- Ferry Chikushi Cruise Review | Iki & Tsushima Travel Guide
Hakata, Fukuoka - Tsushima / Iki Island: Kyushu Yusen Ferry Chikushi Experience! 5 hr Review of Japan's Ferry
Meimon Taiyo Ferry Kyoto Review | Osaka to Fukuoka Cruise GuideOsaka - Fukuoka: Meimon Taiyo Ferry Kyoto Experience! 12.5 hour Japan's overnight ferry Ride
Eizan Railway Momiji Tunnel | Kyoto’s Best Autumn Train RideDemachiyanagi - Kurama / Kibune: Eizan Railway KIRARA Experience! 30min Japan's Maple Tree Train Ride in Kyoto
Meimon Taiyo Ferry Fukuoka Review | Shinmoji to Osaka Cruise GuideOsaka - Fukuoka: Meimon Taiyo Ferry Fukuoka Experience! 12.5 hour Japan's overnight ferry Ride
Meimon Taiyo Ferry Osaka II Review | Fukuoka to Osaka CruiseOsaka - Fukuoka: Meimon Taiyo Ferry Osaka2 Experience! 12.5 hour Japan's overnight ferry Ride
Ferry Princess Wakasa Cruise Review | How to Travel to Tanegashima
Princess Wakasa Boarding Report
- Time: 08:40 → 12:10 (Approx. 3 hours 30 minutes)
- Route: Kagoshima (Kagoshima Port) → Tanegashima (Nishinoomote Port)
- Seat: Standard (2nd class)
- Fare: 5,100 yen
7:50 a.m., Izuro-dori Station in Kagoshima City.
Today’s boarding ship is Cosmo Line’s high-speed ferry “Princess Wakasa.”
The destination is Tanegashima, Nishinoomote Port.
It’s about a 3 and a half hour boat trip.I looked up the station closest to the port on a map and found this station.
From Izuro-dori Station to the South Pier Passenger Terminal, it’s about a 17-minute walk.At this time of day, there are no buses running.
The route itself exists, but the ferry’s early morning departure makes it unavailable.With no other choice, I pulled my heavy suitcase and headed to the port.
8:10 a.m., arrival at the South Pier Passenger Terminal.
Two shipping companies operate from this terminal.
Orita Kisen for Yakushima, and Cosmo Line for Tanegashima.Their counters are side by side — Yakushima on the left, Tanegashima on the right.
Of course, today it’s Cosmo Line for Tanegashima.I filled out the boarding documents placed in front of the terminal entrance.
Then, I completed the procedures at the right counter and received my boarding ticket.After leaving the building, I turned right and followed a wooden walkway.
There ahead was the ferry “Princess Wakasa” bound for Tanegashima.I boarded the ship via the gangway installed at the port.
At the top, crew members were quietly waiting.I handed over my boarding ticket, which was stamped on the spot and immediately returned.
Proceeding past the boarding gate, a narrow passageway stretched ahead.
This is the ship’s second floor.
At the end of the corridor was a large 2nd-class shared cabin.
Right beside it were a steep staircase and an elevator.Carrying my heavy suitcase, I climbed the steep stairs one step at a time.
On the sharp incline, every time I lifted my luggage, I almost fell backwards.At the top of the stairs was the 3rd floor.
Passenger rooms, entrance deck, information desk, vending machines, restrooms — all main facilities of the ship are gathered on this floor.I decided to sleep tonight in a shared room on this 3rd floor.
Light, cheerful music played throughout the ship.
The song drifting to my ears was “One Love” by the popular Japanese idol group Arashi.
It reminded me of the drama “Hana Yori Dango.”There was no dedicated space for large luggage, so we simply brought our bags inside the ship.
Luckily, I secured a corner spot.
I placed my luggage against the wall.The room was equipped with several square leather-like pillows.
The one I picked up had a hole in it.
