"The thrilling splash of water as the bus plunges in" is an experience like no other. The Shachi Bus introduces a brand-new way to explore Nagoya: harbor cruise × city sightseeing! - NAGOYA MARINE RIDER Official Website
Nagoya is located in the central region of Japan and is the country's third-largest city, after Osaka and Tokyo. Despite being the third-largest economic city, Nagoya has a reputation for having everything you could want without feeling overwhelmingly crowded. The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is one of Nagoya's must-visit attractions — as Japan's largest aquarium, it boasts the world's largest outdoor tank and is one of only two aquariums in Japan to house orca whales, making it well worth a visit ( 【Japan Nagoya】The Emotion of Seeing Orca Whales for the First Time — A Full Day Isn't Enough! Unboxing Japan's Largest Aquarium! ). You can also purchase a Nagoya Port four-attraction combo ticket, which covers the aquarium, the maritime museum, the Antarctic research vessel, and the observation deck.
If you're looking for more ways to fill a day, the Nagoya MARINE RIDER combines a Port of Nagoya harbor cruise with city sightseeing, with routes linking Sakae, Nagoya city center, Nagoya Station, the Meiko Bay area, and a water bus cruise — creating an entirely new way to experience Nagoya.
There is relatively little information about the MARINE RIDER available in Traditional Chinese online. Although the Japanese official website is comprehensive, the Editor ran into significant obstacles when actually trying to purchase tickets. Below is a full firsthand account, from buying tickets to the experience itself.
How Do You Choose a Route? Not All Routes Run Every Day
Sakae is one of Nagoya's most important commercial districts and a place every tourist is sure to visit. The MARINE RIDER operates on 3 routes: Sakae → Port of Nagoya, Port of Nagoya → Sakae, and Port of Nagoya Harbor Cruise. Each route has different departure times, and schedules may be affected by tides, so be sure to check the official website for the latest sailing status before you go — you don't want to make a wasted trip. Depending on your itinerary, you can incorporate the Nagoya MARINE RIDER as one of your transportation options to or from the aquarium.
SN Route: Sakae → Port of Nagoya
The journey takes approximately 135 minutes. You'll begin with a MARINE RIDER city sightseeing tour of Nagoya, then the amphibious bus will enter the Port of Nagoya for a harbor cruise, and finally dock at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium. Adults: ¥3,800; elementary school students: ¥1,900; children aged 2 and above (preschool): ¥550.
Nagoya MARINE RIDER – SN Route
NS Route: Port of Nagoya → Sakae
The journey takes approximately 105 minutes. You can visit the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium on your own first, then board the water bus for a harbor cruise through the Port of Nagoya before finishing with city sightseeing in central Nagoya. Adults: ¥3,800; elementary school students: ¥1,900; children aged 2 and above (preschool): ¥550.
Nagoya MARINE RIDER – NS Route
NN Route: Port of Nagoya Harbor Cruise
The journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Departing from the Port of Nagoya, the bus cruises around the harbor and returns to the starting point. Adults: ¥3,000; elementary school students: ¥1,500; children aged 2 and above (preschool): ¥550.
Nagoya MARINE RIDER – NN Route
How to Buy Tickets? Buying Together with Port of Nagoya Aquarium Tickets Is Better Value
There are three ways to purchase Nagoya MARINE RIDER tickets: online, by phone, or in person at a ticket booth. The official website provides clear ticket-purchasing guidance, and when translated into Chinese using an online translation tool, it is quite easy to follow.
Online Ticket Purchase Steps:
Step 1: Select your route. Step 2: Choose your departure time (only dates shown with a grey box are available for booking).
Nagoya MARINE RIDER Ticket Purchase – Select Date
Step 3: Enter the number of passengers: adults, children, and infants. Step 4: Choose whether to add aquarium tickets (the total amount will be displayed on the left).
Nagoya MARINE RIDER Ticket Purchase – Choose Whether to Add Aquarium Tickets
Step 5: Review your booking details and enter your personal information (non-Japanese nationals should check the box and then select the option in the red circle on the right to create a new profile).
