The Best Tokyo Cherry Blossom Viewing Cruise

Ritsuko

March 20, 2023

All-you-can-eat Monjayaki and Okonomiyaki

The Best Tokyo Cherry Blossom Viewing Cruise

The original Monja Yakatabune “Edomae Kisen” has started operating the “Special Hanami Houseboat”. And “Hanami” means cherry blossom viewing. So you can enjoy Sakura viewing on the Sumida River along the “Sakura route” on a houseboat.

You may feel chilly on Sakura viewing

And even if you feel warm during the daytime, you may not be able to fully enjoy the cherry blossom viewing outside. Do you know why? It can suddenly get cold and it may rain.

The boat is equipped with a heater!

Therefore, the “Edomae Kisen” has prepared a “special Hanami service”. You can enjoy monjayaki and teppanyaki while looking at sakura trees along the Sumida River from a warm houseboat. The boat is equipped with a heater. And also the Hibachi machine gives off the heat too!

The best Hanabi spots in Tokyo

Unlike the regular route, this plan allows you to see multiple cherry blossom viewing spots. It goes a special route unique to the cherry blossom season.

Don’t miss the area around Kototoi Bridge and the section from Sakura Bridge to Azumabashi in front of the Asahi Breweries headquarters. You can’t see these spots from any other points.

2 Routes

So, as you can see from the maps above, there are 2 routes:

(1) Sumida River Course Kachidoki (Asashio Pier) Departure route: Asashio Pier – Eitai Bridge – Ryogoku Bridge – Kototoi Bridge anchorage – Arrival at Asashio Pier

(2) Sumida River Course Shinkiba departure route: Shinkiba – Eitaibashi – Kachidokibashi – Odaiba/Rainbow Bridge – Arrival at Shinkiba

Our experience

And we actually tried route (1) via media preview. We walked to the Asashio pier from Kachidoki Station of the Toei Oedo Line.

Check out our Instagram Reel for the whole experience.

So the 2 plans are All-you-can-eat Monya and Okonomiyaki. We tried Mentaiko Mochi Cheese Monja. Honestly, as a Japanese, I don’t have enough experience eating Monjayaki in my life. But luckily, one media lady who joined our table was kind enough to grill Monya and Okonomiyaki for us.

The photo above is Okonomiyaki. Monya is usually soft and slimy and fluid-like. It’s a Tokyo-style Japanese pancake. Okonomiyaki is solid.

To see how to make it briefly, go to our Instagram Reel!

We didn’t know Dessert Monja

And Dessert Monja? What? We were very shocked Dessert Monja exists! They are the 1st and only one that offers Dessert-style monja.

I know what you going to say: “What is it?”. “Omg~~~”. But they invented this amazing dish. They heat up and melt whipped cream along with cereal, and red bean paste. And it comes out Apple pie-like taste. Soooo good!

2 Plans

2 hours Monjayaki Yakatabune Course

Number of people: 2 people ~
Tour time: 2 hours
Departure time: 12:30pm / 4:00pm / 7:00pm
Departure and arrival locations: 12:30pm departure: Kachidoki Pier, 4:00pm / 7:00pm departure: Shinkiba
Price: <12:30pm departure / 4:00pm departure> Adult: 6,600 yen (tax included)/person, 4 years old to elementary school student: 4,620 yen (tax included)/person, Infant (3 years old and under): 1,100 yen (tax included)/person
<7:00pm departure> Adult: 7,700 yen (tax included)/person, 4 years old to elementary school student: 5,390 yen (tax included)/person, Infant (3 years old and under): 1,100 yen (tax included)/person
Food and drinks: All-you-can-eat monjayaki and teppanyaki + all-you-can-drink
Observation deck: None

With observation deck, 2.5 hours Monjayaki + Japanese beef chunk BBQ course

Number of people: 2 people ~
Tour time: 2.5 hours
Departure time: 12:00pm / 4:00pm / 7:00pm
Arrival and departure point: Kachidoki Pier
price:
<12:00pm departure / 4:00pm departure> Adult: 8,800 yen (tax included)/person, 4 years old to elementary school student: 6,160 yen (tax included)/person, Infant (3 years old and under): 1,100 yen (tax included)/person
<7:00pm departure> Adult: 9,900 yen (tax included)/person, 4 years old to elementary school student: 6,930 yen (tax included)/person, Infant (3 years old and under): 1,100 yen (tax included)/person
Food and drinks: All-you-can-eat monjayaki and teppanyaki, all-you-can-eat domestic beef chunks and all-you-can-drink (including bottled beer)
Observation deck: Yes

Reservations: https://edomaekisen.com/pages/hanami-plan

Cherry blossom will be in full bloom soon. Reserve now!