Welcome to the islands of Japan. Some of them are connected by bridges, but a lot of them are off on their own. Japan's four main islands and its countless smaller islands aren't always the easiest places to reach, but one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to get around is by ferry boat.
Both high-speed and cruise ferries can get you to lost of convenient and popular destinations on Kyushu and the main island. If you live on one of the smaller islands surrounding Matsuyama and Imabari, you are probably quite informed of your local ferry schedule and accustomed to getting your sea legs. Ferries aren't as fast as trains, but they can be lots cheaper and get you where you need to go while letting you relax.
Ferry Companies
There are several ferry companies serving the major ports in Ehime. For quick reference, here are the ferry companies and contact information listed by the cities they depart from.
From Matsuyama Ferry Port (Kankoukou)
From Toyo Port (Nyuugawa)
From Yawatahama
Timetables
A one stop shop for all your major destination ferry timetable needs! Timetables are listed from departing port. From Matsuyama, Toyo/Niihama and Yawatahama. Prices listed are for adult, second class, one-way tickets. These prices do not include any discounts and are subject to change. Often there is a return ticket discount and possibly a discount for booking in advance or online. Please contact the webmaster if you find major discrepencies.
Kyushu -- Shikoku -- Kansai ferries
Please note that Kobe Port and Kobe Rokko Island are different places and where you arrive may not be where you depart from. A mistake like that can really ruin your plans. Check a map if you are unsure of where you will land, but buses regularly depart both ports for Sannomiya and Kobe train stations. Times listed on this site are as of April 21 2008. For times before this date, please see the Kansai Kisen or Diamond Ferry websites.
| Diamond Ferry/ Kansai Kisen |
|
| Oita Depart | 16:00 |
| Matsuyama Arrive | 19:35 |
| Matsuyama Depart | 20:30 |
| Imabari Arrive | 22:10 |
| Imabari Depart | 22:45 |
| Kobe Port Arrive | 5:50 |
| Kobe Port Depart | 6:40 |
| Osaka Arrive | 8:40 |
| Diamond Ferry/ Kansai Kisen |
|
| Osaka Depart | 20:30 |
| Kobe Port Arrive | 21:30 |
| Kobe Port Depart | 22:40 |
| Imabari Arrive | 5:40 |
| Imabari Depart | 6:10 |
| Matsuyama Arrive | 7:50 |
| Matsuyama Depart | 8:30 |
| Oita Arrive | 12:05 |
These time tables are Matsuyama to Kyushu ferries. From Kyushu you can continue on to South Korea from various ports. There are no direct sea routes from Matsuyama to international ports.
| Matsuyama | Kokura | Kokura | Matsuyama | |
| 21:55 | 5:00 | 21:55 | 5:00 |
Seto Naikai Kisen with service to Hiroshima. This ferry also stops in Kure, Hiroshima-ken for all but the earliest and latest Cruise ferries and on every-other Super Jet ferry. Check the timetable at the port or the Web site for more times and prices if you want to travel to Kure. A student discount of 10 percent will be instituted for this ferry in the near future. Contact the Webmaster with updated information or ask about "gakuwari" when you buy your ticket. Be prepared to show student identification.
| Matsuyama | Hiroshima | Hiroshima | Matsuyama | ||
| 1 | 6:40 | 9:05 | 5:45 | 8:10 | |
| 2 | 8:20 | 11:00 | 6:45 | 9:25 | |
| 3 | 9:35 | 12:15 | 8:05 | 10:45 | |
| 4 | 10:55 | 13:35 | 9:15 | 11:55 | |
| 5 | 12:10 | 14:50 | 11:15 | 13:55 | |
| 6 | 14:05 | 16:45 | 12:25 | 15:05 | |
| 7 | 15:20 | 18:00 | 13:50 | 16:30 | |
| 8 | 16:45 | 19:25 | 15:00 | 17:40 | |
| 9 | 18:20 | 21:00 | 17:00 | 19:40 | |
| 10 | 19:50 | 22:15 | 19:40 | 22:05 |
| Matsuyama | Hiroshima | Hiroshima | Matsuyama | ||
| 1 | 7:00 | 8:08 | 7:30 | 8:47 | |
| 2 | 8:00 | 9:17 | 8:30 | 9:38 | |
| 3 | 9:00 | 10:08 | 9:30 | 10:47 | |
| 4 | 10:00 | 11:17 | 10:30 | 11:38 | |
| 5 | 11:00 | 12:08 | 11:30 | 12:47 | |
| 6 | 12:00 | 13:17 | 12:30 | 13:38 | |
| 7 | 13:00 | 14:08 | 13:30 | 14:47 | |
| 8 | 14:00 | 15:17 | 14:30 | 15:38 | |
| 9 | 15:00 | 16:08 | 15:30 | 16:47 | |
| 10 | 16:00 | 17:17 | 16:30 | 17:38 | |
| 11 | 17:00 | 18:08 | 17:30 | 18:47 | |
| 12 | 18:00 | 19:17 | 18:30 | 19:38 | |
| 13 | 19:30 | 20:52 | 20:00 | 21:17 | |
| 14 | 21:00 | 22:08 | 21:30 | 22:38 |
Please note that the last arrival time for the Superjet ferry in Matsuyama is after the last train from Takahama port leaves. If you do not plan to stay in the Takahama area, it can be a long and expensive cab ride. I believe that a similar situation exists in Hiroshima as the last streetcar departs around 22:00 from Hiroshima port. Hiroshima port to Hiroshima's train station is another long, expensive cab ride.
