Domestic Ferries in Japan

Punctuated by numerous islands, Japan is a land of wide and extensive network of domestic ferries. The major islands of Japan Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are well connected with each other by bridges and tunnels. The smaller islands can be explored by tourists with the help of domestic ferries in Japan. Domestic ferries in Japan can be availed of apart from buses, trains and airplanes to visit the major and fascinating islands of Japan.

Features of Domestic Ferries in Japan:

- Domestic ferries carry people, vehicles and consignments.
- Smaller ferries cover shorter routes and larger ships operate on longer routes. Smaller ships can accommodate a dozen passengers and few cars. Larger ships are an important mode for transporting hundreds of vehicles and passengers.
- Larger ferries are well furnished with public baths and restaurants. Some of the large liners offer the best of luxuries to its passengers.

Getting on a ferry:

- Passengers can choose from a variety of options. They can choose from three classes, 2nd class, 1st class and special class.
- Tourists can board a 2nd class ferry. These ferries offer rides at reasonable prices. The ships offer common space with a carpet or tatami mats to rest and relax. These ferries do not offer beds. The 2nd class ferries, which offer beds are more costly. These ferries are well equipped with dormitories consisting of four-twelve beds.
- The first class ferries are twice the price of 2nd class ferries with beds. The well-furnished rooms offer two to four beds.
- The special class ships are thrice the cost of 2nd class ferries without beds. The rooms are well equipped with 2 beds.
- Ferries also carry bicycles.
- Ferry tickets can be bought from the ferry companies on phone, online at the ferry terminal or from travel agencies.

Major Domestic ferries:

- Shin Nihonkai ferry travels from Maizuru to Otaru, Tsuruga to Tomakomai, Nigata to Otaru.
- Higasha Nihon ferry covers a long distance.
- Taiheiyo ferry
- Ocean Tokyu ferry
- Shuttle Highway Line
- Meimon Taiyao Ferry
- Hankyu ferry
- Kansai Kisen
- Diamond ferry
- Oshima Transport
- Harimura Line
Apart from long distance routes the ferries also cover Aomori and Hokkaido, Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai), Okinawa and Kagoshima.

Accommodation in Japan
Accommodation in Tokyo	Accommodation in Nagasaki
Accommodation in Hiroshima	Accommodation in Osaka
Accommodation in Kochi	Accommodation in Okinawa