What could be better than eating great Japanese food while also seeing some of a city’s most popular sights? Here’s why a yakatabune lunch or dinner cruise should be on your “to do” list when you visit Japan.
What is a yakatabune?
A yakatabune (ๅฑๅฝข่น), or covered boat, is a boat outfitted to entertain visitors on lunch or dinner banquets. The boats are recognizable from their distinctive low roofs, which host a small, floating banquet room. Trip operators serve guests a multi-course meal as the boat travels up and down a river, immersing customers in the surrounding sights.
Yakatabune operators operate in multiple cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, and more. Some areas are looking to revive their traditional yakatabune as tourist attractions. For example, Hikone city in Shiga Prefecture plans to open a restored version of the yakatabune that the area’s daimyo (feudal lords) used during Japan’s Edo era.
The most popular form of yakatabune is the twilight boat, as you can relax, enjoy a great dinner, and bask in a city’s night scenery. Most businesses also offer lunch trips, which are especially popular during cherry blossom viewing season.
The 1600-year history of yakatabune
Yakatabune have a deep history in Japan. The first recorded incidence of yakatabune is in the classic book of Japanese history, the Nihon Shoki, compiled in 720. Emporer Richu, the reputed 17th emperor of Japan in the country’s Kofun period (3rd to 7th centuries), was said to have enjoyed the pastime.
In recorded times, yakatabune were first popular during the Heian period. The nobility would ride around in boats known as ryoutou-gekishu (็ซ้ ญ้ท้ฆ), ornate productions with the carved heads of waterfowl decorating the ship’s bow.
In the Edo era, river cruises were originally the province of the shogun and his daimyo. However, as the era progressed, ordinary (wealthy) citizens could enjoy a river cruise as well.
Back in these days, yakatabune could be much larger than they are now. Operators decorated their boats lavishly and competed against one another with extravagance. However, the shogunate issued regulations in the last 1600s to limit the size and number of trips that yakatabune could make.
Yakatabune grew in popularity, reaching some 500 to 600 ships by Japan’s 19th century. In Edo (modern-day Tokyo), it became a popular way to view the Sumida River fireworks. This remains a popular (though demand-limited) way to view this yearly celebration that attracts over one million viewers annually.
What to expect on a yakatabune cruise
As a tourist, you can – and should! – enjoy a yakatabune cruise, even if you don’t speak Japanese. Many boat operators are open and eager to welcome travelers to this unique Japanese experience.
There’s nothing complicated to a yakatabune cruise, as it’s intended to be a fun and relaxing activity. Riders board the boat and take their seats, usually at traditional low tables recessed into the floor.
As the cruise begins, operators serve a multi-course meal that differs based on provider or time of day. This typically consists of traditional Japanese dishes such as sashimi (raw fish), nigiri sushi, tempura, teppanyaki, and more. The courses may also include local delicacies (e.g., yakatabune companies in Japan offering courses with Kobe beef).
Guests can enjoy a variety of alcoholic drinks, including Japanese beer or sake, and non-alcoholic drinks. Some services will sell these separately, while others may offer an all-you-can-drink (้ฃฒใฟๆพ้ก; nomi-houdai) option.
The trip lasts around two to three hours in length. It’s not uncommon for a boat to make a stop so that passengers can step out and take pictures. On a trip I took back in January, the boat stopped close to Skytree so that everyone could snap pics of the famous tower at night.
Some tips for navigating a yakatabune cruise
Language may prove a sticking point for some foreign travelers. I’ve heard from Unseen Japan Tours customers who’ve done yakatabune that the services they’ve used have been entirely in Japanese, even if the provider’s Website supported English or other languages.
Even in these cases, you can get by pretty easily even if you don’t know any Japanese. There’s likely another passenger on the boat who can help you if you really get stuck. (You can also bring us along on your trip – we’re always happy to offer guided interpretation for travelers to Japan.)
Another point to watch out for is dietary restrictions. As we’ve discussed before, Japan isn’t great about supporting alternative eating styles. The good news is that some providers are adding vegetarian courses and other customization options to cater to foreign tourists.
Where to book a cruise
You can find yagatabune providers on English-language travel sites like TripAdvisor. Sometimes, you can take a ride without a reservation; however, if you’re a group of two or more, it’s better to book ahead – especially if you have special dietary requirements. Most services also support renting out entire boats for large groups or corporate trips.
Here are a few services that we recommend our readers check out. (Please note that many sites are using machine translation for non-Japanese languages, so your mileage may vary.)
The Unseen Japan crew enjoyed a beautiful dinner cruise courtesy of Tsurushin earlier this year. This service operates from Asakusa and passes Skytree, Tokyo Tower, and the Rainbow Bridge. Tsurushin also offers a cherry blossom viewing route during the March/April viewing season.
Another Odaiba-bound course that runs eight large boats, some seating up to 120 people. Sashimi and tempura are on the main menu. Amitatsu also offers a vegetarian option among its courses, making it ideal for those who don’t eat meat.
The Kobe Cruise (Kobe)
Travels the Suma/Awaji area in Kobe. Offers a Lunch Cruise, a Tea Cruise during the afternoon, and a Twilight Cruise at night.
Travels along the ) and Yodo Rivers in Osaka. Offers a luxurious number of dinner and drink options, including sashimi and wagyu yakiniku courses, as well as Italian courses with a Japanese twist (Note: Site in Japanese only – contact us if you need help booking.)
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Sources
ๅฑๅฝข่นใฎๆญดๅฒ. Yakatabune Tokyo
ๅฑๅฝข่น. Wikipedia JP
ใๆฑๆธๆไปฃใซใฟใคใ ในใชใใใใใใใช้ฐๅฒๆฐใๆฅฝใใใงใใๆป่ณใปๅฝฆๆ นๅใฎๅบญๅใงๅฑๅฝข่นๅพฉๆดปใฎๅใ. Kyoto Shimbun
