All Reviews for Cultural Experiences

Since watching the movie "PIKANCHI" by Arashi, I had been longing to experience a yakatabune (houseboat), and I finally went for it.

I had the impression that yakatabune was mainly for banquets in a tatami room, but you can actually join with a small group of people easily. On the day, there were about ten of us, including a group of older folks reminiscent of a reunion, a pair of women resembling a girls' night out, and my family of three. Instead of tatami seating, we had table seats separated by groups, allowing us to enjoy ourselves without worrying about others.

And what impressed me the most was the freshly fried tempura—it was amazing! They serve each piece freshly fried, and every tempura was delicious! The tempura of anago (conger eel) was particularly outstanding! Enjoying exquisite dishes while gazing at the flowing scenery along the Sumida River from the boat was truly special.

The route took us from Kuramae to Odaiba, where we stopped for a bit before heading back. The boatman guided us through the highlights, sharing insights that I wouldn't have noticed just by looking around myself, which was very informative.

I definitely want to come back during cherry blossom season next time. I imagine the night cherry blossoms would be beautiful!

嵐のPIKANCHIという映画を見て以来憧れていた屋形船、ついに行ってみました。

屋形船って、なんとなく座敷で宴会というイメージがありましたが、乗合で少人数でも気軽に参加できます。当日は同窓会っぽい年配の方のグループ、女子会っぽい2人組、私たち家族連れ3人の10名ほどで運行。座敷ではなくテーブル席でグループ毎に席が分かれており、他の方々に気兼ねすることなく楽しめました。

そしてなんと言っても感動したのは、揚げたての天ぷらがサイコーです！一品ずつ揚げたてを出してくれるのですが、どの天ぷらもウマイ！特にアナゴの天ぷらは最強でした！船上から隅田川沿いの流れ行く景色を眺めながらの絶品料理、また格別です。

運行ルートは蔵前からお台場まで行き、少し停泊した後に戻ってきました。船頭さんがみどころを案内してくれます。自分でなんとなく見ただけでは気付かないことも教えてくれて、ためになりました。

今度は桜の時期にぜひまた来たいと思います。夜桜とか見たらキレイなんだろうなー。

These women work so hard to "get it right" so the tight quarters become almost a part of the experience.

My boyfriend and I attended the evening dinner cruise, and were completely overwhelmed with the experience. The food was great, the staff were extremely helpful and friendly, we saw some amazing sights and the company was also great. Highly recommended, a great way to see Tokyo and enjoy some great company.

I've always wondered how it felt like to wear a Kimono. I never knew how elaborate it is to wear it, until I tried it. It was so beautiful... I was carefully dressed up from head to foot by three people, as if I was a VIP. Their efforts paid off since many strangers praised how I looked.Walking around wearing the Kimono was an experience I'll never forget. In fact, I will do it again if I will have the chance to go back to Japan.

I made a full sized parfait. The staff was very patient and helpful. His english is understandable, and he made a great effort explaining himself. It was fun and easy enough for adults or kids. Took only 30minutes or so. Would like to try making tempura and curry rice next time. Look really realistic!!

I participated in a yakatabune (traditional Japanese houseboat) experience with my parents who came from Kyushu, enjoying a typical Tokyo night together across three generations. This was my second time on this yakatabune, having joined it two winters ago. The service quality remains consistently excellent, and I was once again very satisfied!

The highlight of the evening was the food, which seemed to have improved in quality compared to my last visit. The seasonal appetizers were beautifully crafted, and each one was delicious. Even the kids, who usually don’t eat much vegetables or tofu, exclaimed, "This is delicious!" The freshly fried tempura, a highlight of the yakatabune experience, was outstanding! While the dipping sauce was good, the simple taste of salt on the hot tempura was delightful. For dessert, there were two types: fruit and wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets). I ended up quite full.

The all-you-can-drink menu included a variety of options like beer (Ichiban Shibori!), shochu (and sour drinks), wine, and umeshu (plum wine), making the time on board feel too short... If I had to wish for something, I would have liked a few more options for soft drinks (the kids had only cola and orange juice).

Last time, an ice cream vendor came by the boat, but this time it was a vendor selling asari (clams) tsukudani (a type of preserved food). At 1000 yen per pack, it seemed a bit pricey in hindsight, but I bought two for my parents and myself, and they sold out right after. It was a lucky moment. Shopping on the boat added to the unique experience, creating wonderful memories.

The night views of Tokyo Skytree and Odaiba are always beautiful, no matter how many times you see them. Personally, I love the night view of the bright red Tokyo Tower the most. It seems that there will be fireworks at Odaiba on Saturday nights in December, so if you visit during that time, I think you can enjoy the yakatabune experience even more.

九州から出てきた両親と共に、東京らしい夜の過ごし方ということで、三世代で屋形船に参加しました。この屋形船は2年前の冬に参加して、今回で2回目。やっぱり安定したサービスクオリティです。もちろん今回も満足です！

一番の楽しみの料理は、前回よりもグレードがアップしていたような気がします。季節感が感じられる前菜は、一つ一つが手が込んでいて、どれも美味。普段はあまり野菜や豆腐などを食べない子供たちも「美味しい！」と平らげていました。屋形船の醍醐味である揚げたての天麩羅は、文句なし！天つゆもいいですが、揚げたてなのでシンプルに塩が美味しかったです。デザートは果物と和菓子の2種類。かなりお腹いっぱいになりました。

飲み放題は、ビール（一番搾り！）や焼酎（サワー類）、ワイン、梅酒など種類も多く、下船までの時間が惜しかったくらい...。欲を言えば、ソフトドリンクの種類がもう少しあるといいかなと思いました（子供向けは、コーラとオレンジジュースの2種類です）。

前回はアイスクリーム売りの船が来ましたが、今回はあさりの佃煮売りの船が来ました。1パック1000円と今考えて見れば少し高いのですが、残り僅かということで両親と自分の家用に2個購入したところで、売り切れ御礼。ラッキー。船の上で買い物をするという非日常感で、良い思い出になりました。

東京スカイツリーやお台場の夜景は、何度見てもいいですね。個人的には真っ赤な東京タワーの夜景が一番好きです。12月の土曜日にはお台場で花火が行われるようですので、その時期であれば、もっと屋形船を楽しめると思います。

Last year, when I participated, there was an event where everyone celebrated the birthday guests. After seeing that, my son said he definitely wanted to ride on a yakatabune again for his next birthday, so we joined again this time to celebrate his birthday.

The freshly fried tempura was as delicious as ever, and having all-you-can-drink with it is truly appreciated. Most of the staff were different from last time, but both then and now, everyone was really pleasant, and we had a wonderful time.

Additionally, this time there was a surprise with a comedian on board who performed a traditional Japanese act with a folding fan and a lion dance. There were many guests from abroad as well, which made it very lively.

And then came the much-anticipated celebration event. Besides my two children, there were several other birthday guests, and we all celebrated together. On this day, not only were there birthdays, but there was also a couple who had just gotten married that day, and we shared in their happy atmosphere.

It was a day where I felt that the scenery, food, drinks, and this sense of togetherness are the true essence of a yakatabune experience.

昨年参加した際、誕生日のお客さんをみんなでお祝いするイベントがありました。
それを見た息子が次の誕生日は絶対屋形船にもう一度乗りたいと言っていたので、今回誕生日に合わせてまた参加させてもらいました。

揚げたての天ぷらは相変わらずおいしく、これで飲み放題というのは本当にありがたいです。
スタッフの方の大半は前回と違っていたのですが、前回も今回も皆さん本当に気持ちの良い方ばかりで楽しい時間を過ごさせていただきました。

さらに今回はサプライズで芸人さんが同乗しており、南京玉すだれと獅子舞を披露してくださいました。
外国からのお客さんも多数乗船していたのでとても盛り上がりました。

そして待望のお祝いイベント。
うちの子2人以外にも何人か誕生日の方がいて、全員でお祝いをしました。
この日は誕生日だけでなく、何と当日結婚されたばかりの方まで乗船しており幸せな空気を分けていただきました。

景色、料理、お酒だけでなく、この一体感も屋形船の醍醐味なのだなと感じた一日でした。

My father, uncle, and I participated together.
It was my and my father's first experience on a traditional Japanese houseboat, and we had a wonderful time.

The boarding area was near the Oedo Line's Kachidoki Station, which was easy to find even for us who were unfamiliar with the area.

We confirmed our names with the beautiful cabin attendant and boarded the boat. As soon as we got on, we saw the kitchen and greeted the staff, who responded with a smile, saying, "Enjoy your time!" This made us even more excited.

The other guests included salarymen and a group of ladies celebrating a 90th birthday, among others. There was also a couple at a table, and as someone who had the image of a houseboat being solely for parties, I realized, "This can be used for various occasions," which was an eye-opener for me.

As the boat started moving, we felt the excitement from the sound of the motor, while the city lights and illuminated bridges outside the window thrilled us! The cabin attendant provided information at key points, and my father, who loves taking photos, was happily capturing every moment.

The food was delicious. I was delighted that the tempura was freshly fried! We devoured everything from vegetables to fish. Also, having unlimited bottled beer added to the luxurious feeling. Hehe.

