![[Japan | Nagoya] Nagoya Marine Rider — 3 Routes on an Amphibious Bus](/_images/a0a664435bec-1440w.webp)
Contents(11)
- How to Choose a Route? Routes Are Not Available Every Day
- SN Route: Sakae → Nagoya Port
- NS Route: Nagoya Port → Sakae
- NN Route: Nagoya Port Harbor Cruise
- How to Buy Tickets? Buying Together with Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium Is Better Value
- Online Ticket Purchase Process:
- In-Person Purchase at a Ticket Booth:
- Remember to Exchange Your Ticket! How to Do It?
- All Aboard!
- Related Links
- Further Reading
"The thrilling splash of water as the bus enters the sea" is the ultimate draw. The Shachi Bus introduces a brand-new way to explore Nagoya: harbor cruise × city sightseeing! – NAGOYA MARINE RIDER Official Website
Nagoya, located in central Japan, is the country's third-largest city, after Osaka and Tokyo. Although it is the third-largest economic city, Nagoya gives the impression of a place that has everything without being overly loud or crowded. Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is one of Nagoya's must-visit attractions — as Japan's largest aquarium by floor area, it boasts the world's largest outdoor tank and is one of only two aquariums in Japan housing Orca, making it well worth a visit (【Japan Nagoya】The Moving Moment of Seeing an Orca for the First Time — A Full Day Isn't Enough! Unboxing Japan's Largest Aquarium!). You can also purchase the Nagoya Port four-attraction combo ticket, which includes the aquarium, the Maritime Museum, the Antarctic research vessel, and the observation deck.
If you feel that still isn't enough to fill a whole day, Nagoya Marine Rider combines a Nagoya harbor cruise with Nagoya city sightseeing. Routes include Sakae, Nagoya city center, Nagoya Station, the Meikō Bay area, and an on-water bus cruise — creating a whole new way to experience Nagoya.
Information about Nagoya Marine Rider in Traditional Chinese is relatively scarce online. While the Japanese official website is comprehensive, the Editor ran into serious roadblocks when actually purchasing tickets. Below is a first-hand account of everything from buying tickets to the ride itself.
How to Choose a Route? Routes Are Not Available Every Day
"Sakae" is one of Nagoya's most important commercial districts and a must-visit for tourists. Nagoya Marine Rider offers 3 routes in total: Sakae → Nagoya Port, Nagoya Port → Sakae, and Nagoya Port Harbor Cruise. Each route departs at different times, and schedules may be affected by tidal conditions. Be sure to check the official website for sailing status before heading out to avoid a wasted trip. Depending on your itinerary, you can use Nagoya Marine Rider as a means of transportation to or from the aquarium.
SN Route: Sakae → Nagoya Port
The journey takes approximately 135 minutes. You first board Nagoya Marine Rider for city sightseeing around Nagoya, then the amphibious bus enters Nagoya Port for a harbor cruise, and finally docks at 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: Nagoya Port → Sakae
The journey takes approximately 105 minutes. You can first explore Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium on your own, then board the amphibious bus for a harbor cruise of Nagoya Port, and finish with city sightseeing around Nagoya. Adults: ¥3,800; elementary school students: ¥1,900; children aged 2 and above (preschool): ¥550.
Nagoya Marine Rider - NS Route
NN Route: Nagoya Port Harbor Cruise
The journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Departing from Nagoya Port, the bus cruises around the harbor and then 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 Public Aquarium 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 purchasing guidance, and running it through an online translator into Chinese is quite straightforward.
Online Ticket Purchase Process:
Step 1: Select your route.
Step 2: Choose your departure time (only dates showing 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 an aquarium ticket (the running total will be displayed on the left).
Nagoya Marine Rider Ticket Purchase - Choose Whether to Add Aquarium Admission
Step 5: Confirm your booking details and enter personal information (non-Japanese nationals should tick the box and then click on the red-circled option on the right to create a new account).
Nagoya Marine Rider Ticket Purchase - Enter Details
Step 6: Fill in the details for all passengers (check the agreement box and complete all required fields).
