Pre-Pandemic Crowds Returning To Parts of Japan

Above, a Yakatabune pleasure boat moored on the Sumida River in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Parts of Japan are seeing crowds returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Now that the coronavirus severity level will be downgraded on May 8, many travel and pleasure businesses are breathing sighs of relief.

The Asahi Shimbun reported:

Indoors and outdoors, on land and over water, bustling crowds returned to Japan well before May 8, when the government will downgrade the severity category of COVID-19.

An estimated 168,000 people attended the two-day Spring Takayama Festival, or Sanno Matsuri, held in mid-April in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, the city said. That was more than triple the attendance of 53,000 last year.

The festival’s main event, a parade of floats, was held for the first time in four years, attracting many tourists from in and out of Japan.

The spread of the novel coronavirus hammered the tourism industry, which is now seeing a rebound toward pre-pandemic levels.

Customers are returning to Yakatabune pleasure boat businesses, which were devastated by the pandemic.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Dropping COVID Border Measures Saturday

Above, a yakatabune (屋形船) party boat on the Sumida River in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan has moved up the dropping of COVID border measures from May 8 to this coming Saturday.

According to the Japan Times:

Starting on Saturday, passengers arriving in Japan will no longer be required to submit proof of vaccination or negative test results, according to media reports, as the country braces for an influx of travelers during the Golden Week holidays.

Currently, all incoming passengers — including Japanese nationals and foreign residents — are required to present proof that they have received at least three COVID-19 vaccine shots or have tested negative for the virus within 72 hours before departure.

The government had previously said it planned to end the border measures on May 8, when the category for COVID-19 under the Infectious Disease Law will be downgraded from one similar to Class 2 to Class 5, which is on par with seasonal influenza.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Yakatabune Pleasure Boat Company Resumes Service

Above, a yakatabune pleasure boat docked on the Sumida River in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Taking a yakatabune pleasure dinner boat cruise in Tokyo is one thing that I haven't done yet. I have seen several boats docked along the Sumida River over the years. Maybe I'll do so the next time I go to Japan

Fortunately, others can do so now that coronavirus restrictions are being lifted in Japan.

The Japan Times reported:

A Tokyo yakatabune pleasure boat operator has resumed service after halting operations in mid-January due to a coronavirus outbreak among customers and employees. 

Funasei Ltd. had been hit by negative rumors and comments, as well as numerous reservation cancellations, because it was seen as a spreader of the then largely unknown disease. 

“Now we’ll look ahead to keep the torch of tradition burning,” said manager Yoko Ito, 67. 

On Thursday evening, Ito, clad in a yellowish green kimono, and other Funasei employees were busy cleaning and sanitizing a roofed pleasure boat reserved for about 10 customers ahead of their arrival. 

Social distancing measures were fully in place, with up to four customers accepted for each table for eight. Ventilation and disinfection were conducted frequently. 

That day, the boat sailed alone on the Sumida River and near the Odaiba waterfront area in Tokyo Bay.

To read more, go here.

Take A Yakatabune Dinner Cruise On Tokyo Bay

Above, a yakatabune dinner cruise boat moored on the Sumida River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those interested in Japanese culture and want to experience in one activity while in Tokyo, the following may just be your cup of tea.

Japan Visitor has an article on traditional yakatabune dinner cruises on Tokyo Bay.

They begin with:

A cruise around Tokyo Bay is a great way to appreciate a face of Tokyo you would never otherwise get to see. 

Tokyo Bay was once the capital's raison d'etre, and has been a decisive factor in the capital's history. Now, with trains and planes having largely replaced oceangoing, the sea that laps at the capital might not feature much in the weekday workaday lives of Tokyoites. 

Yet Tokyo's denizens are still keenly aware of the charms of the nearby ocean, and houseboats (yakatabune, ("ya-ka-ta-BOO-nay") have been a genteel recreational tradition here on the bay for centuries. 

The yakatabune is less what the average tourist would think of as a "houseboat" than a traditional recreational vessel, with good food being the main theme of the recreation, supplemented by onboard entertainment. 

Yakatabune were originally the preserve of the very wealthy, but any tourist to Tokyo can now enjoy this elegant, memorable, on-the-water pastime for no more than the price of a good night out spent anywhere else.

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Tokyo On A Traditional Yakatabune

Above, a yakatabune boat on the Sumida River in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Taking a dinner cruise on a yakatabune party boat in Tokyo is one thing that I have not done as yet. The opportunity (or it just didn't cross my mind while there). Perhaps on my next trip to Japan I'll try one out.

