(Image by Hajime NAKANO via https://www.flickr.com/photos/jetalone/5231270710/)

Located on a bay and having rivers as convenient transportation routes, Tokyo has a few ferry companies that tourists may find useful. The Water Bus (水上バス, Suijō Basu) services are an enjoyable alternative to trains or subways when traveling between destinations that are near the water.

The locations that are most notably convenient for water bus access are the man-made islands of Tokyo Bay, especially the Odaiba shopping and entertainment district. Many water buses also travel along the Sumida River, one of the city’s most famous rivers. The many bridges that span the river have each been designed differently. Boats along the river provide access to Asakusa and Ryogoku.

Water Buses Run By The Tokyo Cruise Ship Company

Most of the water buses are operated by the Tokyo Cruise Ship Company.

Asakusa-Odaiba Direct Line

(Image by Yoshikazu TAKADA via https://www.flickr.com/photos/yoshikazut/6998608504/)

The Asakusa-Odaiba Direct Line (50 minutes, 1720 yen, 6-8 boats/day) is one of the most popular routes because of its boldly designed boats with panoramic windows, such as the Himiko and Hotaluna.

Sumida River Line

(Image by Yoshikazu TAKADA via https://www.flickr.com/photos/yoshikazut/13483099373/)

The Sumida River Line runs from Asakusa to Hama Rikyu garden (35 minutes, 1040 yen, 1-2 boats/hour). The dock at Hama Rikyu is located within the garden’s paid grounds, and admission to the garden is included in the price of the boat ticket. After Hamariku, the boats then travel a further five minutes to the Hinode Pier (40 minutes, 860 yen from Asakusa), where a transfer can be made to boats bound for Odaiba. Note that Hama Rikyu is not served by boats in direction of Asakusa.

Odaiba Line

The Odaiba Line travels from Hinode to Odaiba Seaside Park (20 minutes, 520 yen, about two boats/hour). The Tokyo Big Sight-Palette Town Line travels to both the Tokyo Big Sight and Palette town attractions (about 25 minutes, 460 yen, 5 boats/day), but it does not operate on Mondays and Tuesdays (except in the case of national holidays).

There are also boats between Asakusa, Toyosu and the Hamamatsucho pier in the Takeshiba district and between Asakusa, Nihonbashi, Toyosu and Odaiba; however, they do not run very frequently.

Water Buses Run By Other Companies

Mizube Cruise Line

Some other water bus lines are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association. The Mizube Cruise Line travels from Asakusa on the Sumida River to Odaiba (1 hour, 1200 yen, about 5 boats/day). Very infrequent service is also provided between Asakusa, Odaiba and Kasai Rinkai Park.

There are some other cruises available that include lunch or dinner so that customers can enjoy a meal on the water. These cruises usually take about two hours and make a round trip that ends at the departure point. Prices depend on the meal and typically vary from 6,000 to 15,000 yen.

More Information

Access

Asakusa Pier

The pier is located along the Sumida River, just beside the Asakusa Stations of the Ginza Subway Line and the Tobu Line or a five-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Asakusa Subway Line.

Odaiba Pier

The pier is located just in front of the Aquacity Odaiba shopping mall, about a five-minute walk from either Daiba Station or Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station on the Yurikamome Line.

Hinode Pier

The pier is a five-minute walk north from Hinode Station on the Yurikamome Line, which can be accessed from Shimbashi Station (5 minutes, 260 yen, along the JR Yamanote Line).

Hama Rikyu Pier

The pier is located within Hama Rikyu garden, so the entrance fee (300 yen) must be paid to access the water buses from here.

For more detailed access information, please visit the Tokyo Cruise Ship Company website. You can find the link here: https://www.suijobus.co.jp/en/