Experience the Panama Canal near the Osaka Kansai Expo site!? How to enjoy the Amagasaki canal adventure curuise

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A 60-minute boat cruise including a tour of the Amagasaki Canal and a boat elevator experience (※The boat may not be able to go up or Joge depending on the tide level) that passes through the Amagasaki Lock (nicknamed Ama Lock ), Japan's first Panama Canal-style lock. It's like an experience at a theme park on the sea! (April to November)

Written by

Amagasaki Tourism Bureau

Amagasaki City is located in the southeastern corner of Hyogo Prefecture and is a core city with a population of about 450,000. Hanshin Electric Railway, JR, and Hankyu Railway run from east to west, and you can access Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and Nara without changing trains, and you can travel to the three Kansai airports in less than an hour, making it a very convenient city. [A town with a castle] In 1617, by order of the Edo Shogunate, the fudai daimyo Toda Ujikane became the lord of Amagasaki and built a new Amagasaki Castle. For about 250 years, Amagasaki Castle boasted its majestic appearance as the defense of the west of Osaka until it was demolished after the castle abolition order in 1873. It was rebuilt in 2019 and has once again become the symbol of the town. [A town of human kindness] Amagasaki has many shopping streets and public baths that have been bustling since ancient times, and the atmosphere of the downtown area remains throughout the town. Talking to friendly, warm-hearted older men and women gives you a sense of nostalgia and warmth. [A town where industry and the environment coexist] Amagasaki took its first steps as an industrial city with the opening of a spinning mill in the Meiji era, and has since led the country's rapid economic growth. In recent years, the city has set high goals and taken on pioneering initiatives to realize a low-carbon society, including drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and was selected by the government as an "environmental model city" in 2012. *The Amagasaki Tourism Bureau was established in March 2018 with the cooperation of various stakeholders in Amagasaki to work toward creating a future-oriented tourism region unique to Amagasaki that attracts tourists, enriches the local economy, and fosters pride and attachment to the region by making the most of local resources.

Table of Contents
What is the Amagasaki Canal Exploration Cruise?
Process until departure
The largest in Japan! Passing through Ama Lock!
A relaxing cruise on the Amagasaki Canal
Empty-handed fishing experience
You can also enjoy a barbecue.
Rates and timetable
access
Reservations and inquiries
Finally

What is the Amagasaki Canal Exploration Cruise?

This 60-minute boat tour will let you rediscover the charm of the sea in Amagasaki , a town of human kindness and manufacturing, located right next to Osaka , where the Osaka -Kansai Expo site is located. You will travel around the Amagasaki Canal, a network of waterways in the industrial area, and pass through the Amagasaki Locks (nicknamed Ama Lock), one of the largest Panama Canal-style locks in Japan. Children from 4 years old can participate in the cruise, so it is also recommended for families. If you are thinking of planning a day trip from Osaka, we recommend the Amagasaki canal adventure curuise. (Please make sure to make a reservation by 12:00 noon the day before your desired boarding date.) You can also see the Osaka-Kansai Expo site in the distance from the sea!

There are also plans that include "fishing" where you can participate empty-handed, and "barbecue" where you can eat the fish you catch.

Let's take a look at the actual itinerary. (The contents are as of April 2025. The contents and prices are subject to change without notice. Please note.)

Process until departure

The Amagasaki canal adventure curuise requires a reservation, so please make sure to make your reservation by 12:00 noon the day before your desired boarding date.

The meeting place on the day of the cruise is the Muko River Ferry office at the entrance to Amagasaki City Fishing Park.

Amagasaki City Fishing Park

66-00087 Hyogo Prefecture , Amagasaki City, Heizaemoncho 66

Amagasaki Fishing Park in Hyogo Prefecture Amagasaki City Prefecture, is a pier-style fishing park built in 1982 at the mouth of the Muko River River, which is the border between Amagasaki City and Nishinomiya City . If you walk 120 meters across the pier toward the open sea, you will come across a 200-meter (8-meter wide) fishing pier that stretches parallel to the shore. Being near the mouth of the river, it is characterized by a high concentration of sea bass and black porgy, and is known for the high probability of catching a large fish, even for beginners. In addition, there are plenty of target fish that are perfect for family fishing, such as rockfish, rock trout, halfbeak, and horse mackerel and mackerel that can be targeted with sabiki fishing.

The nearest station is Hanshin Railway's Muko River Station. It takes 13 minutes by express train from Muko River Umeda Station and 22 Osaka by express train from Kobe Sannomiya Station.

A free shuttle bus is available from Muko River Station (advance reservation required).

If you are driving your own car, please use the municipal parking lot next to Amagasaki City Fishing Park (charged).

When you arrive at Amagasaki City Fishing Park, check in at the Muko River Ferry office.

After that, you'll put on your life jacket at the nearby ferry dock and once you're ready, it's time to set off!

