Tokyo To Promote Boat Tours

Above, a yakata-bune drinking and dining boat moored on the Sumida River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In an effort to further promote Tokyo's charms, the Tokyo metropolitan government is going to promote boat tours and will be building new facilities to accommodate passenger traffic.

The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun) reported:

With an eye on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Tokyo metropolitan government will start promoting boat tours to attract foreign visitors in the new fiscal year, which begins on April 1. 

The metropolitan government will launch a portal website with information about boat transportation services in several languages and also develop a new route between Haneda Airport and the waterfront areas where several Olympic venues will be built. A boat terminal will be built in the space now occupied by the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market in Tsukiji, Chuo Ward, after the market is relocated. 

The metropolitan government is aiming to attract an increasing number of foreign tourists by conveying the capital’s new charms. 

Shinji Uchiyama, president of yakata-bune pleasure boat tour operator Galleon in Koto Ward, Tokyo, said his firm tends to rely on repeat customers or word of mouth. “More people will be interested in our tours if there is a portal website [to introduce our services],” he said.

According to the metropolitan government, there are a total of 13 regular routes connecting Haneda Airport, Odaiba, Asakusa and other locations in the capital, with about 60 services operated daily by four entities. Different tour boats and yakata-bune pleasure boats, on which passengers are able to enjoy eating and drinking, are also available.

Above, plans include a new boat terminal at the site of the Tsukiji Fish Market which is closing this year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

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