What's a yakatabune boat?

An article in Japan Today explains:

TOKYO - So, you’re exploring Tokyo on a humid summer day, but looking for a way to do it without the crowded streets, packed trains and sweaty bodies. Now, picture yourself enjoying sashimi and tempura while downing a few cold beers. Oh, and you’re barefoot, too. On a boat. In the middle of Tokyo Bay. Welcome to yakatabune (houseboat) cruising, one of the highlights of summer. 

If you’re new to these all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink waterway cruises, this guide has everything you need to book the best tour for you based on location, price, group type, season and more.

To read more, go here.

10 Million Foreign Tourists Visit Japan In First 6 Months

Above, a yakatabune party boat moored on the Sumida River in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's tourism boom continues, despite the recent downturn in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar (and other currencies) and the Japanese yen.

This week, the U.S. dollar hit the ¥105/dollar range,

But, the good news is that the numbers of foreign tourists has hit 10 million during the first six months of 2016.

The Japan Times reported:

The number of overseas visitors to Japan has been increasing at a faster pace than record-breaking last year, with more than 10 million coming to the country in the first six months of this year, sources said Tuesday. 

It took about seven months to reach the 10 million threshold in 2015 when a record 19.74 million foreigners visited Japan. If the number increases at the current pace, it is likely the annual figure will top 20 million this year, the sources said.

That's if the exchange rates between the yen and foreign currencies improves. We shall see.

To read more, go here. 

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.

 To read more, go here.

Party Boating In Tokyo Bay

Above, yakatabune boats moored at Asakusa on
 the Sumida River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For a different experience in viewing Tokyo, why not take a dinner cruise in Tokyo Bay aboard a yakatabune party boat?

According to Gaijinpot.com:

Nothing screams summer louder than being out at sea with a bunch of lads and lassies. The wind blowing across your face, while skyscrapers light up in the distance. This the Tokyo Bay Nouryousen! Or roughly in English: Evening Boat Cruise. 

If you’re looking for a unique experience to check off your summertime bucket list, why not see Tokyo from a different perspective? The perspective a ship floating off into the sunset as fireworks light up the night sky in the distance.

To read more, go here.

Tsunagu Japan: "50 Things To Do In Tokyo"

Above, yakatabune cruisers (right) moored on the Sumida River in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo is one of the most populous cities in the world. It also has many things for visitors to see and do.

Tsunagu Japan has posted a list of "50 Things To Do In Tokyo." I have probably seen or done about half of them. For you Godzilla fans, they also include shopping at Nakano Broadway at the Mandarake stores (number 41).

They begin with:

Tokyo is where Japan's melting pot sits. While Tokyo has an image of being a huge city, one of its biggest charms is actually that it has plenty of hidden areas. While it's fun going to all the famous sightseeing areas, you can also experience the way Tokyo-ites truly live.

 To see the list (3 pages of them), go here.

2 Blog Posts Picked Up

The good folks at The Japan Daily picked up two blog posts from yesterday.

The first one is on the "home stretch" of the pre-vacation season sale of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan (which ends Monday, so make sure you jump on it to take advantage of the 20% discount off the cover price).

The second is on the Japan summer fireworks festivals by yakatabune cruise. It is the best of both worlds, watching fireworks on board a party boat in Tokyo Bay (and elsewhere).

To read The Japan Daily, go here.

Japan Summer Fireworks Festivals by Yakatabune Cruise

Summer Fireworks Festivals by Yakatabune Cruise Fireworks festivals are a mainstay of the Japanese summer, and they are held all over the country during the season. Not only are the fireworks themselves breathtaking -- as fireworks masters show off their explosively breathtaking skills -- but the festivals themselves can last as long as about an hour with tens of thousands of fireworks brilliantly lighting up the night sky in succession. One of the coolest ways to take part in this summer pastime is by yakatabune -- a traditional Japanese party boat. We have exclusive seats on yakatabune in Tokyo and Yokohama just for you, so come aboard, enjoy a delicious meal, and prepare to be wowed with an unforgettable experience! Seats are extremely limited for these one day only festivals, so book early! ★Jul 26: Tokyo Sumida River Fireworks Festival Book the Tokyo Sumida River Fireworks Festival Yakatabune plan on Aug 10 for JPY 32,000/person! ★Aug 10: Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival Book the Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival Yakatabune plan on Aug 10 for JPY 30,500/person! ★Aug 5: Yokohama Fireworks Festival Book the Yokohama (Kanagawa Shimbun-sha) Fireworks Festival Yakatabune plan on Aug 10 for JPY 24,000/person!

