The Tokyo metropolitan government will begin offering ferry cruises on

rivers, canals and in the bay area later this month, as a pilot program
to promote Tokyos waterfront areas.

The metropolitan government will run cruises on routes along tourist

spots in Tokyo, in cooperation with a private ferry operator. A similar
pilot program was carried out on three routes from September to
December last year.

This year, the metropolitan government has extended the operation

period from April to December to observe customer trends throughout
the four seasons. It will also increase the routes available to five,
hoping to make ferries a more common means of transportation.

The routes to be opened are the Tokyo Port loop line; Sumidagawa river
line; Keihin Unga canal line; a round tour between Nihonbashi and
Azumabashi; and another round tour in Odaiba.

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Among them, the Tokyo Port loop line will begin services on Saturday
and operate every Friday and Saturday. Last year, this ferry left and
returned to Kachidoki via Hinode and Tennozu. This year, however, it
will stop at Odaiba Marine Park and Ariake dock, making it easier for
passengers to visit sightseeing spots. The fare is 500 per docking
station visited.

Stops and fares for the other routes are yet to be decided, with these
services set to begin one after another in May or later.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike expressed hope for the pilot program at a
regular press conference in mid-April: Wed like to further advance our
waterfront projects, making Tokyo a more sophisticated place.

For more details and reservations, in Japanese, visit www.suitown.jp.