So, I decided to put my own towel on top and use it.At 8:40 a.m., Princess Wakasa departed Kagoshima Port on schedule.
Shortly after leaving the shore, an announcement was made onboard.“Attention all passengers:
Thank you very much for boarding Princess Wakasa today.
We will now guide you to Tanegashima, Nishinoomote Port.”Today the waves are high, and some rough seas are expected.
The ship will start to rock significantly once we pass through Kagoshima Bay.
If possible, I want to avoid seasickness at all costs.There was no dedicated space onboard to kill time.
I checked the location monitor in the central entrance area from time to time and read the provided newspapers.
That’s how I spent my time, relaxing.I had heard that being hungry makes seasickness worse, so just in case I bought ice cream and juice from the ship’s vending machine.
It was a small effort to keep something in my stomach.…Unfortunately, this strategy had no effect at all.
Afterwards, I was overwhelmed by a full-blown wave of seasickness.
I even felt like what I ate made things worse — that’s how bad it got.After leaving Kagoshima Bay and passing Ibusuki City, the situation changed dramatically.
The ship began to rock more and more.
My condition gradually worsened as well.Eventually, I was hit by unforgettable seasickness and had to stay in the toilet.
I never expected it to get this bad.It was a relief to have a place to throw up, but considering that less than an hour had passed since boarding,
thinking about enduring this for another two and a half hours made me dizzy.Cold sweat kept pouring, and I went back and forth to the toilet until my stomach was empty.
In the end, I was so exhausted from vomiting that I just set an alarm and lay down.Before I knew it, two and a half hours had passed in no time.
It wasn’t so much sleeping as it was more like passing out.At 12:32 p.m., we arrived at Nishinoomote Port, Tanegashima.
Although the sea was a bit rough, we arrived almost on time.The view of Nishinoomote Port from the sky deck was very beautiful,
and despite the strong wind, I was captivated by the scenery for a while.Though there were tough moments with seasickness,
resting well for two and a half hours helped me recover considerably.I’m really glad about that.
At 12:10 p.m., disembarkation began.
I slowly descended the gangway attached to the ship and finally set foot on Tanegashima.From here, I will take a bus leaving right in front of the port towards Minamitane Town.
The trip from Nishinoomote Port to Minamitane Town Hall takes about 1 hour 12 minutes and costs 1,480 yen.Now, I’ll be riding the bus for about an hour.
Princess Wakasa Vessel Information
Princess Wakasa Map
▼Cosmo Line Official Website – Princess Wakasa Vessel Introduction Page
https://cosmoline.jp/ship-guide/ferry-princess-wakasaPrincess Wakasa Interior Tour
Information Desk (3rd Floor)
Promenade Deck (3rd Floor)
Passenger Cabins (2nd Floor/3rd Floor)
Promenade Lounge (3rd Floor)
Vending Machine Corner (3rd Floor)
“Smoking Room (3rd Floor)”
Toilets (3F)
Sky Deck (4F)
Princess Wakasa Boarding Locations & Access Information
Kagoshima Port, Kagoshima Pref.
■ Boarding Location: South Wharf Passenger Terminal
■ Address: 6 Honkoshinmachi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 892-0814, JapanAccess to Kagoshima Port■ On Foot – Kagoshima Station → Kagoshima Ekimae Station (Approx. 7 min)
■ By Train – Kagoshima Ekimae → Izuro-dori Station (Approx. 10 min, ¥170)
■ On Foot – Izuro-dori Station → South Wharf Passenger Terminal (Approx. 17 min)
Total Cost: 170yen | Total Time: Approx. 35 minCloseNishinoomote Port, Tanegashima
■ Boarding Location: Nishinoomote Port, Tanegashima
■ Address: Nishimachi, Nishinoomote City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 891-3111, Japan
■ Phone Number: 0997-22-1011Access to Kagoshima PortBoarding Location: Nishinoomote Port Waiting Area
Bus: Get off at Nishinoomote Port (Bus Stop), just a short walk awayClosePrincess Wakasa How to Book
Online reservations are not available, and bookings can only be made by phone.
