An event touring the "Fushimi route" of the Yodo River, which was revived for the first time in 62 years, was held in both Kyoto and Osaka prefectures on October 13, 2024. Tourist boats traveled about 18 kilometers between Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture and Uji River/Fushimi Port (Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City), and participants enjoyed a clear autumn water cruise while feeling the river breeze.
Yodo River shipping, which connects Kyoto and Osaka by waterway, developed with the development of Fushimi Port by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It continued to support logistics between Kyoto and Osaka, but cargo transport ended in 1962 due to the expansion of the land transportation network.
The event was held six months before the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and was part of a PR project planned in various places along the Yodo River by the "Yodo River Shipping Activation Council," which is made up of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Kinki Regional Development Bureau and local governments in the river basin. The council is considering promoting tourism by utilizing the route.
The morning cruise departed from the Sewari embankment area of Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture, and headed north up the Yodo River for about an hour, heading for Fushimi Port. There was live music on board, including Japanese drums and shamisen, and when the boat arrived at the pier, staff members greeted it with a banner reading "Welcome." A welcome event was also held at nearby Fushimi Port Park, where participants enjoyed dance and performance stages and gourmet food from food trucks.