Required fields, in order:
- Purchaser's family name in katakana
- Purchaser's given name in katakana
- Purchaser's gender in katakana
- Purchaser's contact phone number (in case of sudden cancellation)
- Purchaser's email address (for confirmation email)
- Purchaser's address (hotel address is acceptable)
- Credit card payment details
- Whether the purchaser will be on board — tick if yes
- Each passenger's name and gender in katakana
- Name in kanji
- Age
Note! Items 9–11 must be provided for every passenger. Once complete, you can submit.
Nagoya Marine Rider Ticket Purchase - Enter Detailed Passenger Information
Step 7: Review all details.
Step 8: Complete payment by card! Check your email for the confirmation message — you're all set!
In-Person Purchase at a Ticket Booth:
Sakae ticket booth: GOOGLE Maps
Nagoya Port ticket booth: GOOGLE Maps
Remember to Exchange Your Ticket! How to Do It?
The boarding point and the ticket exchange point are different — be sure to complete the exchange in advance. For the SN Route, exchange your ticket at the Sakae ticket booth: GOOGLE Maps, located at the base of the Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER. For the NS and NN Routes, exchange your ticket at the Nagoya Port ticket booth: GOOGLE Maps.
Nagoya Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER
Due to tidal conditions, we ended up choosing the NN Route. We thought we could stop by the MIRAI TOWER to exchange our tickets in advance, only to find the booth was closed because there were no departures that day on the SN Route.
On the way to the aquarium, remember to stop at the Nagoya Port ticket booth to exchange your aquarium and Marine Rider tickets.
On the right is the aquarium ticket, in the middle is the Marine Rider ticket, and on the left is a hand warmer the staff kindly prepared for us.
If you'd rather not book the Marine Rider in advance, you can still decide on the spot whether to purchase tickets when you're on your way to the aquarium.
All Aboard!
On the way to the boarding point at Nagoya Port, you'll pass the Antarctic research vessel (the orange ship moored at the dock). Follow the canopy and walkway and you'll soon spot the Nagoya Marine Rider flag. It's about a 5-minute walk from the aquarium to the boarding point, so allow enough time and make sure you arrive punctually.
Although the NN Route does not loop through Nagoya city, it does briefly let passengers experience the bus driving on the road before making its spectacular entry into the water.
Each Nagoya Marine Rider voyage is accompanied by a staff member who introduces the scenery and shares stories about Nagoya along the way. Even though we don't understand Japanese, our cheerful guide used a translation device to share everything with us and stayed actively engaged with everyone on board throughout the journey. During the harbor cruise, you can enjoy Nagoya Port from a completely different perspective. There are also plenty of seabirds on the water, and the sea surface is very calm — passengers prone to seasickness need not worry. You're free to move around and take photos on board, 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 spotting the Marine Rider flag.
The Marine Rider boarding point features a very prominent license plate display.
From a distance you can already see the Marine Rider all ready and waiting for us.
Remember to arrive early to put on your life jacket.
The Marine Rider transforms — the thrilling moment the bus-turned-boat plunges into the water.
Special highlight: the moment the vehicle charges from land into the water is a truly unique experience. On top of that, you can sit in the front row and try your hand at steering like a captain.
Marine Rider captain experience
The Marine Rider seats are very clean and comfortable.
Enjoying Nagoya Port from a different angle — Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is directly across the water.
Final summary: The harbor waters are calm with little wave action, so seasickness is rarely an issue. If you visit in autumn or winter, the sea breeze can still be quite chilly, so remember to dress warmly — otherwise it could put a damper on the fun.
Related Links
Further Reading
- 【Japan Osaka】A World-Class Mega-Aquarium! Complete Guide to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
- 【Japan】Sumida Aquarium Hidden Beneath Tokyo Skytree — A Perfect Post-Shopping Stop for Families in Tokyo
- Afternoon Tea with Whale Sharks at Ocean Blue — 5 Must-Know Tips for Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
- 【Japan Nagoya】The Moving Moment of Seeing an Orca for the First Time — A Full Day Isn't Enough! Unboxing Japan's Largest Aquarium!
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