The boarding process begins one hour before departure, so reservations are not required for most passengers. However, for Deluxe A and B cabins or groups of 15 or more people, phone reservations are necessary as they are treated as a group booking.
Princess Wakasa Ticket Counter & Agents
Princess Wakasa Ticket Counter ListCosmoline South Wharf Ticket Counter (Passenger)
Phone Number: 099-226-6628
Cosmoline Nishinoomote Ticket Counter (Passenger)
Phone Number 0997-22-1011 Address 49-1 Nishimachi, Nishinoomote City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 891-3111 Business Hours 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM Kyuusho Port Service Co., Ltd. (Vehicles & Cargo)
Phone Number 099-222-8271 Address 35-5 Hamamachi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 892-0812 Business Hours 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed on Sundays and Holidays) CloseBoarding Fees, Fares & Prices
Princess Wakasa Fare ChartCategory Adult Child Special Room A (Private Room for 10 people) ¥8,000 ¥8,000 Special Room B (Private Room for 10 people) ¥6,000 ¥6,000 Standard (2nd Class Fare) ¥5,000 (¥300) ¥2,500 (¥150) Disabled Standard ¥2,650 (¥300) ¥1,330 (¥150) Disabled Care Standard ¥2,650 (¥300) Remote Island Residents Discount* ¥3,270 (¥300) ¥1,690 (¥150) Remote Island Disabled Discount* ¥1,800 (¥300) ¥950 (¥150) Student Discount ¥4,060 (¥300) General Group ¥3,800 (¥300) ¥1,900 (¥150) Student Group ¥3,600 (¥300) CloseExcept for the deluxe rooms, all rooms are shared.
There are four rooms (A to D) and a promenade lounge on board.Rooms A, C, and D are seating areas, and Room B is equipped with chair seating.
Only Room A has priority seating for disabled passengers.How to Purchase Boarding Tickets
The ticket counter is located inside the South Wharf Passenger Terminal building.
Upon entering the building, the ticket counter is immediately on the right.
For the ferry to Tanegashima, simply tell the staff you’d like to purchase a “Princess Wakasa” ticket, and they will assist you.
When purchasing a boarding ticket, you need to fill out a special form with your address and other details located near the ticket counter, and hand it to the staff to complete the purchase.
Since I was heading to Tanegashima this time, I filled out the passenger list for Tanegashima (seen on the left in the photo) and submitted it at the counter.
By the way, the boarding ticket is handed to the crew member standing at the boarding gate, so ultimately, it will no longer be in your possession.
Vehicle Boarding & Carry-On Fees
Surfboard 1 board: ¥1,000 Folding Bicycle 1 bicycle: ¥1,000 Pet Small (less than 50 cm in body length): ¥2,000/each
Large (50 cm or more in body length): ¥3,000/eachIf you plan to enjoy surfing on Tanegashima, you may bring a surfboard. However, it will be treated as special luggage, with an additional fee of ¥520 per board, separate from the boarding fee.
Only cash is accepted, so if you plan to bring a folding bicycle or surfboard, make sure to bring cash with you.
