I took Tokyo's public water bus instead of a cruise. The $13 ticket was a cheaper, no-frills way to see the city.

Monica HumphriesApr 29, 2023, 16:56 IST

Insider's author rode Tokyo's affordable water buses on a recent trip to the city.Monica Humphries/Insider

In April, I explored Tokyo on a public water bus.
The ticket cost $13 and I thought it was a refreshing break from the city's subways and trains.

The first thing I did when I landed in Tokyo after a 12-hour flight was hop on a train and head to my hotel.

Insider's author on a subway car in Tokyo.Monica Humphries/Insider

And for the next five days of the 12-day trip, I navigated the world's largest city by trains and subways.

A subway in Tokyo.Monica Humphries/Insider

But by day six, I was itching to see the city from a new perspective, so I headed to the water.

A view of one of Tokyo's many rivers.Monica Humphries/Insider

Up until this point, I hadn't seen much water in Tokyo. But I learned that the city was built around four major rivers: Arakawa, Sumidagawa, Edogawa, and Tamagawa.

A birds-eye view of Tokyo and one of the city's rivers.kokouu/Getty Images

And on those rivers, tourists and locals can find dozens of boating options ranging from public transit ferries to leisure cruises.

A river cruise in Tokyo.Monica Humphries/Insider

Major cruise lines like Norwegian, Princess Cruises, and Windstar Cruises offer multi-day sailings out of Tokyo Bay, where the Tamagawa and Sumidagawa Rivers empty, according to Cruise Critic.

The Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Tokyo.YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

Major cruise lines like Norwegian, Princess Cruises, and Windstar Cruises offer multi-day sailings out of Tokyo Bay, where the Tamagawa and Sumidagawa Rivers empty, according to Cruise Critic.

But I didn't want to spend my limited time in Tokyo on a lengthy cruise, so I turned to shorter options.

A birds-eye view of a Tokyo cruise.Torjrtrx/Getty Images

I first considered day cruises, but most were expensive. For example, Tokyo's Urban Launch is a luxury afternoon cruise for $640 (85,800 yen), according to Live Japan. I could also take the Symphony Bay Cruise, but that would set me back $48 (6,400 yen), according to the same source.

A boat on a waterway in Tokyo.Sanga Park/Getty Images

I first considered day cruises, but most were expensive. For example, Tokyo's Urban Launch is a luxury afternoon cruise for $640 (85,800 yen), according to Live Japan. I could also take the Symphony Bay Cruise, but that would set me back $48 (6,400 yen), according to the same source.

Tokyo also has private water taxis, but according to Live Japan, they start at $38 (5,000 yen) for 15 minutes.

A water taxi in Tokyo.Chachawal Prapai/EyeEm/Getty Images

Then I found Tokyo's public water buses, or suijo bus in Japanese. Operated by Tokyo Cruise, the water buses offer a handful of routes on numerous ships.

A boat navigates one of Tokyo's rivers.Photography by ZhangXun/Getty Images

And they were my cheapest option. The routes, which varied in sailing length and port locations, cost $15 or less.

A water bus in Tokyo.Monica Humphries/Insider

The closest pier for me was in the Asakusa neighborhood in northeast Tokyo. I opted for an hour-long route on the company's Hotaluna boat, which would drop me off at Tokyo's Odaiba Seaside Park at the edge of Tokyo Bay.

A view of the Odaiba Seaside Park from the water.Monica Humphries/Insider

The closest pier for me was in the Asakusa neighborhood in northeast Tokyo. I opted for an hour-long route on the company's Hotaluna boat, which would drop me off at Tokyo's Odaiba Seaside Park at the edge of Tokyo Bay.

Since I was visiting during the popular cherry blossom season, day-of tickets were hard to book, so I reserved my spot a few days ahead of time. The one-way ticket cost about $13 (1,720 yen).

A view of the Hotaluna boat.Monica Humphries/Insider

Since I was visiting during the popular cherry blossom season, day-of tickets were hard to book, so I reserved my spot a few days ahead of time. The one-way ticket cost about $13 (1,720 yen).

On the day of the cruise, I headed to Asakusa. It's a bustling Tokyo neighborhood near the Sensō-ji temple, which is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, according to Go Tokyo.

