Nighttime water activities in Tokyo
Tokyo fromthe bay
Canoeing, cruising on a traditional barge, kabuki show on an Edo-era boat...Here are some nighttime activities on the bay to enjoy Tokyo differently!
Sports evening
What nocturnal activity is more sporty than a night out in a disco, healthier than an evening in a bar, and more original than a city tour by bus? Well, a canoe trip on a river in the heart of Tokyo. This is what the Zac sports club offers for 5,500 yen per person ($47.50/42.50€, two people per canoe). And in addition, you can take your children there from 6 years old.
Read: Tokyo Cruise
The walk on the artificial river of Kyunaka is easy and guided in English (by Japanese guides). For 1h30, we discover Tokyo in another way, and the northern part of the river offers superb views of the Skytree, which shines in all its glory. The icing on the cake: the schedules vary according to the seasons and hours of sunset.
Evening show
It is on a boat (called Gozabune Atakemaru in Japanese and Samurai ship in English) like that of the samurai in Edo times (1603-1868) that you can attend a kabuki theater performance while gliding along the Tokyo Bay. The kabuki show is aimed more at tourists than true connoisseurs, but it offers 25 min of pure entertainment.
The cruise lasts 90 minutes in all, allowing you to admire some of the capital's famous sites such as the Rainbow Bridge, the Skytree, or the Tokyo Tower while enjoying a buffet where even drinks are unlimited.
An evening like in Edo times
Another way to experience Tokyo Bay is to cruise on a traditional houseboat. This is what tour operator Yakatabune Funasei offers. The yakatabune were kinds of barges fitted out for entertainment on the water. Like in the past, you sit on tatami mats while enjoying traditional Japanese dishes such as tempura or sashimi, generously washed down with sake. A combination of tradition and modernity, the formula is now cliché but is well-illustrated here by the presence of karaoke in the traditionally decorated rooms.
The boats can be rented privately (from 15 people); in this case, you can even call on the services of a geisha to immerse yourself even more in the Japan of yesteryear.
In addition to these original activities, there are many more classic night cruises to discover the capital.
