Light art created by industry! Experience the photogenic “Kawasaki Factory Night View Houseboat Cruise”
ｖThe Kawasaki waterfront area has supported Japan's industry as the heart of the Keihin Industrial Zone. At night, the lights of the operating factories create a fantastical scene, attracting attention as the "Kawasaki Factory Night View." In this article, we'll introduce one of these, the "Kawasaki Factory Night View Houseboat Cruise." From the deck on the roof of the houseboat, you'll be overwhelmed by the scale of the factories you can see up close. What's more, there's live commentary by the "Kawasaki Factory Night View Navigator," so there's plenty to see! We'll bring you a report on the elegant cruise, along with a "smartphone photography experience" report.
Outline
This service uses affiliate advertising.
Provided by: Hotel Metropolitan Kawasaki
Access from the hotel to the East Exit of JR Kawasaki Station (meeting place)
Meeting place: JR Kawasaki Station East Exit, in front of Nikko Hotel,about 5 minutes walk from Metropolitan Kawasaki
Check out Hotel Metropolitan Kawasaki
Kawasaki Factory Night View Houseboat Cruise Overview
This is a cruise tour that takes you around multiple canals within Kawasaki Port, including Shiohama Canal, Tanabe Canal, and Minamiwatari Canal, while enjoying the night view of the Kawasaki factories.
Click here for details on the Kawasaki Factory Night View Houseboat Cruise
The journey takes about 3 hours including travel time (about 2 hours on board).A private bus will take you from Hotel Nikko in front of the east exit of JR Kawasaki Station to the houseboat departure and arrival point, making access easy!
Click here for details on the Kawasaki Factory Night View Houseboat Cruise
The boat is a hybrid type with a deck on the roof. You can go out onto the deck whenever you like, except when departing, returning to port, or passing under a bridge.
This is an original booklet distributed to all participants. It contains detailed information about the sights and routes. Just looking at the glittering cover makes us even more excited!The guides on board are “Kawasaki Factory Night View Navigators” (hereafter referred to as “Navigators”). They have passed the “Welcome! Kawasaki Certification” training course run by the Kawasaki Industry Tourism Promotion Council, and have also completed about a year of on-site guide training. (※)What kind of stories will pop up?! With this booklet in hand, we set sail! * Seethe ”
Kawasaki Industry Tourism Promotion Council Official Website “
This eye-catching aqua-colored “natural gas power plant” generates enough electricity for approximately 300,000 households!
When I went up on deck and held up my camera, the photos were blurrier than I’d imagined… The words I’d been told beforehand – “Photography on board is a battle against blur” – really hit home at the start of the trip.As I leaned against the pole to stabilize my body and braced myself with my arms around my sides, I caught sight of the fascinating “natural gas power plant” on the Keihin Canal. It is affectionately known among navigators as “Twin Aqua.”
Click here for details on the Kawasaki Factory Night View Houseboat Cruise
White smoke is water vapor! “White Castle” produces hydrogen from used plastic
Next came into view was a plant belonging to a functional chemical manufacturer located on Minamiwata Canal. The company is engaged in recycling operations, including producing hydrogen from used plastics. Thewhite mist is water vapor. Apparently, not only this plant, but all the white mist emitted from factories in the Kawasaki waterfront area is water vapor. I was surprised to find that the air in this industrial town was cleaner than I had imagined.
This spot, with its striking white metal lamp light, is apparently nicknamed “White Castle” by the navigators. As it is a representative spot for the night view of Kawasaki’s factories, participants put in a lot of effort to hold their cameras. Welearned that including people or other people’s smartphone screens in the frame makes for a more realistic photo!
Flare stacks: Burning excess gas to make it harmless! A torch for the factory nightscape
The flame, resembling a sacred flame, catches the eye even from afar. This is a flare stack, a device used to neutralize excess gas, and several are installed at oil refineries along the Keihin Canal. One of the attractionsof the houseboat cruise is that you can get right under the flare stack and see the raging flames up close. Apparently the appearance of the flame changes depending on the operational status, and on this day we were lucky enough to see a larger flame than usual.