The Sensō-ji temple in Tokyo.Monica Humphries/Insider

On the day of the cruise, I headed to Asakusa. It's a bustling Tokyo neighborhood near the Sensō-ji temple, which is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, according to Go Tokyo.

After pinballing through crowds, I made it to the pier. Here, my ticket was scanned and I walked to the water where the Hotaluna boat was docked.

The boat docked at a pier in Asakusa.Monica Humphries/Insider

It was unlike any boat I've been on. Designed by Japan's manga and anime artist Leiji Matsumoto, the boat was crafted to look like a futuristic spaceship, according to Chugoku + Shikoku x Tokyo.

The exterior of the Hotaluna water bus.Monica Humphries/Insider

It was unlike any boat I've been on. Designed by Japan's manga and anime artist Leiji Matsumoto, the boat was crafted to look like a futuristic spaceship, according to Chugoku + Shikoku x Tokyo.

The boat was encapsulated by windows. Its metallic window frames glittered in the bright sun, and a door opened vertically to let passengers onboard.

Insider's author steps onboard Tokyo's water bus.Monica Humphries/Insider

I stepped inside and thought the futuristic exterior matched the interior. Black couches lined the ship and domed windows let in bluish-tinted light.

Black couches and seats lined the boat.Monica Humphries/Insider

As the boat set off, it felt like I was floating in the water instead of above it. My eye level hovered at the water's surface, and other boats passing by towered above the Hotaluna ship.

The author was nearly eye-level with the river's water.Monica Humphries/Insider

As the boat set off, it felt like I was floating in the water instead of above it. My eye level hovered at the water's surface, and other boats passing by towered above the Hotaluna ship.

At the front of the ship, captains navigated the boat from a glass capsule. Along the way, they shared stories and information about the sights we were passing in Japanese.

The captain's room at the front of the ship.Monica Humphries/Insider

At the front of the ship, captains navigated the boat from a glass capsule. Along the way, they shared stories and information about the sights we were passing in Japanese.

Inside, I noticed that people filled every bench, chair, and table. At the back of the boat was a bar, but it wasn't open during my ride. In another area, I spotted bathrooms.

The interior of the Hotaluna ship.Monica Humphries/Insider

Inside, I noticed that people filled every bench, chair, and table. At the back of the boat was a bar, but it wasn't open during my ride. In another area, I spotted bathrooms.

From the domed windows, I could spot famous landmarks like the Tokyo Skytree observation deck and the city's famous bridges.

Famous Tokyo buildings like the Skytree Tower.Monica Humphries/Insider

About halfway through the ride, the rooftop area opened and passengers flocked to the fresh air outdoors.

A view of the deck on Tokyo's water bus.Monica Humphries/Insider

The views from the top deck were unlike anything I had seen yet in Tokyo. Before the boat ride, it had been challenging to see the outline of Tokyo's cityscape since there were constantly skyscrapers towering above me.

A view from the deck of one of Tokyo's water buses.Monica Humphries/Insider

The views from the top deck were unlike anything I had seen yet in Tokyo. Before the boat ride, it had been challenging to see the outline of Tokyo's cityscape since there were constantly skyscrapers towering above me.

But with 360-degree views of the city, I gained a whole new perspective of just how large Tokyo truly is. During the one-hour trip, the boat made a stop at the Hinode Pier.

The boat pulls into the Hinode Pier.Monica Humphries/Insider

But with 360-degree views of the city, I gained a whole new perspective of just how large Tokyo truly is. During the one-hour trip, the boat made a stop at the Hinode Pier.

And its final destination was Odaiba Seaside Park. The area is home to a manmade beach, a replica of the Statue of Liberty, the city's aquarium, and other attractions.

The replica of the Statue of Liberty at the Odaiba Seaside Park.Monica Humphries/Insider

It was a place I would've wanted to visit whether or not I arrived by boat, but I was happy to splurge a few extra dollars to arrive by water instead of by subway. Not only did I enjoy the fresh air, but I gained a new perspective on Tokyo.

Insider's author on the Tokyo water bus.Monica Humphries/Insider

It was a place I would've wanted to visit whether or not I arrived by boat, but I was happy to splurge a few extra dollars to arrive by water instead of by subway. Not only did I enjoy the fresh air, but I gained a new perspective on Tokyo.

