 〒500-8009 1-2 Minato-machi, Gifu City
- TEL 058-262-0104
- FAX 058-264-2061
- URL http://www.ukai-gifucity.jp/ukai/
- E-mail ukai-j@city.gifu.gifu.jp
- Departure time
-
- Scheduled boat
- Course A: 6:15 p.m.
- Course B (1): 6:45 p.m.
- Course B (2): 7:15 p.m.
-
- All the above boats take you to the same UKAI performance.
The only difference is the length of the time you spend on the boat before the UKAI performance starts.
If you are to have dinner on the boat, either Course A or Course B (1) (departing at 6:45 p.m.) is recommended. Otherwise Course B (2) is recommended.
- All the above boats take you to the same UKAI performance.
- Charter boat: After 5:30 p.m. as requested
- Charge
-
Scheduled boat (per person) Adults (age 13 and over) Children (age 3 to 12) Course A Everyday 3,300 yen 2,900 yen Course B Weekdays 3,000 yen 2,600 yen Sat/Sun/public holidays 3,300 yen 2,900 yen - Scheduled boats are not operated during fireworks display season (the last Saturday of July and the first Saturday of August)
- Consumption tax is included.
-
Charter boat (per boat) Charge Up to 50 persons 132,000 yen Up to 40 persons 106,000 yen Up to 30 persons 80,000 yen Up to 20 persons 53,000 yen Up to 15 persons 40,000 yen - The boat gets very crowded when accommodating the maximum capacity shown in the list above.
It is recommended to choose the boat which has a maximum passenger capacity 120 to 130 percent greater than the number of members of your party. - 50 percent extra is charged during fireworks season (The last Saturday of July and the first Saturday of August)
- Consumption tax is included.
- The boat gets very crowded when accommodating the maximum capacity shown in the list above.
Reservations for catering services
If you wish, please contact the catering shop - for example, the establishments listed below - and make arrangements by yourself. Check if the caterer will deliver the meal to the boarding area.
There are varieties in menus and prices starting from approx. 2,000 yen.
- Uo-katsu
- TEL 058-231-2698
- Uo-mitsu
- TEL 058-262-2912
2. Reserve for “UKAI tour package” at Hotels (Dinner and UKAI watching with or without accommodation);
Some hotels along the Nagara River offer “UKAI full packages” which include accommodation, dinner, and UKAI watching.
For those not staying overnight at a hotel, the hotels also offer “UKAI day trip packages,” which include dinner and UKAI watching.
For these packages, UKAI watching comes with a Scheduled Boat. (The other plan with Charter Boat is also available.)
- Reservations for packages
- Make reservations at hotels.
- Check in for the tour
- Check in at hotels.
For the hotels offering the packages, please refer to the Nagara River Hot Springs Hotel Cooperative Association.
You can choose from a “Dinner on boat” course which serves dinner on board, or a “Dinner at hotel” course which serves dinner at the hotel before getting on board.
| “Dinner on boat” course | “Dinner at hotel” course | |
|---|---|---|
| ~4:30 p.m. | Check in at hotels | |
| 5:00 p.m. |
Boarding / Departure |
Dinner at hotel |
| 5:30 p.m. | ||
| 6:00 p.m. | Dinner on boat | |
| 6:30 p.m. | ↓ | |
| 7:00 p.m. | Boarding / Departure | |
| around 7:45 p.m. | UKAI watching | |
| around 8:30 p.m. | Getting off the boat | |
| Going back to hotels | ||
- Tourist Information in Gifu City:
- Feel free to contact the Gifu City Tourist Information Office when you visit Gifu City.


