Kayaking In Tokyo

When you think of Tokyo, your mind probably brings up images of crowded trains and noisy throngs of people. But what if there was a way to explore the city without having to deal with any of that? Tokyo’s underused waterways provide that opportunity.

Escape Tokyo’s Hustle and Bustle

Long ago, during the Edo period, water transportation was an integral part of Tokyo’s infrastructure but with the introduction of perhaps the world’s most efficient subway and rail network, the canals have fallen from favor. Many waterways have actually been covered by bridges and main roads or simply filled in. In recent years however, there has been a push towards cleaning up the canals that still exist, and making better use of them.

start experiencing a side of the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo from a view that is rarely seen

One way of doing this is getting into a kayak or canoe to explore the city. Not only is paddling great exercise, the craft are fairly simple to use, meaning even a beginner can put on a lifejacket and start experiencing a side of the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo from a view that is rarely seen.

kayak

On weekends, Tokyo Bay and its port facilities come to an almost complete stop, particularly in the early hours of the morning. The canals that run off the harbor and through the city are so rarely used these days, it makes them perfect for exploring via kayak or canoe. The waters are generally very calm and the noise from the traffic above is filtered out to give way to a calmness and solitude, giving the city an almost other-worldliness that is hard to top.

surprisingly it is at times crystal clear, allowing you to see fish of various sizes

You might think that the waters themselves are heavily polluted with not much to see. But while swimming in the water still may not be the smartest idea, surprisingly it is at times crystal clear, allowing you to see fish of various sizes as well as other marine life including jellyfish and stingrays. With such an assortment of fish on offer, there are also many varieties of birds to watch feeding.

But perhaps the biggest appeal of kayaking is the opportunity to see and photograph a city from an angle that makes it almost resemble a ghost town. The bridges, the parks and of course the majestic skyscrapers can be appreciated on a whole new level and allow the paddler to explore the city without having to deal with the hustle and bustle of regular Tokyo life.

there is renewed interest in Tokyo’s waterways from both local residents and foreign tourists

Those early risers out for a walk, calisthenics session or just an early morning fishing jaunt no doubt see the kayakers as something of an oddity; smiling, waving and shouting out words of encouragement. However, the trend is catching on, and there is renewed interest in Tokyo’s waterways from both local residents and foreign tourists. Organized canoe tours of Tokyo are building in popularity and bilingual guides will not only keep you from being run over by tankers and fishing boats, but will give you the history of the backwaters and help you see Tokyo’s landmarks from a totally different perspective.

Tokyo Bay

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