Tour operator
Arigato Travel
A Tokyo-registered travel agency founded in 2016, running guided food and culture tours such as a Shinjuku and Golden Gai evening food walk.
Tokyo Mizube Line
A water bus service run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association, cruising the Sumida River between Asakusa, Ryogoku and Odaiba under Rainbow Bridge.
At a glance
- Type
- River cruise
- Area
- Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan
- Official site
- tokyo-park.or.jp
Good to know
- Online and same-day tickets
- Piers at Asakusa
- Ryogoku and Odaiba
Why we recommend it
The Tokyo Mizube Line is the water bus service of the Tokyo Parks Association, a public interest foundation that also manages many of the city's parks and gardens. It offers an easy and relaxing way to see the city from the river, and it links several of the places visitors most want to see, from the temples of Asakusa to the waterfront of Odaiba.
Its Asakusa to Odaiba express cruise follows the Sumida River under a succession of bridges, each with its own design, with Tokyo Skytree in view near the start, before passing beneath Rainbow Bridge into Tokyo Bay and arriving at Odaiba. There is also the Sumida River Yurabura cruise, a gentler river trip, and a programme of sightseeing and event cruises through the year. Boats leave from piers at Asakusa Nitenmon, the Ryogoku River Center and Odaiba Seaside Park, and the boats are non-smoking throughout.
The Asakusa to Odaiba service generally runs from Wednesday to Sunday, but operating days change, and weather or tides can cause cancellations or route changes, so check the schedule on the day. The service resumed on 17 October 2026 after a break, and the rear and upper decks are closed on some days. Tickets can be bought online in advance through the operator's ticketing site, or at the pier ticket office on the day, with sales closing five minutes before departure. The Odaiba Seaside Park ticket office is cashless only, and a discount has been offered for cashless payment.
The cruises suit families, couples and anyone who wants a break from trains, and children enjoy the views of the bridges and boats. Preschool children ride free, one per paying adult. Sit on the open deck when it is available for the best views and photographs, and bring a layer, since it can be breezy on the water even on warm days.
The Asakusa Nitenmon pier is a short walk from Asakusa Station and the eastern side of Senso-ji, making it easy to combine a morning at the temple with an afternoon in Odaiba. The Ryogoku River Center pier is close to the Ryogoku Kokugikan and the Sumida Hokusai Museum.
Tokyo Mizube Line FAQs
Where do the boats leave from?
From Asakusa Nitenmon, Ryogoku River Center and Odaiba Seaside Park piers.
Can I buy tickets at the pier?
Yes, same-day tickets are sold at the ticket office until five minutes before departure, or you can buy online.
Which days does the Asakusa to Odaiba cruise run?
Generally Wednesday to Sunday, though dates change; check the schedule on the day.
Can cruises be cancelled?
Yes, weather or tides can cause cancellations or route changes.
Is cash accepted?
Not at the Odaiba Seaside Park ticket office, which is cashless only.
Do children pay?
Preschool children ride free, one per paying adult.
Who runs the service?
The Tokyo Parks Association, a public interest foundation.
What will I see?
The Sumida River bridges, Tokyo Skytree near Asakusa and Rainbow Bridge on the way into Tokyo Bay.