Yokosuka Adventure: Explore Uninhabited Island & Naval Cruise

Sarushima is the star here: a forested island in Tokyo Bay where brick tunnels, old barracks, gun positions, and a sandy beach share the same compact patch of land. Add a harbor cruise past submarines and warships, and you get a full day built around Yokosuka’s military past and present. The island’s quiet trails and the close-up naval views are the two strongest reasons to book.

I also like the private format, since guide Lucy can adjust the pace and explain the town she calls home. The main catch is cost control: the $91.76 price covers the local guide, but not lunch, transport, the ferry, or the naval cruise. You will also walk quite a bit, so bring comfortable shoes and be ready for a weather-dependent day.

Key points at a glance

• Sarushima’s military ruins: Walk through a brick tunnel and past gun batteries, barracks, and former power magazines from Japan’s military era.
• A rare Tokyo Bay setting: Reach Japan’s only natural island in Tokyo Bay by ferry, with possible views toward Mount Fuji on a clear morning.
• Lunch with plenty of choice: Pick your own meal at Yokosuka Port Market, from navy burgers and curry to seafood, ramen, bakery items, pudding, and craft beer.
• Dobuita Street flavor: Walk through a shopping street known for military goods and Japanese souvenirs before reaching the cruise pier.
• Two naval forces in one harbor: See ships and submarines connected with the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
• A small private group: Only your party joins the activity, with local guide Lucy providing English explanations during the cruise.

Why Sarushima makes this Yokosuka tour different

Many Yokosuka outings focus only on ships or only on military history. This one connects the two. In the morning, you see the old defensive works built on Sarushima. Later, you look across the harbor at the modern naval forces that make Yokosuka an important port today.

That contrast gives the day a clear shape. On the island, the military presence is quiet, overgrown, and partly reclaimed by the forest. At the port, it is active and visible in the form of large vessels and submarines. I like that you are not simply being shown a collection of attractions. You are seeing how the town’s past and present sit side by side.

The island itself is also unusual. Sarushima, sometimes called Monkey Island, is described as the only natural island in Tokyo Bay. The ferry ride makes the setting feel like a proper excursion, yet the island is close enough to Yokosuka for the day to remain easy to manage.

You should set your expectations correctly. This is not a long wilderness hike, and it is not a museum visit with polished displays. The interest comes from ruins, views, forest paths, and the guide’s explanations. The condition of the old military remains and the feel of the trails are part of the appeal.

The ferry ride to Sarushima

The day starts at 9:30 a.m. near Yokosuka-chūō Station. From there, you take the ferry across Tokyo Bay to Sarushima. The ride gives you an early look at the water around Yokosuka and helps shift the mood from station-town sightseeing to island exploration.

On a clear day, you might see Mount Fuji. That view is not guaranteed, but the possibility adds a nice bonus to the crossing. Even without Fuji, the ferry gives you a wider sense of the bay and the port you will later see from the naval cruise.

The ferry fee is not included in the tour price, so keep that in mind when working out your actual budget. The same applies to the naval cruise later in the day. Since these costs are separate, the advertised price is best viewed as the fee for the private guide and planned experience, not an all-inclusive day package.

Walking Sarushima’s brick tunnels and gun batteries

You have about three hours on Sarushima, which is enough time to see the main remains without rushing. The route includes a brick tunnel, barracks, gun batteries, and power magazines used by the old Japanese military from the late 19th century through the middle of the 20th century.

The brick tunnel is one of the most memorable features. It gives the island a strong sense of place because you are moving through an actual military structure rather than reading about one behind glass. The barracks and magazines add more pieces to the story, showing how the island supported a defensive position in Tokyo Bay.

The ruins are not the only reason to come ashore. Sarushima also offers forest paths, birdwatching opportunities, and open views toward Tokyo Bay and Yokosuka Naval Port. From higher ground, you can look back toward the water and see the port from a different angle than you will later get from the boat.

The sandy beach is another welcome change of pace. You can collect shells and look at the clear water, according to the tour details. That combination of military ruins and a simple beach walk is what gives Sarushima its character. You can spend part of the morning thinking about fortifications and part of it listening to birds in the trees.

Three hours may feel generous if you prefer fast sightseeing. For most people, though, it allows time for photos, explanations, forest walking, and the beach without turning the island into a rushed checklist. The tradeoff is that you should be comfortable on your feet. One person specifically advised bringing comfy shoes after finding the day involved substantial walking.

What the private guide adds

A licensed local guide is included, and the experience is private, meaning only your group takes part. That matters here because the day includes several different subjects: military remains, local food, shopping streets, and naval vessels.

Lucy is the guide named in the available information. She is from Yokosuka and brings a personal connection to the city. The strongest praise centers on her friendly manner, humor, and love for her hometown. That combination should suit you if you prefer a guide who can connect individual places rather than simply recite dates.

A private format can also make the long day easier to handle. You can ask questions about the island, pause for photographs, or spend more time looking at a particular part of the harbor. The exact flexibility is not specified, so do not assume every timing change is possible, but a private group generally gives the experience a more personal feel than a large coach outing.

The naval cruise includes English translation and descriptions from the guide. That is particularly useful because the ships and submarines may be obvious from the deck, while their role and connection to the port may not be. You are not left to identify every vessel on your own.

Lunch at Yokosuka Port Market

After returning from Sarushima, you have about an hour at Yokosuka Port Market. Lunch is not included, but the market gives you plenty of ways to choose a meal that fits your appetite and budget.

