Tokyo Bay Ferry Terminals: Where to find boarding locations and which cruise ships to take

Discovering Tokyo by Ferry

Tokyo is a city by the water, right along Tokyo Bay. Various ferry services, including water buses and fancy cruise ships, operate from its wharves, and passengers can kick back, feel the sea breeze, and check out the incredible skyline from the water.

Tokyo Bay has three main ferry terminals

The ship services are offered by ferry operators from three ferry terminals, each serving different destinations. If you're planning to sail from Tokyo Bay, be sure to know the terminal location for your cruise departure. For boarding a large ferry, passengers must arrive at the boarding point 30 minutes before departure. It is advisable to check the boarding point in advance to ensure a smooth boarding process and avoid missing your ferry.

Important:
Ship operation schedules are greatly affected by weather conditions. Staying informed about the schedule is crucial, particularly for ferries to the Tokyo Islands. The up-dates can be found on the ferry operator's websites noted here.

3 Ferry Terminals in Tokyo Bay

• 1. Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal
  For Tokyo Islands
  - In case arrived at a wrong boarding pier

• 2. Hinode Pier
  For River cruises in Tokyo

• 3. Tokyo International Cruise Terminal
  For International voyage
  - In case arrived at a wrong boarding terminal

1. Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal
竹芝旅客ターミナル

Ferries bound for the Tokyo Islands depart from Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal. There are two types of ship services: high-speed ferries and cruise ships.

What are the Tokyo Islands?
The Tokyo Islands consist of eleven islands scattered in the Pacific Ocean, located far from Central Tokyo. They offer numerous outdoor attractions, including diving, nature walks, camping, and hot spring bathing. To learn about the Tokyo Islands (9 from 11 islands), visit their official website.

Tokyo Islands
https://tokyoislands.jp/

Takashiba waterfront is a tourist destination
The waterfront near this terminal has hotels and restaurants. There is also an upscale theater nearby. The large ferry to the islands usually leaves in the evening, so passengers can check out the nightlife before they board and take in the stunning night view of Tokyo from the ferry.

Getting to the Takeshiba Passenger Terminal

The nearest JR station is Hamamatsucho (浜松町駅) on the Yamanote Line. Be sure to exit from the North Exit. After you exit, turn right and walk over one light (intersection). Keep walking straight until you see an object resembling a ship mast. A 7-minute walk takes you there.

In case arrived at a wrong boarding pier

If you mixed up Takeshiba Terminal and Hinode Pier and arrived at the wrong boarding point, just walk to the correct location. They are within walking distance; it's a 10-minute walk between them along the seaside road, about 1 km apart.

Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal
竹芝客船ターミナル
1-16-1 Kaigan Minato-ku Tokyo
https://www.tptc.co.jp/terminal/guide/takeshiba

Tokai Kisen (Tokyo Island Ferry Operation Services)
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/en/

2. Hinode Pier
日の出桟橋

Small passenger ships serve for river cruises on the eastern side of the Tokyo area. The cruise takes you to Asakusa (浅草), Hamarikyu (浜離宮), Ryogoku (両国), Odaiba Seaside Park (お台場海浜公園), and Tokyo Big Sight (Ariake) 東京ビッグサイト(有明.) The most popular route travels to and from Asakusa, a major tourist destination in Tokyo.

Booking a seat
While reservations are not always necessary and tickets can be purchased on-site, those who make reservations will receive priority boarding. Seats may get fully booked very quickly on a sunny weekend, so if you take a cruise without a reservation, arrive at the pier well before the departure time to avoid missing out on the experience.

Getting to Hinode Pier

Hinode Pier is 2 minutes' walk from Hinode Station on the Yurikamome Line. The pier is also about 8 minutes on foot from Hamamatsucho Station (South Exit) on JR Yamanote Line, while the route from the JR station can be a bit complicated.

Hinode Pier (Tokyo Cruise)
日の出桟橋
2-7-104 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
https://www.suijobus.co.jp/en/cruise/hinode/

Tokyo Cruise
https://www.suijobus.co.jp/en/

3. Tokyo International Cruise Terminal

This terminal is a cruise ship berth located on the Odaiba man-made island. Large cruise ships for international voyages come and go from this terminal. Tokyo International Cruise Terminal has easy access from the transport hub. Haneda International Airport is a 20-minute drive by car or bus, a 20-minute train ride from Shinagawa Station, and a 25-minute train ride from Tokyo Station.

Getting to Tokyo International Cruise Terminal

The nearest train stop is Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station on the Yurikamome Line. It is about an 8-minute walk from the station.

In the case of arrival at the wrong boarding terminal

If you arrive at the wrong pier, located on the other side of Tokyo Bay, take a train on the Yurikamome Line. For example, if you arrive at Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal in mistake, get to Takeshiba-sanbashi Station to take the Yurikamome Line and head to the station "Tokyo International Cruise Terminal," with 4 stops, a 12-minute ride.

Taking Yurikamome Line
Yurikamome trains depart from Shinbashi Station. Be sure not to mixed up JR's Shinbashi Station and Yurikamome Line's Station as they are in different location. The distance between the two stations is about a 2 or 3 minute walk.

Tokyo International Cruise Terminal
2 Aomi Koto-ku, Tokyo
https://www.tptc.co.jp/terminal/guide/cruise