Photo= "Ozashiki dambo sen" boat with a cold-proof cover for the Hozu-gawa River Boat Ride (Hozu-cho, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture)

The Hozu-gawa River Boat Ride started its winter service, "Ozashiki dambo sen," or a heated boat with a carpet-seating section, on December 9. Many tourists boarded the boats straightaway at the pier at Hozu-cho, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture. With their hands warmed by the heater, they enjoyed Tamba-giri, or fog unique to this area, and the remnants of colored maple leaves in Hozukyo Gorge.

The seating section of the boat is enclosed in vinyl. A small oil heater is placed in the center of the carpeted floor. The boat ride runs from December to March 9 every year.

Despite the 17-day suspension of boat rides due to Typhoon No. 18 in September, the number of the passengers has increased from last year thanks to the favorable autumn weather and colored leaves.

The representative director of the Hozugawa Yusen Sightseeing Boat Association in Kameoka City said, "I heard that it will be cold this year. So I hope visitors will enjoy boat riding in the snow and viewing migratory birds." There will be no service from December 29 to January 4.