Tokyo

Cruise lines are loose with the word. If your daily program lists "Tokyo International Cruise Terminal" or "Aomi," you're at the Odaiba berth in Tokyo Bay — this page. If it lists "Osanbashi" or "Daikoku," you're at Yokohama, which is its own city about 30 km south of central Tokyo and gets a separate cruise day plan. The Aomi terminal opened in September 2020 because Yokohama was full and the old Harumi terminal couldn't fit modern post-Panamax ships under the Rainbow Bridge.

Yurikamome to Shimbashi (13 min, ¥325), transfer to the Tokyo Metro Ginza line, ride to Asakusa station (about 20 min). Senso-ji is a two-minute walk from the station exit. Plan on roughly an hour door-to-temple. The temple grounds are open 24 hours and admission is free; the main hall opens at 6:00 (6:30 in winter) and closes at 17:00. If your ship is in late, the pagoda and gates stay illuminated until 23:00 and the crowds thin out dramatically after dinner.

Tight, and only if your ship is in until evening. The standard Fuji-Hakone day tour from central Tokyo is 10 hours, 7am to 6pm, returning to Tokyo Station via Shinkansen. Add an hour each way to get between the cruise terminal and Tokyo Station and you've got a 12-hour day from leaving the ship to getting back. Realistic only if all-aboard is 9pm or later. Most cruise passengers with a single Tokyo day skip Fuji and do the city itself — it's plenty.

Cards work in chain restaurants, department stores, and the Yurikamome ticket machines. Smaller ramen shops, older taxis, and many shrines and temples are still cash-only or IC-card-only. Get a Welcome Suica or Tourist PASMO at the airport on arrival — no deposit, valid 28 days, taps for trains, vending machines, convenience stores, and most taxis. Carry ¥10,000–20,000 in cash for the day to cover the back-alley places where the card reader 'doesn't work today.' ATMs at 7-Eleven and Japan Post accept foreign cards.

Safe, metered, immaculate, and often the slowest option in central Tokyo at midday. Base fare is ¥500 for the first 1.096 km, then ¥100 per 255 m. Late-night surcharge (10pm–5am) adds 20%. Most cabs accept credit cards and Suica/PASMO IC cards — about 99% acceptance in Tokyo by 2022. Drivers don't expect a tip and may refuse one. The doors open and close automatically — don't grab the handle. From the cruise terminal to Tokyo Station runs roughly ¥3,500–5,000 depending on traffic; the train is cheaper and usually faster.

Yurikamome to Shimbashi, Ginza line to Asakusa, see Senso-ji and the Nakamise shopping street, lunch in Asakusa, then either back to the ship or one stop on the Asakusa line to Ginza for shopping. That's a complete day with one transfer in each direction and zero risk of missing all-aboard. Skip the Tsukiji Outer Market only if your ship is in past 14:00 — most stalls close around then. And don't try to cram Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji, and Shinjuku into eight hours unless you enjoy looking at trains.