Click here for details on the Kawasaki Factory Night View Houseboat Cruise
A plant that has produced Nobel Prize winners! A futuristic plant with a game collaboration
As we approached the Asahi Kasei Kawasaki Factory on the Suehiro Canal, an announcement was made saying, “This is the place where Akira Yoshino, the Nobel Prize-winning inventor of the lithium-ion battery, was born,” causing a stir on board the ship. (*)This comprehensive chemical manufacturer produces synthetic rubber, the raw material for tires, and acrylic, which is used in car taillights. (*)The rows of plants are impressive, and the night view of the Asahi Kasei Kawasaki Factory was used as an image for a collaborative event with the game FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, which is popular both in Japan and overseas, so it’s no wonder it has such a strong presence. (*)
* See the Asahi Kasei official website
Not just factory night views! Unusual scenery you can encounter on a cruise
The approximately two-hour cruise offers more than just the night view of the factories. You can look out over the canal, which is normally off-limits to the public, see the Bay Bridge and Landmark Tower from the boat near the border with Yokohama City, and even see Kawasaki Higashi Post Office, a stopover for international mail sent by sea. TheKawasaki Factory Night View Houseboat Cruise, which is enjoyed with all five senses and accompanied by commentary from a knowledgeable navigator, is a special experience.It turns out that even smartphone photography can capture beautiful night views if you know the tricks. Immerse yourself in an extraordinary space and enjoy a fulfilling time.
Kawasaki Factory Night View Houseboat Cruise:
Operating days: Every Saturday (only the second and fourth Saturdays from December to April)
Departure times: 18:30 (March to September), 17:30 (October to February)
Price: 4,000 yen for adults, 3,000 yen for elementary school students
Participants: Minimum number of participants: 20 people (maximum 40 people)
Eligible participants: Elementary school students and above (elementary school students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Applications: Tabi Plus One
[Tel] 050-3498-0748 (10:00-17:00 / Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Related Articles
[Yamanashi] Glamping stay at ‘HOSHIFULL DOME FUJI’ for foreign travelers! Outdoor experience in the great outdoors at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
HOSHIFULL DOME FUJI, located in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, is a glamping facility at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Its appeal lies in the opportunity to fully enjoy outdoor experiences in nature, such as BBQ, bonfires, pizza making, and stargazing. It is also recommended for foreign travelers looking for "Mt. Fuji glamping" or "outdoor experience Japan." In spring, cherry blossoms and fresh greenery are added to the scenery, allowing you to fully enjoy the seasonal beauty unique to the foot of Mt. Fuji.
Enjoy all-you-can-eat A4-grade or higher Japanese Black Wagyu beef at Yakiniku Zen Shinsaibashi! Private rooms available for all occasions, from dates to banquets.
For those looking to enjoy all-you-can-eat Kuroge Wagyu beef in the Namba area, we recommend Yakiniku Zen Shinsaibashi. Its main attraction is the opportunity to savor A4-grade or higher Kagoshima-produced Kuroge Wagyu beef in yakiniku, shabu-shabu, and sukiyaki styles. Located just a 3-minute walk from Namba Station (various lines), the restaurant boasts private rooms for all guests. It's the perfect spot for a wide range of occasions, from dates and girls' nights out to meals with friends and company banquets.
For private room yakiniku in Kawaramachi, look no further than Yakiniku Zen Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi! Enjoy all-you-can-eat A4 rank or higher Kuroge Wagyu beef.
For those looking for a private room yakiniku restaurant in Kawaramachi, we recommend "Yakiniku Zen Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi." They purchase whole cows of A4-grade or higher Kagoshima-produced Kuroge Wagyu beef through their own unique channels, allowing you to enjoy everything from standard cuts to rare cuts. The all-you-can-eat Kuroge Wagyu beef course allows you to choose from yakiniku, sukiyaki, or shabu-shabu. All seats are in private rooms, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions, from meals after sightseeing to dates and banquets.
[Celebrating its 8th anniversary in April 2026] ‘colours’, a hidden gem in Roppongi! Enjoy Italian cuisine featuring domestic ingredients and a celebratory sparkling wine.
For those looking to enjoy a leisurely meal in Roppongi, we recommend "colours." Located about a 2-minute walk from Roppongi Station on the Tokyo Metro, it offers Italian cuisine based on domestic ingredients, with dishes that reflect the changing seasons. In April 2026, the restaurant celebrated its 8th anniversary, and during that period, they offered complimentary sparkling wine. It's a restaurant that's easy to use for a wide range of occasions, such as dates, business dinners, and anniversaries.
Enjoy a spring-only course at “Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu Daibokujo Takatsu Store”! Savor Wagyu beef while admiring the cherry blossoms at Takatsu Park.
Located about a 5-minute walk from Tanimachi 9-chome Station on the Osaka Metro, "Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu Daibokujo Takatsu Store" is an all-you-can-eat restaurant where you can enjoy sukiyaki and shabu-shabu featuring Kuroge Wagyu and Kobe beef. In spring, from March 27th (Fri) to April 5th (Sun), 2026, a special "Sakura Course" will be available for 10 days only! You can relax and enjoy the spring scenery while savoring seasonal ingredients and Kobe beef. This restaurant is recommended for couples on a date, family meals, or dinners during Osaka sightseeing.