Naka River / Hakata Bay Sightseeing Cruises

Sightseeing boat in front of Canal City

Three companies operate sightseeing boats in Fukuoka City along five courses starting from Fuku-Haku Deaibashi Bridge in Tenjin Central Park, and passengers can enjoy Fukuoka’s cityscape from the water day or night on cruises that travel up and down the Naka River and (in some cases) out into Hakata Bay. The “Tenjin / Bayside Place Course” linking the centrally located park and the Hakata Bayside Place ferry terminal also provides a convenient way to get to or from the city center if you are arriving in or departing from Fukuoka by ferry.

The following are short summaries of each course. Availability and schedules may change due to weather, season, vehicle maintenance, lack of empty seats or other such factors. Fares, travel times and schedules are listed in the table on the next page.

1. Tenjin / Bayside Place Course: Operated by Bellcruise Fukuoka. Runs between Fuku-Haku Deaibashi Bridge and Bayside Place. This is one of the less interesting courses, but it departs quite often, doesn’t take much time and provides a convenient link between the city center and the ferry terminal. Boats operate both day and night.
2. Naka River Boat Tour Course: Operated by Bellcruise Fukuoka. This night course heads down the Naka River away from the bay, between the neon-lit banks of the Nakasu and Haruyoshi/Tenjin districts. It is short but offers some of the best night views that can be had of the Fukuoka cityscape and the famous Nakasu-area yatai food stalls, making it an ideal choice for tourists.
3. Naka River / Hakata Bay Boat Tour Course: Operated by Noko Marine Kanko. A bit longer than the other courses, this night course continues out into Hakata Bay, providing stunning night views of the illuminated city. There are only a few services per day and cancellations due to weather are more common than with other courses, so customers should call in advance (in Japanese) if possible.
4. Tenjin / Nokonoshima Island Course: Operated by Noko Marine Kanko. This is one of the most rewarding of the five cruises. Boats travel all the way from Fuku-Haku Deaibashi Bridge out to Nokonoshima Island, providing fine views of the city as well as a convenient means of traveling directly from the city center to Nokonoshima Island.
5. Nakasu Cruise Course: Operated by Nakasu Hakatabune. This is a two-hour dinner cruise rather than a standard sightseeing course. Although it is a bit expensive, it offers the chance to dine on beautifully prepared Japanese-style cuisine with main dishes such as sashimi and nabemono (one-pot dishes) while sipping on a cold drink and looking out over the river. A Western-style boat is available for daytime cruises and a Japanese-style boat is used for nighttime cruises against the backdrop of a neon-lit Naka River. The nighttime cruises are particularly popular during the warm summer months. Fares vary by meal, and reservations are required.

• Access: The boarding point is at the west end (Tenjin side) of Fuku-Haku Deaibashi Bridge in Tenjin Central Park, located 4–5 min. on foot from exit 14 or 16 of Tenjin Station (Kuko Subway Line), exit 1 of Nakasu-Kawabata Station (Kuko Subway Line, Hakozaki Subway Line), the North Gate of Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station (Nishitetsu Tenjin-Omuta Line) or exit 5 of Tenjin-minami Station (Nanakuma Subway Line).
• Additional Information: Boat operators take irregular business holidays on occasion, and they may also suspend operations during rough weather. Call in advance to confirm the current day’s schedule.
• Contact Numbers: 092-263-8113 (Bellcruise Fukuoka), 092-651-6555 (Noko Marine Kankou), 092-734-0228 (Nakasu Hakatabune)