Seen from the boat, the traditional scenes of the townscape may be as fantastic as ever.

Why don't you ride a boat at the festival and see the festival floats moving along the river sides ?

• tel.0478-55-9380 Bure-Kimera Co.
• On board at the boat dock in front of Ino Tadataka's residence
• In service 10:00 ～16:00 (15:00 in winter)
• Fares : 1,200 yen for adults, 600 yen for children under 14 and free for children under 6

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The Tone-gawa is fed by approximately 800 tributaries on the way to this district.

In a block called Tsunomiya on the bank of the Tone-gawa stands a tall entrance gate (torii) to Katori Shrine. Many visitors used to get off the sightseeing boats at the wharf in Tsunomiya.

Why don't you begin a tour to the forest of Katori Shrine from this spot ?

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This area called "Katouzu" is famous for its 12 small bridges across brooks, through which you can get a fantastic journey on the boat oared by the local ferry women.

The "Junikyo" (12 bridges) with iris flowers and hydrangeas at the river sides.

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At the time when the narrow rivers called "Enma" ran all through the area, a bride used these water routes to go to her new home on the day of the wedding ceremony.

Now during the period of the iris festival you can see the beautiful bride and bridegroom on the boat sliding down the river.

We could once see a lot of ships with a broad white sail against the blue sky slowly on the lake to catch "wakasagi (pond smelt)," with the trawl dragged by the long ropes which were strained by the wind power charged in a concave canvas of sail.

• Fortunately, ships sail on the Kita-tone river, on Sundays only during the period of "iris festival" in June. Don't miss this rare chance to see this fantastic, traditional ships sailing on the river.
• tel.0299-63-1111 Itako City Office

There is another enjoyable boat ride through the Mae-kawa in Itako.

In June, you can watch the beautiful flowers of "iris (ayame)" in full bloom and might have a chance to see a bride and bridegroom in traditional kimono on a boat heading for their wedding reception.

This park is located on the Kitatone-gawa with the length of about 1 km, equipped with wooden benches and the floating wharf.

Let’s have a short rest here. Both children and adults can enjoy some kinds of marine sports and fishing.

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The bridge called "Sun Bridge," connecting Kashima City with Namekata City over Kita-ura Lake, was completed in 1995.

The bridge was designed after the hoisted sail of a fishing boat floating on the lake. Three observation balconies installed in the middle of the bridge overlook a panoramic view of the lake.

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This is the beach fit for swimming and surfing, with the clean cobalt blue sea water under the bright shining sun.

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Kashima Port may be among the largest inland ports in the world.

From the observation tower you can see the breathtaking views over the industrial zone and the Pacific Ocean.

"The Eureca,"the excursion boat, can offer a wonderful experience on the ocean water.

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Kasumiga-ura, Kita-ura, Kita-Tone river, Yoko-Tone river, Kashima-nada have been famous for good fishing. You can catch fish or do game fishing.

Fishing is a sport in which humans and fish compete.