Yakatabune Mikawaya offers a very distinctive traditional sightseeing boat experience in Tokyo. On this trip to Japan, I specifically arranged to take a yakatabune cruise to experience a different side of Tokyo. The boat has a very traditional Japanese appearance, and while onboard, you can enjoy views of the city along the river, which feels completely different from exploring on land. As the boat slowly cruises along, you can take in the riverside scenery and bridges!
Yakatabune Mikawaya | Review by Gina C
Other Reviews by Gina C
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Kappa Ebisen
A shrimp snack famous for its “Bet you can’t stop eating Kappa Ebisen♪” commercials. Roasted rather than deep-fried, it has a savory flavor and crispy texture. Whole wild shrimp, including their shells, are kneaded into the wheat dough, making this tasty snack a source of calcium as well. A longtime favorite first launched in 1964.
Calbee Kappa Ebisen is a popular classic snack in Japan, so I bought some to try during this trip! I originally thought it would taste similar to Taiwan’s Hsia Wei Hsien shrimp snack, but it was actually a little different. Kappa Ebisen has a crispier texture and a light shrimp aroma when you bite into it. The more you chew, the more flavorful it gets, without being too heavily seasoned. Although they’re both shrimp-flavored snacks, each has its own distinctive flavor!
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British Embassy Villa Memorial Park
A scenic park boasting breathtaking views of the tranquil waters of Lake Chuzenji and the lush surrounding mountains. This lakeside area awaits in the full glory of cool climate and abundant nature, still beloved today since its rise to fame as an international summer retreat from the mid-Meiji era to the early Showa period. Many foreign diplomats, including embassies from various countries, built villas here, creating a lively microcosm of cosmopolitan air.
The British Embassy Villa Memorial Park is located on the shore of Lake Chuzenji. During this sightseeing cruise, I happened to get a distant view of the villa and the surrounding natural scenery from the lake. The building is tucked away amid lush greenery, with lakeside maple trees and mountains in the distance, giving the whole scene a very international feel.
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Lake Chuzenji Sightseeing Cruise
Lake Chuzenji is Japan’s highest-elevation lake, nestled at its high perch inside Nikko National Park. Pin this spot for picture-perfect photos that sing with Japan aesthetic and cross the lake in laid-back style via the Lake Chuzenji Sightseeing Cruise. There are two routes: a full circuit around the lake and a seasonal Senjugahama route, both showcasing famous spots along the lakeshore.
The Lake Chuzenji Sightseeing Cruise is an experience well worth trying when visiting Nikko. This time, I specifically took the boat to admire the beauty of Lake Chuzenji from the water, and it felt completely different from viewing it from the shore! The boat slowly made its way across the lake, surrounded by mountains on all sides. We could also admire an entire stretch of red and yellow maple leaves along the shore. The autumn scenery was so beautiful that I couldn't take my eyes off it. The cruise also passes the Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park, offering views of the lakeside buildings and natural scenery from the boat.
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