Photo/Illutration Holidaymakers go for a picnic in a boat on the Okawa river in Osaka on Oct. 11. (Itsuki Soeda)

OSAKA--People searching for a way to socialize safely during this age of social distancing are fueling a boom in picnics in boats along the Okawa river here.

The idea for the picnics out on the water has thrown a lifesaver to the Japan CitySUP Association, which hosts classes for water activities on the river that runs between Kita and Chuo wards, and saw business dry up due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There used to be so many boats during cherry blossom season, but this year there were zero," said Takashi Okutani, 53, who heads the association, based in the city's Chuo Ward. "There was an atmosphere that sightseeing and leisure activities were done for."

To rejuvenate the riverside area, Okutani came up with the idea for the picnics that enable holidaymakers to take in an urban waterfront setting while following measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"We hope customers can casually enjoy the experience, just like having a picnic in a park," an organization representative said.

The rubber boats, about 2.5 meters in diameter, are highly stable and rigged with a cable to prevent them from drifting away.

Passengers can eat, drink, read and even work on their laptops while staff keep an eye on them for safety from the shore.

The boats, with a maximum capacity of four people, are kept several meters apart. Tents, parasols, tables and chairs are available to borrow for free.

Economic fallout from the pandemic forced the association to close from April into May. The Okawa river is typically busy with pleasure boats and ships, but their numbers have drastically declined since the pandemic began.

Before the outbreak, one staff member was assigned to operate each boat, but no staff are required now as the boats are just left floating on the water tethered to the shore.

Having fewer people onboard them also helps to reduce the risk of infections.

The boats also have good ventilation and passengers have room enough to maintain a distance of up to one meter from each other.

The association began offering the picnics in July on Thursdays, Fridays and holidays.

But August saw a larger-than-expected turnout as news of the activity spread just by word of mouth and several hundreds of people, including many families with children, signed up for it, Okutani said.

"It felt extraordinary and 'otherworldly' being out on the water," said a smiling Mai Moriki, 25, who went out on one of the boats.

The company employee from Osaka's Kita Ward held a picnic on a boat in mid-October with three of her classmates from junior high school, where they spent about 90 minutes eating breakfast and snapping photos.

For Moriki, what attracted her to the activity was spending time in a space reserved just for her and her friends.

The boarding point for the boats is at the Hachikenya boat dock near Temmanbashi Station.

Fares vary depending on the number of passengers. It costs 2,000 yen ($19.20) for one person for 30 minutes, 3,000 yen for two and 5,000 yen for four.

Passengers can also borrow a traditional "kotatsu" floor heater during the winter season.

Those who want to book a boat trip can do so at the association's official website at (https://www.citysup.jp).

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