Yakatabune Sailing Back In Time

Above, yakatabune boats moored in Asakusa on the Sumida River.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the things I'd like to try out in Tokyo, but haven't done so yet, is to take a dinner cruise aboard a yakatabune boat.

According to JapanToday:

A familiar sight on Japan’s rivers and canals, these boats are said to date back to the Heian period (794-1185) when they were used by the upper classes (daimyo and shogun). They started to become popular among the common people from the 1600s – legend says they were used for important business deals to avoid eavesdropping. Later, the boats became the playhouses for shoguns, samurai and their geisha girls. Nowadays, they are floating restaurants (but no geisha, sorry). 

In Tokyo, several yakatabune depart from Shinagawa, Tsukishima and Harumi. They take you out on two- or three-hour cruises of Tokyo Bay with all-you-can-eat feasts of tempura and sashimi and all you can drink. Some have karaoke, as well. The boats usually carry 20-100 passengers and are especially popular during fireworks season, when they drop anchor in Tokyo Bay and watch the extravaganza.

They are most popular during the spring and summer months, according to the article. Prices range from 8,000-10,000 yen per person. There are various pricing plans, depending upon what food is served. Group rates are also available (most require a minimum of ten people).

I've seen some moored near the Azuma Bridge on the Sumida River in Asakusa, Tokyo.

To read the full article, go here.

Sumida River Cruise

Category: Travel

Above, the Asahi Beer Hall and the Tokyo Sky Tree under construction in 2010. The water taxi station is just behind the building with the blue roof.

When visiting Tokyo, Japan, there are always plenty of things to see and do in the city.

One of the most pleasant activities I undertook during a visit to Tokyo was a cruise down the Sumida river to Tokyo Bay.

The cruise boat was comfortable and offered great views on both sides. The water taxi station is located at Asakusa, directly across the river from the Asahi Beer Hall with its gleaming "Golden Flame" sculpture.

Above, the Asahi Beer Hall in 2005.

After leaving the water taxi station, the cruise boat passes docked Yakatabune dinner/party boats (below).



The cruise passes under several bridges as it heads towards Tokyo Bay. Along the way, it passed an encampment of Tokyo's homeless under an overpass (below).



As the cruise boat makes its way to Tokyo bay, it passes both commercial and residential buildings. The photo below is of a large riverside apartment building (some call these "rabbit hutches").



Tokyo Tower can be seen in the distance as the cruise boat gets closer to Tokyo Bay (below). Tokyo Tower was featured in several Japanese monster movies including Mothra (1961), King Kong Escapes (1967), Gamera, Guardian of the Universe (1995) and Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003). Tokyo Tower is spotlighted on page 30 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.



Along the way, the cruise passes the famed Tsukiji Fish Market. It also passes under the Kachidoki Bridge (the bridge that was toppled over in Godzilla (1954)). The Kachidoki Bridge is spotlighted on page 29 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

When the cruise boat enters Tokyo Bay, passengers are treated to a view of the Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba (below). Both the bridge and Odaiba were featured in Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000) and are spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 25.



As the cruise boat turns to dock at the Hama Rikyu Gardens, the passengers are able to see an upriver view of the Kachidoki Bridge (below). The bridge is dwarfed by many commerical and apartment buildings.



I highly recommend taking a Sumida River Cruise. It is relaxing and kaiju fans can see several monster movie landmarks during the cruise. There are several Sumida River cruise boat companies to choose from. For more information on Sumida River cruises, go here.

Japan Tourism Down 36% In June

Above, yakatabune dining boats moored on the Sumida River in Tokyo.

Japan's June tourism numbers are now in. The Japanese tourism industry is still down from a year ago, but it still shows the rate of decline is lessening.

According to the Mainichi Daily News:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- An estimated 433,100 foreign tourists visited Japan in June, down 36.0 percent from a year earlier but slower than the previous three months' year-on-year falls of more than 50 percent, the government said Thursday.

The number of tourists from abroad has weathered the worst contraction following the March 11 disaster and the resultant nuclear crisis, the Japan National Tourism Organization said.

The number dropped 50.3 percent in March, 62.5 percent in April and 50.4 percent in May. In the period of March 12 to 31 following the disaster, it plummeted 73 percent.

Tourism industry hopes for a full-scale recovery are down as long as the nuclear problem remains. Also, as far as Americans are concerned, the poor rate of exchange between the dollar and the yen isn't encouraging them to take a trip.

To read the full article, go here.