Monja Yakatabune Cruise on Tokyo Bay

Have you seen those boats that look like houseboats floating on the Sumida River or Tokyo Bay? In Japanese they are called “屋形船 yakatabune.” The kanji characters mean a boat that is shaped like a roof, and they are boats with on-board facilities to hold eating and drinking parties.
(日本語の記事はアルバムの下をご覧ください)
What is “Yakatabune 屋形船”
A part of traditional Japanese culture that originated as a form of entertainment for the aristocracy in the Heian Period, it later became a way for the feudal lords of the Edo Period to enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms or the mid-autumn moon, particularly from the Sumida River.
In recent years, the companies that own the boats have their own original plans and offer various packages combining food and drink with cruising. Luxurious cruises on big boats is nice, but a tour on a traditional yakatabune has a special flavor of its own, doesn’t it?
Coto Japanese Academy’s Monja Yakabune cruising tour!
This time, Coto Japanese Academy has rented out one of these yagata-bune and operated an Enjoy Tokyo to the Max tour where you can enjoy monjayaki, a Tokyo specialty, while watching the sunset on Tokyo Bay.
Monja is fun because you can usually enjoy making your own on a hot plate set into your table. This plan offers all-you-can-eat okonomiyaki and monjayaki and free drink refills. Watch and learn how to cook, so that even first-timers are delighted that they can make a delicious meal.
The weather was a concern ahead of the approaching typhoon, but on the day the weather was calm and we were able to enjoy the sun setting behind the Rainbow Bridge on Tokyo Bay.
There were many people taking part by themselves for the first time, but we were delighted to see students who wouldn’t normally meet, as well as staff and teachers all having a really enjoyable time.
The autumn events are the Vegetable Harvest & BBQ Experience Tour on Sunday, October 26, and the Hiking Tour on Sunday, November 16. We are hoping to see you all there!
東京湾もんじゃ屋形船クルーズ
隅田川や東京湾に浮かぶハウスボートのような形の船を見たことがありますか?
日本語で「屋形船」。漢字の表すとおり、部屋の形をした船のことで、中で飲食などの宴会が開けるような設備を持った船です。
もともとは平安時代の貴族の遊びとして始まり、江戸時代には隅田川を中心に大名たちの花見や月見の場として楽しまれたという日本の伝統文化の一つ。
近年では、船主の会社さんがそれぞれ独自のプランを用意して、飲食+クルージングをセットにした様々な企画を提供しています。大きな船での豪華なクルージングも素敵ですが、伝統的な屋形船でのツアーは特別の味わいがありますね。
さてCotoでは2011に続き、こちらの屋形船を貸し切り、東京湾で夕日を見ながら、東京名物のもんじゃ焼きを楽しむという東京大満喫のツアーを実施いたしました。
もんじゃは通常テーブルに設置された鉄板で、自分たちで調理を楽しみます。今回のプランはお好み焼き、もんじゃの食べ放題+飲み放題。見よう見まねで調理を楽しみ、初めて食べる方にも美味しいと大好評でした!
台風前で天気が心配されましたが、当日は穏やかな晴天で、東京湾のレインボーブリッジに沈む夕日を満喫することができました。
一人で初参加の方もたくさんいらっしゃいましたが、普段顔を合わせることのない学習者の方同士またスタッフや先生と本当に楽しい時間を過ごすことができたとのうれしい感想をいただきました。
秋のイベントは10月26日(日)のVegetable Harvest & BBQ Experienceツアー、11月16日(日)のハイキングツアーと続きます。皆様のご参加をお待ちしています!


Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi Tokyo, we offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learner. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo – please visit our contact page here.

 


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