Japan Ferry Pass 21: The Complete Guide for Travellers

The Japan Ferry Pass 21 lets foreign travellers take up to six long-distance ferry journeys over a 21-day period for a flat ¥21,000. It is one of the best-value ways to island-hop between Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu — often cheaper than a single one-way cabin on some routes. This guide covers exactly what it includes, who qualifies, how to buy and reserve it, and when it makes sense.

At a glance

• Price: ¥21,000 flat (same price for anyone aged 6 and over; under-6s travel free)
• Validity: 21 consecutive days from first use
• Journeys: up to 6 ferry legs
• Coverage: 14 long-distance routes run by the eight member companies of the Japan Long Course Ferry Service Association (JLCFSA)
• Who: foreign tourists only — non-citizens and non-residents of Japan
• Class: second-class berth (a private bunk in a shared room); cabin upgrades available for a surcharge

Who can use it

The pass is available only to non-citizens and non-residents of Japan — in other words, foreign tourists visiting on temporary-visitor status. You will be asked to show your passport when you collect the pass, so it cannot be used by Japanese nationals or foreign residents. There is a single flat price for everyone aged six and over, and children under six travel free (without occupying a separate berth).

Which routes are covered

The pass is valid on 14 of the long-distance "long course" routes operated by the JLCFSA's eight member companies, which between them connect Honshu with Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu. Popular routes travellers use it on include:

• Osaka to Beppu and Kobe to Miyazaki — Kansai to Kyushu (MOL Sunflower, Miyazaki Car Ferry)
• Oarai to Tomakomai and Maizuru to Otaru — Honshu to Hokkaido (MOL Sunflower, Shin Nihonkai Ferry)
• Nagoya to Tomakomai via Sendai — central Japan to Hokkaido (Taiheiyo Ferry)
• Tokyo to Tokushima and on to Kitakyushu — the Pacific coast (Ocean Tokyu Ferry)
• Yokosuka to Kitakyushu — Tokyo area to Kyushu (Tokyo Kyushu Ferry)

The remaining members of the association are Hankyu Ferry and Meimon Taiyo Ferry, whose Kansai–Kyushu sailings are also part of the network. Because every leg is a long overnight crossing, each journey doubles as a night's accommodation.

How to buy and board

The pass is purchased online in advance through the official association site (jlc-ferry.jp/jfp21). A few points catch travellers out:

1. You pay when you board the first ferry, not online. The fee of ¥21,000 must be paid in Japanese yen cash — no cards or other payment methods are accepted at the terminal.
2. You do not receive the physical pass until your first sailing. Until then you travel on your reservation confirmation.
3. Bring your passport and your reservation number to every boarding; staff check both.

Reserving each leg

Each of your six journeys must be reserved individually in advance — the pass guarantees the fare, not automatic space. Cabins on the most popular sailings (and all higher classes) sell out early, so book each leg as soon as your dates are set. For a walkthrough of how the schedules work, see our guide on how to read a ferry timetable.

Cabins and upgrades

The pass covers a second-class berth — typically a private bunk within a shared room, curtained on many modern ships. If you want more privacy, most operators let you upgrade to a private cabin for a relatively modest surcharge (around ¥5,100 on some routes), paid separately. The larger long-course ferries have public baths, restaurants and observation decks, so even the base class is a comfortable way to cross.

When you cannot use it

The pass is blacked out during Japan's three main domestic travel peaks, when ferries fill with local passengers:

• Golden Week — early May
• Obon — mid-August
• Shogatsu — the New Year period

If your trip overlaps these dates, plan your ferry legs for the days on either side.

Is it worth it?

At ¥21,000 for six journeys, the pass works out to about ¥3,500 per crossing. Since a single second-class fare on a route like Osaka–Beppu already starts around ¥10,000, even three or four long crossings can cover the cost — and each overnight leg saves you a hotel night as well. It is best value for travellers planning a genuine island-hopping loop (for example Honshu → Kyushu → Shikoku → Hokkaido) rather than a single return trip. If you are only taking one or two ferries, buying individual tickets is usually simpler.

A sample 21-day loop

One classic way to use all six legs: sail Oarai to Tomakomai to explore Hokkaido, return south by ferry, cross from Osaka to Beppu for Kyushu's onsen towns, hop Kobe–Miyazaki, and use the Tokyo–Tokushima service to reach Shikoku — six long crossings that string together all four main islands with the ferry doubling as your bed each night.

Frequently asked questions

Can Japanese residents buy the Japan Ferry Pass 21?
No. It is restricted to foreign tourists who are non-citizens and non-residents of Japan, and your passport is checked when you collect it.

Can I take a car with the pass?
No. The Japan Ferry Pass 21 is for foot passengers only; vehicles are not included and must be booked and paid for separately at the standard vehicle fare.

How many journeys does it include?
Up to six ferry legs within the 21-day validity, across 14 eligible long-distance routes.

Do I need to reserve in advance?
Yes. Each leg must be reserved individually, and popular sailings sell out — reserve as early as your dates allow.

How do I pay?
The ¥21,000 fee is paid in Japanese yen cash when you board your first ferry. No cards are accepted, so bring the cash with you.