Japan Ferry Network, Seto Inland Sea & Volcanic Island Crossings

The ten-minute ferry to Miyajima, home of the “floating” torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. The JR ferry route passes close to the gate, and Japan Rail Pass holders can ride it.

The long-distance car ferry from the Tokyo region to Hokkaido. It is popular with drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists starting a Hokkaido road trip, and cabins range from shared berths to private suites.

Shin Nihonkai Ferry’s long-distance route up the Sea of Japan from Maizuru, north of Kyoto, to Otaru, the canal town near Sapporo. It is the natural sea link between the Kansai region and Hokkaido.

The overnight ferry through the Seto Inland Sea from Osaka to Beppu, Japan’s famous hot-spring city in Kyushu. Pass under the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge in the evening and arrive in the morning.

The ferry to Naoshima, the Seto Inland Sea island known for contemporary art, from the Chichu Art Museum to Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkins. Takamatsu is the main gateway from Shikoku, and the island is also reachable from Uno.

A two-night voyage from Tokyo to northern Kyushu, calling at Tokushima on Shikoku. It is a relaxed alternative to the shinkansen for travellers with a car or motorbike, or anyone who wants a slow sea journey along Japan’s Pacific coast.

The fastest long-distance ferry between the Tokyo area and Kyushu, sailing from Yokosuka to Shin-Moji in about 21 hours on the modern ships Hamayu and Soreiyu, with private cabins and large public baths.

An overnight ferry through the calm Seto Inland Sea between Osaka and northern Kyushu. Board in the evening and arrive in Kitakyushu the next morning, saving a night’s accommodation.

An overnight Pacific ferry from Sendai to Hokkaido, part of Taiheiyo Ferry’s long route from Nagoya. It is popular with drivers and riders starting a Hokkaido road trip from the Tohoku region.

The long island-hopping ferry from Kyushu to Okinawa, calling at the Amami Islands (Amami Ōshima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu and Yoron) on the way. It is one of Japan’s most scenic ferry journeys.

The ferry from central Tokyo to Izu Ōshima, the volcanic island crowned by Mount Mihara, famous for camellias and hot springs. Jetfoils reach it in under two hours, and an overnight ferry continues to the outer Izu Islands.

The quick hop from Ishigaki to Taketomi, an island of red-tiled houses, coral-stone walls and water-buffalo carts in Okinawa’s Yaeyama archipelago. Ishigaki’s island terminal also serves Iriomote and Kohama.

Shin Nihonkai Ferry’s direct night ferry from Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture to Tomakomai East, the quickest sea link between the Kansai/Chubu region and southern Hokkaido. It leaves just before midnight and arrives the following evening.

The midday ferry from Niigata to Otaru, the canal port near Sapporo. It is the shortest Sea of Japan crossing from the Tokyo side of Honshu to Hokkaido, arriving in Otaru before dawn.

A daytime leg of Shin Nihonkai Ferry’s Tsuruga–Niigata–Akita–Tomakomai East service, linking Akita in northern Tohoku with Hokkaido. The northbound ship leaves Akita early in the morning and reaches Hokkaido in the late afternoon.

MOL Sunflower’s nightly ferry from Kobe’s Rokko Island through the Seto Inland Sea to Oita, the gateway to Beppu, Yufuin and eastern Kyushu. The ships Sunflower Gold and Sunflower Pearl have observation baths and a restaurant.

The overnight Pacific ferry from Osaka to Shibushi in eastern Kagoshima Prefecture, run by Sunflower Satsuma and Sunflower Kirishima (in service since 2018). It is the only long-distance ferry from Kansai to southern Kyushu.

Hankyu Ferry’s overnight run through the Seto Inland Sea between Kobe’s Rokko Island and Shin-Moji in Kitakyushu, on the ships Settsu and Yamato. It suits drivers heading between Kansai and northern Kyushu.

Hankyu Ferry’s southern Osaka route, sailing every evening from Izumiotsu to Shin-Moji on the ships Izumi and Hibiki. Izumiotsu is handy for drivers from the south of Osaka and Kansai Airport side of the bay.

The southern leg of Taiheiyo Ferry’s 1,330 km Nagoya–Sendai–Tomakomai line up Japan’s Pacific coast. Ships continue from Sendai to Hokkaido, so Nagoya passengers can also stay aboard to Tomakomai.

The only long-distance ferry between Tokyo and Shikoku: Ocean Tokyu Ferry’s evening departure from Ariake reaches Tokushima the next afternoon before continuing to Kitakyushu. It is a practical way to bring a car or motorbike to Shikoku’s pilgrimage and Iya Valley roads.

The Shikoku–Kyushu leg of Ocean Tokyu Ferry’s Tokyo–Tokushima–Shin-Moji line. It leaves Tokushima in the afternoon and arrives in northern Kyushu at dawn, linking eastern Shikoku directly with Kitakyushu.