Vehicle Freight Fares (Automobiles)
(Note: The amounts in parentheses are adjustment fees.)Category Freight Fare Under 3m ¥14,500 (¥900) 3m to under 4m ¥18,000 (¥1,200) 4m to under 5m ¥22,000 (¥1,500) 5m to under 6m ¥27,500 (¥1,800) 6m to under 7m ¥38,000 (¥2,100) 7m to under 8m ¥47,000 (¥2,400) 8m to under 9m ¥53,500 (¥2,700) 9m to under 10m ¥60,000 (¥3,000) 10m to under 11m ¥67,000 (¥3,300) 11m to under 12m ¥73,500 (¥3,600) Per meter increase ¥6,700 (¥300) </tr[accordion label="Vehicle Freight Fares (Motorcycles)"]
(Note: The amounts in parentheses are adjustment fees.)Motorcycle Engine Displacement Freight Fare Motorized Bicycle ¥2,000 Up to 125cc ¥2,000 Under 750cc ¥2,500 750cc and above ¥3,500 CloseVehicle Freight Fares (Bicycles)
(Note: The amount in parentheses is an adjustment fee.)¥5,000 (¥300)
ClosePrincess Wakasa Timetable & Travel Time
Route Time Kagoshima (South Wharf) → Tanegashima (Nishinoomote Port) 08:40 → 12:10 Tanegashima (Nishinoomote Port) → Kagoshima (South Wharf) 13:45 → 17:25 The sailing time is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes one way.
Princess Wakasa operates only one round trip per day, so it’s important to be careful not to miss the ferry.Arrival times may be delayed due to weather or sea conditions.
Latest Information & Service Status
The operation status and cancellation rates for Princess Wakasa can be checked on the official website operated by Cosmo Line: Official Website.
Passengers often call to ask, “Will the ferry operate on [date]?” However, since ferry operations are heavily affected by weather and sea conditions, accurate operation decisions cannot be made until the day of departure.
Information is promptly published on this website, so it’s best to avoid calling for updates on the operation status.
▼ Cosmo Line’s Latest Operation Status
http://cosmoline.jp/category/today/Princess Wakasa Internet Access
I opened my PC to check for Wi-Fi, but there were no access points available, so there was no Wi-Fi connection.
Within the first two hours after departure, while still near Kagoshima Prefecture, including areas like Ibusuki and Minami-Ookuma, I was able to receive some signal on my mobile carrier, so I was able to browse the web.
Once we got further out to sea, I lost signal until we reached Tanegashima.
Princess Wakasa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the ferry prices and fares from Kagoshima to Tanegashima?The cheapest room is the second-class room, and the most expensive room is the Deluxe A private room.
Type Adult Child Special Room A (Private Room for 10 people) 8,000 yen 8,000 yen Special Room B (Private Room for 10 people) 6,000 yen 6,000 yen Standard (2nd Class Fare) 5,000 yen (300 yen) 2,500 yen (150 yen) Disabled Standard 2,650 yen (300 yen) 1,330 yen (150 yen) Disabled Care Standard 2,650 yen (300 yen) Inhabitant Discount (Legal Boundary Islands) 3,270 yen (300 yen) 1,690 yen (150 yen) Inhabitant Disability Discount (Legal Boundary Islands) 1,800 yen (300 yen) 950 yen (150 yen) Student Discount 4,060 yen (300 yen) General Group 3,800 yen (300 yen) 1,900 yen (150 yen) Student Group 3,600 yen (300 yen) CloseAre there other ferries from Kagoshima to Tanegashima?Cosmo Line’s “Princess Wakasa” and Kagoshima Shoko Shipping’s “Ferry Hibiscus” are the two options.
If you want to arrive in Tanegashima in the morning, Princess Wakasa is recommended!
Though it is a late-night departure, the “Ferry Hibiscus” to Yakushima also departs from Taniyama Port in Kagoshima Prefecture via Tanegashima.Ferry Hibiscus – No reservation is required for passengers (tickets sold only on the day).
Princess Wakasa – Reservations are accepted only for private rooms, groups, and vehicle ferrying.Cosmo Line Minato Wharf Counter (Passenger)
Phone Number 099-226-0731 (Switchboard, Orita Kisen Co., Ltd.) Address 6-1 Honkō Shinmachi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima 892-0814, Orita Kisen Co., Ltd. Minato Wharf Ferry Terminal Business Hours 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Cosmo Line Nishinoomote Counter (Passenger)
Phone Number 0997-22-1011 Address 49-1 Nishimachi, Nishinoomote City, Kagoshima 891-3111 Business Hours 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM Kyusho Port Service Co., Ltd. (Vehicle & Cargo)
Phone Number 099-222-8271 Address 35-5 Hamamachi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima 892-0812 Business Hours 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Closed on Sundays and Holidays) CloseHow long does it take by ferry from Kagoshima to Tanegashima?It takes 95 minutes by high-speed boat and 3 hours 30 minutes by ferry.
