Japan · Japan's southern island, laced with overnight ferries to Honshu and the Ryukyus
Kyushu ferry routes & schedules
Kyushu's ferry network runs in two directions at once: north and east toward the great cities of Honshu, and south across open water toward Okinawa and the Amami islands. Long-distance car ferries leave in the evening and dock at dawn, making the crossing a night's sleep rather than a day's drive. It is one of the most useful ways to move around western Japan.
- 20
- Connections
- 6
- Operators
- 8
- Quays
About
Ferry travel in Kyushu
Overnight to Honshu
The trunk routes link Kyushu to the mainland: Beppu and Shibushi to Osaka, Miyazaki and Oita to Kobe on MOL Sunflower and Miyazaki Car Ferry, and from Shinmoji at Kitakyushu across to Tokushima, Tokyo (Ariake) and Yokosuka with Tokyo Kyushu Ferry and Ocean Tokyu Ferry.
These are cabin-equipped car ferries; most sail overnight, so check the operator's timetable for departure and arrival times before booking.
South to Okinawa and the local crossing
From Kagoshima, Marix Line heads down the island chain to Naze on Amami Ōshima and on to Naha in Okinawa — a long voyage through the Ryukyus. Closer to home, Kumamoto Ferry runs the short, frequent Kumamoto–Shimabara hop across the bay.
See more sailings around the country on the Japan ferry network.
Quays
Ferry quays in Kyushu
8 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
At a glance
Which Kyushu crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kumamoto → Shimabara | 30m | — | 1 |
| Shimabara → Kumamoto | 30m | — | 1 |
| Kagoshima → Naze (Amami Oshima) | 11h | — | 1 |
| Oita → Kobe | 11h | — | 1 |
| Beppu → Osaka (Nanko) | 12h | — | 1 |
| Miyazaki → Kobe | 13h 30m | — | 1 |
| Shinmoji (Kitakyushu) → Tokushima | 14h | — | 1 |
| Shibushi → Osaka (Nanko) | 15h | — | 1 |
| Shinmoji (Kitakyushu) → Yokosuka | 21h | — | 1 |
| Kagoshima → Naha (Okinawa) | 25h | — | 1 |
| Shinmoji (Kitakyushu) → Tokyo (Ariake) | 34h | — | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in Kyushu
11 routes departing Kyushu.
Shinmoji (Kitakyushu)3 routes
Kagoshima2 routes
Beppu1 route
Kumamoto1 route
Miyazaki1 route
Oita1 route
Shibushi1 route
Shimabara1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in Kyushu?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a car on the Kyushu ferries?
Yes. The long-distance routes to Osaka, Kobe and Tokyo are car ferries with cabins, popular with drivers avoiding the long expressway haul. Vehicle space should be booked ahead.
How do I reach Okinawa from Kyushu by sea?
Marix Line sails from Kagoshima down through the Amami islands to Naha in Okinawa, calling at Naze on Amami Ōshima. It is a long open-water voyage — check the current schedule.
Which ferries run overnight?
Most of the mainland routes — Beppu and Shibushi to Osaka, Miyazaki and Oita to Kobe, and Shinmoji to Tokyo — depart in the evening and arrive the next morning.
How many ferry routes are there in Kyushu?
Kyushu has 20 ferry and express-boat connections across 8 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in Kyushu?
Boat and ferry services in Kyushu are run by 6 operators, including Kumamoto Ferry, MOL Sunflower, Marix Line, Miyazaki Car Ferry, Ocean Tokyu Ferry and Tokyo Kyushu 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.