Ferry to an uninhabited island is surprisingly moving. I love the walk through Sarushima Island ruins and beach shells, and I also love stepping aboard the Memorial Ship Mikasa to see Russo-Japanese War history up close. One consideration, the ferry and cruise depend on weather, and motion can be a problem if you get seasick.

Kyoko Kato (many guests call her Lucy) runs this small-group day trip with English and Japanese support, plus she brings books and info aids that make the stories easier to follow. The flow is also smooth, you get nature time in Tokyo Bay and then a focused warship visit without it turning into a sprint.

Plan around separate costs for your lunch and the museum and cruise tickets, and wear shoes that can handle uneven ground and walking. Meet at Yokosuka-chūō station at 9:40 am, then let the day carry you from port to island to ship.

Key things to know before you go

• Sarushima Island is the point, an uninhabited natural island where you’ll walk forests, ruins, and a sandy beach for shell collecting.
• You’ll connect the dots on war sites, including the brick tunnel, barracks, and power magazines used by the old Japanese military.
• Port Market lunch is your choice, with menus at the sea so you can eat something that fits your appetite and schedule.
• Memorial Ship Mikasa is more than a photo stop, with time on the upper and middle decks and then exhibition rooms.
• Small group size matters, limited to 6 participants, so questions and pacing stay personal.
• Weather can change the timing, because ferry and cruise services run only when conditions allow.

Yokosuka to Sarushima, a Tokyo Bay day that feels like a reset

Yokosuka sits close to Tokyo, but this tour does not feel like another city-only outing. The big draw is the mix: you start in war history sites, then you move to an uninhabited island walk with forest views over Tokyo Bay, and you finish with a major memorial ship visit.

What I like most is that you get two kinds of perspective. On Sarushima, you’re walking on land that once supported military facilities, so the past feels physical. On Mikasa, you shift from ruins and shoreline to a preserved warship and its exhibitions.

The 5.5-hour rhythm: how the day stays paced

The tour runs about 330 minutes, so it works as a half-day plan. You’ll begin at 9:40 am at Yokosuka-chūō station, outside the east Exit on the Keihin Kyuko Line. From there, you move mostly by walking and short ferry rides, with guided time built in rather than leaving you to wander.

Here’s the practical flow in plain terms. You start with an on-foot transfer to a visitor center where you get set up. Then comes the ferry ride to Sarushima, about two hours on the island, and a return ferry. After that, you get lunch at Port Market and then a guided visit to Mikasa, with a final walk back to the station.

This pacing is one reason the tour feels doable. Even with multiple steps, it doesn’t pile on long transfers that eat your energy.

Meeting point to visitor center: getting oriented before the ferry

The first stage is a straightforward walk from Yokosuka-chūō station to the visitor center, roughly 20 minutes on foot. You’ll spend about 30 minutes there, which gives you time to understand what you’re about to see.

That orientation matters here. Sarushima is not a theme-park layout. You’re going to hit multiple types of remains, like a brick tunnel and barracks, and the guide’s explanations help you see what you’re looking at instead of just snapping photos and moving on.

Also, a small group makes this part smoother. When you can ask a question early, you’ll spot more later on the island.

Ferry ride to Sarushima: short trip, big shift in mood

The ferry ride is only about 10 minutes, but it’s a real mental switch. On the water, you move from the urban rhythm of Yokosuka Bay into the quieter setting of an uninhabited island environment.

Your exact experience can depend on conditions because ferry and cruise services can be weather-affected. If you’re sensitive to motion, this is the moment to take that seriously. If seasickness is an issue for you, you should probably skip this style of outing.

The guide can also set expectations about what may change. One practical tip from how this tour is run, check in close to departure so you’re not surprised by weather adjustments.

Sarushima Island: ruins, forest views, and shell collecting on the sandy beach

This is the heart of the day. You’ll spend about two hours on Sarushima Island, with a mix of guided visits, photo stops, and walking. The island is described as the only natural island in Tokyo Bay, and that uniqueness shows up in how quickly the scenery changes once you’re off the ferry.

The guided portion focuses on war-related remains and the structures that once supported the old Japanese military. You’ll see things like a brick tunnel, barracks, and power magazines. These aren’t just random artifacts. The tour frames them so you understand how the site functioned, which makes the ruins feel more than just old stone.

Then you get your nature time. You’ll walk in the forest with viewpoints over Tokyo Bay, and later you’ll have a chance to collect shells from the sandy beach. I love this because it gives your brain a break. After looking at military sites, you suddenly get open sky and shoreline, and it turns the visit into something more balanced.

One more practical detail: wear comfortable shoes. Even if the walk isn’t described as extreme, you’re moving between ruins, forest areas, and a beach, and your feet will thank you.

Port Market lunch by the sea: eat first, then tackle Mikasa

After Sarushima, you head back by ferry and then to Yokosuka Port Market for lunch. You’ll have about one hour here, with time to break and choose from the available menus.

Lunch not being included is the one part you should budget for up front. You’ll want to plan for lunch and drinks on your own. The upside is flexibility. Port Market is by the sea, and having different menu options means you can pick something that matches your energy level after the island walk.

