Tamagawa Ferry

In the Tama River basin, 39 ferry crossings were established from upstream to downstream. Ferries serve as transportation routes connecting both banks of the river, playing an important role for the local people in transporting people and goods, as well as moving to agricultural fields. In the Inagi City area, four ferry terminals were created: the Kizamasa Ferry, the Tokuhisa River Ferry, the Oshitate Ferry, and the Yanokuchi Ferry. The establishment dates of these ferries connecting Inagi with Chofu and Fuchu are currently unclear, but they are believed to have been created from the late medieval to early modern periods. In particular, the Kizamasa and Oshitate ferries are mentioned in the mid-Edo period map 'Chofu Tamagawa Sougazu,' indicating that they were established a long time ago. Additionally, after the opening of the Tamagawahara Bridge, the Yanokuchi Ferry was merged with the Shimosuga Ferry, changing its name to the Suga Ferry, which continued until 1973. The Kizamasa, Oshitate, and Yanokuchi ferries were permanent crossings, while the Tokuhisa River served as a temporary ferry for accessing agricultural fields on the opposite bank.

The regular ferry service was operated by large boats that transported horse-drawn carriages and carts, as well as small boats primarily for people, bicycles, and luggage. The large boats, known as horse boats or large boats, measured between 6 to 8 ken (approximately 10.9 meters to 14.5 meters), while the small boats, called denma boats, were about 5 to 5.5 ken (approximately 9.1 meters to 10 meters) in size. The large horse boats could also carry 2-ton trucks for transporting agricultural equipment, resulting in a significant transport capacity. The ferry terminals in the city were gradually abolished during the 1930s due to the construction of the Kese Bridge and the Tamagawa Bridge.