The 15 Best Boat Trips & Cruises in Japan

Mt Fuji & Hakone Cruise, Drum Show Bullet Train 1 Day from Tokyo - Mt Fuji 5th Station at 2,300 meters

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7,413 reviews · from $149Our pick

Review of a full-day Mt Fuji and Hakone tour from Tokyo with Lake Ashi cruise, ropeway, drum show, lunch, and bullet train return.

“The bus ride to 5th station was smooth & safe. Our tour guide, Shige, was a wealth of information for our particular destinations as well as glimpses of life in Japan. Figured at the start that we won’t be seeing Mt. Fuji due to inclement weather, and it’s ok. All in all, the tour was a great start for us in Japan.”

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Tokyo Mt Fuji 5th St & Hakone Cruise Bus Tour w/Bullet Train

2.Tokyo Mt Fuji 5th St & Hakone Cruise Bus Tour w/Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5,024 reviews · 10 hours · from $154

Review of a 10-hour Mt. Fuji and Hakone tour from Tokyo, with the 5th Station, ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, lunch, and bullet train return.

“Our guide Ayu was excellent she was well informed and presented in a very friendly and personable way. In addition to information about the tour she introduced us to a lot of info about Japanese language and dress. We were very fortunate to have a perfect sunny day so could see Mount Fuji very clearly. Highly recommend.”

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Kyushu: Mount Aso, Kusasenri & Takachiho Gorge Day Tour (Optional Takachiho Boat Ride Experience)

3.Kyushu: Mount Aso, Kusasenri & Takachiho Gorge Day Tour (Optional Takachiho Boat Ride Experience)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 4,957 reviews · 10 hours · from $44

Leave Hakata Station for a full day in Kyushu’s volcanic heart: Mount Aso or Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine, open Kusasenri grassland and Takachiho Gorge. A Chinese and English-speaking guide manages the long road journey. The boat ride is optional by package and weather, and solo riders share a boat.

“The tour was great 👍😌 The scenery was truly beautiful.”

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Japan’s Three Scenic Views & Kyoto by the Sea: Amanohashidate Cable Car + Ine Bay Boat Tour Day Trip (Departing from Osaka or Kyoto)

4.Japan’s Three Scenic Views & Kyoto by the Sea: Amanohashidate Cable Car + Ine Bay Boat Tour Day Trip (Departing from Osaka or Kyoto)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,839 reviews · 11 hours · from $51

Spend a long day in northern Kyoto visiting Amanohashidate’s pine-lined sandbar and Ine’s traditional funaya houses. The tour combines coach travel, a scenic Tango Railway ride, free time, and an Ine Bay boat trip. Cable car and boat tickets depend on the package you choose, so check the inclusions before booking.

“Our tour guide Yu Qi Hang was amazing, he was efficient with communication and super friendly, he even gave us recommendations for souvenirs to buy! We had such a lovely trip, if anyone is thinking of booking this its worth it if you do not want to deal with the long commute from Kyoto. I do wish that we had longer in some of the spots we visited, however that is just a personal opinion as I would have liked to sit in a cafe in Ine and see the shops or eat some local seafood. The views were amazing and I would totally visit again”

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Boat Trips and Cruises, Tour Reviews

Hozugawa River Boat Ride Experience in Kyoto

5.Hozugawa River Boat Ride Experience in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,331 reviews · 2 hours · from $37

From Kameoka, you’ll travel down the Hozugawa River in a traditional boat with a crew steering by hand. Expect forested canyon views, sculpted boulders, occasional splashes and stretches of faster water. The two-hour ride ends in Arashiyama, making it a scenic way to reach the area.

“One of the best experience in Kyoto. Books out very quickly but definitely worth it. Take the romantic train up to close to the start point, just remember that there is a short bus ride from the trains exit. Staff were so entertaining and made the whole experience so great. Can't recommend enough!!!”

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Kyushu Takachiho One-Day Tour | Takachiho Gorge Boat Ride-Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine/Takachiho Mini-Train-Mount Aso-Kusasenri (Departing from Kumamoto)

6.Kyushu Takachiho One-Day Tour | Takachiho Gorge Boat Ride-Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine/Takachiho Mini-Train-Mount Aso-Kusasenri (Departing from Kumamoto)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,609 reviews · 10 hours · from $44

Travel from Kumamoto to Takachiho Gorge, Kusasenri and Mount Aso on a 10-hour shared tour with a Chinese-speaking guide. Choose a package with or without the gorge boat ride. The sightseeing train, boat availability and volcano access can vary, so check what your selected option includes before booking.

“The tour guide was great, but the overall value for money was low for the rest of the experience.”