If you’re the type who needs a predictable meal schedule, this could be a tiny stress point. But the time slot is generous enough that you can take your time, order, eat, and still stay on track.

Memorial Ship Mikasa: time on deck plus exhibition rooms

Next up is Mikasa, and this visit is a real asset compared with tours that only give a quick exterior look. You’ll arrive on foot and get about 40 minutes at the memorial ship area, including photo stops, a guided tour, and walking through the ship spaces.

The emphasis here is the Russo-Japanese War. You’ll be able to explore both the upper and middle decks, and then you’ll move into the exhibition rooms to learn more. That combination is important. Deck access gives you scale and perspective, and the exhibitions fill in the story with context.

I also like the pacing of the visit. Forty minutes is enough to get a feel for what the ship represents without feeling trapped inside for hours. It works especially well after Sarushima, because the day’s theme stays consistent even as the setting changes.

The guide makes it click, Kyoko Kato and the Lucy experience

What keeps showing up in feedback is how much the guide shapes the day. Kyoko Kato leads the tour, and multiple guests refer to her as Lucy. People consistently describe her as friendly, easy to talk with, and very invested in making the route make sense.

There’s also a practical teaching style element. Guests note that she brings books and informational aids, which is a big deal on sites like Sarushima where the remains can look confusing if you don’t have context. If you care about history, this kind of guided explanation turns walking into understanding.

You’ll also benefit from the fact that the tour is small, limited to 6 participants. That makes Q and A realistic, and it helps the group move at a comfortable pace.

Who should book this Yokosuka Sarushima and Mikasa tour

This tour is best for people who want more than just city sightseeing. If you like war history but also want a nature break, this is a strong match. The Sarushima walk adds air, walking room, and the shoreline shell collecting moment. Then Mikasa brings you back to a major memorial site with guided structure.

It’s also a good choice for couples, friends, and solo travelers who don’t mind walking. You’ll do several guided segments and a few walking transfers on top of ferry time.

On the flip side, it’s not suitable if you:

• have children under 5
• get seasick easily
• are over 80
• are traveling with babies under 1

If any of those apply, this is the sort of itinerary where skipping is the kinder move.

Price and value: $70 plus tickets, plan for lunch

The advertised price is $70 per person. That’s not just “a guide reading facts.” You’re paying for a guided day that strings together ferry time, Sarushima island walking, Port Market lunch time, and a guided Mikasa visit.

Still, your final cost depends on what you choose to spend on meals and on the separate tickets. Lunch and drinks are not included, and you’ll also need to pay for:

• Naval Port Cruise tickets: Adult 1,000 yen, Child 500 yen
• Memorial Ship Mikasa tickets: Adult 600 yen, Senior 500 yen, Child free

Those extra line items matter because they change what you actually pay at the end of the day. But I see the value as solid because the included guide time is doing real work. On Sarushima, the guide helps you interpret multiple remains, and on Mikasa, you’re guided through decks and exhibition rooms rather than just being left at a viewpoint.

Also, the tour is built as a small-group experience. For people who hate feeling like a number in a big crowd, that can be worth real money.

Weather and timing: the day depends on the sea

A clear heads-up: ferry and cruise services are subject to weather conditions. The guide contacts you the day before, which helps you adapt without scrambling at the last minute.

This matters because the island component depends on boat operations. If weather causes adjustments, you might see changes in how the day plays out.

If you’re planning this tour as a fixed “must do” during a short Japan stay, give yourself some cushion. Yokosuka is reachable from Tokyo, but the sea makes this specific experience less predictable than a museum-only outing.

Should you book it? My straight answer

Book this tour if you want a half-day that feels different from central Tokyo. Sarushima is the kind of place where the ruins and the island walking combine into a day with emotional weight and open-air relief. Add Mikasa with deck access and exhibitions, and you have a full arc: site history, lived setting, then memorial context.

Skip or reconsider if seasickness is a real concern for you, if you’re bringing very young kids, or if walking for this length of time is hard. Also, plan your budget for lunch and the two ticket types that are not included.

If you match the fit, I think you’ll leave with more than photos. You’ll leave with an organized understanding of why these Tokyo Bay places matter, plus a memorable ferry and island day that doesn’t feel like a cookie-cutter tour.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Yokosuka Sarushima and Mikasa tour?

Meet at 9:40 am at Yokosuka-chūō station, outside the east Exit, Keihin Kyuko Line.

How long is the tour?

The total duration is about 330 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a licensed local guide. Everything else, like lunch, drinks, and certain tickets, is paid separately.

What extra tickets do I need to pay for?

Lunch is not included, and you also need tickets for the Naval Port Cruise and the Memorial Ship Mikasa. The prices listed are: Naval Port Cruise (Adult 1,000 yen, Child 500 yen) and Mikasa (Adult 600 yen, Senior 500 yen, Child free).

Is lunch included?

No, lunch and drinks are not included. You’ll have a break at Yokosuka Port Market to buy what you want.

What language is the live guide in?

The tour provides a live guide in English and Japanese.

Is this a small group tour?

Yes. It’s limited to 6 participants.

Do I need to worry about weather?

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

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes.

Who should not join this tour?

It is not suitable for children under 5, people prone to seasickness, people over 80, and babies under 1 year.