This is probably the prettiest part of the canal route. Logistics note: you can actually get the boat operators to take the bagged bike on board (like I did) so you don't have to take a bus or taxi back to your starting point (the cruises don't normally make a round trip).
Our boatman was a true standup comedian: an elderly man, he spent the entire tour firing off one-liners and non sequiturs; I'm quite sure he'd dispel the myth of the inscrutable Oriental for good. (Maybe that myth only arose in the first place because someone didn't get all of the in-jokes...)

Still, at its best, it's lovely. The "yana" of the name Yanagawa refers to yanagi or willow trees, and there are many lining the canal. Personally, I liked this impressive house with the canoe out front.