Yokosuka: Boat Trip to an Uninhabited Island

Sarushima Island feels like a world away from central Tokyo, even though it sits right in Tokyo Bay. I like how the day mixes military history and real nature walking in one route, and I really appreciate the small-group pace led by Kyoko Kato, often guiding in English as Lucy. One thing to consider: the ferry and cruise portions depend on weather, so the schedule can shift.

You’ll start with the morning island sites, then jump back to the sea for lunch at Port Market, and finish at the Memorial Ship Mikasa. If you’re prone to seasickness, this is still a boat day, so plan accordingly. Comfortable shoes matter too, since you’ll be walking on uneven paths and on the sandy beach.

Key reasons this Yokosuka boat trip works

• Small group (up to 6) keeps questions coming and the walking pace comfortable
• Sarushima ruins + forest views connect the military remnants to the bay scenery
• Shell-collecting beach time gives you a simple, tactile break from the museum feel
• Port Market lunch by the sea lets you choose what fits your hunger and budget
• Memorial Ship Mikasa adds the Russo-Japanese War story after the island morning

First steps: meeting at Yokosuka Chuo and getting oriented fast

The day starts at 横須賀中央駅 (Yokosuka-Chūō Station) at 9:40 am, outside the east Exit on the Keihin Kyuko Line. You’ll then take a short walk (about 20 minutes) to the visitor area, which is useful because it gets your bearings before you head to the water.

Plan for an early start with real footwear. This tour is not a sit-and-watch affair. You’re moving from station to visitor center, then onward to the ferry and island walking, with photo stops along the way.

The ferry ride over Tokyo Bay: the simple part that sets the tone

You’ll take the ferry for about 10 minutes to reach Sarushima Island. The “boat time” here isn’t long, but it does something important: it physically separates you from the city, and it helps you understand why this island mattered to the old military.

One practical note. Ferry and cruise services can depend on weather. The guide will contact you the day before, so keep your phone reachable and don’t plan any tight connections right after the tour ends.

Sarushima Island: forest walks, military remains, and a beach for shell hunters

Sarushima Island is the star of the morning, and it’s not just about pretty photos. You’ll see remnants of former Japanese military facilities, including features like a brick tunnel, barracks, and power magazines. Even if you’re not a history superfan, it’s easier to grasp the purpose of those spaces when you’re standing where they were.

The route includes a visitor center stop first, then a guided walk on the island. Expect time for:

• photo stops and sightseeing moments
• a guided tour through the island sites
• a walk in the forest with bay views

The beach segment is a nice reset. You’ll have time on the sandy shore to collect shells while looking back toward Tokyo Bay. It’s a small activity, but it changes the feel of the day from museum mode to “I’m here” mode.

What to watch for on Sarushima

Bring your patience for a walking day. The ground can be sandy in places, and forest paths can be uneven. If your feet get sore easily, don’t wear brand-new shoes on this one.

Also, if you dislike boats entirely, this might still be uncomfortable. The ferry is short, but you are still moving by water as part of the experience.

Port Market lunch by the sea: plan on paying for your own meal

After you return from Sarushima, you get a break at Yokosuka Port Market, with about an hour for lunch. Lunch and drinks are not included, so you’ll choose from the menu options on site.

I like this structure because it’s flexible. If you want something simple, you can keep it casual. If you’re hungrier after the island walking, you’ll have time to sit down and eat properly instead of grabbing a quick snack and rushing.

How to make lunch feel like part of the trip

Use the lunch time to people-watch and reset your energy. You’ll still have the Memorial Ship Mikasa visit after this, so don’t schedule something heavy right after lunch like a long shopping detour. Let your stomach and your legs cooperate.

Memorial Ship Mikasa: walking decks for the Russo-Japanese War

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Memorial Ship Mikasa, with a guided experience that focuses on the Russo-Japanese War. This part feels like a direct follow-up to the morning, because the island remains are one side of the story and Mikasa gives you the bigger naval context.

The tour includes time to:

• explore the upper and middle decks
• visit exhibition rooms
• take photos during the stop

Even if you only know a little about the war, Mikasa is set up to help you connect dates, ships, and why these locations mattered. It’s the kind of museum where walking the decks makes the explanations stick better than just reading panels.

A practical pacing tip

You’ll have around 40 minutes at Mikasa, plus some walking time to and from the area. If you tend to read every sign slowly, you’ll want to focus on the key exhibition rooms the guide points you toward, then return briefly if time allows.

Your guide matters: Kyoko Kato (Lucy) and the value of a small group

Kyoko Kato leads the tour as a licensed local guide, and in English she’s often referenced as Lucy during the day. What makes this tour feel different is how the guide connects the dots between the island, the bay, and the naval sites.

In practice, that helps in two ways:

1. You stop treating the ruins and decks like random stops, and start understanding why each place fits the bigger picture.
2. The group size stays small, so you’re not just a body in a crowd. You can ask questions and get answers on the spot.

If you prefer a day with structure but not a rigid script, this kind of small-group guiding is a good match.

Comfort and reality check: who should avoid this tour (and who will love it)

This is best for travelers who want both walking time and a guided historical route. You’ll cover war-era remnants, forest and bay views, a shell beach moment, and a major warship museum.

It is not suitable for:

• children under 5
• people prone to seasickness
• people over 80
• babies under 1

Who it suits well

You’ll probably enjoy this most if you:

• want to get out of central Tokyo for something genuinely different
• like guided explanation while still getting fresh air and walking
• enjoy naval history but also want nature time to balance it

Price and value: what $70 really means once you add tickets

The listed price is $70 per person for about 330 minutes (roughly 5.5 hours). The included portion is the licensed local guide.

Not included costs you should plan for:

• lunch and drinks
• tickets for Naval Port Cruise (adult ¥1,000, child ¥500)
• tickets for Memorial Ship Mikasa (adult ¥600, senior ¥500, child free)
• transportation fee for yourself

So the true day cost is the guide fee plus your meals and those ticket items. That said, the value is strongest if you want the combination you get here: Sarushima island morning, a seaside lunch break, and Mikasa in one organized flow with a guide for context.

Weather can change your plan, so build slack

The ferry and cruise services are weather dependent, and the guide will contact you the day before. If you’re the type who schedules every minute of your trip, keep some cushion in your day. You’ll enjoy the experience more if you’re not racing between reservations.

Should you book this Yokosuka boat trip to Sarushima?

Book it if you want a guided half-day that goes beyond Tokyo day trips. The mix is smart: Sarushima’s military remnants and island walking in the morning, a real lunch stop by the sea, then the Memorial Ship Mikasa to anchor the story.

Skip it if you know you get seasick, if you need a fully sedentary day, or if you’re traveling with very young kids. Also, if you hate walking and uneven ground, bring supportive shoes and plan for sore feet.

If you do book, you’ll get a day where the history makes more sense because you’re not just reading it. You’re seeing the locations, walking the paths, and then stepping onto a warship that ties it together.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at 9:40 am at 横須賀中央駅 (Yokosuka-Chūō Station), outside the east Exit, on the Keihin Kyuko Line.

How long is the experience?

The total duration is 330 minutes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. You’ll have break time for lunch at Yokosuka Port Market.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a licensed local guide.

What extra tickets should I budget for?

You’ll need tickets you pay for separately for the Naval Port Cruise (adult ¥1,000, child ¥500) and the Memorial Ship Mikasa (adult ¥600, senior ¥500, child free).

What languages is the guided tour offered in?

The live guide offers English and Japanese.

What if the ferry or cruise is affected by weather?

Ferry and cruise services are subject to weather conditions. The guide will contact you the day before.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes for walking on the island and around the stops.