Cruise Ships & Waterbuses

The watercraft which come and go through Tokyo’s rivers and along the waterfront range from small dinghies to massive liners. There are almost as many boats as there are ways to enjoy them, from the water bus, with a design from the not-too-distant future, to the yakatabune pleasure boats which brim with the spirit of old Tokyo. Trying out the many riverboat cruises is just one way to enjoy your time in the city.

Tokyo Cruise Tour

As dusk falls, dinner cruises set sail along the Sumida River and out to Tokyo Bay for views of the glittering skyline. There are a variety of cruises and operators, but dinner cruises tend to be popular and will need to be reserved in advance.

Photo: The Cruise Club Tokyo Inc

Zeal's 90-minute sightseeing cruise of Tokyo’s spectacular waterborne views

These fixed-schedule cruises offer a waterborne panoramic view of Tokyo with an English-speaking guide. Departing from Tennozu Isle, the cruise takes in many famous Tokyo landmarks, including Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, Eitai Bridge, Toyosu, and Odaiba. On board, drinks and food only available in Japan are sold.

Departure point	Tennozu Yamatsu Pier, 1-39-21 Higashi-shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Access	5-min walk from Tokyo Monorail / Rinkai Line Tennozu Isle Station
Travel time	1.5 hours
Inquiries	03-3454-0432
Official website	ZEAL

Symphony Tokyo Bay Cruise

Savor both a delicious meal and the Tokyo night view. The luxurious dinner cruise departs from Hinode Pier, passes under Tokyo Gate Bridge, and goes once around Tokyo Bay.

Departure point	Hinode Pier, 2-7-104 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access	1-min walk from Yurikamome Hinode Station
Travel time	2.5 hours (19:00-21:30)
Inquiries	03-3798-8101
Official website	Symphony Tokyo Bay Cruise (JPN)

Tokyo Waterbuses

A network of riverboats, or water buses, serve Tokyo Bay and the Sumida River connecting Odaiba and Asakusa. The different cruise lines follow slightly different routes, but all offer prime views of Tokyo landmarks such as TOKYO SKYTREE, Rainbow Bridge, and the unusually-shaped Asahi Group Headquarters Building. Taking the route from Kasai Rinkai Park to Odaiba, you will be able to see the Tokyo Gate Bridge, Tokyo Bay, and planes arriving and departing from Haneda Airport.

Sumida River Line

The course runs from Azumabashi Bridge, in Asakusa, to Hinode Pier via Hama-rikyu Gardens in 40 minutes. Along the way, the vessel passes under 13 bridges of varying shapes and colors over the Sumida River. In spring, the service offers the view of cherry blossoms in Sumida Park.

Route	Asakusa - Hama-rikyu Gardens* - Hinode Pier - Asakusa
The number of water bus services	Approx. 3 departures per day
Fare (One-way)	Asakusa - Hama-rikyu Gardens: 1,180 yen (Children 470 yen) *Including admission fee to Hama-rikyu Gardens Hinode Pier - Asakusa: 1,000 yen (Children 500 yen) Asakusa - Hinode Pier: Adults 1,000 yen (Children 500 yen)
Time required	Asakusa - Hama-rikyu Gardens Approx. 35 minutes Asakusa - Hinode Pier Approx. 40-50 minutes

*The stop at Hama-rikyu Gardens is only for disembarking (no boarding allowed)

Himiko Line

Manga and anime artist Leiji Matsumoto was inspired by the image of a teardrop when designing this futuristic-looking cruise boat.

Route	Asakusa - Odaiba Marine Park
The number of water bus services	Approx. 2 departures per day
Fare (One-way)	Asakusa - Odaiba Marine Park: 2,000 yen (Children 1,000 yen)
Time required	Asakusa - Odaiba Marine Park Approx. 50 min

Hotaluna Line

Also the work of Leiji Matsumoto, Hotaluna was designed to look like a spacecraft. The design includes a viewing deck, and at night the ship lights up the Sumida river with a firefly-like luminescence.

Route	Asakusa - Hinode Pier - Odaiba Marine Park - Asakusa
The number of water bus services	Approx. 2 departures per day
Fare (One-way)	Asakusa - Hinode Pier:1,400 yen (Children 700 yen) Hinode Pier - Odaiba Marine Park: 1,000 yen (Children 500 yen) Odaiba Marine Park - Asakusa: 2,000 yen (Children 1,000 yen) Asakusa - Odaiba Marine Park: 2,000 yen (Children 1,000 yen)
Time required	Asakusa - Hinode Pier Approx. 40 minutes Hinode Pier - Odaiba Marine Park Approx. 15 minutes Odaiba Marine Park - Asakusa Approx. 60 minutes

Emeraldas Line

Emeraldas is the third futuristic vessel produced by anime master Leiji Matsumoto. It runs from Azumabashi Bridge in Asakusa to Odaiba Seaside Park. Beyond the Sumidagawa River, the roof converts into a promenade deck where passengers can enjoy a view of the Port of Tokyo area.

Route	Odaiba Marine Park - Asakusa
The number of water bus services	Approx. 2 departures per day
Fare (One-way)	2,000 yen (Children 1,000 yen)
Time required	Approx. 55 min

-Inquiry-
Sumida River Line / Hotaluna Line / Himiko Line / Emeraldas Line
Official website: Tokyo Cruise Ship
Note: There are also other routes. Please visit the websites above for details. For the latest information, visit the "Today's Operating Status" page on the official website.

Asakusa-Odaiba Cruise

Note: Due to aging vessels, operation of this cruise was suspended on January 18, 2026. It's set to resume in summer 2026. Check the website for details.
Ryogoku River Center - Sumidakuyakusyomae - Sensoji Nitemmon - Etchujima - Seiroka Garden-mae - WATERS takeshiba - Odaiba Marine Park - WATERS takeshiba - Seiroka Garden-mae - Etchujima - Ryogoku River Center - Sumidakuyakusyomae - Sensoji Nitemmon -Ryogoku River Center
Note: Ships will not operate from Monday to Tuesday. (Ships operate during national holidays.)

-Inquiry-
Asakusa-Odaiba Cruise
Tokyo Mizube Line (Tokyo Waterway Line)
TEL: 03-5608-8869（9:00-17:00 / Closed Mondays）
Official website: Tokyo Mizube Cruising Line (JPN)
Note: There are also other routes. Please visit the official websites above for details.

Tokyo Yakatabune Boat Cruises

For the ultimate Japanese experience, try out the epitome of Tokyo summers—the yakatabune houseboat. It was an entertainment of choice for daimyo lords of the Edo period (1603–1867). For details, see our page on "Tokyo Yakatabune Boat Cruises."