A Ferry Journey across the Edo River to the Setting for a Tragic Love Story
From the ferry landing surrounded by trees, I board the small boat and find myself being gently rocked by the current of the Edo River. Gradually, I drift away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Navigating the gentle current of the Edo River, passengers embark on a ferry ride from Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward to Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. The Yagiri no Watashi crossing, established over four centuries ago, remains the sole such service in Tokyo today. Spanning just 150 meters, the trip offers a serene escape from the city's clamor.
This route, featured in the 1969 film series "Otoko wa Tsurai Yo," has also inspired Sachio Ito's tragic love story novel, "Nogiku no Haka." The boat, operated by fourth-generation boatman Tsutomu Sugiura, runs on a motorized engine, carrying around 100 passengers daily. Despite the passage of time, Sugiura remains dedicated to preserving this historic ferry service, emphasizing safety as a top priority.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
