Ferry routes connecting Hokkaido and Honshu (Tomakomai edition) Hokkaido Lab ~A comprehensive travel guide to enjoy Hokkaido's cuisine, nature, and culture~

Ferry routes connecting Hokkaido and Honshu (Tomakomai edition)

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: Last updated: September 15, 2019

Table of contents

1. Hachinohe to Tomakomai (Silver Ferry)

2. Sendai to Tomakomai (Pacific Ferry)

3. Oarai to Tomakomai (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ferry)

4. Nagoya to Tomakomai (Pacific Ferry)

5. Akita to Tomakomai (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)

6. Niigata to Tomakomai (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)

7. Tsuruga to Tomakomai (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)

　Summary

1. Hachinohe to Tomakomai (Silver Ferry)

Photo by Wikipedia: Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Silver Eight (departing Tomakomai Port on May 6, 2017) / Takeshi Nakatake
Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen (Silver Ferry) operates four round trips a day between Hachinohe Port in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, a port town in the Tohoku region, and Tomakomai Port in Hokkaido.

The journey will take approximately 8 hours.

The ship boasts excellent facilities, including an observation bath with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, and a restaurant where you can enjoy meals while admiring the vast ocean.

From the ferry, you can also enjoy spectacular views of Mount Hashikami, located on the border between Hashikami Town in Aomori Prefecture and Hirono Town in Iwate Prefecture, as well as the Tsugaru Strait.

2. Sendai to Tomakomai (Pacific Ferry)

Pacific Ferry Kitakami Photo by Wikipedia: Pacific Ferry "Kitakami" (off the coast of Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture) / Kei365
Pacific Ferry operates daily between Sendai and Tomakomai Port.

The cruise takes about 15 hours, and the ship is equipped with entertainment facilities such as movies and karaoke, as well as a buffet-style restaurant and a large panoramic public bath.

Pacific Ferry Ishikari (onboard) Photo by Wikipedia: Inside the ferry "Ishikari" (3rd generation), operated by Taiheiyo Ferry (promenade). Photographed during a ship tour before its maiden voyage. / Si-take.
Every evening from 20:30 PM, a show is held in the theater lounge, and light snacks and drinks are available in the stands.

If you step out onto the deck at sunrise, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the morning sun shimmering and rippling on the water's surface.

3. Oarai to Tomakomai (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ferry)

Ibaraki Port, Oarai Port Area, Sunflower Sapporo Photo by Wikipedia: Sunflower Sapporo (3rd generation). At Oarai Port, Ibaraki Prefecture. Photographed on May 12, 2018. / Okoge
The Sunflower ferry operates daily from Oarai Port in Ibaraki Prefecture to Tomakomai.

There are two flights: an evening flight and a late-night flight. The evening flight departing at 7:45 PM is popular with couples and families.

The journey will take approximately 18 hours.

The ship boasts a modern and open entrance, as well as luxurious amenities such as hotel-like cabins, spacious restaurants, and an observation bath where you can enjoy a soak while overlooking the sea.

There's also a kids' play area with playground equipment, so it's a safe and convenient option for those with young children.

4. Nagoya to Tomakomai (Pacific Ferry)

Pacific Ferry Ishikari Photo by Wikipedia: The ferry "Ishikari" (3rd generation), operated by Taiheiyo Ferry. At Osaka Port (Osaka Port #Chikko), Minato-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. (Photographed from Tenpozan Ferry during a port call before its commissioning.) / Si-take.
The Pacific Ferry travels from Nagoya to Tomakomai, via Sendai. The journey takes approximately 40 hours.

Pacific Ferry Ishikari 2 Photo by Wikipedia: Inside the ferry "Ishikari" (3rd generation), operated by Taiheiyo Ferry (men's bathroom). Photographed during a ship tour before its maiden voyage. / Si-take.
Onboard, designed to evoke the Caribbean Sea, you can enjoy luxurious experiences unique to a cruise, such as soaking in a panoramic bath while gazing at the open ocean or savoring gourmet food at the buffet restaurant.

Pacific Ferry Royal Suite Compartment Photo by Wikipedia : Royal Suite compartment of Taiheiyo Ferry Ishikari/ Asacyan
The theater lounge hosts movie screenings and shows, so you won't get bored even on a long journey.

5. Akita to Tomakomai (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)

Niigata Port Lilac Photo by Wikipedia: Lilac turning around at Niigata Port, part 1 / Qqz65bb59
Shin Nihonkai Ferry operates the Akita Port to Tomakomai route, running every day except Mondays. The journey takes approximately 11 hours.

During the voyage, you can see famous landmarks such as Cape Tappi, the northernmost point of the Tsugaru Peninsula, and Cape Oma, the northernmost point of Honshu.

6. Niigata to Tomakomai (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)

Photo by Wikipedia: Shin Nihonkai Ferry Yukari (Seto Inland Sea, off the coast of Sakaide City) / Spaceaero2
Ferries to Tomakomai depart from Niigata Port every Monday through Saturday. The journey takes approximately 18 hours.

Onboard, passengers can enjoy meals at a cafeteria-style restaurant, and the ship also features a theater room and a panoramic bath.

You'll be able to fully enjoy a relaxing boat trip across the Sea of Japan.

7. Tsuruga to Tomakomai (Shin Nihonkai Ferry)

Photo by Wikipedia : Tsuruga Ferry Terminal / z tanuki
A ferry departs daily from Tsuruga Port in Kyoto bound for Tomakomai Port. The journey takes approximately 20 hours.

Onboard, just like on other regular Japan Sea Ferry services, passengers can dine at the restaurant or enjoy a bath with a view.

In addition, if you make a reservation before boarding, you can enjoy a full-course meal at the grill restaurant.

Enjoying a lunch cruise or dinner cruise would be a wonderful way to create lasting memories of your sea voyage.

Shin Nihonkai Ferry Suisen Photo by Wikipedia: The Shin Nihonkai Ferry's Suisen (ferry, 2nd generation) sailing in Tsuruga Bay, as seen from Nishigatake Mountain / Alpsdake