Tokyo Yakatabune Cruise: 400yr Edo Tradition & Odaiba Route
Description
Tokyo seamlessly blends modern progress with traditional culture. Originating in the 400-year Edo Period, yakatabune houseboats are deeply rooted in Japanese dining and social customs, offering a unique way to dine, gather and enjoy city views from the water. This 90-minute cruise departs Etchujima Pier, crosses Tokyo Bay to Odaiba for a short stop, then returns. You’ll pass the iconic Rainbow Bridge and take in panoramic Tokyo Bay waterfront views. Unlike large sightseeing ships, classic yakatabune create an intimate, cozy atmosphere. Savor authentic sukiyaki dinner, enjoy live shamisen performances, and immerse yourself in Japan’s timeless traditional cruising culture. Step aboard a historic yakatabune to discover Tokyo’s vibrant, centuries-old side. More than a museum relic, it delivers an authentic living cultural experience enjoyed to this day.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The "Rainbow Bridge" is a great spot for photography. Completed in 1993, it spans 3,750 meters and is supported by two luxurious white towers that rise 126 meters high. At night, the bridge lights up in pink, white, green, and other colors. From different angles, you can capture stunning photos with Tokyo Bay or the city skyline as your backdrop.
Stay here for about 30 minutes for sightseeing.，The Tokyo Statue of Liberty, located in Odaiba, is a stunning replica of the original in New York. Visitors can enjoy picturesque views of Tokyo Bay, the Rainbow Bridge, and the skyline. It's a perfect spot for photos, especially at sunset when the statue is beautifully illuminated.
Fuji TV is located on the Tokyo Bay waterfront and is one of Japan's most iconic media centers. You can admire its unique architectural design and enjoy stunning views of Tokyo. Both "Tokyo Love Story" and "Digimon" were filmed here.
Tokyo Tower is an iconic landmark in Tokyo, Japan, completed in 1958 and standing at 333 meters tall. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it symbolizes not only Tokyo but also represents Japan's cultural and technological achievements. The tower's nighttime light shows attract countless photography enthusiasts, making it a must-visit attraction when exploring Tokyo.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The sunken tatami-style seating requires guests to bend their knees and lower themselves into a recessed seating area, with limited legroom. Guests with mobility difficulties, knee discomfort, or older guests are advised to consider this carefully before booking.
- You will need to remove your shoes for this experience.
- Not accepted: infants under 3 years old, pregnant women, individuals with severe leg or back conditions, and those in wheelchairs
- Due to limited seating on the yakatabune, shared tables may be required.
- Cabin seating is allocated at random and may be either traditional Japanese tatami seating or Western-style chairs.
Reviews(588)
It was an amazing experience, everyone was very friendly, the food was delicious, the saka was great, the live music was awesome and we also had a lot of fun singing along. The view for the water fountain and the pictures was great, right after I went to visit the Tokyo Tower with the ticket included on my trip. Thanks to our English Tour Guide Karen she did an amazing job!
I didn’t realize we were gonna have to sit down on the floor and cook our own meal. I’m not really a fan of the food, but the trip itself was good. Tokyo was a very beautiful place and clean.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the cruise itself and the beautiful views of Tokyo. We’re sorry that the seating style and the meal preparation were not what you expected. Our yakatabune experience is based on traditional Japanese dining culture, where guests enjoy a meal in a traditional setting and prepare their own sukiyaki onboard. We truly appreciate your comments and will continue working to make our experience details clearer for future guests. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Tokyo!
Great time, great show, great food, great crew ! Super moment on the Tokyo river, time flew. Trully a must
The hostesses, hosts, food, and entertainment were all fantastic. However the photos aren't exactly what you get. I see in the photos seated tables inside and on the rooftop. At my cruise there were no seated tables inside, rather cushions on the floor with tables sitting in a recess on the floor, so no back support (hard for someone like me with a bad back). There is an opportunity to go on the roof of the vessel but only halfway when it stops, so if you're hoping to see the city as you move this is not for you. There are windows but it's not what I expected. The hostesses spoke good English and were very accomodating.
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed our hosts and hostesses, the food, and the entertainment. We’re sorry that the seating arrangement and viewing experience were different from what you expected. Our yakatabune uses traditional Japanese-style floor seating with low tables, and we understand that this can be challenging for guests with back or mobility concerns. We’ll continue working to make the seating information and photos clearer before booking. We also appreciate your comments about the open deck and onboard views. Your feedback is very helpful as we work to improve the experience and set clearer expectations for our guests. Thank you again for your valuable feedback, and we hope you’ll remember the warm hospitality as one of the highlights of your visit to Tokyo.
Great traditional experience, well run.
The food and traditional entertainment were good and our teenagers enjoyed joining in with some of the Japanese songs and clapping dances. You get 20 minutes on deck outside to take photos which was nice but unfortunately the timing meant that we only saw the fountain show for the last two minutes of the time on deck which was a shame as we really wanted to see this. Things to note - you have to take your shoes off inside the boat but need them on the outside deck so wear something that’s easy to take on and off. Also, soft drinks are free but the alcohol ones you have to pay for - not a problem as they tell you this in advance but they will only accept cash so make sure you bring some. We also did the Tokyo Tower add on - enjoyed this very much but again make sure you read the full terms and conditions - you have to get yourself from the pier where the boat is to Tokyo Tower. It’s about 15 minutes by taxi or 5 stops on the metro. There were no taxis waiting where we got off the boat unfortunately so we walked the 12 minutes back to the metro and then about the same the other side. Still really enjoyed the evening though and would recommend.
Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that your family enjoyed the delicious food, traditional entertainment, and that your teenagers had fun joining in with the Japanese songs and dances. We’re sorry that the timing of the deck visit meant you only caught the final moments of the fountain show. We understand how disappointing that must have been, especially when it was something you were looking forward to seeing. We also really appreciate your helpful tips about removing shoes, bringing cash for alcoholic drinks, and making your own way to Tokyo Tower when selecting the add-on. These details can be very useful for future guests when planning their evening. Thank you again for recommending our experience. We’re so happy you still had a memorable evening in Tokyo!
Extremely fun and entertaining, beautiful sights and trip to be honest! I definitely want to go explore Odaiba after seeing it now.
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a fun and entertaining experience and enjoyed the beautiful sights along the cruise. It’s wonderful to know that your visit inspired you to explore Odaiba even more! Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back again on your next visit to Tokyo!
Really fun experience. Staff were super friendly, great meal, amazing view, if your able to do this i recommend
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a fun experience and enjoyed the delicious meal, amazing views, and the warm hospitality from our team. Thank you for your kind recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back again for another memorable cruise!
Fun experience - cozy and traditional experience. The boat was comfortable & air conditioned, food was very good & crew and entertainer were excellent
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the cozy and traditional atmosphere onboard. It’s great to know that you found the boat comfortable, the food delicious, and our crew and entertainer excellent. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back again for another memorable cruise!
Karen was a great host. Definitely recommend nomihodai. Entertainment was very good they were energetic and fun.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that Karen helped make your experience so enjoyable. It’s also great to know that you enjoyed the nomihodai and our lively entertainment. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back again soon! ⛴️✨
