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On June 30, 2020, the Hankyu Ferry’s ‘Yamato’ commenced service on the Shinmoji-Kobe route, connecting Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture and Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture.
Taking over the name of the first-generation ‘Yamato,’ which operated from 2003 to March 10, 2020, the second-generation ‘Yamato’ has been in service since June 2020.
This time, I boarded the Hankyu Ferry YAMATO!
In this article, we will introduce the know-how you need to know in advance to enjoy the boat trip, as well as our impressions of the actual boat ride.
▼Article on our sister ship, the Hankyu Ferry Yamato
Hankyu Ferry YAMATO : Introduction of Specifications
- Ship Name: Hankyu Ferry – YAMATO
- Length: 195 meters
- Gross Tonnage: 16,292 tons
- Cruising Speed: 23.5 knots (43.52 km/h)
- Passenger Capacity: 663
- Cargo Capacity: 188 passenger cars, 277 trucks
Onboard Introduction of the Hankyu Ferry YAMATO
List of hours of use of onboard facilities of Hankyu Ferry YAMATO
Facility Usage time【Kitakyushu(Shinmoji)↔ Kobe】
| Facility name | inbound route（Sunday – Thursday） Departure from Shinmoji → arrival at Kobe |
inbound route（Friday・Saturday） Departure from Shinmoji → arrival at Kobe |
outbound route（Sunday – Thursday） Departure from Kobe → arrival at Shinmoji |
outbound route（Friday・Saturday） Departure from Kobe → arrival at Shinmoji |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information office | Night | boarding ~ 22:00 | boarding～ 23:00 | boarding ~ 22:00 | boarding～ 23:00 |
| Morning | 06:00 ~ Arriving at the port | 07:00 ～ Arriving at the port | 06:00 ～ Arriving at the port | 07:00 ～ Arriving at the port | |
| Restaurant | Night | 18:30 ~ 21:00 | 19:00 ~ 21:30 | 18:30 ~ 21:00 | 19:00 ~ 21:30 |
| Morning | 06:00 ~ Before arriving at the port | 07:00 ~ Before arriving at the port | 06:00 ~ Before arriving at the port | 07:00 ~ Before arriving at the port | |
| Gift Shop | Night | boarding ~ 22:00 | boarding ~ 23:00 | boarding ~ 22:00 | boarding ~ 23:00 |
| Morning | 06:00 ～ Arriving at the port | 07:00 ～ Arriving at the port | 06:00 ～ Arriving at the port | 07:00 ～ Arriving at the port | |
| Lights‐out | 22:00 ※standard Japanese / Western / single only |
23:00 ※standard Japanese / Western / single only |
22:00 ※standard Japanese / Western / single only |
23:00 ※standard Japanese / Western / single only |
|
| The morning inboard broadcast | 06:00 | 07:00 | 06:00 | 07:00 | |
| Fine-view room | Night | boarding ~ 22:00 | boarding ~ 23:00 | boarding ~ 22:00 | boarding ~ 23:00 |
| Morning | not available | not available | not available | not available | |
| Large communal bath | Night | boarding ~ 22:00 | boarding ~ 23:00 | boarding ~ 22:00 | boarding ~ 23:00 |
| Morning | 06:00 ~ Before arriving at the port | 06:30 ~ Before arriving at the port | 06:00 ~ Before arriving at the port | 06:30 ~ Before arriving at the port | |
| Shower room | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | |
| Karaoke room | not available | not available | not available | not available | |
| Smoking room | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | |
| Game corner | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | boarding ~ Arriving at the port | |
| Kids room | not available | not available | not available | not available | |
| Pet room | Night | boarding ~ 22:00 | boarding ~ 23:00 | boarding ~ 22:00 | boarding ~ 23:00 |
| Morning | 06:00 ~ Before arriving at the port | 07:00 ~ Before arriving at the port | 06:00 ~ Before arriving at the port | 07:00 ~ Before arriving at the port | |
| Transit time of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge | Around 00:15 | Around 01:25 | Around 01:05 | Around 02:35 | |
| Transit time of the Seto-ohashi Bridge | Around 02:20 | Around 03:35 | Around 22:45 | Around 00:15 | |
| Transit time of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge | Around 05:50 | Around 07:10 | Around 19:30 | Around 21:00 | |
The restaurant aboard the Hankyu Ferry YAMATO (5F)
Ferry Terminal and Access Information for Hankyu Ferry
Hankyu Ferry Bus Schedule
A fee is charged for the connecting bus from JR Izumifuchu Station (bus stop) (270 yen for adults, 140 yen for children).
No charge if you take the bus from Nankai Izumiotsu Station (bus stop).
