Photo by Wikipedia: Hakucho Bridge / Hiroshi Nakai
Otaru and Hakodate are particularly popular tourist areas within Hokkaido.

This time, I've compiled information on how to get to Otaru and Hakodate in Hokkaido by ferry.

The port towns of Hakodate and Otaru also have ferry terminals, and there are regular services connecting them to various parts of Honshu.

Let's take a look at the ferries that connect Otaru Port and Hakodate Port with Honshu, as well as the ferries that serve Muroran Port.

<Table of Contents>
1. Ferry bound for Otaru Ferry Terminal
2. Ferry bound for Hakodate Ferry Terminal
3. Ferry bound for Hakodate North Wharf Ferry Terminal
4. Ferry bound for Muroran Ferry Terminal
5. Summary

1. Ferry bound for Otaru Ferry Terminal

Niigata to Otaru (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)

Photo by Wikipedia: Taken at Niigata Port on April 29, 2017 / Qqz65bb59
The ferry connecting Niigata and Otaru, which takes approximately 16 hours, operates six days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday.

The large cruise ship, with a passenger capacity of 600, boasts excellent facilities, including an observation bath where you can enjoy bathing while gazing at the open sea, and a cafeteria-style restaurant.

With entertainment facilities like movie screenings and karaoke, you can create your own personalized cruise experience.

Maizuru (Kyoto) ~ Otaru (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)

Photo by Wikipedia: Hamanasu anchored in Otaru Port / Qqz65bb59
The ferry connecting Maizuru Port in Kyoto and Otaru departs Maizuru Port at 23:50 PM and arrives at Otaru Port at 20:45 PM the following day.

During the approximately 21-hour boat trip, you can admire Hokkaido's spectacular capes from the ship, including Oshima, Japan's largest uninhabited island, as well as Cape Motsuta, Cape Kamui, and Cape Shakotan.

Additionally, if you make a reservation before boarding, you can enjoy a set course meal at the grill restaurant.

You can enjoy a cruising lunch or dinner while gazing at the vast ocean.

Otaru Ferry Terminal

Photo by Wikipedia: Shin Nihonkai Ferry Terminal, located at Katsunai Wharf, Otaru Port / Qqz65bb59
The ferry terminal at Otaru Port.

It is located about 3 km from JR Otaru Station, and there is one shuttle bus per day to JR Otaru Station.

The terminal has restaurants and shops, but their operating hours vary depending on the Niigata and Maizuru flight schedules, so be sure to check in advance.

2. Ferry bound for Hakodate Ferry Terminal

Aomori to Hakodate (Tsugaru Strait Ferry)

Photo by Wikipedia : Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry Blue Mermaid departing the Aomori Ferry Terminal / Sinn5744
The Tsugaru Strait Road is a ferry route connecting Aomori Port and Hakodate Port. There are eight round trips per day, and the one-way trip takes 3 hours and 40 minutes.

The diverse range of guest rooms is also a major draw, from view seats with reclining seats facing the direction of travel where you can enjoy the scenery, to comfort rooms and suites where you can lay out a mattress.

The hotel also has separate shower rooms for men and women, so you can take your time getting ready for your trip.

Oma to Hakodate (Tsugaru Strait Ferry)

Photo by Wikipedia: The Daikanmaru while anchored in Oma Port / Sawady
A regular ferry service connects Ōma, the northernmost point of Honshu, with Hakodate in Hokkaido.

Named the "Nostalgic Route," it connects Oma Port and Hakodate Port in approximately 90 minutes. The Oma-Hakodate route began service all the way back in 1964 (Showa 39)!

Since then, it has continued to be used by the residents of Oma Town and Shimokita as a vital route for daily life, as well as a convenient tourist route between Hokkaido and Honshu.

Hakodate Ferry Terminal

Photo by Wikipedia : Tsugarukaikyo Ferry Terminal at the Port of Hakodate in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, Japan/ yasu
Hakodate Ferry Terminal is where the Tsugaru Strait Ferry, which connects Hakodate Port and Oma Port in Aomori Prefecture, departs and arrives.

With a restaurant that makes ample use of ingredients from southern Hokkaido, and a souvenir shop featuring specialty products from Hakodate and Hokkaido, the facilities are so extensive they're like a roadside rest area.

The wooden deck, which offers views of Mount Hakodate and the sea, also features a heart-shaped monument perfect for commemorative photos, making it a thoroughly enjoyable tourist spot.

3. Ferry bound for Hakodate North Wharf Ferry Terminal

Aomori to Hakodate (Seikan Ferry)

Photo by Wikipedia: The Seikan Ferry "Asakaze 21" docked at Aomori Port Ferry Terminal, photographed on August 15, 2009. / S.kenmine
The Seikan Ferry connects Hakodate Port and Aomori Port in approximately four hours.

There are eight round trips per day, and you can choose from a wide range of times, from early morning to late at night.

The fares are fixed rates based on a two-season system: 1,600 yen per adult from October to May, and 2,000 yen from June to September.

North Wharf Ferry Terminal

Photo by Wikipedia: Seikan Ferry Hakodate Terminal-1, Hokkaido Sightseeing Bus stop (boarding area) is near the center / BATACHAN
The Kita-Futo Ferry Terminal, newly established at Hakodate Port in March 2014, is approximately an 11-minute drive from JR Hakodate Station.

Local buses also operate to coincide with the ferry's arrival time.

4. Ferry bound for Muroran Ferry Terminal

Miyako to Muroran (Silver Ferry)

Photo by Wikipedia: Silver Queen (3rd generation) July 27, 2018 Miyako Ferry Terminal, Iwate Prefecture / Himenowiki
The Miyako-Muroran route just started service on June 22, 2018.

This service connects Miyako Port and Muroran Port in Iwate Prefecture in approximately 10 hours.

In addition to standard large-room accommodations, the hotel also offers private rooms with bathrooms and beds.

With a shop and a 24-hour automated restaurant on board, you can enjoy a truly fulfilling cruise.

Muroran Ferry Terminal

Photo by Wikipedia: Muroran Onsen and Enrum Marina / Highten3
Muroran Ferry Terminal, located in Muroran Port.

It is located about a 5-minute drive from JR Muroran Station, and the city has many tourist attractions such as Cape Chikyu and Hakucho Bridge.

With easy access to Noboribetsu and Sapporo, Muroran makes exploring Hokkaido even more enjoyable.

Summary

Here's a summary of ferry routes operating from Honshu to Otaru, Hakodate, and Muroran.

The appeal of taking a ferry is that you can land in Hokkaido with your own car and travel around the island at your own pace.

I highly recommend that you all consider planning a trip to Hokkaido using a ferry.

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  Be moved by the sunrise! Top 6 best sunrise spots in Hokkaido [First sunrise of the year]

• 

  The secret behind the exquisite "Sunset of Lake Mashu" mango, grown in the harsh northern climate.

• 

  Let's go to Shiriuchi Town, famous for its oysters and Shinkansen viewing spots!

• 

  Let's go to Moerenuma Park, a park in the suburbs of Sapporo where you can enjoy nature and art!

• 

  Winter-only! What's the illumination like at Lucky Pierrot Togeshita Main Store?

• 

  Enjoy cherry blossom viewing in Hakodate during Golden Week! Here are 4 of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Hakodate!

• 

  Top 5 Sapporo Soft Serve Ice Creams Worth Traveling For! [Hokkaido Sweets Roundup]

• 

  Let's eat all the crab in Hokkaido! Types of crab and how to eat them

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)