As you head towards the canal, your guide will use panels to tell you about the surrounding buildings and their history.

There are many factories along the coast of Amagasaki City, so you might think that the sea water quality is poor, but in recent years, environmental awareness has increased and active efforts have been made to improve the water quality, making it a popular fishing spot. Approximately 85 types of fish have been identified, and it seems that most of the fish on the menu at sushi restaurants, such as horse mackerel, sardines, and sea bass, can be caught there.

The largest in Japan! Passing through Ama Lock!

As the boat heads towards the Amagasaki Canal, the Amagasaki Lock (nicknamed Ama Lock) finally comes into view.

Ama Lock were built in 1955 and are the first Panama Canal-style locks in Japan, and are one of the largest in Japan.

Amagasaki's ground level is originally low, and many factories along the coast have pumped up groundwater, causing land subsidence, with about one-third of the city now at zero meters above sea level. Having suffered repeated severe damage from typhoons and heavy rains, a seawall was constructed along the city's coast. Ama Lock is the entrance and exit point for ships carrying cargo to factories inside the breakwater, and adjusts the water level between the sea side and the land side, which are at different water levels.

Ama Lock not only protects the city of Amagasaki from flooding, but also ensures the safety of ships sailing through it.

The door in front opens and the ship moves into Ama Lock.

When a ship enters, the door that it came through closes.

Once the front door closes, the Oku door opens. The water level is higher on the ocean side, so it gradually drops until it matches the water level in the canal. This is the "boat elevator" experience. (*Depending on the tide, the boat may not go Joge.)

Can you see the water level gradually going down?

Once the door at the Oku is fully open, proceed into the canal.

A relaxing cruise on the Amagasaki Canal

While listening to the guide's explanations, we will leisurely navigate the Amagasaki Canal, a network of waterways lined with factories, by boat. There are almost no waves inside the canal, and it is calm. The Amagasaki Canal is still in use, so you may encounter large ships loaded with goods and products.

After your canal cruise, you will return to the pier via Ama Lock.

Empty-handed fishing experience

With the plan that includes a fishing experience, you can enjoy fishing before the cruise. All the necessary equipment such as fishing rods and bait are provided, so you can participate casually. In addition, there will be a lecture by the staff, so even beginners can feel at ease.

You can also enjoy a barbecue.

If you choose a plan that includes a barbecue, you can enjoy a barbecue at the fishing park after the cruise. The barbecue area is covered, so it is comfortable and shady.

The basic course is a meat platter. You can also order additional vegetables, rice, and alcohol. Those who participate in the fishing experience can also eat the fish they caught. All ingredients and sauces are provided, and there is no need to start a fire or clean up afterwards, so this is also a very casual experience.

Rates and timetable

Period: April 1st to November 30th, 2025 (fishing experience starts around late April)

Days: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday (please contact us for other days)

Number of participants for each plan: 2 to 12 people

The price (tax included) and time schedule for each plan are as follows.

* Cruise times may change or be canceled depending on the weather.

*The barbecue time can be extended.

Cruise Plan

①9:00-10:00 ②10:00-11:00

Adults (16 years and over) 2,500 yen Children (4 to 15 years old) 1,500 yen

Cruise & BBQ Plan

①9:00-12:00 ②10:00-12:30 (Both ① and ② include breaks)

Adults (16 years and over) 5,500 yen Children (4 to 15 years old) 3,500 yen

Cruise & Fishing & BBQ Plan

7:00-12:30 (including breaks)

Adults (16 years and over) 7,000 yen Children (4 to 15 years old) 5,000 yen

In addition, we also offer plans where you can bring your dog on board (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) and night cruise plans where you can enjoy the night view. For more information, please check our website .

access

For those coming by train

Nearest station: Hanshin Railway "Muko River Station" (express train, 13 minutes from Osaka Umeda Station, 22 minutes from Kobe Sannomiya Station)

There is a free shuttle bus from Muko River Station to Amagasaki City Fishing Park. (Advance reservation required) Please let us know when making your reservation.

For those coming by car

About 10 minutes from the Amagasaki Suehiro Exit on the Hanshin Expressway Bayshore Line. Set your car navigation system to "Amagasaki City Fishing Park." There is a municipal parking lot (paid) with about 400 parking spaces adjacent to the park.

Reservations and inquiries

For reservations, please call 06-6430-6519

Reservations can be made up until 12:00 noon the day before your desired boarding date.

When making a reservation, please be sure to check the notes on our website .

Organizer: Amagi Development Co., Ltd. Muko River Ferry

Business hours: 5:00-19:00

For more information, click here

Finally

What did you think? Why not try a boat cruise, which is easily accessible from Osaka or Kobe and perfect for a day trip? You can have a special experience that can only be had by the sea. Why not try it during your trip to the Osaka-Kansai Expo?

Written by

Amagasaki Tourism Bureau

Hyogo

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