Japan · Overnight ferries from Osaka Bay to Kyushu, Shikoku and the north
Kansai ferry routes & schedules
Kansai, the region around Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, is a launch point for some of Japan's great long-haul ferry journeys. From the quays of Osaka and Kobe, comfortable overnight ships sail south to Kyushu and east across to Shikoku, while up the coast at Maizuru a route strikes north toward Hokkaido.
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- Connections
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- Operators
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- Quays
About
Ferry travel in Kansai
Long-distance sailings across the Inland Sea and beyond
From Kobe, ferries head to Miyazaki and Oita on Kyushu and to Takamatsu on Shikoku. Osaka (Nanko) sends overnight ships to Beppu and Shibushi, while Wakayama offers the quick hop to Tokushima and Maizuru, on the Japan Sea coast, runs the long haul to Otaru on Hokkaido.
Operators include Jumbo Ferry, MOL Sunflower, Miyazaki Car Ferry, Nankai Ferry and Shin Nihonkai Ferry.
Travelling overnight by sea
Many of these are overnight crossings with cabins and public baths, a relaxed and economical alternative to the shinkansen for those carrying a car or in no hurry. The short Wakayama–Tokushima link, by contrast, runs frequently through the day. Departure times and cabin classes vary by ship, so check the operator's timetable and book cabins ahead in busy periods.
See the wider network on the Japan ferry hub.
Quays
Ferry quays in Kansai
4 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
At a glance
Which Kansai crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakayama → Tokushima | 2h 15m | — | 1 |
| Kobe → Takamatsu | 4h 30m | — | 1 |
| Kobe → Oita | 11h | — | 1 |
| Osaka (Nanko) → Beppu | 12h | — | 1 |
| Kobe → Miyazaki | 13h 30m | — | 1 |
| Osaka (Nanko) → Shibushi | 15h | — | 1 |
| Maizuru → Otaru | 21h | — | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in Kansai
7 routes departing Kansai.
Kobe3 routes
Osaka (Nanko)2 routes
Maizuru1 route
Wakayama1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in Kansai?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which ferries run from Osaka and Kobe to Kyushu?
Kobe connects to Miyazaki and Oita, while Osaka (Nanko) sails to Beppu and Shibushi. Operators include Miyazaki Car Ferry and MOL Sunflower. Check the timetable for departures.
Is there a ferry from Kansai to Hokkaido?
Yes. Maizuru, on the Japan Sea coast, runs a long overnight service to Otaru on Hokkaido, operated by Shin Nihonkai Ferry.
What is the quickest ferry from Kansai to Shikoku?
Wakayama to Tokushima is a frequent short crossing run by Nankai Ferry, and Kobe also sails to Takamatsu. Check the operator's schedule for exact times.
How many ferry routes are there in Kansai?
Kansai has 14 ferry and express-boat connections across 4 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in Kansai?
Boat and ferry services in Kansai are run by 5 operators, including Jumbo Ferry, MOL Sunflower, Miyazaki Car Ferry, Nankai Ferry and Shin Nihonkai Ferry. Most are part of Japan's county public-transport network.
Explore
Other ferry regions in Japan
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub.