Ferries in Japan: Timetables & Tickets

🚢 Set Sail: Your Complete Guide to Ferries in Japan

Japan is one of the best countries in the world for ferry travel. Out of thousands of islands, more than 250 islands are accessible with ferries. Ferries in Japan offer unique access to a dynamic natural serenity that flights or bullet trains simply cannot reach. It takes time, yes, but ferries often combine transportation and a memorable travel experience in one.

The ferries are well-equipped for extended stays, offering an incredible relaxation experience. Passengers can enjoy spacious public baths with incredible ocean views and onboard restaurants that serve delicious hot meals, including local specialties. For anyone who enjoys slow travel, nature, or island hopping, ferries provide an unforgettable way to experience Japan.

Omio simplifies your ferry trip in Japan. But how do you buy Japanese Ferry Tickets? Where should you sail to? And where do you get to know their schedule, ticket types, and the ticket price? Omio answers all these questions in this complete Japanese ferry guide. This guide covers popular ferry routes and destinations including Busan, Hokkaido and Okinawa and more, ticket prices, schedules, overnight ferries’ amenities, and travel tips.

Forget the complexities of navigating multiple ferry operators and booking systems. With Omio, your Japanese island adventure is just a few clicks away. Choose Omio to help you discover Japan's stunning islands and coastlines through trusted ferry partners and comprehensive route coverage. Let’s make a perfect plan for a sea trip in Japan with Omio!

🎟️ How to Buy Japanese Ferry Tickets with Omio

Even if it's the furthest island you want to travel to, Omio will assist your ferry trip. You can buy tickets at the ferry terminal and online, however, it sometimes requires so much time and effort to find the best route that takes you to your destination, and to buy it without the knowledge of Japanese can be difficult sometimes. But don’t worry, Omio gets you the best ferry ticket in English (and your preferred language), sparing you from checking and comparing the individual webpage of the operators tediously. Save your time and travel smarter with Omio.

How it works on Omio:

• Select your route, date, and passenger details.
• Choose your seat or cabin type.
• Pay by credit card.
• Receive a confirmation email or reservation number.

When you board:

• Arrive at the terminal 30–60 minutes before departure (earlier for overnight ferries or vehicle boarding).
• Check in at the ticket counter if required.
• Pass through boarding gates with the QR code Omio sends you after your booking.
• Follow staff instructions to board the ferry.

🗺️ Popular ferry routes

International Ferry Routes – South Korea ↔ Japan

The ferry route between Busan and Japan is one of the most active international ferry corridors in Asia. The jetfoil takes 70 to 90 minutes to get to the gateway island of Tsushima from Busan. It's a well known ferry route for a day trip. If you are lucky, you may be able to see dolphins and whales during the sea ride!

Major International Routes:

• Busan → Fukuoka (Hakata Port): Duration: 11-17 hours (overnight ferry).
• Busan → Tsushima (Hitakatsu Port) → Fukuoka: Duration: Busan to Hitakatsu, 70-90 minutes by jetfoil. Hitakatsu to Hakata, approx. 6 hours by ferry.
• Busan → Tsushima (Izuhara Port) → Fukuoka: Duration: Busan to Izuhara, approx. 2 to 2.5 hours by jetfoil. Izuhara to Hakata, 2h 15m by jetfoil.
• Busan → Osaka: Duration: 17 hours (overnight ferry).

Typical Prices (Busan to Japan):

• High-speed ferry: ¥10,000–15,000
• Overnight ferry: ¥12,000–20,000 depending on cabin class

Visa Information: As this is an international trip, you’ll need to clear immigration at both ports. Japan exempts Visa applications for 74 countries, including EU, UK, US, and Australia, while Korea exempts more than 100 countries. Make sure if you have a Visa to enter both countries. At departure, present your passport and complete the departure card. Be prepared to show return flight tickets from Japan or Korea. At the destination, have your arrival card ready (often distributed onboard).

Domestic Ferry Routes Across Japan

Japan’s ferry system connects the mainland and major islands—Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa, and hundreds of smaller islands.

Hokkaido Routes: The ferry routes between the mainland and Hokkaido offer you an overnight sail on spacious ferries with relaxing amenities such as public baths (onsen) or saunas. The nearest port to Tokyo is Oarai (90 minutes north of Tokyo by train).

• Oarai → Tomakomai (Central Hokkaido): Approximately 18–19 hours.
• Niigata → Otaru (Western Hokkaido): Approximately 18 hours.
• Aomori → Hakodate (Southern Hokkaido): Approximately 3 hours 40 minutes.

Okinawa Routes: Ferries to Okinawa from Kagoshima offer you a cruise ship experience in the tropical sea, taking about 25 hours all in all with stops at islands in between.

• Kagoshima → Amami Oshima (Naze Port): Approximately 11 hours.
• Amami Oshima → Naha (Okinawa Main Island): Approximately 13 hours.
• Kagoshima → Naha via Amami Islands: Total travel time is approximately 24–25 hours.

Okinawa Main Island to Nearby Islands (Kerama Islands):

• Naha → Tokashiki Island: High-speed: ~35 mins / Regular: ~70 mins.
• Naha → Zamami Island: High-speed: ~50 mins / Regular: ~90 mins.
• Naha → Aka Island: High-speed: ~50 mins / Regular: ~90 mins.

Yaeyama Islands (from Ishigaki Island):

• Ishigaki Island → Taketomi Island: Approximately 15 minutes.
• Ishigaki Island → Iriomote Island (Ohara Port): Approximately 40 minutes.
• Ishigaki Island → Hateruma Island: Approximately 35–45 minutes.
• Ishigaki Island → Yonaguni Island: Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.

Seto Inland Sea & Shikoku Ferries:

• Hiroshima → Miyajima: Approximately 10-22 minutes.
• Hiroshima → Matsuyama (Shikoku Island): High-speed: ~70 mins / Regular: ~2.5–3 hours.
• Osaka / Kobe → Takamatsu (Shikoku Island): Approximately 4–5 hours.
• Takamatsu → Naoshima: About one hour.

Other Domestic Island Ferries:

• Kagoshima → Yakushima: High-speed: ~2 hours / Regular: ~4 hours.
• Niigata → Sado Island: Jetfoil: ~1h 10m / Car ferry: ~2.5 hours.
• Tokyo → Izu Islands: Oshima (~1h 45m), Niijima (~2h 20m), Kozushima (~3h).
• Tokyo → Ogasawara Islands (Chichijima): Approximately 24 hours.

🛌 Overnight Ferries in Japan

Japanese ferry trips offer you absolute slow travel. Once you’re on the sea, far away from the hustle and bustle, unique relaxation experiences await you: Onboard Japanese-style baths with ocean views, restaurants and cafes with the local cuisine, futon sleeping mats, and even karaoke rooms on some routes. Japan’s overnight ferries are closer to small cruise ships than simple transportation.

Accommodations on long-haul routes typically include:

• Second-class areas: Usually large, shared spaces with tatami mats or carpeted floors where passengers can rest.
• First-class cabins: Private or semi-private rooms with beds, often with en-suite facilities.
• Special-class suites: Luxurious options offering hotel-like comfort.
• Female-only sections: Available on many routes, especially to Hokkaido.

Onboard amenities on the long-haul routes can be very extensive:

• Restaurants and cafes: Ranging from self-service canteens to full-service dining rooms serving local specialties.
• Public baths (onsen): Many ferries feature Japanese-style baths, some with ocean views.
• Entertainment: Karaoke rooms, game centers, movie theaters, observation decks, shops, and vending machines.

Major Overnight Routes Detail:

• Busan → Fukuoka: (22:30 - 07:30 / 9 hours). Price: ~¥12,000+. Features: Luxurious suites to minimum privacy, dogs allowed in certain cabins.
• Oarai → Tomakomai (MOL Ferry):
  • Evening Ferry: (19:45 - 13:30 / 17 hours). Price: ~¥10,500+.
  • Night Ferry: (01:30 - 19:45 / 18 hours). Price: ~¥16,000+.
  • Features: Cruise ship style suites, dog runs/rooms, kids space, public kitchen (on Night Ferry), and ocean-view baths.

🏢 Major Ferry Routes’ Providers in Japan

MOL Ferry (Sunflower) One of Japan’s most popular long-distance ferry operators, connecting the Tokyo area with Hokkaido.

• Route: Oarai → Tomakomai (~18 hours).
• Fare: Approx. ¥10,000–¥30,000+ depending on class/season.
• Features: Multiple cabin types, vehicle transport, passenger lounges.

Shin Nihonkai Ferry Major operator in the Sea of Japan routes connecting Honshu with Hokkaido.

• Routes: Niigata → Otaru (~16–18 hours), Maizuru → Otaru (~20 hours).
• Fare: Approx. ¥10,000–¥40,000+.
• Features: Large ships with vehicle decks, restaurants, and lounges onboard.

Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry Famous for connecting Honshu (Aomori) and Hokkaido (Hakodate) across the Tsugaru Strait.

• Routes: Hakodate ↔ Aomori (~3h 40m), Hakodate ↔ Oma (~1.5 hours).
• Fare: Approx. ¥2,000–¥6,000+.
• Features: Scenic views, convenient day trips, seating and basic cabin options.

JR-West Miyajima Ferry Short, very popular route for travelers visiting Miyajima, providing excellent views of the famous Great Torii.

• Route: Miyajimaguchi ↔ Miyajima (~10 minutes).
• Fare: Around ¥180 one way.
• Features: Frequent departures, Great Torii views, accepted on Japan Rail Pass and IC cards (Suica, ICOCA).

Ogasawara Kaiun The sole regular ferry connecting Tokyo with the remote Ogasawara Islands.

• Route: Tokyo → Chichijima (~24 hours).
• Fare: Approx. ¥27,000–¥80,000+.
• Features: Long overnight crossing with multiple cabin classes, essential link to UNESCO sites.

👣 Travel Tips for Ferries in Japan

• Arrive early: Arrive at the terminal 30–60 minutes before departure (90 mins for overnight/vehicles).
• Book advance: Overnight ferries are popular and often sell out early during peak travel periods, weekends, and holidays.
• Weather: Typhoons or rough seas can affect schedules; check updates on the day of travel.
• Luggage: Usually free, but storage space may be limited.
• JR Pass: Not valid on most ferries (exception: Miyajima Ferry).
• Self-catering: Bring snacks if you prefer your own food (restaurants available on many ships).
• Comfort: Consider booking a private cabin for long journeys.
• Health: Seasickness medicine is recommended if crossing the open ocean.

❓ FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions