The boat cruise from Hinode Pier to Asakusa
You can take Tokyo's water buses to explore the city. The water bus departs from Hinode Port (not easy to find on foot!).
You can take Tokyo's water buses to explore the city.
The water bus departs from Hinode Port (not easy to find on foot!) and travels upriver to Asakusa (approximately 20 minutes).
The boat ride from Hinode Pier (near Zozoji Temple and Tokyo Tower, or near the Tsukiji Fish Market) is worthwhile mainly if you want to reach Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple), as the riverbanks aren't particularly scenic and the price is relatively steep (around 800 yen).
Unlike Paris, where monuments line the Seine, here there's nothing particularly exceptional to see (except for catching a hidden side of Tokyo, as it's easy to forget that Tokyo is a port city with numerous waterways and canals dotted with small barges moored along the banks...).
Moreover, the water bus doesn't offer guided commentary (though it does feature a small Asahi bar), which is rather fitting since you pass right by the Asahi headquarters with its striking architecture:
You can use it as a mode of transport to reach Asakusa after visiting Rikyu Gardens, or see the back of the fish market with its docked cargo vessels.
Alternatively, from Hinode Port you can take another water bus heading toward Tokyo Bay to explore the port area and especially its amusement park.
Finally, if you have time and a generous budget, you can opt for dinner cruises that will take you across Tokyo Bay.
Frequently asked questions
Hinode Pier (Hinode Sanbashi) is accessible from Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Yamanote Line, approximately a 7-minute walk away. The station can be difficult to find on foot from other areas, so it's recommended to follow directional signs from the south exit of Hamamatsucho.
The ticket for the water bus journey from Hinode Pier to Asakusa cost approximately 800 yen at the time this article was written (2009). It's recommended to check current fares directly with Tokyo Cruise Ship Co., as prices may have changed.
The water bus journey from Hinode Pier to Asakusa takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes as it travels upriver along the Sumida River. It's an original way to discover Tokyo from a riverside perspective, even if the riverbanks aren't as spectacular as the banks of the Seine in Paris.
The route passes the fish market and its cargo vessels, Tokyo's waterways and canals rarely seen by tourists, and the distinctive Asahi headquarters building with its original architecture. The views offer an unusual perspective on Tokyo as a port city, often overlooked by visitors.
Yes, from Hinode Pier you can also take a water bus toward Tokyo Bay to explore the port area and its amusement park (Odaiba). Dinner cruises also offer trips across Tokyo Bay for those wanting to combine gastronomy with discovery.
