Enjoy Osaka, the City of Water, to the fullest Enjoy sightseeing in Osaka on a boat 12 ships and cruise ships you can board from Osaka

Osaka is called the city of water. .
From the Sengoku period to the Edo period, Osaka was also called the “nation’s kitchen,” and it is said that
food and cuisine from around the world flourished through trade from all over the country, and that it was brought to Osaka along with water transport.

Osaka city is surrounded by canals, including the Okawa, Dojima, and Aji Rivers in the north, and the Dotonbori River in the south, and there are many waterways and docks to this day.

Enjoy cruise sightseeing in Osaka, the city of water

Surprisingly, Osaka locals may not know that various cruise ships are operating in Osaka ahead of the 2025 World Expo.
Dotonbori Cruises (Tonbori River Cruise) and other cruises are popular with many foreign tourists and have fun guided tours.

Many sightseeing cruises are in service　

Osaka used to prosper as a city based on water transportation, and cruise guides are now operating from various locations around Osaka for tourists to enjoy sightseeing in Osaka from the water.

You can enjoy a wide variety of cruising experiences, including the overwhelming view of Osaka Castle seen from the river, nature such as cherry blossoms, the view of Osaka city from the bayside, and a night view cruise.

Introducing sightseeing cruises you can enjoy in Osaka.

Naniwa exploration cruise with a rakugo storyteller

“Naniwa Exploration Cruise with a Rakugo Storyteller” is a sightseeing cruise in Osaka guided by a Rakugo storyteller. This is a cruise that takes 90 to 105 minutes and visits famous spots in the city such as Nakanoshima and Dotonbori.

The feature of this cruise is that you can enjoy Kamigata Rakugo, one of Osaka’s comedy culture.
A professional rakugo storyteller will guide you around Osaka’s famous spots while using rakugo.
You can enjoy the scenery of Osaka in each season, such as cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn. Also worth seeing are the large water gates and historic low bridges.

■Fees

• Adult: 3,500 yen
• Student: 2,000 yen
• Children (elementary school age and younger): Free

You can enjoy cruising for about 90 minutes.

Cruise ships you can board from Osaka 1. Tombori River Cruise

Tombori River Cruise is a cruise guide that departs from the Tazaemon Bridge Pier located at 7-13 Soemon-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City. Led by an Osaka guide crew, you can enjoy a 20-minute mini-cruise that passes under nine bridges spanning the Dotonbori River.

Cruises are open from 11am to 9pm, with departures every 30 minutes.
However, the start and end times may change, and service may be canceled due to weather, tide level, water gate operating hours, river construction, river events, etc.

Boarding reception is on the north bank of the promenade “Tonbori River Walk” next to the river entrance of “Don Quijote Dotonbori” (east side). The boarding area (Tazaemonbashi Pier) is right in front of it.
Approximately 5-10 minutes walk from Namba Station, Shinsaibashi Station, and Nihonbashi Station.
This is a 20-minute Dotonbori mini-cruise where you can enjoy lively guidance from an Osaka local.

Cruise ships you can board from Osaka 2. Tombori River Jazz Boat

An extraordinary 40-minute weekend trip around the Dotonbori River with live jazz music in the background.

TOMBORI River JAZZ Boat is a sightseeing boat where you can cruise along the Dotonbori River in Minami, Osaka while listening to live jazz music. The approximately 40-minute cruise takes you around Dotonbori, passing under nine bridges. 

■Fees

• Adult: 2,000 yen
• Student: 1,000 yen
• Elementary school students and under: Free
• More than 1 elementary school student/preschool child per adult: 500 yen
• You must present your student ID to apply the student rate.

The flight schedule for 2023 is as follows, with flights starting from May to June when the weather is nice.

• Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays between May 3, 2023 (Wednesday) and June 25, 2023 (Sunday)

For more information, please check the Ipponmatsu Kaiun website or call 06-6441-0532.

Cruise ships you can board from Osaka 3. Nakanoshima River Cruise

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9_vAs_-oHQ8%3Fsi%3DL4wljBeLp2mFThrs

This is a 20-minute luxury cruise where you can enjoy the evening and night views of the Nakanoshima West area on a small limousine boat. 中之島is an island with a total length of about 3 km surrounded by two rivers, the Dojima River and the Tosabori River, and has been the center of Osaka since the Edo period.

中之島The river cruise 中之島is a luxury cruise where you can enjoy the beautiful sunset and night views of the western area, which features illuminated bridges, retro architecture, and the latest buildings.

Cruise ships you can board from Osaka 4. Water bus Aqualiner

The Aqua Liner is the main ship of the Osaka Water Bus and is a cruise ship with a roof and air conditioning. You can ride along the Okawa River (formerly Yodo River) that flows through Osaka City, and enjoy the bridges and seasonal scenery.

■Fees

• Adult: 1,600 yen
• Elementary school student: 800 yen
• Infants: Up to 1 child per adult can sit on lap free of charge

All Aqualiner seats are reserved, so we recommend making advance reservations online or by phone. You can purchase same-day boarding tickets at the ticket office, but same-day boarding tickets will not be sold for flights that are fully booked in advance.

As part of the “Osaka Castle/Nakanoshima Tour,” tour Okawa, Osaka, where you can enjoy the charm of each season.
Enjoy a stroll through Osaka from the riverside, passing under many bridges and seeing many of Osaka’s famous and historical sites.