We were able to enjoy a truly extraordinary experience. Thank you!

父、叔父、私の3人で参加。
父と私は初屋形船で、とても楽しい経験をさせていただきました。

乗り場は大江戸線勝どき駅エキチカ。
周辺に土地勘のない我々でもわかりやすく助かりました。

美人キャビンアテンダントさんに名前を確認してもらって、乗船。
乗り込んですぐのところにキッチンが見えたので、スタッフさんに挨拶すると
「楽しんでいってくだいね〜」と笑顔で応えていただいて、ウキウキ度倍増。

同乗のお客さんは、サラリーマンの方々や90歳バースデイの淑女グループなど様々でした。
おしどり夫婦おふたりのテーブルもあり、屋形船＝宴会のイメージだった私は
「様々なシーンに使えるんだなぁ」と、目からちょっとした鱗が落ちました。

船が走り出すと、結構なモーター音に臨場感を覚えながらも、
窓の外に見える街あかりや橋のライトアップにわくわく！
要所要所でキャビンアテンダントさんによる案内が入ったりして、
写真好きな父もシャッターチャンスを逃すことなく、ほくほくの様子でした。

お食事もおいしかったです。
天ぷらが揚げたてなのは嬉しかった！
お野菜からお魚から、ぺろりと平らげてしまいました。
あと、飲み放題ビールが瓶だったのも、ゴージャス気分。うふふ。

非日常感たっぷりのひとときを過ごすことができました。
ありがとうございました！

A German and a Swiss couple who are friends of mine are coming to Tokyo, and I thought a typical bus tour would be boring, so I arranged this kimono experience through an online search. I kept it a secret from my friends until we entered the shop, which made it a surprise, and they were super excited as soon as we walked in. The staff were very proficient in English and Korean, and they were efficient and kind, helping with the kimono dressing and styling the women's hair, which made my friends very happy. After getting dressed in the kimono, we quickly headed to Senso-ji and Nakamise, where we were approached by various other foreign and Japanese tourists, making us feel like little stars, which brought even more joy. We took lots of commemorative photos with Senso-ji in the background, and my friends said it became an unforgettable memory. This is definitely the best "omotenashi" for guiding friends from abroad in Tokyo, and I highly recommend Sakura Photo Studio.

友人のドイツ人とスイス人のカップルが東京に来るというので、月並みなはとバスツアーなどの観光ではつまらないと思い、ネット検索でこの着物体験をアレンジ。
友人たちには、お店に入るまで内緒にしていたので、サプライズサプライズとなり、お店に入った途端に超興奮。
お店の方が英語、韓国語など、外国語がすごく堪能で、手際もよく、親切に着物のきつけ、女性の髪形のセットもしてくださり、友人たちは大喜び。着物の着付けが終わって、早速、浅草寺、仲見世に繰り出したところ、いろんな他の外国人や日本人の観光客の人達に声をかけられ、ちょっとしたスター気分に、またまた、おお喜び。
浅草寺をバックにたくさんの記念写真をとって、「忘れられない思い出になった」と友人たちはとても喜んでくれました。
外国からの友人を東京案内するには、最高の「おもてなし」になること間違いなし、おすすめのサクラフォトスタジオです。

We decided spontaneously to join a boat trip, and we didn't regret it at all. The atmosphere was extremely friendly, the staff was kind and very attentive.
It is worth to try the trip even with kids, as we did with 7 and 10 years old.
We had lots of fun on the boat, even though we were the only foreigners there and we didn't really understand all the food and cultural presentation that was provided for the guests.

Wowowoow.. It was an amazing experience. We are late cause we got lost but when we got there they were super friendly. it was the highlight of our trip! We love every bit of it.

I loved this experience!!!!!!!
We learned how to put on the Yukata (It is not easy) and make green tea (Delicious).

Teachers are very friendly and explain you everything you want to know.

It was rewarding having known this important aspect of the Japanese culture.

You can not leave Japan without this experience!!
I recommend it to 100%.

This cruise really made our trip! The food was excellent, the service was phenomenal, and we even got personal attention by an English-speaking guide (as we were the only English-speaking on the boat). We saw so many great sights and had so many awesome photo opportunities.

You are seated at your own individual table and it is a very nice "date-night" setting. The group all together was in great cheer and intermingled between meals and during the rooftop sightseeing.

The weather was fair and it rained a little but this did not affect the spirits of the crew, the passengers, or any of the amazing sights we saw!

This boat ride is a MUST for your next trip to Tokyo!!!

I am very impressed with service and Kimono dressed up experience in Asakusa last year so this year I returning with my two brothers. Both of them get an attention from tourist some tourist asked them if they can take their photos. I wear my own Yukata this year but the service my brother received was great with professional and attention. They dressed up in about 15 minutes after chosen the Kimono. I would recommended Kimonos dressed up experience if anyone plan to come to Asakusa.

