Tokyo Bay Exclusive Gourmet Cruise: Wagyu Edition

When most people picture a Tokyo Bay cruise, they think of sunset views and champagne toasts. But the Tokyo Bay Exclusive Gourmet Cruise - coordinated by TOKI and supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau - takes things to another level entirely. This is not just a sightseeing trip; it’s a semi-private floating fine dining experience aboard a refined yakatabune (traditional Japanese houseboat) reimagined with contemporary elegance.

Elegant counter seating aboard a luxury yakatabune for Tokyo Bay Exclusive Gourmet Cruise, where skilled chefs prepare fresh seasonal dishes as guests enjoy serene waterfront views

A Line-Up of Culinary Legends

Across three exclusive editions, this intimate cruise has welcomed some of Japan’s most celebrated chefs:

• Ginza Shinohara - Exquisite, artfully crafted kaiseki

• Sushi Namba - Masterful sushi precision

• Nikuya Tanaka - Legendary Wagyu craftsmanship

For the latest voyage, I joined the Wagyu Edition helmed by Satoru Tanaka, a titan in Japan’s beef world. On board, the spotlight shone on two exceptional long-raised cattle: 60-month female Matsuzaka beef and 48-month female Kobe beef - both revered for their marbling, depth of flavour, and melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Standout Dishes on the Water

The line-up was a testament to Tanaka’s artistry, paired with the shimmering backdrop of Tokyo’s night skyline:

• Wagyu Roll: Raw Matsuzaka beef marinated in kelp, wrapped with flounder sashimi from Aomori.

• Chateaubriand Sukiyaki: Unbelievably tender, luxuriously rich, and perfectly balanced.

• Matsuzaka Beef Stick Sushi: A decadent reinterpretation of sushi.

• Matsuzaka Beef Tempura: Crisp on the outside, juicy within.

Each dish celebrated premium Japanese ingredients with meticulous preparation and an attention to detail that rivalled any Michelin-starred dining room - only here, the city’s glittering skyline floated past your window.

City lights meet moonlit waters aboard a glowing yakatabune on Tokyo Bay

One-of-a-Kind Experience at Tokyo Bay Exclusive Gourmet Cruise

This is a by-inquiry-only event with limited seating, designed for those seeking one-of-a-kind culinary moments in Tokyo. Whether you are a devoted gourmet traveller or a Wagyu aficionado, this cruise delivers not just flavour, but a memory you will carry long after the plates are cleared.

Available by request → @toki.tokyo