Cruise ships you can board from Osaka 5. Suitogo Aqua mini

Aqua mini Osaka, the city of water, operates a new cruise! ! A course that includes Osaka Castle and Dotonbori.

A popular water cruise where you can enjoy the scenery from Osaka Castle to Dotonbori while traveling through the water capital of Osaka.
The route takes about 50 minutes each way, leaving Osaka Castle Park’s Osaka Castle Port, exploring the Okawa River, passing through the Higashiyokobori River with its large water gate, and entering the Dotonbori River, where Osaka’s typical downtown area is located.

On the way there is the Tazaemonbashi Pier of the Tombori River Walk, and the final stop is the Minatomachi Pier of the Minatomachi River Place. You can also board the boat in the opposite direction.

Cruise ship “Himawari”

The cruise ship Himawari is modeled after the river steamboats that plied the Yodo River during the Meiji period.
A chic navy blue-based hull with a beautiful outer ring, a wood-grained interior with a calming atmosphere, and an open deck with a spacious feel… Why not
enjoy an extraordinary space in the middle of central Osaka?

This is a cruise ship that can be used for various occasions such as charter cruises and event cruises.

Cruise ships you can board from Osaka 6. Santa Maria

The Santa Maria is a sightseeing cruise ship that cruises around the Osaka Port, and was built approximately twice the size of Columbus’s flagship, the Santa Maria, which arrived in the New World.
On this relaxing cruise around the Osaka Bay Area, you can enjoy magnificent views and scenery, such as the view of Osaka’s skyscrapers and the magnificent Port Bridge from the sea.

The sailing sightseeing ship “Santa Maria” is a cruise ship that tours Osaka Port. This ship is modeled after Columbus’s flagship, the Santa Maria, and has been restored to approximately twice its size. The courses set are as follows.

• Day cruise: about 45 minutes
• Twilight Cruise: Approximately 60 minutes

Day cruise operating hours are 11:00-16:00.
There are also flights on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from May to July, and at 17:00 in August.
Twilight cruises are from 17:00, 17:30, 18:30, and 19:00. This is a limited-time flight from April 22nd to May 28th and July 1st to October 29th, 2023.

■Fees

• Day cruise: Adults 1,600 yen Children 800 yen
• Twilight Cruise: Adults 2,100 yen Children 1,050 yen

You can also rent out the observation room and enjoy a twilight cruise.
The private room fee is 64,000 yen + boarding fee for the number of people. Boarding is possible from 15 minutes before departure. If you purchase your online ticket by the day before, you will receive a 20% discount.

Cruise ships you can board from Osaka 7. Captain Line

Captain Line is a convenient ferry that connects Universal City Port and Kaiyukan Nishi-Hatoba in 10 minutes each way. Previously, you would have to take the train to Nishikujo and return to the city, but this will significantly shorten the time required to travel from Kaiyukan to USJ.

When crossing the Aji River, you can enjoy the view of USJ from the water and the distant city of Osaka.

Captain Line operates between Universal City Port and Kaiyukan Nishi-Hatoba.

Cruise ships you can board from Osaka 8. Dream Shuttle

Dream Shuttle is a sea shuttle service that connects Universal City Port and Osaka Nanko Ferry Terminal. Convenient when coming to Osaka by ferry from Kyushu or Shikoku. 

The Dream Shuttle Bus is available for a fee and requires reservations. The price is 810 yen for adults and 410 yen for children.

Cruise ships you can board from Osaka 9. Osaka Castle moat tour

Tour the Osaka Castle moat. The castle tower seen from the boat is impressive.
You can see the tallest stone wall in Japan and the inscriptions of feudal lords up close, allowing you to experience the depth of Osaka’s history.

■Fees

• Adult: 1,500 yen
• Elementary and junior high school students: 750 yen

10 cruise ships you can board from Osaka. Osaka Duck Tour

A unique guide will show you the new specialties of the Water City!
“Splash in” to Okawa (formerly Yodo River) Relaxing cruising through an oasis in the heart of the city Lake Suwa exploration duck tour Enjoy the majestic scenery of the Alps to the Yatsugatake mountain range and the powerful geysers from the lake surface.

Tourist spots in Osaka Suito by amphibious bus.
After passing through the bus, you
can “splash in” from the Sakuranomiya slope to the Okawa River and enjoy a leisurely cruise through the urban oasis.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=z2E3Mjkp3B8%3Fsi%3DtjB7GkdZurc5TBdz

Cruise ships you can board from Osaka 11. SAMURAI-PIRATES

A large ship that can accommodate up to 54 people. A sushi cruise with 2 hours of all-you-can-drink is now available! Can be reserved for 10 people or more. A stylish boat with a carefully designed exterior and interior that is sure to be Instagrammable! Heating is installed in winter. It has a roof so you can enjoy it comfortably all year round. Tables and chairs can be arranged freely to accommodate various scenes.

12 cruise ships you can board from Osaka. Gondola Bar

Osaka Cruise | Enjoy the scenery from the ship that can only be experienced in the aquatic capital of Osaka. M7 can accommodate parties of up to 70 people. There is also a houseboat operated by a sushi chef.

Gondola Bar offers a total of 3 houseboats and houseboats that
offer charter cruises in Osaka Okawa and Dotonbori, as well as cooking houseboat services.