Ferry departs at 17:30(Daily)
| Bus Stop | Time |
| JR Izumifuchu Station (bus stop) | 16:05 |
| ↓ | ↓ |
| Nankai Izumiotsu Sta.(bus stop) | 16:30 |
| ↓ | ↓ |
| Izumiotsu Ferry Terminal | 16:45 |
A fee is charged for the connecting bus from Hanshin Electric Railway’s Mikage Station bus stop(230 yen for adults).
Free of charge when boarding from Island Kitaguchi Station (bus stop).
Ferry departs at 18:30
| Hanshin Mikage Station | 16:28 | 16:55 | 17:23 |
| ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| Hankyu Mikage Station | 16:35 | 17:02 | 17:30 |
| ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| JR Sumiyoshi Station | 16:43 | 17:10 | 17:38 |
| ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| Island Kitaguchi Station (Rokko Liner) |
16:58 | 17:25 | 17:05 |
| ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| Ferry Sunflower boarding area | – | – | – |
| ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| Kobe Ferry Terminal | 17:05 | 17:32 | 18:00 |
Ferry departs at 20:00
| Hanshin Mikage Station | 16:28 | 16:55 | 17:23 | 17:55 | 18:25 | 18:45 |
| ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| Hankyu Mikage Station | 16:35 | 17:02 | 17:30 | 18:02 | 18:32 | 18:52 |
| ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| JR Sumiyoshi Station | 16:43 | 17:10 | 17:38 | 18:10 | 18:40 | 19:00 |
| ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| Island Kitaguchi Station (Rokko Liner) |
16:58 | 17:25 | 17:05 | 18:25 | 18:55 | 19:15 |
| ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| Ferry Sunflower boarding area | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| Kobe Ferry Terminal | 17:05 | 17:32 | 18:00 | 18:32 | 19:02 | 19:22 |
The port is approximately 35 minutes from JR Kokura Station and 20 minutes from JR Moji Station. A free connecting bus service is available.
Ferry to Izumiotsu departs at 17:30(Daily)
| JR Kokura Station, Shinkansen Guchi (North Exit) | 16:10 |
| JR Moji Station | 16:25 |
| Shin Moji Terminal 2 | 16:45 |
Ferry to Kobe departs at 18:40 (Sun.~Thu.)
| JR Kokura Station, Shinkansen Guchi (North Exit) | 17:20 |
| JR Moji Station | 17:35 |
| Shin Moji Terminal 1 | 17:55 |
Ferry to Kobe departs at 20:00 (Fri./Sat.)
The Departure Time Schedule for Hankyu Ferry
| Sea route | Departure time |
| Shinmoji → Izumiotsu | 17:30 → 06:00 (Daily) |
| Izumiotsu → Shinmoji | 17:30 → 06:00 (Daily) |
| Shinmoji → Kobe | 18:40 → 07:10 (Sun ~ Thu)、20:00 → 08:30 (Fri. / Sat.) |
| Kobe→ Shinmoji | 18:30 → 07:00 (Sun ~ Thu)、20:00 → 08:30 (Fri. / Sat.) |
The one-way trip takes about 12 hours and 30 minutes for all flights.
The type of ship differs depending on the boarding date, so please check the official website in advance for the ship you will be boarding!
▼Hankyu Ferry official website
How much is the fare/fee/price for boarding Hankyu Ferry YAMATO
Hankyu Ferry has four periods: A, B, C, and D.
The busyness level increases in order from A to D. Period D is set during the Golden Week and Obon seasons.
| Class | A Period | B Period | C Period | D Period |
| Royal | 26,400 yen | 28,600 yen | 28,600 yen | 30,800 yen |
| Suite | 20,020 yen | 22,220 yen | 22,220 yen | 24,420 yen |
| Deluxe Japanese&Western Style Room | 14,740 yen | 16,500 yen | 16,500 yen | 18,260 yen |
| Deluxe Western-style room for 2 | 14,740 yen | 16,500 yen | 16,500 yen | 18,260 yen |
| Deluxe Japanese style room | 14,740 yen | 16,500 yen | 16,500 yen | 18,260 yen |
| Deluxe Single | 12,100 yen | 13,860 yen | 13,860 yen | 15,620 yen |
| Deluxe 4-person room | 10,560 yen | 12,320 yen | 12,320 yen | 14,080 yen |
| Standard Single | 10,120 yen | 11,440 yen | 11,440 yen | 12,760 yen |
| Standard Western-style room | 8,580 yen | 9,900 yen | 9,900 yen | 11,220 yen |
| Standard Japanese-style room | 7,480 yen | 8,800 yen | 8,800 yen | 10,120 yen |
There are a total of 10 room types.
The rooms on board are almost the same as those in hotels. It is like being able to move around with only the cost of lodging.
Boarding fees vary depending on the time of year, so please check the official website for details.
