Sail along the old-fashioned part of Tokyo!
Published: July 31, 2024
※Prices are subject to change from those in effect at the time of the interview. Please contact the store directly for the latest information.
Experience the timeless beauty of Tokyo’s lesser-known districts as you sail through its historic waterways.
The “Shita-Machi Tanken Cruise Galleon” offers a variety of tours, such as experiencing rising and the falling of the water level, sailing on a tatami-floored boat, cruising along the Kanda River, embarking on a Tokyo Bay night cruise, and enjoying a fireworks festival cruise.
This time, we will introduce you to a Panama Canal experience cruise that departs and arrives at Nihonbashi!
For this tour, there is a boarding platform at the foot of Nihonbashi Bridge.
Departing from Nihonbashi, the 90-minute tour takes passengers to the scenic points along the Nihonbashi and Sumida Rivers.
The port is very accessible from Nihonbashi station and easy to find. You can immediately feel the nostalgic atmosphere from historical landmarks like the Mitsukoshi department store. The boat tour lets you see the old-fashioned parts of Tokyo from a unique perspective.
You can complete boarding procedures at the reception desk.
The time of the next departure is displayed along with some information about the cruise.
On the boat, you’ll receive a map of the route and some of the notable landmarks. People are usually gathered around here with plenty of time before boarding.
A commemorative photo with Sky Tree in the background
One of Japan’s landmarks following the Tokyo Tower.
There’s a lot to explore during the tour, from large areas to small areas of the river!
Historical landmarks, extraordinary scenery, rich nature, and experiences unique to downtown exploration cruises
You will see lots of bridges, all of which have a different style and architecture from stone to metal, huge commercial buildings, lots of housing, and a variety of wards all with their distinct ambiance.
You can also experience a gate in which the water level is lowered by a few meters and then raised again at another entry point.
The guide, Ms. Yoshida
When I asked about each landmark and its history, Ms. Yoshida answered in simple English and gave me other trivia as well which was very easy to understand.
For example, in the second half of the tour, you can see pine trees lining the riverbank for several kilometers, where the temperature is lower than in other places and the air is fresher. I was able to feel it even from the boat.
The captain, Mr. Uchiyama
Mr. Uchiyama is the person who manages these tours. He operates from the rear of the boat, giving passengers a wide and clear view of what’s ahead, and the seriousness with which he steers the boat gives passengers a sense of security.
You will not get wet during the tour, but there are some points where you will have to temporarily use the provided umbrella due to water dripping at some gates.
I was able to explore downtown Tokyo in a very relaxing way from start to finish.
Various tours are available, such as a Kanda River cruise, a Tokyo Bay night cruise, and a fireworks festival cruise. Check out the website to find your favorite one.
If you have time, please come and join the tour!
≪English Article Journalist Profile≫
・Name：Natalie
・Age：Thirties
・Nationality：Poland
・Hobbies：Sewing, DJ, Up cycling, Illustration
※Information is based on June 2024. Prices, operating hours, and other details may change. Please verify with the store directly.