The main car-ferry crossing of the Tsugaru Strait between Honshu and Hokkaido, running around the clock between Aomori and Hakodate. It is the usual choice for drivers and riders who cannot take vehicles through the Seikan Tunnel.

The shortest ferry between Honshu and Hokkaido, from Oma at the tip of the Shimokita Peninsula — the town famous for line-caught tuna — to Hakodate in 90 minutes on the Daikan Maru.

A daytime crossing from Aomori to Muroran on the Blue Grace, landing drivers closer to Sapporo, Noboribetsu and Lake Toya than the Hakodate route does.

The sea route to Yakushima, the UNESCO-listed island of ancient cedar forest. Toppy and Rocket jetfoils run direct or via Tanegashima, while the car ferry Ferry Yakushima 2 makes a single daily round trip for drivers.

Jetfoils from Kagoshima to Nishinoomote on Tanegashima, the island of JAXA’s rocket launch site and Japan’s first firearms. Several daily boats continue to Yakushima, making it easy to combine both islands.

The jetfoil hop between the two Osumi islands, useful for a round trip that takes in Tanegashima’s space centre and Yakushima’s forests without returning to Kagoshima.

The overnight ferry from Kagoshima to Naze on Amami Oshima, the first call of A-Line’s island chain run to Okinawa. Board in the evening and wake up in the subtropical Amami Islands.

The overnight ship from central Tokyo to Miyakejima, a volcanic Izu island known for birdwatching, dolphin swimming and diving. Tokai Kisen’s Tachibana Maru arrives at dawn and continues to Mikurajima and Hachijojima.

Tokai Kisen’s Tachibana Maru sails overnight from Takeshiba to Hachijojima, the subtropical far end of the Izu Islands, calling at Miyakejima and Mikurajima on the way. From Hachijojima the small Kuroshio Maru continues to remote Aogashima.

The only public transport to the UNESCO-listed Ogasawara Islands: a 24-hour voyage on the Ogasawara Maru from Tokyo to Chichijima. There is no airport, so most visitors stay while the ship is in port and return on its next sailing.

The Hahajima Maru links Chichijima with quieter Hahajima, the southernmost inhabited Ogasawara island. Its timetable is built around the arrivals and departures of the Ogasawara Maru from Tokyo.

Kyushu Yusen’s jetfoils Venus and Venus 2 and its car ferries link Fukuoka with Iki, a flat island of beaches, sea-urchin fishing and ancient burial mounds in the Genkai Sea.

The link from Fukuoka to Izuhara, the main town of Tsushima, via Iki. Tsushima sits midway between Kyushu and Korea and is known for its forests, Korean-influenced history and castle-town streets.

The shortest car-ferry crossing to Iki, from Karatsu in Saga Prefecture to Indoji on the island’s south coast, aboard the Emerald Karatsu or Diamond Iki.

The quickest way to the art island of Naoshima: a 20-minute Shikoku Kisen car ferry from Uno on the Okayama side, landing at Miyanoura beside Yayoi Kusama’s red pumpkin.

The main route to Shodoshima, the olive-growing island of the Seto Inland Sea, from Takamatsu to Tonosho near the tidal Angel Road sandbar. Some ferries carry character wraps such as the Pokémon “Yadon” ferry.

The Honshu-side ferry to Shodoshima, crossing 23.5 km from Shin-Okayama Port to Tonosho in about 70 minutes. It suits visitors arriving by shinkansen at Okayama.

The ferry from Himeji, home of Japan’s best-known castle, to Fukuda on the north-east coast of Shodoshima — the most direct sea route to the island from Kobe and the Kansai side.

Sado Kisen’s main route from Niigata city to Ryotsu on Sado, the large Sea of Japan island famous for its gold mine (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2024), taraibune tub boats and Kodo drummers. Choose the 2h 30m car ferry or the 67-minute jetfoil.

Sado Kisen’s southern route from Naoetsu in Joetsu to Ogi, the small port on Sado’s southern tip known for its taraibune tub-boat rides and the old shipbuilding village of Shukunegi.

Heart Land Ferry’s crossing from Wakkanai, Japan’s northernmost city, to Oshidomari on Rishiri, the volcanic island dominated by 1,721 m Mount Rishiri and prized for sea urchin and kelp.

The ferry from Wakkanai to Kafuka on Rebun, Japan’s northernmost inhabited island, known as the “island of flowers” for the alpine wildflowers that bloom along its coastal trails from June to August.

The short hop between Rishiri and Rebun that lets travellers see both islands on one trip — Rishiri’s mountain views and Rebun’s flower trails.

Heart Land Ferry’s route from Esashi, the old herring-trade town on Hokkaido’s south-west coast, to Okushiri Island, known for its seafood, the Nabetsuru rock and its recovery from the 1993 tsunami.

High-speed boats from Ishigaki to Uehara on the north coast of Iriomote, the jungle-covered island that is mostly national park and home of the Iriomote wildcat. Uehara is the base for Urauchi River kayak and cruise trips and for boats to Hatoma.

