Tokyo's Skytree A Boon To The Sumida Water Bus Business

Above, a down-river view of the Sumida River in Tokyo.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2005, I took a water bus ride down the Sumida River in Tokyo. It took me down to the Hama Rikyu Garden pier from Asakusa's water bus pier and back.  It was a pleasant ride (despite the efforts of the water taxi's staff to sell me models of their boats) and well worth it.

Since the building of the Tokyo Skytree, the water bus business has jumped.

According to The Japan Times:

It’s easy to make your way around Tokyo on the subways, buses and trains that cover the capital like a spider web. 

But not many people know about another way to get around — water buses. Also known as water taxis, their popularity has grown thanks to the opening of Tokyo Skytree along the Sumida River. 

While operators say they saw an increase in passengers last business year when the world’s tallest tower opened, they believe water buses have great potential to attract even more tourists in coming years. 

“The opening of Tokyo Skytree has really helped boost the popularity of water buses,” said Koji Sudo, director of the department overseeing the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association’s water bus business.

Above, a Sumida River view of the Kachidoki Bridge and highrises from the water bus.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Besides the Sky Tree, passengers will get great views of the Asahi Beer Hall with its "Golden Flame" sculpture and the Kachidoki Bridge (just before entering Tokyo Bay) that Godzilla toppled over in 1954. The water bus also passes the famous Tsukiji Fish Market.

Also, Tokyo Tower can be seen in the distance from the water bus.

To read the full article, go here.