Waterbus & Ferry, Tokyo

Yagirino-Watashi -- it is one of the ferries of 15 reservoirs-along-the-Tone-River rivers which Tokugawa shogunate prepared in the early stages of the Edo period for the purposes, such as worship only for cultivation and purchasing daily-necessaries, or paying a visit to shrines and temples.

It run across Ara River come and go between Matsudo, Chiba-pref. and Shibamata, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo.

Fee: One way Adult 100yen, Kids 50yen

1 more image

The company uses a few different kinds of ship. Since I've lived in Asakusa, I've chosen to take the direct line to Odaiba one day. The boat (Himiko) has a modern, 23rd century shape, but not much special aboard. I was alittle disappointed by the smell of gasoline on board of the ship. Don't get me wrong! I do not travel by boat a lot and maybe it was perfectly "normal". Just that smell.... Brrrrrrr!!! The ticket was 1520 yen one-way.
The Water Bus marina (ticket counter and boarding place in one) is just at the end of Kaminarimon Dori street, next to Asakusa station of Tokyo Metro Ginza line.
(http://www.tcvb.or.jp/en/infomation/2area/map/02map_asakusa.html)

It's hard to believe that in the midst of 30 million people - the population of the Greater Tokyo area - you can find such a tranquil scene as this. The yagiri-no-watashi ferry has been taking passengers across the Edo river for nearly 400 years. Slip the boatman a 100-yen coin and he'll row you across the river. Apart from the distant hum of the city, the only sound you will hear will be the gentle slap of the oar as the boatman slowly steers you to the other side

Sumida River/ Tokyo Bay boat cruise. These boats depart from Asakusa every 40 minutes, and stop at the Hamarikyu Gardens (close to the Tsukiji Fish Market) and Hinode Pier. From there, you can transfer to other boats that ply Tokyo Bay, or get on the new 'Yurikamome' light-rail line that travels over the Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba. The one-way fare from Asakusa to Hinode is 660 yen. Commentary is in Japanese and English, and refreshments are available on board. The only drawback is that the boat is enclosed, so it can get stuffy.

Check the route at their website. The most recommended is Himiko, the spacecraft shape boat that travel from Asakusa to Odaiba.

International ferries service from North Korea, Korea, China and any other countries. Besides, it connects to other islands surrounding Tokyo Bay Area.

If you want to see Tokyo by water there is no cheaper way than to use this method. You usually leave from Hinode Pier and head to ODaiba, Asakusa, or other ports. Departures are every 45 minutes.

A good way to discover an other side of Tokyo is to use the water buses. There are multiple line as you can find on their web site below.

It's cheap and pretty fast.