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Boat Trips and Cruises, Mount Fuji Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tokyo: Mt. Fuji 5th Station & Hakone Cruise 1-Day Bus Tour

7.Mt. Fuji 5th Station & Hakone Cruise 1-Day Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,381 reviews · 11 hours · from $129

A practical review of Tokyo’s Mt. Fuji and Hakone day tour, covering views, ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise, lunch, timing, and return details.

“Guide (Tsubasa) was perfect. He was so kind and gave uns so much information. He made our day at Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi really special.”

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Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Skytree Bus Tour and Cruise

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

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

See Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Skytree, Imperial Palace, matcha, lunch, and a bay cruise in one full day by deluxe coach.

“Excellent tour, Yuta our guide was great ! very knowledgeable and helpful. highly recommend”

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Mt Fuji & Hakone Cruise, Drum Show Bus 1 Day from Tokyo

9.Mt Fuji & Hakone Cruise, Drum Show Bus 1 Day from Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,287 reviews · from $122

Review of a full-day Mt Fuji and Hakone coach tour from Tokyo with 5th Station, Lake Ashi cruise, ropeway, lunch, and drum show.

“Marie our guide was excellent. Learned a lot about local culture as well. Very good lunch and taiko drum entertainment a bonus”

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Boat Trips and Cruises, Boat Trips in Osaka, Osaka Tours, Tour Reviews

Osaka: Dotonbori District River Cruise with Drink Discount

10.Dotonbori District River Cruise with Drink Discount

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 876 reviews · 1 day · from $12Best value

See Osaka’s neon-lit Dotonbori River on a covered 20-minute cruise with Glico Man photos, onboard facilities, and a beer discount.

“A fun ride with a fun and beautiful guide lady. Heaps of energy. Thanks for the amazing Osaka welcome from us , even in a rainy evening”

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Osaka Dotonbori Naniwa Sightseeing Boat

11.Osaka Dotonbori Naniwa Sightseeing Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 859 reviews · 30 min · from $12

Cruise a short stretch of the Dotonbori River on a 30-minute outing that includes boarding and disembarking. You’ll pass the Glico sign, neon displays, and riverside buildings, with music and commentary that can vary by boat. Night rides show the signs at their brightest; the pier is behind Kobe Beef Kisshokichi near Daikoku Bridge.

“very fun, good to get the river perspective outside of the crowd”

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Sumida River: Japanese Traditional Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

12.Sumida River: Japanese Traditional Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

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

Review of Tokyo’s Yakatabune dinner cruise, with traditional Japanese food, unlimited drinks, Skytree views, Tokyo Bay scenery, and practical tips.

“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…”

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Tokyo: Hakone Fuji Day Tour w/ Cruise, Cable Car, Volcano

13.Hakone Fuji Day Tour w/ Cruise, Cable Car, Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 724 reviews · 10 hours · from $98

Review of a 10-hour Hakone day tour from Tokyo with Lake Ashi pirate cruise, ropeway, volcanic Owakudani, Fuji views, outlets, or onsen.

“A very nice trip. A very relaxing trip. Comfortable coach bus. Tour guide was very pleasant. Wished she spoke a little more about the Japanese culture, even though that was not part of the tour. The lake, volcano and shopping was super cool. And we also went for an hour to a spa. That was an extra cost. But instead of shopping for 2 hours, my family broke it into one hour hot spring and one hour shopping.”

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Boat Trips and Cruises, Day Trips, Day Trips in Kyoto, Kyoto Tours, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Kyoto Arashiyama Scenic Train & Hozugawa River Boat Ride Day Trip (From Osaka / Kyoto)

14.Kyoto Arashiyama Scenic Train & Hozugawa River Boat Ride Day Trip (From Osaka / Kyoto)

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 604 reviews · 10 hours · from $65

Spend about 10 hours traveling from Osaka or Kyoto to Arashiyama. Ride the 23-minute Sagano Scenic Railway through the Hozugawa gorge, then choose a traditional boat trip rowed by local boatmen or extra time on land. Guides may speak Chinese, English, or Japanese, but the language is not guaranteed.

“TOMO is a very dedicated tour leader and guide.”

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Osaka Wonder Cruise

15.Osaka Wonder Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 600 reviews · from $12

Cruise Dotonbori for 20 minutes past its bridges, Kani Doraku crab sign, and famous Glico Sign. The covered boat has an onboard bidet toilet, and the guide may narrate in English or Korean. Reserve your time separately on the official website after buying a Klook ticket.

“They kindly explained everything well and even stopped briefly in front of the Glico Man sign to take our picture. We also enjoyed the explanation of the famous hexagonal building.”

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