Ranvier Katsushima

[A large store facing the moat that welcomes tourists]

The back of the shop faces the Yanagawa Canal and there is a boat dock.
This dock is located midway down the river, and is used by tourists who are on boats to disembark and have lunch here. When you enter the restaurant, you will see decorative owls, known as lucky charms for prosperous business, staring at you from all over the place. At the entrance, you will be asked to disinfect with alcohol. Inside, there is a thermal camera that automatically detects body temperature, and the tables in the rooms have acrylic partitions. The large hall, which can normally accommodate 250 people, is limited to 120 people. The tatami room, which can accommodate 72 people, has a maximum of 32 people due to spacing, so measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are in place.

The recommended course meal is the one that comes with boiled and steamed Kuchizoko, a rare fish from the Ariake Sea. A daily special is also served for lunch from 11:00 to 14:00.

“We also operate a wedding hall, so you can see brides and grooms getting on and off the boat. Nowadays, we have a lot of use for banquets for celebrations and memorial services,” says the president. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there have been fewer boats, but once things return to normal, you can enjoy the gorgeous sight of boats passing through the canal.