Nagoya MARINE RIDER Ticket Purchase – Enter Personal Information
Step 6: Fill in the details for all passengers (check the agreement box and complete all required fields). Required fields, in order:
- Purchaser's surname in katakana
- Purchaser's given name in katakana
- Purchaser's gender in katakana
- Purchaser's contact phone number (for contact in case of a sudden cancellation)
- Purchaser's email address (for confirmation email)
- Purchaser's address (you may enter your hotel address)
- Credit card payment details
- Whether the purchaser will be on board — check the box if yes
- Each passenger's name and gender in katakana
- Name in kanji
- Age
Note! Items 9–11 are required for every passenger. Once complete, you can submit.
Nagoya MARINE RIDER Ticket Purchase – Enter Detailed Information
Step 7: Review all information. Step 8: Complete payment by credit card! Check your email inbox for the confirmation — and you're all set!
In-Person Ticket Purchase at Ticket Booths:
Sakae Ticket Booth: GOOGLE Maps Port of Nagoya Ticket Booth: GOOGLE Maps
Remember to Exchange Your Tickets! How Does the Exchange Work?
The boarding point and the ticket exchange point are different locations — be sure to exchange your tickets in advance. For the SN Route, exchange your tickets at the Sakae Ticket Booth: GOOGLE Maps, located beneath the Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER. For the NS and NN Routes, exchange your tickets at the Port of Nagoya Ticket Booth: GOOGLE Maps.
Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER, Nagoya
Due to tidal conditions, we ended up choosing the NN Route. We had planned to exchange our tickets at the MIRAI TOWER on the way, only to find that there were no sailings from that point that day — we were turned away at the door.
On your way to the aquarium, remember to stop at the Port of Nagoya ticket booth to exchange your aquarium and MARINE RIDER tickets.
On the right are the aquarium tickets, in the middle are the MARINE RIDER tickets, and on the left are the hand warmers the staff prepared for us.
If you'd rather not book the MARINE RIDER in advance, you can decide on the spot whether to purchase tickets at the booth on your way to the aquarium.
Time to Board!
On your way to the MARINE RIDER boarding point at the Port of Nagoya, you'll pass the Antarctic research vessel (the orange ship moored at the port). Follow the awnings and the walkway, and you'll eventually spot the MARINE RIDER flag. It's about a 5-minute walk from the aquarium to the boarding point, so make sure to arrive on time.
Although the NN Route doesn't take you through central Nagoya, you'll still get a brief taste of the bus driving on land before it officially plunges into the water.
There is always one crew member on board the MARINE RIDER who introduces the scenery and shares stories about Nagoya along the way. Although we didn't understand Japanese, the staff member used a translation device to communicate with us and remained actively engaged with all passengers throughout the journey. During the harbor cruise, you can admire the Port of Nagoya from a completely different angle. The sea surface is calm and dotted with seabirds — those worried about seasickness need not fret. You're free to move around the vessel and take photos, making it a great experience to enjoy with children.
The boarding point is behind the building in the photo, indicated by the red arrow — you'll need to walk a bit before you spot the MARINE RIDER flag.
The MARINE RIDER boarding point features a very prominent license plate display.
You can spot the MARINE RIDER from a distance, already waiting for us.
Remember to arrive early to put on your life jacket.
The MARINE RIDER transforms — the magical moment the bus becomes a boat and hits the water.
Special highlight: The moment the vehicle surges from land into the water is a truly unique experience. You can also sit in the front row and feel what it's like to be the captain!
MARINE RIDER Captain Experience
The MARINE RIDER seats are very clean and comfortable.
Admiring the Port of Nagoya from a different angle — the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is right across the water.
Final verdict: The harbor waters are calm, so seasickness is rarely an issue. If you're visiting in autumn or winter, the sea breeze can still be quite chilly, so remember to dress warmly — you don't want the cold to dampen your fun.
Related Links
Further Reading
- 【Japan, Osaka】A World-Class Mega Aquarium! The Complete Guide to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
- 【Japan】The Hidden Sumida Aquarium Beneath Tokyo Skytree — A Perfect Family Stop After Tokyo Shopping
- Afternoon Tea with Whale Sharks at Ocean Blue — 5 Essential Tips for Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
- 【Japan Nagoya】The Emotion of Seeing Orca Whales for the First Time — A Full Day Isn't Enough! Unboxing Japan's Largest Aquarium!
