The Dotonbori River Cruise is a great spot to rest your feet after a day of sightseeing and take in the views from the Dotonbori River. The cruise, which runs for 20 minutes, is staffed by Rakugo (story-telling) comedians. The comedians are entertaining, bilingual (English and Japanese) guides who provide a history lesson on the buildings of nearby Dotonbori, and will introduce the nine bridges the boats pass under.
We lined up for a free afternoon cruise using the Osaka Amazing Pass. The Amazing Pass gives complimentary or discounted admission to 50 facilities in Osaka. Boats depart every half hour on the hour in front of the Dotonbori Cruise reception center located on the 1st floor of the Don Quijote Store on the North Bank of the Dotonbori Riverwalk. Look for the yellow, oval ferris wheel – you can`t miss it.
The highlight of the cruise was when the boat stopped beneath the 33m Glico Man billboard, a landmark since 1935. Glico is one of Japan’s largest food distributors and is popularly known for its Pocky, a Japanese snack consisting of chocolate-coated pretzel sticks. Pocky has been enjoyed by generations since its inception in 1966 over half a century ago. A good day cruise, but definitely think a night ride with the billboards and buildings lit up will be more interesting if traveling with older kids.
Dotonbori River Cruise Details:
Address: Tazaemombashi Pier
Phone: 06-6441-0532
Business Hours: Monday – Friday: 13:00 – 21:00; Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 11:00 – 21:00. Closed July 13, 24, 25 and August 5, 2017. * The cruise will be cancelled in bad weather, water level rise, river events or construction. Please call or check the website for updates.
Price: Adult (Junior high school student and older) 900 yen; Elementary school student 400 yen; Preschool aged child and younger accompanied by an adult FREE. * If one adult accompanies more than one child, only one child is free. The others will be 400 yen each OR FREE with the Osaka Amazing Pass
Website: http://www.ipponmatsu.co.jp/cruise/tombori.html (Japanese language)
Access: 5 minutes from Kintetsu Namba Station; 5 minutes from Namba Station on the Yotsubashi Line, Sennichimae Line or Midosuji Line; 10 minutes from JR Namba Station; 10 minutes from Nankai Namba Station.
P.S. Visit our Osaka Archives for more family-friendly outings in Osaka with Kids.
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Dotonbori River Cruise, Osaka – Relax and Take in the Sights from the Dotonbori River
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