Travel to Japan by ship; Every options!

Looking for all the information about travel to japan by boat? You came to the right place! When we think of traveling to Japan, the first option that comes to mind is to take a plane to reach our destination.

It is true that Japan is a very distant country for most, which cannot be reached by land by car or train. However, more and more tourists are considering the alternative of traveling to Japan by boat, with an unusual means of transport but very doable.

Precisely because it is made up of thousands of islands, the boat is one of the most used means of transport to move around the Japanese country for centuries.

There are maritime routes through Japan that are very frequented by foreigners to arrive from different nearby countries, as well as cruises with departures from Asia, America and Europe.

Japan boat tours

Let's see all options that exist to go to Japan by boat, whether it is covering long distances or the possibility of taking a cruise through Japan for several days. Read on and find out everything!

In this article you will find...

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    How to go by boat to Japan

    The ship is one of oldest means of transport in the world. Long before high-speed trains and airplanes, explorers traveled around the world by ship, reaching the most remote places.

    if you are considering travel by boat to japanI'm afraid you're not going to be the first or the most original.

    japan and china cruises

    There are many tourists who have enough respect for him to return, and some who are very fond of boats, who have already made this same journey and who will continue to choose it for the incredible experience that it supposes.

    Options for traveling by boat to the land of the rising sun they are many. There are maritime transport lines from multiple destinations, through international ferries whose journey takes just a few hours.

    Also exist international ships or shipping lines that sail for weeks and months to reach Japan. From what you can see, boat transportation in Japan is very varied!

    japan cruise vacation packages

    In fact, Japan has become one of the most visited asian destinations by boat of recent years.

    Surrounded by various Asian tourist countriesand due to the ease of moving between the thousands of japanese islands that compose it, surely when you know the alternatives you also want to get on a Japanese ship.

    Go to Japan by boat from Spain

    Spain is practically at the other end of the northern hemisphere with respect to the location of Japan. What not many Spaniards know is that you can go to Japan by boat from Spaingoing around the world while visiting several countries.


    There are several companies that offer a boat trip around the world aboard a cruise ship. Many of them come out from Barcelona in the direction of America.

    The ship makes stops in the most interesting Caribbean countries, and then cross the American continent through the Panama Canal.

    ferry from russia to japan

    Once America is left behind, the cruise ship continues on to Japan. In addition to visiting the most emblematic places on the Japanese coast, she travels to other Asian countries to head for the Suez Canal and back to the Mediterranean.

    How long does a ship take from Japan to Spain?

    A direct trip departing from Spain in the direction of Japan, and vice versa, usually lasts between 22 and 30 days depending on the route. It is a fairly slow journey that is not usually done often, and for this reason it is more common to choose the option of cruises through Japan.

    how long does a ship take from spain to japan

    The entire trip in cruise to go around the world It usually lasts about 120 days. Only from Barcelona to stepping on Japanese lands it takes approximately 70 days, more than half the journey.

    On this trip accommodation, meals and all services are included. a little luxury available to anyone whose dream is to go around the world in total comfort. In the next button you have all the available cruises.

    See Cruise Offers

    From Vladivostok (Russia) to Japan by boat

    If you want to take a slightly shorter boat trip to Japan, the best alternative is to travel to Asia, to a nearby country. Starting from the north, a destination from which direct ferries depart to Japan is the city of Vladivostok, on the east coast of Russia.

    This Russian ferry stops at Donghae, in South Korea, since the trip is quite long. The next and last stop is the Sakaiminato city, in Japanon the north coast halfway between Hiroshima Y Kyoto.

    Many tourists use this boat to get to Japan after do the Trans-Siberian route through Asialeaving from Moscow to live an adventure of the most complete.

    how to travel from russia to japan by boat

    The ferry that operates this route is DBS Cruise Ferry, has a duration of 44 hours and he only does 1 weekly route. Although the ship is equipped with cabins and services to make the trip more comfortable, keep in mind that she is not a cruise ship, and the amenities are more limited.

    More information

    Go from Shanghai (China) to Japan by boat

    A very nice route to visit China and Japan in the same trip is to take the ferry leaving from the city of Shanghai. This tourist boat is taken by many Chinese every day, since it is comfortable and very cheap.

    The ferry from China usually get to Fukuoka, the largest island and closest to the mainland. From there, if you want to continue your journey through Japan, you can now take other ships or move directly overland using local trains or shinkansen.

    go from china to japan by boat

    Other alternatives are the links with the ports of Osaka and Kobe offered by the Xin Jian Zhen company, or the link with Osaka by the Su Zhou Hao company, departing from Shanghai, or from Tianjin weekly with the China Express line.

    how to go from tokyo to shanghai by boat

    The duration of the ferry travel between china and japan it is about 45 hours. It can be an excellent option if you do not have a time limit to travel.

