Three "mizu no sei" promotion models are seen cruising down a canal on a "kotatsu boat" in the city of Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, on Dec. 1, 2021. (Mainichi/Hideho Furihata)=Click/tap for photo for more images

       YANAGAWA, Fukuoka -- The operation of traditional "donko boats," used to cruise down the canals in this southwestern Japan city, with heated "kotatsu" tables in them started here on Dec. 1.

       As the number of passengers has declined due to the coronavirus pandemic, three promotional models referred to as the "mizu no sei," literally meaning water spirits, boarded the boat and encouraged people to ride the vessels.

       Inside "kotatsu boats" are kotasu with braziers in them, which keep passengers warm while taking a tour around the canals. The seasonal tradition began in 1967 so that people can enjoy cruising rivers even in winter. The number of passengers, which stood at 365,266 in 2019, dropped to just 87,410 in 2020.

       To promote the use of such boats, the Yanagawa Tourism Bureau is selling a passport, which allows users to enter four facilities in the city, including the birthplace of famous Japanese poet Hakushu Kitahara and the Yanagawa Ariake aquarium in addition to rides on the kotatsu boats.

       Manaka Hirata, one of the promotional models, described that the ride "was warm and cozy" after enjoying the view of the river surface in winter. The 21-year-old encouraged people to ride the boats, saying, "I want people to come and relieve the weariness of having to exercise self-restraint (amid the pandemic)."

       The kotatsu boats will operate until Feb. 28 next year. The service is offered by seven shipping lines, and costs 1,000 to 1,650 yen (roughly $9 to $15) for a 30 to 70-minute ride. The passport is sold for 1,800 yen (approx. $16). For inquiries, please contact the Yanagawa Tourism Bureau at 0944-73-2145 (in Japanese).

       (Japanese original by Hideho Furihata, Omuta Local Bureau)

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