CloseHow many minutes before departure can I check in for Princess Wakasa?Check-in for boarding starts 1 hour before departure.
CloseWhat is the cancellation rate for Princess Wakasa?There can be cancellations, especially when typhoons approach or due to “rough seas” caused by unstable weather.
You can check the operational status of Princess Wakasa on the Cosmo Line official website’s announcement page.▼ Princess Wakasa Official Site Cosmo Line News Page
http://cosmoline.jp/category/news/CloseCan I bring pets on the Princess Wakasa ferry?Yes, you can!
However, **pets are not allowed inside the cabin or passenger rooms**.
Princess Wakasa has a designated pet room, which is a great option!There are built-in cages available, and they are suitable for small dogs. However, for medium to large dogs, the space might be a bit tight, so you may need to spend time with your pet on the outdoor deck.
**Pet Fees (One-way fare) – Cash only**
Small (less than 50cm in length): 2,000 yen per pet
Large (50cm or more in length): 3,000 yen per petCloseCosmo Line “Princess Wakasa” Boarding Journal (Kagoshima → Nishinoomote, Tanegashima)
07:50 AM, Izuro-dori Station in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
Today I’m taking the Cosmo Line ferry “Princess Wakasa” to Nishinoomote Port on Tanegashima Island.
The voyage takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
According to my research, the nearest tram stop to the port is Izuro-dori Station.
It’s about a 17-minute walk from there to the Minami Pier Passenger Terminal.
It would be helpful if there were a bus, but since the ferry to Tanegashima departs early in the morning, there are no bus services available.
If you’re carrying heavy luggage, I recommend taking a taxi.
I dragged my heavy suitcase all the way to the port.08:10 AM — I arrived at the Minami Pier Passenger Terminal.
There are two ferry companies operating out of this terminal:
Orita Shipping for Yakushima and Cosmo Line for Tanegashima.
Their ticket counters are side-by-side, with the Yakushima counter on the left and the Tanegashima counter on the right.
This time, I’m headed to Tanegashima.
After filling out the boarding form, I completed the procedure at the right-side counter and received my boarding pass.To the left of the terminal building was the ferry “Princess Wakasa” bound for Tanegashima.
I walked up the ramp attached to the ship and showed my boarding pass to enter.
When I handed the pass to the crew member at the entrance, they stamped it on the spot.
Unfortunately, this boarding pass is collected when disembarking, so you can’t keep it as a souvenir.
I was hoping to take it home, but no luck.Just past the entrance was a large second-class room.
Right beside it were a steep staircase and an elevator.
Heading up the stairs to the 3rd floor, I found the entrance deck and the information counter.
The entrance is on the 2nd floor, most passenger areas are on the 3rd floor, and the outdoor sky deck is on the top level.
I chose to spend my time in a shared room on the 3rd floor.
Background music played throughout the ship—at the time, it was “One Love” by the popular Japanese idol group Arashi.There was no designated space for large luggage, so you just bring it in with you.
I was lucky to get a corner spot, so I placed my suitcase against the opposite wall to act as a bit of a partition.
The room had several square leather cushions, and I took one to use.
Some had holes in them, so I placed a towel I had brought on top and made it work.08:40 AM — We departed from Kagoshima Port right on schedule.
Soon after leaving the pier, an announcement played over the ship’s PA system:
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard the Princess Wakasa.”
“Thank you very much for choosing to travel with us today.”
“We will now begin our journey to Nishinoomote Port on Tanegashima.”