    More information

    If traveling by ferry is not your thing, and you want the comfort of traveling by boat in your own cabin, the Royal Caribbean International company has several Asia itineraries that include different destinations in Japan.

    asia royal caribbean cruises

    With several sailing days and different budgets, you can choose the departure city (Shanghai or Tianjin) and which ones do you want to enjoy with everything included in a super luxury boat

    Asia Cruises

    Go from Keelung or Kaohsiung (Taiwan) to Japan by boat

    From the island of Taiwan, specifically from the ports of Keelung and Kaohsiung, a ship operated by the Arimura Sangyō line in every direction.

    Ferries arrive at the ports of Okinawa (Ishigaki and Miyako), Nagoya and Osakamaking other stops along the way.

    The journey is once again quite long, and it can take up to 4 days in total depending on the destination, although from Taiwan to Okinawa are approximately 20 hours.

    how to go from taiwan to japan by ferry


    To know more about the routes, schedules and prices between both countries, you can see all the information in the following button.

    More information

    From Busan (South Korea) to Japan by boat

    The last of the alternatives, and the most popular among foreign tourists, is to take a ferry to Japan from South Korea.

    ship from south korea to japan

    you have 4 options different from Busan and more and more travelers are combining trips to Japan and Korea, traveling by sea route between the two countries.

    Ferry from Busan to Hakata (Fukuoka)

    To get to Japan by boat from South Korea you have to go to the port of Busan. The JR Kyushu Ferry company beetle it is the most convenient, connecting with the port of Fukuoka with several daily departures.

    The trip is short, only 3 hours per day and there are up to 16 daily departures. There is also the option of travel at night by slow ferrywith a duration of 8 hours and an even cheaper price.

    More information

    Busan to Shimonoseki Ferry

    You also have the option to go from Busan (South Korea) to Shimonoseki (Japan) by ferry with the Pukwan Ferry company.

    This route has 5 weekly crossings and the route has a duration of 11 hours.

    More information

    Busan to Tsushima Ferry (Hikakatsu)

    Another option to go from South Korea to Japan by boat is to reach Tsushima with the J.R. Kyushu Beetle company.

    There are 12 weekly boats leaving from Busan and the journey has a duration of 1 hour and 10 minutes.

    More information

    Ferry from Busan to Osaka

    And finally, somewhat less frequently, are the boats that leave from Busan to Osaka cityby the PanStar Cruise company.

    The duration of the trip is 19 hours, and being longer, only comes out 3 times a week in every direction.

    More information

    Getting around Japan by ferry

    If you're going to do one route through Japan for several days or weeksmoving by boat can be a very comfortable and economical alternative.

    Like Japanese trains, ships and ferries have several lines that connect the main cities and regions of the country.

    Japan boat trip from Mexico

    The country of Japan is made up of 4 main islands, in addition to thousands of other small islands that make up the archipelago. The furthest away are those in the Okinawa region, more than 1000km away in the south of the country.

    If you want to know more details about what a Japanese ferry is like inside, don't miss this video of one of the longest journeys through Japan, from Hokkaido to Tokyo in first class:

    to all of them can be reached directly by planebut also in a traditional way in the classic old Japanese boat that has been used throughout life.

    move by boat in japan

    Among the main boat routes in Japan that are most often used by foreign tourists to do ferry rides are:

    • Osaka-Kobe-Beppu: Duration 12 hours / Sunflower Overnight Ferry.
    • Kobe-Oita: duration 13 hours / Night ferry.
    • Osaka-Shibusi (Kagoshima): duration 13 hours / Night ferry.
    • Nagoya-Sendai-Tomakomai: Duration 26 hours / Night Ferry + Noon.
    • Maizuru-Otaru (Sapporo): Duration 21 hours / Day Ferry.
    • Niigata-Otaru: Duration 21 hours / Day Ferry.
    • Niigata-Akita-Tomakomai: duration 18 hours / Night ferry + noon.
    • Tokyo-Tokushima-Kitakyushu: duration 34 hours.

    map of ferries in japan

    you can find all routes, schedules, prices and make direct reservations at the Ferryto.com website for your convenience. In addition to these routes, there are many others to get around Japan by boat, easily and at very affordable prices.

    More information

    Japan cruise companies

    If you are excited to take a boat trip to Japan, there are different companies that operate this and many others journeys throughout Asia.

    best japan cruises

    The vast majority do travel to japan from spainleaving Barcelona as the main European port from the Mediterranean Sea.

    japan cruise companies

    Some companies that offer cruises in Japan are the following:

    Also check the availability of these same companies that operate departures from American countries such as United States, Chile, Argentina, or from Mexico and Central America.

    See Cruise Offers

    It is very common to move around Japan using the boat as the main means of transportation. However, more and more travelers are opting for get to japan by ship directly.

    If you want more details about what a cruise through Japan is like, in this video you will be able to learn more about a 8-day journey from Tokyo to Busan and vice versa:

    If you want live a unique adventure, find the best cruise in Japan and book early to ensure the best price. A cruise can be the perfect honeymoon.

    And you, have you already decided to travel to japan by boat or to move on the water with one of these curious means of transport? You will love the experience!


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