“So far this year, there have been 51 cruise calls at the Port of Tokyo,” said Haruka Imamura from the Port Management Division at the Bureau of Port and Harbor, Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

There had also been seven maiden calls through late July.

The Harumi Cruise Terminal was reopened this year following renovations. With the opening of the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal in 2020, and now the renovated Harumi Cruise Terminal, Imamura told Cruise Industry News that the Port of Tokyo now has two cruise terminals.

“Going forward, the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal will primarily accommodate large vessels, while the Harumi Cruise Terminal will receive small to midsized vessels that can pass under the Rainbow Bridge,” Imamura noted.

“This dual-terminal approach will allow for more efficient operations and enable the Port of Tokyo to attract as many cruise ships as possible.”

“Various promotional initiatives are underway,” he continued. “These include participation in cruise conventions, joint promotional activities in collaboration with other domestic ports and hosting familiarization trips, where cruise line representatives are invited to visit the terminals and local tourist attractions.”

“Tokyo is enhancing both its software (services and hospitality) and hardware (infrastructure) aspects to improve its overall cruise reception capabilities,” Imamura added.

“With two operational berths now in place, the port is well-positioned to efficiently accommodate a greater number of cruise vessels.”

The port also has a key location in Tokyo, providing excellent access to tourist attractions, airports and railway networks, according to Imamura.