The more sheltered route to Iriomote, landing at Ohara on the island’s south-east coast — the port for the Nakama River mangrove cruises and the water-buffalo carts to Yubu Island.

Anei Kanko’s open-sea crossing from Ishigaki to Hateruma, Japan’s southernmost inhabited island, famous for Nishihama beach and its star-gazing — one of the roughest and most weather-dependent ferry routes in Okinawa.

The short boat ride from Ishigaki to Kohama, the hilly island between Ishigaki and Iriomote known for its sugar-cane fields, resort hotels and the viewpoint at Ufudaki.

High-speed boats to Kuroshima, the flat, heart-shaped island of cattle pastures and coral-stone walls south-west of Ishigaki, popular for cycling and snorkelling at Nishi-no-hama.

Zamami Village’s own ferry and high-speed boat from Naha to Zamami in the Kerama Islands national park, with some of the clearest water in Japan and humpback-whale watching from January to March.

The closest of the Kerama Islands to Naha, Tokashiki is an easy day trip for Aharen and Tokashiku beaches. The village runs a car ferry and a faster Marine Liner from Tomari Port.

The little red car ferry Meon 2 crosses from Takamatsu to Megijima, the island in Takamatsu’s harbour mouth that local legend makes Onigashima, the ogres’ island of the Momotaro tale. It is the first stop on the Takamatsu–Megijima–Ogijima line.

The 40-minute ferry from Takamatsu to Ogijima, a steep island village of stacked houses, narrow lanes, a granite lighthouse and Setouchi Triennale artworks, calling at Megijima on the way.

The only direct fast boat from Takamatsu to Teshima, the art island of the Teshima Art Museum and Les Archives du Cœur, taking about 35 minutes; some sailings call at Honmura on Naoshima.

The fast link across the Seto Inland Sea between Hiroshima and Matsuyama on Shikoku, gateway to Dogo Onsen: Linear Jet hydrofoil-style fast craft take 1h 20m, while the slower cruise ferries carry cars and call at Kure.

The high-speed passenger boat from Hiroshima Port to Koyo on Etajima, the island across Hiroshima Bay known for the former Imperial Japanese Naval Academy (now the JMSDF Officer Candidate School).

A 6 km hop across Kure Bay from the naval city of Kure to Koyo on Etajima, alternating car ferries (20 minutes) and passenger fast boats (10 minutes).

Kyushu Shosen’s main line from Nagasaki to Fukue, the largest town in the Goto Islands and a base for the islands’ UNESCO-listed Hidden Christian churches. Jetfoils take under an hour and a half; the car ferries about three hours.

The crossing from Sasebo to Arikawa on Nakadori Island (Shin-Kamigoto), the northern Goto Islands’ port for the Kashiragashima and Aosagaura church sites, by fast boat or car ferry.

The short cut across the Ariake Sea between Kumamoto and Shimabara on the Unzen peninsula, saving a long drive round the bay: the high-speed Ocean Arrow takes about 30 minutes, the Kyusho Ferry car ferries an hour.

The village-run car ferry from Motobu on Okinawa’s northern peninsula to Iejima, the flat island crowned by the Gusukuyama peak and known for its lily festival and beaches.

Kume Shosen’s car ferry from Naha’s Tomari Port to Kumejima, the island west of Okinawa known for the Hatenohama sandbar and Eef Beach — about three hours direct, or three and a half calling at tiny Tonaki.

Tonaki is one of Okinawa’s smallest inhabited islands, a village of coral-stone walls and sand lanes; the morning Kumejima ferry from Naha stops here after just under two hours.

The 40-minute car ferry across the mouth of Tokyo Bay from Kurihama on the Miura Peninsula to Kanaya in Chiba, the classic short cut to the Boso Peninsula and Mount Nokogiri.

The hour-long car ferry across the mouth of Ise Bay between Toba, gateway to Ise Shrine and the Shima pearl coast, and Irago at the tip of Aichi’s Atsumi Peninsula.

Shinshin Kisen’s Ferry Azalea links Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula with Kozushima, the white-sand island at the southern end of the Izu Islands’ Niijima group — a shorter sea route than the overnight ship from Tokyo.

The Shimoda–Niijima leg of Shinshin Kisen’s Izu Islands loop, reaching the surf island of Niijima, with its long Habushiura beach and Koga-ishi stone carvings, in about 2 hours 40 minutes.

The island-hopper that links the two best-known Setouchi art islands: Shikoku Kisen’s fast boat runs from Miyanoura on Naoshima to Ieura on Teshima in 22 minutes, then continues to Inujima.

The last leg of Shikoku Kisen’s art-island line, from Teshima to tiny Inujima and its Seirensho Art Museum in a former copper refinery — 25 minutes by fast boat.

Nankai Ferry’s car ferry across the Kii Channel from Wakayama to Tokushima on Shikoku in a little over two hours. The Wakayama terminal sits beside Nankai’s Wakayamako Station, so the crossing links straight to trains from Osaka Namba and Kansai Airport.