First, meet the ferries
The ferries that will take you to the Oki Islands—also the lifeline of the islanders—are operated by the Oki Kisen Ferry Line, and there are two types of ferries: the large ferries, which can also transport vehicles, and the fast ferry Rainbow Jet.
Ferries
There are three large ferries: Ferry Kuniga, Ferry Oki and Ferry Shirashima. They run in a loop line and do so once every day. Other than foot passengers, the three large ferries also carry vehicles to the islands. If you are planning to take your car, motorcycle, or bicycle to the islands, the large ferries are the ones to take. Learn more about how to take your car on the ferry here.
The ferries share a unique feature: inside the standard passengers’ cabins are huge carpeted floor spaces. Pick a spot, sit or lie down and chill. Please remove your shoes before getting onto the carpet. Occasionally, you will find parts of the carpeted area marked off with white ropes and a card that says “予約席”. Those are reserved spaces* for passengers travelling in groups. Please refrain from occupying those areas if you have not made a reservation for your group.
There are also some chairs and tables, even sofas depending on the ferry you are taking, on the 2nd floor of the passengers’ deck. Those are included in the standard 2nd class ticket so feel free to use those!
*Standard 2nd Class ticket reservations are for passengers travelling in groups of more than 15 only.
You can also go on to the deck outside for some fresh air and the beautiful scenery of the journey. There are some benches on the second floor of the passenger deck, towards the stern (rear) of the ferry. For safety reasons, passengers are not allowed on the deck outside if it is a rainy or windy day.
Whether you travel light with a small suitcase or with huge backpacks, please put your luggage in the designated luggage space. The crew will show you where the space is, after greeting you and checking your ticket at the passengers’ entrance. Those who travel light with a weekender / Boston bag may proceed to bring their bags to the carpeted area.
The ferries all have a snack shop—you will see it right after you get on the ferry from the passengers’ entrance—and passengers can pick up snacks, instant ramen noodles, coffee or soft serve! There are also vending machines selling soft drinks, canned coffee and beer. Passengers are also welcome to bring their snacks and drinks on board; it is not surprising if a local family starts tucking into their delicious bento lunch boxes! But please be careful not to spill anything on the carpet or blankets. If it unfortunately happens, please inform the staff.
Rubbish bins are placed at various locations inside the ferry. Please place rubbish in the bins or containers provided after enjoying your food or drinks.
On each of the ferries, there is a designated smoking room. Smoking is prohibited outside of it, which includes the passengers’ room, the outdoor and vehicle decks.
Fast Ferry Rainbow Jet
Then there is the fast ferry Rainbow Jet, which is a hydrofoil (a.k.a jetfoil); the ship is lifted above the sea surface by a winglike structure under the hull and is a high-speed vessel. It rises about three metres above the water and “glides” on the water’s surface at a high speed; you’ll be there on the islands in the blink of an eye! The Rainbow Jet also runs in a loop line, but unlike the ferries, the Rainbow Jet takes an annual “winter holiday”; it does not operate between late December and the end of February. The fast ferry also takes a short “mid-season break” in late May (27th–31st May 2024) for maintenance.
Unlike the larger ferries, there are only passenger seats on the fast ferry. Seat reservations can be made, but the seats are not allocated. Passengers can pick a preferred seat for their crossing, and barrier-free seats are on the 1st floor, near the doors of the vessel. For your safety, seatbelts must be fastened at all times during the crossing – just like when you’re on a plane!
Since the Rainbow Jet “glides” on the water’s surface, there is a weight limit that the vessel can carry, thus limiting the luggage allowance (weight and size) of the passengers. Passengers are allowed to bring onboard suitcases or bags less than 1m in size (height + width + depth) and 10kg in weight, with an allowance of 2 pieces per person. Those travelling with huge suitcases, or bicycles (folding bikes included) should take the ferry instead.
Luggage storage space on the Rainbow Jet is also quite limited. The luggage space shown in the picture above is located on the 1st floor of the vessel. Some seats near the exits are blocked and used as luggage space as well. There are also some overhead spaces for hand luggage above the seats on the left- and right-hand side of the vessel. To ensure the safety and convenience of all passengers, please do not leave your luggage in the aisles.
Unlike the ferries, the Rainbow Jet is not equipped with a snack shop, vending machines, or rubbish bins. If you would like to pick up some snacks or a drink, pick them up before boarding. Don’t forget to bring your rubbish with you when you get off the fast ferry; there are rubbish bins at the ferry terminals. Also, smoking is strictly prohibited on the Rainbow Jet.
Ports on Honshu Island
Now that you have met the ferries, let’s take a look at the ports
Shichirui Port, Shimane Prefecture
This is where Ferry Oki and Ferry Kuniga leave for the Oki Islands in the morning; the two ferries will return to this port in the evening. There are connecting buses to Shichirui Port from JR Matsue Station. If you are travelling from JR Yonago Station or Yonago Airport, please take the local JR train and change for the bus at JR Sakaiminato Station. Alternatively, you can drive to the port and park at the car park there. Just make sure you are there 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time!
There are a few vending machines inside the ferry terminal building, where travellers can pick up some drinks. If you would like to pick up some snacks, we recommend doing so in Matsue or Yonago.
Sakaiminato Port, Tottori Prefecture
Ferry Shirashima and the Rainbow Jet make a stop here. There is a connecting bus from JR Matsue Station, or easy access is provided by the JR train from JR Yonago Station. Not only is the ferry terminal located near Mizuki Shigeru Road, a famous tourist spot of Tottori Prefecture, but there is also a supermarket, a convenience store, and a drugstore (beauty and health retailer and pharmacy) near the ferry terminal building. There is also a small souvenir shop inside the ferry terminal where you can pick up some snacks, too. If you arrive early, you can drop by the conveyor belt sushi place which is also on the 1st floor of the ferry terminal building.
Special note: the ferry crossings from Honshu Island to the Oki Islands in the afternoon depart from this port. The ferry first goes to Nishinoshima Town (Nishinoshima Island), and then continues to Okinoshima Town (Dōgo Island). To go to Chibu Village and Ama Town please change to a smaller inter-island ferry in Nishinoshima Town.
Recommended routes
From Honshu Island to Saigō Port, Okinoshima Town:
Ferry Oki pulls out of Shichirui Port every morning at 9 am, and the crossing to Saigō Port is about 2,5 hours.
If you would like to travel in the afternoon, you can take Ferry Shirashima or the fast ferry. Ferry Shirashima leaves Sakaiminato Port at 2:25 pm or 2:10 pm (1st January–10th March), and after making a brief stop at Beppu Port, it pulls into Saigō Port at around 6:30 pm; just in time for dinner! The Rainbow Jet has a varying schedule in each season, but all crossings from Honshu Island to Saigō Port are made in the afternoon, and it takes only a little over an hour.
From Honshu Island to Beppu Port, Nishinoshima Town:
For the regular season (11th March–31st December), Ferry Kuniga pulls out of Shichirui Port at 9:30 am and reaches Beppu Port just after noon. For the winter season (1st January – 10th March), please catch Ferry Oki instead. Ferry Oki leaves Shichirui Port at 9 am and will arrive at Beppu Port at 1:35 pm, after making brief stops at Saigō Port and Hishiura Port.
Throughout the year, Ferry Shirashima makes a crossing from Sakaiminato Port to Beppu Port daily. After departing Sakaiminato Port at 2:25 pm or 2:10 pm (1st January–10th March), the ferry will pull into Beppu Port at around 5 pm.
The Rainbow Jet has a varying schedule in each season, but all crossings from Honshu Island to Beppu Port are made in the afternoon. After making brief stops at Saigō Port and Hishiura Port, the fast ferry will pull into Beppu Port between 5:23 pm to 6:49 pm, depending on the season.
From Honshu Island to Hishiura Port, Ama Town:
From Honshu Island to Hishiura Port, Ama Town:
The morning crossings from Shichirui Port will all make a stop at Hishiura Port. From 1st January–10th March, Ferry Oki leaves Shichirui Port at 9 am. The crossing takes about 4 hours because the ferry will make a brief stop at Saigō Port. From 11th March–31st December, take Ferry Kuniga. After leaving Shichirui Port at 9:30 am, the ferry will reach Hishiura Port at 12:40 pm.
The afternoon crossings from Sakaiminato Port by Ferry Shirashima do not make a stop at Hishiura Port. But no worries! There is a connecting inter-island ferry, so just make a change at Beppu Port.
The Rainbow Jet has a varying schedule in each season, but all crossings from Honshu Island to Hishiura Port are made in the afternoon. After making a brief stop at Saigō Port, the fast ferry will pull into Hishiura Port between 5:10 pm to 6:36 pm, depending on the season.
From Honshu Island to Kurii Port, Chibu Village:
The morning crossings from Shichirui Port at 9:30 am by Ferry Kuniga during the period of 11th March–31st December, will reach Kurii Port at 11:30 am. For the rest of the year, take Ferry Oki which leaves Shichirui Port at 9 am and please make a change for the inter-island ferry at Hishiura Port after arriving there at 1:10 pm.
As for the afternoon crossings from Sakaiminato Port, Ferry Shirashima will only pull into Kurii Port at around 4:35 pm during the period of 1st January–10th March. For the rest of the year, please change for the connecting inter-island ferries at Beppu Port after arriving at 5:05 pm.
Since the Rainbow Jet does not pull into Kurii Port, please change to connecting inter-island ferries at Hishiura Port if you would like to take the fast ferry to Chibu Village.
For all the options available, please check here.
Purchase your ticket and hop on board!
Up next, are the essentials before boarding the ferry.
All passengers are required to submit a passenger boarding form (as shown in the picture). You can download the form and fill it in beforehand, or fill in one at the ferry terminal after getting there. You can find them on the tables near the ticket office. Once the form is ready, proceed to the ticket office and pass your boarding form to the staff to purchase your ferry ticket. You can pay for your ticket with a credit card or cash.
After you have your ticket, proceed to the second floor of the terminal building and queue outside the boarding gate for the ferries. If you are taking the fast ferry, then make your way to the boarding point outside the building, which is where the Rainbow Jet is docked.
Boarding commences 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please show your ticket to the crew when you board, and the ticket will be collected when you get off the vessel; make sure you keep it safe!
Ticket reservations for Rainbow Jet can be done hereThis will open in a new tab. , and we highly recommend making a booking for your crossing as the fast ferry is popular among the locals, too! The tickets tend to sell out around weekends in high season.
*The tickets are only available at the ticket office and you can only pick up your ticket on the day of your scheduled crossing.
*No bookings are taken for Standard 2nd class ferry tickets.
Oki-Toku Special Ticket is the best deal you can’t miss: stay at one of the designated accommodation facilities, take part in activities provided by participating providers on the islands, and you will receive a discount for your return ticket! For more details, please check this pageThis will open in a new tab. .
Pro tips on how to enjoy the crossings
Here are more pro tips to help make your ferry crossing to the Oki Islands more enjoyable:
If you are taking the fast ferry Rainbow Jet, make a booking!
Whether it is high season or not, local islanders also love to take the Rainbow Jet, and particular crossings on the fast ferry during weekends can reach maximum passenger capacity; which is why we highly recommend making a bookingThis will open in a new tab. !
When the sea is rough, the fast ferry Rainbow Jet does get cancelled.
Since the Rainbow Jet “glides” on the water’s surface, if the sea is not calm, the fast ferry service will have to be cancelled. The Rainbow Jet rarely gets cancelled during the warmer months, unless a typhoon or huge rainstorm is approaching. However, as it gets colder and windier in November, it is not uncommon for the fast ferry to be cancelled. When you are making plans for your trip to the islands, please have a Plan B so you can get to the islands or return to Honshu Island on one of the ferries.
The ferries get cancelled, too.
It is not uncommon for the ferries to be cancelled during the winter months, especially between December and February. Unless you are planning to visit the islands to experience the not-so-friendly winter winds, this probably only affects you a little. However, during the warmer months, the ferries will be cancelled as well if a typhoon is on the way. Check the official website of Oki Kisen Ferry Line for the latest status on your sailing.
If you are not sure, it might be a good idea to bring motion sickness meds with you!
When the sea is calm (0-1m on the wave forecast chart), the ferry ride is smooth and by the time you realise, you have already arrived at your destination. However, if the sea is choppy or not as calm, especially during the winter months, the ride – whether it is on a large ferry or the Rainbow Jet – is just simply not as enjoyable. It may be a good idea to pick up some over-the-counter motion sickness meds at the drugstores before coming to the islands. And if you are taking the large ferries, lie down on your back.
Bring a thin layer with you!
Since the passengers’ cabin on the Rainbow Jet is an enclosed space, the air-conditioner is constantly on for temperature control and ventilation. Depending on where your seat is, it can get quite chilly, especially if you are not used to having the AC turned on all the time. A thin layer will be very helpful. Also, keeping yourself warm and cosy will help with motion sickness.
Wear shoes and jackets that you can take off easily!
On the contrary, the passengers’ cabin on the large ferries can be a little too warm, which can worsen motion sickness. Choose proper attire so you can adjust your body temperature. Since you will need to take your shoes off before stepping onto the carpeted area inside the passengers’ cabin, wearing a pair of slip-ons will make the process easier.
There are pillows and blankets on the ferries.
There are pillows and blankets for rent to help make your ferry crossing more enjoyable. There is JPY 30 for a blanket (just drop the coins into the box installed on the wall) but you can use the pillows for free; don’t take any of them off the ferry though!
Internet connection and electricity during the crossing
Internet connection can get very weak when the ferry or fast ferry is in the middle of the sea. We suggest downloading your e-book or movie in advance, but reading a book or taking a digital time-out are also great options! If you are taking the ferry, you can go outside onto the deck on the 2nd floor of the passengers’ deck, and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.
There are very limited power sockets for you to charge your electronics in the passenger rooms, so we suggest bringing a power bank with you.
Nursing Room
There is a nursing room on all three of the ferries. If you would like to use the room, please seek assistance from the ferry crew.
During Obon, the ferries can be packed
Obon is observed in mid-August in Japan, where many travel home to honour the spirits of their ancestors. Some also opt to go on a short summer holiday during this season and the ferries can be jam-packed with passengers. If you plan to travel to the islands during this period on the Rainbow Jet, make sure to make a booking for your seats!
We hope this article has provided the information you needed while planning your trip to the islands, and answered the questions you might have regarding the ferry and fast ferry crossing. If there are things that we have not covered, or if you have other inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact the tourism associations, shoot us an email, or submit an inquiry form!
See you on the islands soon!