Tokyo Bay booze cruise with miniskirted bar girls

Viewing the illumination of the Rainbow Bridge from the deck of a luxurious cruiser with a glass of red wine in hand, being served by attractive young women who look like models … a dreamlike situation any man would fancy experiencing some day.

What if there is a place that makes this dream come true with a single 10,000 yen bill? No way would a man miss such a golden opportunity. Indeed, many flock to what the Japanese call a “girl’s bar” named NAVY, where customers can have a pleasant chat and flirt with female bartenders. The marine bar is pretty packed with reservations made by men working in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

The bar is owned and operated by a long-established houseboat (yakata-bune) business and offers the booze cruise twice a day on average, departing from Shin-kiba and Etchujima piers. The cruise takes approximately two hours for a fee of 9,900 yen and offers all-you-can-drink beverages that include wine and beer.

The cruiser’s main cabin is glass-walled and furnished with a counter just like any other “girl’s bar,” attended by pretty young women donning a white, slinky sleeve-less blouse and miniskirts 20 cm above their knees.

“Where did you come from? Isn’t the sea breeze really nice tonight?” The girl attending Shukan Post’s reporter was 20-year-old “Yumi-chan,” a student at a women’s college in Tokyo. Slender in build with long black hair, she had a resemblance to actress and model Ai Kato.

Every time the waves swayed the cruiser, Yumi-chan would lean forward to balance herself, exposing the cleavage under her blouse. “Don’t stare at me like that… Let’s go out to the deck. I’m getting a little tipsy,” she beckons, as she leads the way to the cruiser deck. The Tokyo night view, with Tokyo Tower and the high-rises is quite a sight. Yumi-chan says enthusiastically, “Oh how pretty!” The reporter starts to feel like Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie “Titanic.”

The standard rule at such “girl’s bars” forbids dating customers after hours. In the case of this cruise bar, however, a simulated dating experience can be enjoyed while on board. Better still, after departure, it’s practically a chartered cruiser – no worries about any interference from anyone.

It’s a job highly sought after, over 10 times as competitive as other similar bars. The young women who pass the interview include college students as well as girls with modeling experience. One look and you know that the best looking have been recruited.

Booze, beautiful women and the gentle lapping of waves… the combination of the three is enough to intoxicate any man in a short space of time.

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Latest 15 of 34 Total Comments Show All

Sarge at 12:18 AM JST - 8th August

"pictures please"

I second that.
Triumvere at 12:33 AM JST - 8th August

Uggghhh. While attempting to exchange money for companionship is nothing new, I do find depressing the extent to which paying a girl to pour you drinks and laugh at your jokes has become an industry in Japan. Hostess bars are at saturation level, one would think. Is it really that difficult for men and women to connect in this country? Me and a couple of friends went to a hostess bar once, just for the hell of it - you know, to see what it was like and to be able to say we did it. I have to say it was one of the most awkward and uncomfortable experiences I've ever had. The management treated the girls like furniture.
LoveUSA at 12:39 AM JST - 8th August

While attempting to exchange money for companionship is nothing new, I do find depressing the extent to which paying a girl to pour you drinks and laugh at your jokes has become an industry in Japan.

Men do it a lot so it boosts their self-esteem. Men think they are smart when somebody appreciates their jokes. I pretend to appreciate the jokes of men, and this makes them so glad and I secretly laugh at their vanity.
KyotoChris at 01:38 AM JST - 8th August

They probably don't really care that much if non-reading types come to spend money.
Triumvere at 01:46 AM JST - 8th August

They probably don't really care that much if non-reading types come to spend money.

Heh. You might not even be allowed on the boat!
bdiego at 06:08 PM JST - 8th August

pics or it didn't happen. Interesting concept of "simulated dating". Kind of like pretend breathing, or mild pregnancy.
usaexpat at 11:12 PM JST - 8th August

Booze and women it's a classic combination. Seriously JT some pictures would have been welcome.
blvtzpk at 09:11 AM JST - 9th August

Why no pics? The Shukan Post, who originally wrote the article either didn't have (or didn't get enough dosh) to pass them on to JT.

The reporter starts to feel like Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie “Titanic.”

Freezing in cold ocean waters, turning blue, and eventually dying? Not something I want to pay for.
RandomTask at 10:08 AM JST - 9th August

How can anyone feel good knowing that the person they are talking to is only there because they are being payed? I dont get it. I like the idea of these boat rides, with the cute staff and all, but in reality I'd just be thinking "Does she actually have any interest in what I'm saying?".
nisegaijin at 04:25 AM JST - 10th August

The standard rule at such “girl’s bars” forbids dating customers after hours.

They just lost a potential customer.
Makkun70 at 12:36 PM JST - 10th August

Rules are there to be broken, ask many a Ginza creaper :)
timorborder at 12:48 PM JST - 10th August

Went on a booze cruise of Tokyo Bay years ago. Being Japan, the event went ahead even though there was a serious swell running on the day in question. Out of about 250 on the boat, me and one of my colleagues were the only ones who were not seasick. After a couple of hours, the toilets were literally ankle deep in vomit. Not one of my best Japan memories.....
JoeBigs at 12:56 PM JST - 10th August

RandomTask at 10:08 AM JST - 9th August How can anyone feel good knowing that the person they are talking to is only there because they are being payed?

Money does make the world go round. Money the ugly man's equalizer...LOL

Why do men go to these types of events?

Well because we are driven by our hormones and the sight of a pretty woman drives our hormones. Well some of us, some other men would rather have handsome cabin boys running around. But everyone has their own tastes. Some like snails while others like oysters.....
hudagree at 08:03 PM JST - 10th August

Booze and girls together is worth the time and money. Both sides, customers and business, are served well by this simple yet effective combo.
benhur at 02:55 AM JST - 13th August

i take the gentle lapping of the waves..