Tokyo Cruise

Above, the Hotaluna cruise boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the more relaxing things to do in Tokyo is to take a ride on one of the boats Tokyo Cruise has to offer.

According to City-Cost:

As part of our long break from stressful work we decided to explore some parts of Tokyo. We went to Akihabara to look for some cheap deals on gadgets, then to Asakusa and Odaiba. We traveled from Asakusa to Odaiba via Tokyo Cruise. There are five lines to choose from. The first one is the Himiko Line which travels from Asakusa to Odaiba Seaside Park and vice versa which will then pass through Toyosu. This trip will take about 50 minutes. It is 20 minutes from Odaiba Seaside Park to Toyosu and another 40 minutes from Toyosu to Asakusa. The second one is the Sumida River Line from Asakusa to Hamarikyu to Hinode Pier which will take 40 minutes for the total journey. Third is the Odaiba Line. From Hinode Pier to Odaiba Seaside Park this cruise will take 20 minutes. Fourth is Tokyo Big Sight, Pallete Town Line. This line has two options - one is from Hinode Pier to Tokyo Big Sight (Ariake) and the other from Hinode to Pallete Town to Tokyo Big Sight (Ariake). And of course our trip takes the Hotaluna Line which will pass through Hinode Pier and has a travel time of 40 minutes and, from Hinode Pier to Odaiba Seaside Park, another 20 minutes. For more information about the route and payments please go to their website at http://www.suijobus.co.jp.

Above, the Tokyo Cruise terminal at Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Efforts To Promote Tokyo Sightseeing Boat Cruises To Foreign Visitors Started

Above, the Hotaluna water bus, designed by manga and anime artist Leiji Matsumoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is one way to both enjoy the sights of Tokyo and, at the same time, relax. That way is to take a cruise down one of Tokyo's waterways and Tokyo Bay. Unfortunately, not too many foreign visitors are aware of this.

I have taken a cruise down the Sumida River to Tokyo Bay twice. The first time was in 2005 and then ten years later when Denise, Aiden and I went to Japan last October. Each cruise was relaxing and enjoyable. For kaiju fans, this is one way to see some locations used in various Japanese monster movies such as Tokyo Tower, Odaiba, the Rainbow Bridge and the Kachidoki Bridge.

Above, Denise and Aiden heading back to Asakusa on the Sumida River boat last October. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan Passenger Boat Association is trying to get tour boat operators to promote their services to foreign visitors.

The Japan Times reported:

A trip to Tokyo does not necessarily mean elbowing your way through crowds. You can get fine views of the capital from a boat on the bay. 

With a drink or a meal, a short cruise is relaxing way to tour, and it shows parts of Tokyo and its history that cannot be seen from a sidewalk or a bus. 

Operators are keen to tap the steady flow of foreign tourists but bemoan the lack of information reaching them. 

At a recent gathering of industry representatives, some remarked about this missed opportunity, calling for greater efforts to publicize the many cruise options available to tourists. 

The Japan Passenger Boat Association, which represents cruise line operators, invited travel agents for a trip around Tokyo Bay on Feb. 4 to show them what is on offer and what clients can expect to see.

Above, the Kachidoki Bridge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I heartily recommend a cruise down the Sumida River to Tokyo Bay from Asakusa.

To read more, go here.

Old Tokyo Survives in Asakusa

Above, the Nakamise-dori approach to Senso-ji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of my favorite places to visit in Tokyo is Asakusa. Here, there's plenty to see including wandering around Nakamise-dori and Senso-ji Temple. If shopping is your favorite thing to do, there's plenty of it on Nakamise-dori and the Shin-Nakamise shopping arcade. There are many restaurants at Shin-Nakamise to choose from.

Modern Tokyo Times has a good article on Asakusa's history along with nearby Kappabashi-dori, known as Kitchen Town for its many stores selling kitchenware. I visited Kappabashi-dori last month and bought my roommate a personalized chef's knife there.

Above, a giant chef overlooks Kappabashi-dori ("Kitchen Town") in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article begins with:

Tokyo tourism provides an abundance of options because this highly developed city caters for so many tastes. This applies to amazing Japanese gardens, stunning art galleries, high octane fashion districts, a paradise for gamers, the beautiful Tenno palace, the beach of Odaiba and Rainbow Bridge, Meiji Shrine, mountain range of Takao, and so much more. Therefore, tourists who visit Tokyo are spoilt for choice in this amazing city. 

However, in this article the emphasis is on Asakusa because this lovely district is famous for the stunning Buddhist temple called Senso-ji. This notable landmark in Tokyo is dedicated to the revered bodhisattva Kannon. Also, you have other beautiful temples in Asakusa and throughout the year you have various festivals which highlight the richness of Japanese culture.

Above, a view of Asakusa and the Tokyo Cruise Terminal from the Azuma Bridge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Across the Sumida River from Asakusa are the Asahi Beer Hall and the Tokyo Skytree. The station for Sumida River Cruises is also in Asakusa.

Above, Shin-Nakamise shopping arcade. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 

To read the full article, go here. 

Tokyo Cruise's "Hotaluna" Cruise Boat

Above, the "Hotaluna" moored at the Tokyo Cruise terminal at Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two years ago, I posted a blog article on taking a cruise on the Sumida River in Tokyo. I took a cruise down the Sumida back in 2005, and it was very enjoyable (although the crew tries their best to sell passengers model toys of their cruise boats). It was aboard one of the more conventional boats that Tokyo Cruise Ship Co. has.

Above, the Tokyo Cruise terminal. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my recent trip to Japan, I made it a point to photograph the Tokyo Cruise terminal, which is located on the Asakusa side of the Sumida.

As luck would have it, moored at the terminal was a unique tour boat of the "fleet" of Sumida tour boats. Most of the tour boats are conventional, but this one can be described as "futuristic." It is the "Hotaluna." To see the interior of the boat (the text is in Japanese), go here.

Above, the "Hotaluna." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tourists can sail on the "Hotaluna" down the Sumida River to Odaiba and back. Great views along the river include the Skytree, Asahi Beer Hall, the Kachidoki Bridge (featured in Godzilla), Tokyo Tower, Tsukiji Fish Market, the Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba.

For reservations, go here. (Unfortunately, it is in Japanese.)