Yakatabune dinner cruise in Tokyo Bay

The yakatabune cruise is one of the most refined and unusual experiences in Tokyo: a night-time ride around the bay aboard a traditional Japanese barge, decorated with lanterns and equipped with tatami, while you enjoy a multi-course kaiseki dinner with drinks included. The yakatabune have more than 260 years of history and were once the pleasure boats of the samurai elite. The usual route of 2,5 to 3 hours passes iconic points such as the illuminated Rainbow Bridge, the Skytree reflected in the water and the lights of Odaiba. The dinner includes fresh sashimi, tempura, seasonal rice and an open bar of beer, sake and soft drinks. The prices for this experience usually range between 10.000 ¥ and 14.000 ¥ per person depending on the company and the season. Some companies offer live performances of traditional music or geishas at an additional cost. Departures are usually from Shinagawa or Asakusa. Book at least a week in advance, especially in summer, when the fireworks cruises are in high demand.