Ferries to Kagoshima

The ferry port of Kagoshima is on Kyushu in Japan and is the gateway to the islands of the south. From here you can reach 9 destinations, including Nishinoomote, Miyanoura and Anbo. Together the connections add up to as many as 36 departures a day. Crossings take between 1.5 and 25 hours. The port is served by Marue Ferry and Tane Yaku Jetfoil.

Getting there and the terminal

Kagoshima has two separate berths for the island connections, and mixing them up costs you the ferry. The Tane Yaku Jetfoil hydrofoils to Tanegashima and Yakushima depart from the south quay of the old main port, postcode 892-0814, Hon-ko Shin-futo, near the city centre. Marue Ferry's overnight ferries to Amami and Okinawa, on the other hand, depart from the New Port: Amami-Okinawa Ferry Terminal, Jonan-cho 45-1, with a desk on the third floor staffed from 8:30am to 6pm.

Both terminals sit on the bay with a view of the volcano Sakurajima. For the New Port, Marue Ferry recommends the tram, the city bus and the airport bus, as well as driving yourself, with parking available. Check before you set off which of the two ports is printed on your ticket.

Check-in

Marue Ferry closes check-in 30 minutes before departure. For the 6pm sailing, the desk at the Amami-Okinawa Terminal is open from 1pm to 5:30pm; anyone arriving later will not be processed. Since queues form there, allowing extra time is advisable.