For a different kind of New Year’s Eve countdown, hop aboard the Santa Maria on the night of December 31. This sightseeing sailing ship will take you on an hour-long cruise around Osaka Bay while you ring in the 2026 New Year with sea breeze in your hair.
Live entertainment on board comes from Kansai-based duo Yasu-Tori, featuring Yasuyuki Nakajima on guitar and Yusuke Miyahara on vocals and trombone. Known for their light-hearted performances, the pair mix music with humorous skits to keep the mood fun and lively. You can also try your luck in a New Year’s lottery – prizes will be revealed on the night.
Tickets cost ¥7,000 for adults and ¥3,500 for children, and must be booked and paid for in advance online. On the day, you should complete check-in by 11pm. The cruise departs at 11.30pm sharp from (and later returns to) Kaiyukan West Wharf, near Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, a 10-minute walk from Osakako Station.
AloJapan.com