photo by Jun OHWADA
Lovely yakatabune (pleasure boats) are visually full of old-times’ Japanese spirit. It’s nice to gaze at them floating relaxingly on the water, but the best is to actually get on them and enjoy them. From inside the boat while watching the city pulling away, you can enjoy some food. Usually seen frequently near Tokyo’s Sumida River and around Odaiba, surprisingly yakatabune can also be found in Osaka, Nagoya, and Hakata. Being able to enjoy that region’s personality is also the appeal of the yakatabune.
Tokyo Monjya Yakatabune ’Senbamaru’
For example, a representative one from Tokyo, is the Monjya yakatabune. Especially ‘Senbamaru’ is recommended. Monjya-yaki, Okonomiyaki, Yakisoba are all you can eat! Drinks are all you can drink! You can also freely bring anything to cook on the hot plate. You can enjoy BBQ inside the boat. Even if you drink or eat too much, the price is a happy 6000 yen. On this yakatabune you can enjoy the night skyline of Odaiba, but for two hours you won’t be able to get off the boat. Please be careful not to drink or eat too much.
Senbamaru (Odaiba course)
Phone : 03-6221-2666
Minimum amount of people who can take part: from 1 person (max per boat is 15)
Price: 6000 yen per person
Tokyo Goby Fishing Yakatabune ‘Amikou’
The yakatabune where you can enjoy goby fishing on is ‘Amikou.’ Departure is a little (?) early at 9am, but the entertainment value is great. If you are able to, catch goby that is, they’ll cook it for you and you get to enjoy freshly cooked, plump, succulent goby. Of course the ship captain is a veteran. He’ll give you pointers on how to catch the goby, so you can look forward to a big catch.
Amikou (goby fishing plan)
Phone : 03-3680-5755
Minimum amount of people who can take part: from 15 people
Price: 9000 yen per person (before taxes)
Osaka Okawa touring yakatabune ‘Daikimaru’
If you talk about yakatabunes in Osaka, they’re going to be the one that tour Okawa. It’ll slowly cover about 10 km over the course of 2-3 hours. There are some free-spirited boats that are ‘willing to take course requests’. The view of a busy Osaka from the river always seems somewhat calmer. Recommended is ‘Daikimaru’ which can be enjoyed by even just one person. ‘Viewing Osaka slowly while being rocked in a yakatabune’ during cherry blossom blooming season, so luxurious.
Daikimaru
Phone : 06-6928-3354
Minimum amount of people who can take part: from 1 person
Price: If for 1-14 people, please call.
Immerse yourself like Ieyasu in a Nagoya yakatabune ‘Gozabune Yoshimaru’
Starting at Nagoya Castle, you can then briefly tour the TV Tower, Atsuta Shrine, the aquarium, even though it is at a distance. Recommended is the yakatabune that was built inspired by the Edo Period, ‘Yoshimaru’. The inside is like this. How about immersing yourself like Tokugawa Ieyasu? The only problem is that you need at least 20 people in your party to rent it out..
Gozabu Yoshimaru
Phone : 052-698-4611
Minimum amount of people who can take part: from 20 people
Price: 6480 yen person person ~
Eating local Hakata foods in yakatabune ‘Hakatabune’
The yakatabune that floats on Nakagawa River that runs through the center of downtown Nakasu. This river runs slowly so sea sickness is non-existent. It is close to the center of the city, Tenpin and it’s not that far from Hakata Station. At night especially, the neon lights of Nakasu glittering on the river is really beautiful. Recommended is the one and only yakatabune in Hakata, ‘Hakata-bune’. Inside the boat you can try just-fished fresh seafood from the Genkai or specialities like ’Mizu-yaki’ or ‘Motsu-nabe’. There are warm dishes as well so you can enjoy the yakatabune even when it’s cold outside.
Hakatabune
Phone : 092-734-0228
Minimum amount of people who can take part: if there are openings, from a few people is ok (please ask)
Price: 6000 yen per person
Pointers about Yakatabune
Can you use them even with a small amount of people?
Basically yakatabune are private charters, but some can accommodate from a few persons. The prices vary widely because of the such things as dishes served, so be sure to make reservations beforehand.
Is there toilet?
Don’t worry, the yakabune are toilet-equipped.
Sea-sickness?
It is said that people don’t get sea sick, but the possibility is not zero. For people who don’t want to chance it, be sure to take your motion sickness medicine.
Season?
You can actually enjoy yakatabune all year round. Spring, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms without worrying about finding a place to sit. In the summer, it’s fabulous that you can enjoy the fireworks without worrying about the congestion. The beer is sure to flow. In autumn, it’s not too bad to look up at the big moon atop of a yakatabune. With a hot sake in those seasons that you’re wanting company? In the winter, how does nabe on a yakatabune equipped with a kotatsu sound?
