Recommended for Tokyo Sightseeing! Impressions and Photo Report of the 90-Minute Nihonbashi Kanda River Cruise

I took a relaxing 90-minute boat trip on the Nihonbashi-Kanda River Cruise!
Hello! This is Bunbun.
The other day, I went on the "Nihonbashi Cruise Kanda River Loop Course."
Taking a leisurely stroll by boat right through the heart of Tokyo...! It was a 90-minute journey where I truly encountered the "backside of Tokyo."
I'll be sharing my experience with a casual report along with some photos!

■ First, head to the Nihonbashi boat landing!
The departure point is right near the famous "Nihonbashi" bridge. If you search for "Nihonbashi Boat Landing" in a map app, it will pop right up. The reception staff were very kind, so it's safe even for first-timers. It seems they have same-day tickets, but it was fully booked when I went, so advance booking is recommended.

As a side note, the Kirin statue at Nihonbashi has wings. A "Kirin" is an imaginary creature, and they don't usually have wings. However, the Kirin at Nihonbashi has wings because this is the starting point of the road, and they were added with the wish that it would "take flight from here."

■ Board the boat and set off! After boarding the small sightseeing boat, the first thing that got me excited was... "The bridges are so close!" and "The city looks a bit different!" Plus, the passengers were all in high spirits that day, waving at people on the bridges and getting waves back (lol).

My freshest discovery was at Ochanomizu Station.
The scenery of the Kanda River that we usually see from the ground looks like this, right?

We are going through that river by boat.

Looking up at the scaffolding from below is a view you can only experience on this course.

And here!
The part where the Marunouchi Line runs above ground.

When you go through here by boat...
The Marunouchi Line passes right in front of you!
Or rather, we go under that!

Yes, passing under the bridge.

Now, here is a question.

Regarding the height of the bridges on the Kanda River, from near Korakuen to Ochanomizu,
even though it should be going from upstream to downstream,
the heights of the bridges are different.
It's like the river is climbing!?
Why is that? (Apparently, there is an 18-meter elevation difference.)

Answer: Because this area was artificially created as a defense for Edo.
This area was apparently constructed by Date Masamune.
(All of the above is information from the guide.)

■ This 90-minute course is packed with highlights, departing from the Nihonbashi Boat Landing and touring the Nihonbashi River, Kanda River, and Sumida River.
• Seeing Edo-period stone walls up close
• Passing under the Sobu Line and Chuo Line
• Seeing the Skytree looming large

Tokyo viewed from the river was fresher than I imagined!

■ And anyway, the guide on this course is incredibly interesting! It's packed with information that makes you want to say "Wow!", like historical stories and behind-the-scenes facts about buildings. (Did you know Ochanomizu is a valley? Apparently, the scenery will change because the Metropolitan Expressway is going underground.) Honestly, having a guide is a blessing. It was a 90-minute trip packed with information that you can enjoy with your ears too.

■ A quick summary

If you want to have a slightly unusual experience in Tokyo, I recommend this cruise. You can get a sense of being a tourist, and it was a precious time to feel "extraordinary" in the middle of the city.
Next time, I'd like to go on an evening cruise to see a different side of the city at a different time.

■ A little advice
Flow on the day of boarding
• Reception location and time: Reception is held at the "Taki no Hiroba" (Waterfall Plaza) at the foot of Nihonbashi Bridge. Boarding begins 10 minutes before departure, so please arrive with plenty of time.
• How to choose a seat: Seats are unreserved, but you can choose them in the order of boarding. If you want to enjoy the scenery, I recommend the seats on the left side.
• What to bring: Since it is a boat without a roof, it is safe to bring a hat, sunscreen, and rain gear depending on the weather. You can bring your own food and drinks, but please be considerate of other passengers.

Highlights
• Nihonbashi River: Since you go under the Metropolitan Expressway, the sunlight is blocked, making it comfortable. You can see stone walls from the Edo period and stones with the seals of various domains remaining.
• Kanda River: In the Ochanomizu Valley, a landscape where the buildings on both banks harmonize with nature spreads out. Seeing the Chuo Line, Sobu Line, and Marunouchi Line trains passing by is also one of the highlights.
• Sumida River: When you get out onto the spacious river surface, Tokyo landmarks such as the Skytree and Kiyosu Bridge appear one after another. The river breeze is pleasant, and you can enjoy a sense of openness.

Photo Gallery

Seeing the familiar Tokyo from a different perspective... Why don't you also take an adult's Tokyo stroll?