The listed choices include fresh bakery items, sandwiches, seafood, ramen, Yokosuka navy burgers and curry, gelato, ice cream, pudding, and craft beer. This is a practical stop for a mixed group because you do not all have to order the same kind of food.

The navy burger and navy curry are the most obvious local choices. They connect lunch with Yokosuka’s naval identity, while seafood reflects the port setting. If you prefer something lighter, the bakery and sandwich options may work better before the afternoon walk and cruise.

One hour is enough to select and eat lunch, but it is not a long restaurant break. You pay for your own food, and the market format means you choose from available vendors rather than settling in for a formal guided meal. I see that as a benefit if you value choice, though less so if you want a carefully planned culinary experience.

The market also keeps the day moving. Instead of spending a large part of the afternoon at a single restaurant, you get a quick local-food stop before heading through the shopping streets.

Dobuita Street and the walk to the naval port

After lunch, the route continues through Dobuita Street toward the pier. This part of the outing adds a different side of Yokosuka, with military goods and Japanese souvenirs along the shopping streets.

Dobuita Street is a useful bridge between the food market and the harbor cruise. You are not only passing from one transport point to another. You get a look at the commercial side of a town shaped by its relationship with the military.

The walk also contributes to the physical demands of the day. Sarushima already requires time on foot, and Dobuita Street leads into the cruise portion rather than offering a long rest. If you have mobility concerns, moderate physical fitness is recommended, and the tour information does not promise step-free access or a reduced walking route.

For shoppers, this stop may be a highlight. The focus is on military-themed goods and Japanese souvenirs, so it has more local character than a generic shopping center. If shopping is not your priority, you can treat the street as a short introduction to Yokosuka before the main harbor activity.

Seeing U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ships

The final major activity is a harbor cruise lasting about two hours. This is the part that makes the outing feel distinctly Yokosuka. From the water, you can see battleships and submarines associated with both the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

The cruise offers a close view that you cannot get from ordinary streets around the city. The vessels are the main attraction, but the setting matters too. Looking toward the bases from the harbor gives you a better sense of the port’s scale and its working role.

The English descriptions from Lucy help turn the cruise into more than a boat ride. You can enjoy the view while also learning what you are seeing. The information provided does not promise that every ship will be present on every departure, so you should think of the cruise as an opportunity to view the naval harbor, not a guaranteed list of specific vessels.

The cruise fee is separate from the tour price. This is the biggest budget detail to clarify before booking. At $91.76 per person, the base price may look reasonable for a private six-and-a-half-hour program, but your final spending will be higher after adding the ferry, cruise, lunch, and any transport costs.

Still, the value is strong for the right kind of visitor. You are paying for a full day with a local guide, private attention, two unusual Yokosuka experiences, and a schedule that would take more planning to arrange independently. It is less attractive if you want an inexpensive sightseeing day with all entrance fees included.

Timing, walking, and practical planning

The tour starts at Yokosuka-chūō Station and ends at Shioiri Station. The final station is only one stop from the starting station, which makes the route convenient if you are continuing elsewhere in the area.

You should plan for a long morning and afternoon. The listed timing adds up to roughly six and a half hours, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The day includes ferry movement, island trails, a market lunch, a shopping-street walk, and a two-hour cruise.

Wear comfortable shoes. This is not optional advice if you dislike extended walking. The island, market, Dobuita Street, and route to the pier all require time on foot. Bring enough energy for the final cruise rather than treating lunch as the end of the active portion.

Weather matters. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. Clear weather also improves the island views and the chance of seeing Mount Fuji, so the day is at its best when the sky cooperates.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the tour is near public transportation. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation or change made less than 24 hours before departure is not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this Yokosuka day most

I would choose this tour if you want several sides of Yokosuka in one outing and prefer a private guide to a large group. It suits people interested in military history, port cities, naval vessels, local food, and unusual day trips from the Tokyo area.

It is also a good fit if you like variety. The day moves from ferry to ruins, from beach to food market, from shopping street to naval cruise. You will not spend six hours doing one repetitive activity.

Families and mixed-interest groups may appreciate the range of stops, though the walking and weather exposure deserve attention. Someone who wants only a relaxed boat trip may find Sarushima too active, while someone seeking a serious military museum may find the island’s ruins less formal than expected.

The tour is also a practical choice for people who do not want to organize several separate bookings. The guide brings the pieces together and provides English explanations, while the private format keeps the group small.

Should you book the Sarushima and naval cruise tour?

Book it if you want a personal introduction to Yokosuka that joins old military ruins with working naval waters. The best parts are the peaceful forest and beach on Sarushima, Lucy’s local connection, and the chance to see American and Japanese ships from a boat.

Skip it if your priority is an all-inclusive price, minimal walking, or a guaranteed view of a particular vessel. You will need to budget separately for the ferry, cruise, lunch, and your own transport.

For most active visitors with an interest in Yokosuka, the mix is worth considering. Just arrive ready for a full day on your feet, check the weather, and treat the $91.76 price as the starting cost rather than the final bill.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Yokosuka-chūō Station in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.

What time does the experience begin?

The start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Shioiri Station. This station is one stop from the meeting station.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A licensed local guide is included. Lucy is the named guide associated with the experience.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You choose and pay for your own meal at Yokosuka Port Market.

Are the ferry and naval cruise included in the price?

No. The ferry to Sarushima and the navy cruise are additional costs, along with transportation fees for yourself.

What can you see on Sarushima?

You can see gun batteries, barracks, a brick tunnel, and power magazines used by the Japanese military. The island also has forest paths, Tokyo Bay views, a sandy beach, and birdwatching opportunities.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.