▼Hankyu Ferry official website
https://www.han9f.co.jp/en/#top-fare
The Reservation Process for Hankyu Ferry YAMATO
Reservations can be made from 9:00 a.m. on the same day two months in advance.
| Phone reservation | – Shin-Monji platform(093-481-6581) – Kobe platform(078-857-1211) -Izumiotsu platform(0725-22-7171) |
| Book online (20% OFF discount!) | https://www.han9f.co.jp/en/reservations/input |
Hankyu Ferry: Cancellation and charges for cancellations in the event of typhoons
Cancellation of reservations (including cancellation of reservations made on the day of embarkation) will incur a separate fee.
| Refund conditions | Cancellation charges | ||
| vehicle | passenger (Guest rooms other than standard Japanese-style rooms) |
passenger (standard Japanese-style rooms) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 7 days prior to the departure date | 200 yen | 200 yen | 200 yen |
| Up to 2 days prior to the departure date | 10％ | 10％ | 200 yen |
| From 7 days prior to the departure date until the departure time | 30％ | 30％ | 200 yen |
| After departure | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Trip to USJ (Universal Studios Japan) by Hankyu Ferry
There is a tour product offered by Hankyu Transportation Company that takes you from Fukuoka to Osaka by Hankyu Ferry, enjoy a day at USJ, and quickly return by Shinkansen.
I did the usual calculations and found that the fare was -780 yen compared to the tour fare, which is thousands of yen less! It was not the case.
However, it is a good deal because it eliminates the process of arranging every single ride and the price is less than 800 yen (lol)
Comparison of prices between self-arranged and tour packaged tours
| Standard Western-style room (with Online discount) | 7,200 yen |
| Osaka to Hakata Shinkansen Nozomi | 15,280 yen (if getting off at JR Kokura Station – 1,000 yen) |
| USJ Studio Pass (weekday fare) | 8,900 yen |
| Tour fee 30,600 yen (weekday rate) | Total 31,380 yen |
The more people you have, the more difficult and flaky the arrangements tend to be in preparing for a trip, so if you plan to travel to USJ with more than one person, it is recommended that you apply for a travel package from Hankyu Kotsu-sha for peace of mind + lower prices!
▼Hankyu Express – Outbound ferry! Return trip by Shinkansen! Trip to Universal Studios Japan 2 days (1 night on board) Standard Western-style room
https://www.hankyu-travel.com/tour/detail_d.php?p_course_id=Y6FJ132&p_hei=60
Hankyu Ferry: Latest Information and Operating Status
The final decision on the operation of Hankyu Ferry in case of stormy weather will be made by noon of the same day, depending on the sea and weather conditions.
You can check the operation status and cancellation rate of Hankyu Ferry from the official website operated by Hankyu Ferry.
▼Latest operation status of Hankyu Ferry
Free Wi-Fi available on board Hankyu Ferry YAMATO
The paper listing the free Wi-Fi service on board indicated that it was available in the lobby.
The SSID is assigned the letters “HANKYUFERRY” followed by a number from 16 to 18, so please select the one that seems to have a good signal and try connecting.
By the way, Wi-Fi is available for 30 minutes for logging in on the first floor, and up to 4 floors per day, which is about 2 hours per day.
The count is reset at midnight.
Timetable of Major Bridges Along the YAMATO
Shinmonji – Kobe route
| Sea route | Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge | Great Seto Bridge | Akashi Kaikyo Bridge |
| Shinmoji ⇒ Kobe(Sun ~ Thu) | about 00:15 | about 02:20 | about 05:50 |
| Shinmoji ⇒ Kobe(Fri and Sat) | about 01:25 | about 03:35 | about 07:10 |
| Kobe ⇒ Shinmoji(Sun ~ Thu) | about 01:05 | about 22:45 | about 19:30 |
| Kobe ⇒ Shinmoji(Fri and Sat) | about 02:35 | about 00:15 | about 21:00 |
The Hankyu Ferry passes under three large bridges while underway.
It is usually difficult to see the bridges directly under the water, isn’t it?
Please take advantage of the good timing to go and see them!
My impressions of the Hankyu Ferry YAMATO
In this article, I would like to introduce my experience aboard the Hankyu Ferry YAMATO!
The journey from Fukuoka (Shin Moji Port) to Hyogo (Kobe Port) took about 12 hours and 30 minutes, but unlike an overnight bus, I was able to stretch out and sleep, walk around the ship, and take a bath, so it was a very comfortable experience.
It takes about 2 hours in total to get to the port from the city of Fukuoka Prefecture by train or bus to get the cheapest fare, so it is a bit far, but if you consider the physical burden, I recommend taking the boat!
If you are planning to take the Hankyu Ferry YAMATO, please be careful.
Have a nice trip! (^-^)/
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