This night went beyond our expectations. We had a great time with all the people on board,who were mainly Japanese. The MC/hostess was bilingual and such a lovely woman,friendly and hard-working. Entertainment was a bonus and the food was really fresh and authentic. It was a perfect evening for us and we were expecting a mediocre night because of the rain. Luckily it stopped just as we got into Odaiba and we could take in the amazing view. I can`t believe I haven`t done this before. Highly recommended and worth the cost.

We're very glad to make food sample here. It's quite special to experience Janpanese culture like this. And we all love it.

Absolutely the best Yakatabune experience! The crew and staff from Harumiya were top notch. Harumiya staff was personable and very professional. The dinner, entertainment, sights, tour and especially the Hostess were the best. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND Harumiya!!!

It was expectacular , love it !! Thanks you guys you were asome!

Making lettuce and shrimp tempura was quite interesting process, our boys and I really enjoyed putting our hands in the water, witnessing how drops of candle change to the leafs of lettuce in our hands.

Excellent choice of activities, it was easy enough I had 13 and 9 years with me, they did excellent job, I can't wait to take them back to USA and trick my friends offering Tempura at our house!...lol

well organised....good experience of japanese 9 course meal....sashimi , sushi , tempura...served hot...unlimited drinks...and japanese dessert...with great views of tokyo bay for 2 hours...worth for money..

This cruise is great, I would highly recommend! It was mostly Japanese with a couple of Westerners, however they made us feel very welcome, giving all commentaries/instructions in Japanese and (good) English and just generally the staff were very friendly.

The food is good and plentiful and drink just keeps flowing with a good selection. A lot of the food was fish (no meat) so it may be difficult if you're a vegetarian, unless you can request. Nothing was too odd though (I dont like eating random things!) and I ate and loved it all!

The staff explain the various sites you go past and even though it was pouring with rain we still got a good overview and some great photos. They stop a couple of times so you can have a look and go onto the top of the boat

The people around us were friendly and we just felt like even though we were in the minority we were very welcome!

It was one of the highlights of our trip and I would say go for it, there are not many cruises like it as far as I can tell and it feels very authentic.

This is the only place we found offer Kimono, not simple summer clothing in Tokyo. The selection is very broad in all kinds of colors. The dressing service and over experience is wonderful. The photographer is nice too. It is important to keep in mind that the photography fee is depending on number of people in the group. So since we have 3 people, we need to pay 15,000 JPN Yen for hiring the photographer.

We actually ended up arriving to the kimono studio on the wrong day but they were so accommodating and allowed us to get the kimono dressing done that day even though they were busy. They have a heap of kimonos to choose from, lots of hair accessories, and the hair lady does wonderful braids. For location, it was easy to find, just remember it is down the street where starbucks is !

Easy instruction and good service, worth checking out

STAFF- Very accommodating, kind and they will really make you feel good with their service by making sure you will feel comfortable and look pretty in your photos in kimono. Kimono rental plus hair and make-up for approx $50- great deal!
KIMONO- lots of designs to choose from. Everything was pretty, even the accessories.

Boat trip was fascinating. All atendees were just Japanese people so we enjoyed really traditional trip. Food was very original and tasty.

We booked the sundae workshop, and after completing it we realised we should of booked a full day and done all of them!
I booked this (female) for my partner and I to do, he wasnt looking forward to it but ending up having alot of fun.
The guy we had was fantastic, we took lots of photos, he explained everything perfectly.
It was alittle tricky to find, we did follow the directions but went too far - the place is part of a house, and there is a little sliding door where you need to go. So if you end up at a t-intersection after it says it is on the left hand side you have gone too far.

Forgot to ask for our teacher's name. But he was really awesome! Though he was not fluent in English, he really tried his very best to share his knowledge on the samples. I was very impressed with his enthusiasm and professionalism in his work. Keep up the great work! I'll definitely attend the workshop again if I'm visiting Japan. I'll also introduce my friends to attend! :)

Aloha from Hawaii! Visited on June 15, 2015. Our appointment was at 1:00 but they allowed us to begin at 12:00. Staff was very friendly. We made ramen, tempura, curry rice, and ice cream. Staff helped us create wonderful memories. Mahalo (thank you) from our family!

My 5 yr old did this and the tart keychain. Although he was too small to handle the piping 'gun', he really wanted to try it. The instructor did a great job in helping my son hold the gun and guide it while still allowing him to still feel like he did the piping! It's very similar to the tart making in that you pick 5 decorative items, pipe the cream then decorate!