The sea was rough that day, and we were warned of possible swaying later in the trip.
Apparently, the real rocking would begin once we exited Kagoshima Bay.
I just hoped I could avoid seasickness.There weren’t many places on board to pass the time.
I occasionally walked over to the central entrance area to check the ship’s location on the monitor or read one of the newspapers available there.
Worried about seasickness, I decided not to stay on an empty stomach.
I bought some ice cream and juice from a vending machine to put something in my stomach.
But this turned out to be a mistake.
It didn’t help at all—in fact, it might’ve made things worse.Once we passed Kagoshima Bay and the city of Ibusuki, everything changed.
The ship suddenly began to sway violently, and I quickly started feeling ill.
I ended up getting one of the worst cases of seasickness in my life and had to lock myself in the restroom.
I hadn’t expected it to be this bad—it felt like enduring a storm.
At least there was a proper place to vomit, which was a small mercy.
But we were still less than an hour into the journey.
Just thinking “I have to endure another two and a half hours of this” was overwhelming.
Cold sweat poured down, and I stayed in the restroom until I had nothing left in my stomach.
Eventually, I was too exhausted to even throw up.
I set an alarm and lay down.
Before I knew it, two and a half hours had passed.
It wasn’t sleep so much as unconsciousness.12:02 PM — We arrived at Nishinoomote Port on Tanegashima.
The sea was a bit choppy, but we arrived almost exactly on time.
The view of Nishinoomote Port from the sky deck was beautiful.
Despite the strong wind, I found myself mesmerized by the scenery for a while.
I had a rough time with seasickness, but after resting for about two and a half hours, I was feeling much better.
Honestly, I was just relieved.12:10 PM — Disembarkation began.
I slowly made my way down the ramp attached to the ship and finally set foot on Tanegashima.
From here, I took a bus departing right in front of the port and headed toward Minamitane Town.
The ride from Nishinoomote Port to the Minamitane Town Hall takes about 1 hour and 12 minutes.
The fare is 1,480 yen.
And so begins a peaceful bus journey through the quiet island scenery.
Thank you very much for reading to the end.* The information posted is based on the publication date: 2025年5月16日.
* This site provides information only and does not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Use at your own risk.
* Contents, plans, and prices may change. Always check the official site for the latest details.
* This site does not substitute for professional medical, legal, or other advice. Consult experts when necessary.
* External links are included, but this site is not responsible for the content or privacy policies of linked sites.
* All content on this site is protected by copyright. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or copying is prohibited.
* The site reserves the right to update disclaimers without notice. The latest disclaimers take effect upon publication.
* The site is not responsible for any damages incurred by using its content.
* Technical issues or interruptions may occur, but the site is not liable for any resulting damages.
* This site respects all religions and beliefs and does not intend to discriminate against any.
-
Kintetsu HINOTORI Limited Express Review | Osaka to Nagoya Train Ride
Osaka-Namba - Kintetsu Nagoya: Limited Express Hinotori Experience! Time Required 2 hour Japan's train Ride
-
Hankyu Ferry Settsu Cruise Review | Fukuoka to Hyogo Travel Guide
Kobe, Hyogo - Shin-Moji, Fukuoka: Hankyu Ferry Settsu Experience! 12.5 hr Review of Japan's Overnight Ferry
-
Ferry Oki Cruise Review | How to Travel from Oki Islands
How to get to Oki Islands - Tottori / Shimane: Oki Kisen Ferry Oki Experience! 3 hr Review of Japan's Ferry
-
Ferry Kuniga Cruise Review | How to Travel to Oki Islands
How to get to Oki Islands - Tottori / Shimane: Oki Kisen Ferry Kuniga Experience! 3 hr Review of Japan's Ferry
-
Ferry Umiterashi Cruise Review | Tsushima to Fukuoka Travel Guide
Hitakatsu, Tsushima - Hakata, Fukuoka: Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Experience! 5 hr Review of Japan's Ferry