The 6 Tokyo Bay and Sumida River Cruises That Earn Their Price

1.Flagship 2-Hours Official Street Go-Kart Tour – Tokyo Bay Shop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,974 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $64Our pick

Drive a single-seat street kart through Tokyo Bay for about two hours, led by guides such as Bryan, Jordan, Pam, Riley, or Gia. You’ll pass Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge, wear a character costume, and receive guide-taken photos. Bring the correct driving permit, passport, and a confident attitude for city traffic.

“Highly recommended experience!!! Bryan and Jordan were excellent guides and made us feel safe while having fun! Definitely do it at night if you have the opportunity.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Sumida River: Japanese Traditional Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

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

From Asakusa, you’ll spend 150 minutes aboard a traditional yakatabune, enjoying about 14 Japanese dishes and free-flow beer, sake, wine, spirits, tea, and soft drinks. The boat pauses near Odaiba and Tokyo Skytree for rooftop photos. Staff use translation tools rather than providing an English guide.

“My wife and I did this on our trip and it was such a great experience. You cruise around the bay for a couple of hours and the views of the city at night are just amazing. It's a totally different feeling seeing it from the water. I was a little worried the food might be mediocre, like on some tours, but it was actually delicious! We were both really impressed with the quality of the whole meal. It's a bit of a splurge, but for a unique, romantic night out, we thought it was 100% worth it. Just a really memorable part of our trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Dynamic Tokyo: Tokyo Tower, Tea Experience, Bay Cruise Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 521 reviews · from $99

Spend about nine hours touring Tokyo by coach, riverboat, and on foot. Visit the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji, and Nakamise, prepare matcha, enjoy a buffet lunch, cruise beneath 12 bridges, and finish at Tokyo Tower. Guides such as Mina, Aki, Hiro, and Yokosan are praised for clear explanations and warm service.

“Allot is covered by this tour and you have ample time at each location. Tokyo Tower, the tea ceremony & bonsai garden, the bbq lunch, the outer gardens of the imperial palace, the river cruise and the Senso-ji Temple were all quiet different and wonderful to see. Our tour guide was excellent, spoke allot between the locations about Japan’s history. Great way to see lots in a single day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 473 reviews · from $65

Board a traditional yakatabune at Etchujima for an approximately 1-hour-40-minute Tokyo Bay cruise. Enjoy sukiyaki if selected, unlimited soft drinks, live Japanese music, and views of Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, Fuji TV, and Tokyo Tower. Seats may be tatami-style or Western-style.

“Departed right on time and checked on me over the phone to make sure I was making it on time and had the right address. Excellent dinner with a musical show and really kind and enthusiastic staff. Yoyo was amazing !”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Tokyo Dinner Cruise & Tradition Show & Drinks & Tokyo Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 315 reviews · 1h 40m · from $95

Spend 100 minutes aboard a traditional yakatabune houseboat with a sukiyaki meal, unlimited soft drinks, live shamisen music, and cultural performances. English-speaking guides such as Karen, Yoyo, Lulu, and Sheila help with photos and explanations. Add Tokyo Tower’s 150-meter deck, but arrange your own transport from the pier.

“The organization is very good, the food is very tasty and the show is very lovely! Yoyo was our guest and she helped me organize my husband's birthday. We had a lot of fun and had a chance to see some landmarks like the Rainbow Bridge and the Statue of Liberty! Thank you all for such a great experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Official Japan Go-Kart Through Tokyo Bay / Ginza (IDP Required)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · from $85

Take a 2.5-hour guided go-kart ride through eastern Tokyo, from Toyosu and Ginza to Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree. You drive on public roads behind a lead van and ahead of a support van, with costumes, fuel, photos, and a safety briefing included. An approved 1949 Geneva Convention IDP is essential.

“Driving through the city, it was awesome! It was like we were celebrities, people were smiling, waving, taking our pictures and were happy to speak to us! The young & old, people walking and in vehicles. They seemed to have just as much fun seeing us driving as we did actually driving! Definitely recommend any who visits Tokyo to do this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review