Tokai Kisen

Tokai Kisen was founded in 1889 as Tokyo Bay Ships (東京湾汽船) through the merger of four smaller shipping companies with 21 ships and a combined 1,616 gross tonnes. In 1942 the company was renamed to its current name, Tokai Kisen (東海汽船, "Eastern Sea Ships"). Today it is the main link to the Izu Islands.

The ferry services run from Takeshiba Ferry Terminal in Tokyo to all the Izu Islands: Oshima, Toshima, Niijima, Shikinejima, Kozushima, Miyakejima, Mikurashima and Hachijojima. The company operates both high-speed jetfoils for shorter routes and large passenger ships for longer distances, including overnight sailings.

The high-speed "Seven Islands" jetfoils are fully submerged hydrofoils, where the foil sits entirely underwater. This gives greater stability at high speed and a smoother ride. The vessels reach speeds that allow the crossing to Izu Oshima in just 2 hours.

The large passenger ships Tachibana-Maru and Salvia-Maru offer overnight sailings with cabins. The Salvia-Maru leaves Tokyo daily at around 10-11pm, calling at all the islands in north-to-south order. Jetfoil fares are around 9,800-10,800 yen for a one-way trip.