Shikoku Orange Ferry with various routes departing from Niihama and Toyo to Kobe and Osaka. If you take the overnight ferry, you can stay on board until 8 a.m. in Osaka and sleep! The ferry operates a limousine bus service between Matsuyama and Toyo ferry port. When you buy a ferry ticket at any travel agency, ask for the "Renraku Bus Set", which includes the bus to Toyo and a second class ticket on the ferry. You can also buy a package if you need a connection to Kansai Airport from Osaka port.
| Niihama | Toyo | Osaka | Kobe | |
| Dep | Arr | Dep | Arr | Arr |
| -- | -- | 14:00 | 21:40 | -- |
| 19:40 | -- | -- | 2:40 | |
| 20:40 | 21:40 | 22:30 | 5:50 | |
| Osaka | Kobe | Niihama | Toyo | ||
| Dep | Dep | Arr | Dep | Arr | |
| 4:00 | 11:00 | ||||
| 13:00 | -- | 20:10 | 20:40 | 21:40 | |
| 22:30 | -- | --- | 6:10 | ||
Kyushu Orange Ferry and Uwajima Unyu services from Yawatahama to Usuki.
| Yawatahama | Usuki | Usuki | Yawatahama | ||
| KO | 1:15 | 3:30 | UU | 0:55 | 3:10 |
| KO | 2:50 | 5:05 | UU | 2:40 | 4:55 |
| UU | 5:50 | 8:05 | KO | 4:45 | 7:00 |
| KO | 8:40 | 10:55 | KO | 7:45 | 10:00 |
| UU | 9:40 | 11:55 | UU | 8:50 | 11:05 |
| UU | 11:45 | 14:00 | KO | 11:35 | 13:50 |
| KO | 12:45 | 15:00 | UU | 12:40 | 14:55 |
| KO | 14:35 | 16:50 | UU | 14:40 | 16:55 |
| UU | 15:35 | 17:50 | KO | 15:40 | 17:55 |
| UU | 17:40 | 19:55 | KO | 17:30 | 19:45 |
| KO | 18:45 | 21:00 | UU | 18:30 | 20:45 |
| KO | 21:00 | 23:15 | UU | 20:40 | 22:55 |
| UU | 22:00 | 2:00 | KO | 22:20 | 00:35 |
| UU | 23:50 | 2:00 | KO | 23:55 | 2:10 |
| Yawatahama | Beppu | Beppu | Yawatahama | |
| 00:20 | 3:00* | 5:35 | 8:15 | |
| 6:20 | 8:50 | 9:45 | 12:15 | |
| 10:15 | 12:55 | 14:00 | 16:40 | |
| 13:00 | 15:30 | 16:45 | 23:30 | |
| 17:25 | 20:05 | 20:50 | 23:30 | |
| 20:30 | 23:00 | 23:55 | 2:25* |
*If you are walking, you are welcome to rest in the port office until 5 a.m.
| Misaki | Beppu | Beppu | Misaki | |
| 4:40 | 6:50 | 2:00 | 4:10 | |
| 10:00 | 12:10 | 7:20 | 9:30 | |
| 16:30 | 18:40 | 12:40 | 14:50 | |
| 22:20 | 00:30 | 19:20 | 21:30 |
Misaki is on the end of the long peninsula that starts near Yawatahama. Its schedule is less flexible that the Yawatahama ferry. It's only really accessible by car, but the parking is free and the round trip costs about the same price than a one way ticket from Yawatahama.
Ferry Travel Tips
The two cheapest types of rooms are second class (ni-dou) for a small a small futon spaced mat in a dorm-style tatami room. Next up, nidou gureen shindai or second-class green or economy room. You get a bunk bed in a smaller shared room. Second class rooms tend to be a bit noisier than higher class rooms. If you have trouble sleeping, you might consider bringing earplugs or buying a ticket for a room with a bunk. Sex-segregated rooms are also available and usually lead to a quieter night as fewer families with small children will be in them.
Some overnight ferries, notably Shikoku Orange Ferry and some Diamond Ferry services have on-board onsens (bring a towel and soap) and all tend to transport cars. Car transport can be considerably expensive, so check at the port or on the ferry website for pricing information. Most ferries sell food and beverages including alcohol. Be careful however if you tend to get motion sickness, being drunk does not help.
Be aware that arriving too early in the morning or too late at night can cost you if you need to continue on to a hotel or other location after public transportation stops for the night. Cabs can be pricey and they may be your only option if you arrive and the port closes.