Smoke and Steel: We Tried Kawasaki's "Cyberpunk" Boat Tour

Tokyo’s neon-lit cityscape is often associated with cyberpunk and dystopian esthetics — just think of Akira. While central areas like Shinjuku might come to mind, one of the best places to experience this futuristic atmosphere is actually Kawasaki, on the outskirts.

Kawasaki has long been one of Tokyo’s main industrial hubs, thanks to its strategic location near the waterfront. It’s the base for many major companies and their factories, giving the area a metallic and almost dystopian appearance.

Sad fact: Kawasaki used to be home to the dystopian-themed game arcade Anata no Warehouse. Unfortunately, it closed back in 2019. We’re still crying.

What makes the Kawasaki Factory Night View Cruise special?

It’s special for more than one reason. You’ll not only see the industrial plants light up as the sky transitions to twilight, but also cruise around on a traditional Japanese yakatabune boat. It has an open deck which you can stand on, to see the factories up close and get those essential photos.

The cruise is popular among residents of Japan, especially budding photographers, and is renowned for its night illuminations. On the day of our visit, it was fully booked — and many of the tour slots sell out well in advance.

What do you see on the Kawasaki Factory Night View Cruise?

There are six main companies that bring the colors to the factory night tour. The route starts with plants from TOA Oil Co. Ltd., meaning you’ll first witness lots of smoke rising from illuminated buildings. At this part, you’ll also pass the Minami Watarida Canal with a massive golden-lit plant pumping out smoke. It really looks like something out of a cyberpunk film.

From there, you’ll work your way down the water, passing an array of white, gold, and red-lit buildings. Significantly, in the section belonging to Asahi Kasei Corporation Kawasaki Works, you’ll see a few factory plants that actually inspired parts of Final Fantasy VII Remake.

If you’re lucky, you might also catch bright burning flames roaring from the factory pipes. We also had a rather dramatic, full orange moon the night of our tour, which only added to the eerie, furturistic atmosphere of the cruise.

As you journey around the water, a guide will explain the importance of each boat, factory, crane, and other piece of heavy machinery you cruise past. While the explanations are in Japanese only, there is an English pamphlet you can refer to for a brief overview of the route.

How long is the Kawasaki Factory Night View Cruise?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. There is no food or drink service available. However, you are welcome — and encouraged — to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy while cruising.

How much are tickets?

Tickets for this Tokyo night cruise cost ¥4,000 for adults and ¥3,000 for children. Keep in mind that children must be at least 6 years old to participate.

Given that the boat tour only takes place on Saturdays, we recommend securing a spot quite a bit in advance. You can buy your tickets through Tabi Plus One, a Japanese site that’s also available in English.

Other tours

If you aren’t a fan of boats, there are other ways you can tour around the factory area. The next most popular option is by bus. Run by Hato Bus, this tour begins at a hotel in Tokyo where you’ll enjoy a nice dinner.

After eating, you’ll board the bus and visit popular spots — plus a few that aren’t open to the public. To wrap up, you’ll drive through Odaiba and across the iconic Rainbow Bridge. Because of all the inclusions, this tour is more expensive than the boat one, costing ¥9,980 for adults and ¥9,480 for children.

Willer Bus combines a factory tour with a French-style meal on an open-roof bus. Because the bus is open-air, you gain a much closer perspective of the factory buildings. This tour is ¥15,800 for adults and ¥12,800 for children.

For a more private experience, there is also the option of a car tour. As you drive around with an English-speaking guide, this tour is ideal for anyone who wants a more personalized insight into the factory and plenty of opportunities to stop for photos.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.