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I took Tokyo's public water bus instead of a cruise. The $13 ticket was a cheaper, no-frills way to see the city.

The first thing I did when I landed in Tokyo after a 12-hour flight was hop on a train and head to my hotel.

And for the next five days of the 12-day trip, I navigated the world's largest city by trains and subways.

But by day six, I was itching to see the city from a new perspective, so I headed to the water.

Up until this point, I hadn't seen much water in Tokyo. But I learned that the city was built around four major rivers: Arakawa, Sumidagawa, Edogawa, and Tamagawa.

And on those rivers, tourists and locals can find dozens of boating options ranging from public transit ferries to leisure cruises.

Major cruise lines like Norwegian, Princess Cruises, and Windstar Cruises offer multi-day sailings out of Tokyo Bay, where the Tamagawa and Sumidagawa Rivers empty, according to Cruise Critic.

But I didn't want to spend my limited time in Tokyo on a lengthy cruise, so I turned to shorter options.

I first considered day cruises, but most were expensive. For example, Tokyo's Urban Launch is a luxury afternoon cruise for $640 (85,800 yen), according to Live Japan. I could also take the Symphony Bay Cruise, but that would set me back $48 (6,400 yen), according to the same source.

Tokyo also has private water taxis, but according to Live Japan, they start at $38 (5,000 yen) for 15 minutes.

Then I found Tokyo's public water buses, or suijo bus in Japanese. Operated by Tokyo Cruise, the water buses offer a handful of routes on numerous ships.

And they were my cheapest option. The routes, which varied in sailing length and port locations, cost $15 or less.

The closest pier for me was in the Asakusa neighborhood in northeast Tokyo. I opted for an hour-long route on the company's Hotaluna boat, which would drop me off at Tokyo's Odaiba Seaside Park at the edge of Tokyo Bay.

Since I was visiting during the popular cherry blossom season, day-of tickets were hard to book, so I reserved my spot a few days ahead of time. The one-way ticket cost about $13 (1,720 yen).

On the day of the cruise, I headed to Asakusa. It's a bustling Tokyo neighborhood near the Sensō-ji temple, which is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, according to Go Tokyo.

After pinballing through crowds, I made it to the pier. Here, my ticket was scanned and I walked to the water where the Hotaluna boat was docked.

It was unlike any boat I've been on. Designed by Japan's manga and anime artist Leiji Matsumoto, the boat was crafted to look like a futuristic spaceship, according to Chugoku + Shikoku x Tokyo.

The boat was encapsulated by windows. Its metallic window frames glittered in the bright sun, and a door opened vertically to let passengers onboard.

I stepped inside and thought the futuristic exterior matched the interior. Black couches lined the ship and domed windows let in bluish-tinted light.

As the boat set off, it felt like I was floating in the water instead of above it. My eye level hovered at the water's surface, and other boats passing by towered above the Hotaluna ship.

At the front of the ship, captains navigated the boat from a glass capsule. Along the way, they shared stories and information about the sights we were passing in Japanese.

Inside, I noticed that people filled every bench, chair, and table. At the back of the boat was a bar, but it wasn't open during my ride. In another area, I spotted bathrooms.

From the domed windows, I could spot famous landmarks like the Tokyo Skytree observation deck and the city's famous bridges.

About halfway through the ride, the rooftop area opened and passengers flocked to the fresh air outdoors.

The views from the top deck were unlike anything I had seen yet in Tokyo. Before the boat ride, it had been challenging to see the outline of Tokyo's cityscape since there were constantly skyscrapers towering above me.

But with 360-degree views of the city, I gained a whole new perspective of just how large Tokyo truly is. During the one-hour trip, the boat made a stop at the Hinode Pier.

And its final destination was Odaiba Seaside Park. The area is home to a manmade beach, a replica of the Statue of Liberty, the city's aquarium, and other attractions.

It was a place I would've wanted to visit whether or not I arrived by boat, but I was happy to splurge a few extra dollars to arrive by water instead of by subway. Not only did I enjoy the fresh air, but I gained a new perspective on Tokyo.