7 Boat Tours in Tokyo We Would Put a Day Against

1.Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Skytree Bus Tour and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,986 reviews · 10 hours · from $122Our pick

Spend one long day seeing Tokyo’s major sights by air-conditioned coach, from Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace to Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree. You’ll try Uji matcha, shop Nakamise Avenue, and may finish with a Tokyo Bay cruise. English guides such as Aya, Yui, Sora, and Tsubasa lead the day, with audio guides in six other languages.

“Really great tour - Our guide Hiro was awesome (and so was Bell-san our driver).”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

2.Sumida River: Japanese Traditional Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 779 reviews · 2h 30m · from $103

Board Yakatabune Amitatsu near Azumabashi in Asakusa for a 150-minute evening cruise down the Sumida River to Tokyo Bay. You’ll eat a 14-dish Japanese dinner, order free-flow beer, sake, wine, whisky, plum wine, tea, and soft drinks, then step onto the roof at Odaiba and Tokyo Skytree for city-light photos. Staff use translation tools rather than an English-speaking guide.

“Better signage at the pier would help as it is not obvious when you arrive if the boat is not there. Unable to preorder 1st drinks by QR code when asked if you have no data. Staff got us on wifi after boarding. The food was excellent and plentiful. The staff were lovely, friendly and worked hard to keep everyone well stocked with food and drink. Drink was free flowing, good quality and ordered by QR code at the table. Toilets nice and clean. All in all felt like really good value for money and an ideal way to see the city at night (fantastic view of skytree tower) and…”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

3.Dynamic Tokyo: Tokyo Tower, Tea Experience, Bay Cruise Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 521 reviews · from $99

Spend about nine hours touring Tokyo by coach, visiting the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji, Tokyo Tower, and Asakusa. You will prepare matcha in a garden setting, eat an international buffet at the Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel, and cruise beneath 12 bridges. Guides such as Mina and Aki are noted for clear English and lively commentary.

“Allot is covered by this tour and you have ample time at each location. Tokyo Tower, the tea ceremony & bonsai garden, the bbq lunch, the outer gardens of the imperial palace, the river cruise and the Senso-ji Temple were all quiet different and wonderful to see. Our tour guide was excellent, spoke allot between the locations about Japan’s history. Great way to see lots in a single day.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

4.Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 473 reviews · from $65

Board a traditional yakatabune at Etchujima for a roughly 1-hour-40-minute Tokyo Bay cruise. Enjoy beef sukiyaki, unlimited soft drinks, and a live Japanese musical performance, often featuring shamisen. Hosts such as Karen, Yoyo, Sheila, and Midori help with photos and sightseeing. Seating may be tatami-style or Western-style, and shoes come off onboard.

“Ok, if you have time and want to do something different. It was not that impressive. The boat goes out to the edge of the bay and comes back. About 1 hr ride. In the boat there were two ladies playing the shimasen. Unlimited soft drinks and paid alcoholic drinks.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

5.Tokyo Dinner Cruise & Tradition Show & Drinks & Tokyo Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 315 reviews · 1h 40m · from $95

Spend 100 minutes aboard a traditional yakatabune houseboat, enjoying sukiyaki, unlimited soft drinks, live shamisen music, and views of Tokyo Bay. English-speaking guides such as Karen, Yoyo, Lulu, and Sheila help with photos and local context. If selected, finish at Tokyo Tower’s 150-meter main deck.

“Our guide, the food and the entertainment were brilliant. Thank you to Karen and Midiro for making it a very special evening!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

6.Tokyo Bay: Traditional Japanese Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 243 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

Board at Funasei pier in Shinagawa for a three-hour evening cruise through Tokyo Bay and the Sumida River. You’ll eat a freshly prepared Japanese course dinner, including sashimi, tempura, seasonal rice, noodles, and dessert, with unlimited beer, sake, wine, shochu, and soft drinks. The route usually includes Odaiba, Rainbow Bridge, and Tokyo Skytree, with time on the roof deck for photos. Staff are welcoming, but most commentary is in Japanese.

“This was an excellent activity! The food was great ( for example they cook the tempura in stages so that the waiters constantly run back and forth delivering each guest another fresh item) and of course all the beverages you need are included. The boat staff is super friendly, always smiling. The views of the bridges and buildings lit up are super.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

7.Scenic Bay Cruise with Local Guide on Private Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 1 hour · from $38Best value

Board a small boat at Shibaura Dock for a one-hour Tokyo Bay cruise with an English-speaking local guide. You will pass Tokyo Tower, Odaiba, Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo’s Statue of Liberty, and views toward Tokyo Skytree. Sunset departures bring skyline colors, while daytime rides may include seabirds flying beside the boat.

“Such a splendid sunset viewing in Tokyo! I really relaxed and had a good time with cruise crew. also, I was interested in some historical story at each spots. Overall, this tour is valuable one. Highly recommend! Thank you,”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →