The Hankyu Ferry Yamato, which started service on June 30, 2020, connects Osaka and Fukuoka or Kobe and Fukuoka.

This time I had plans to travel from Hyogo Prefecture to Fukuoka Prefecture, so I boarded the ferry Yamato on the Kobe-Shin Moji route.

If you are planning to take the Hankyu Ferry Yamato for the first time, you may be asking yourself, “How much is the boarding fee? What time does the ferry depart? What’s it like on board? Where is the boarding area? I am sure there are many things you are wondering about.

In this article, we will introduce the inside of the ship and our impressions of the actual boarding experience on the Hankyu Ferry Yamato.

Ferry Yamato Ship Introduction

1. Total length: 195 meters
2. Gross Tonnage: 16,292 tons
3. Sailing Speed: 23.5 knots (43.52 km/h)
4. Passenger capacity: 663 passengers
5. Cargo capacity: 188 passenger cars, 277 trucks

Access & Boarding Terminal

Boarding from Osaka (Izumiotsu)

Boarding Terminal

Hankyu Ferry Izumiotsu Terminal

How to Access

Approximately 1 minute walk from Izumiotsu Ferry Terminal (bus stop)

Those who take the connecting bus from JR Izumifuchu Station must pay a fee (270 yen for adults, 140 yen for children).

Those who take the bus from Nankai Izumiotsu Station pay no fee!

Timetable of the connecting bus

Bus stop	時刻
JR Izumifuchu Station (bus stop)	16:05
↓	↓
Nankai Izumiotsu Station (bus stop)	16:30
↓	↓
Izumiotsu Ferry Terminal	16:45

Boarding from Hyogo (Kobe)

Boarding Terminal

Hankyu Ferry Kobe Terminal (Rokko Island)

How to access

The shuttle bus to Kobe Port is charged (230 yen for adults, 120 yen for children), but it is free for those who board from Island Kitaguchi Station (bus stop)!

Departure time of ferry to Shin Moji – 18:30 (Sun ~ Thu)

cost money		cost money		cost money		free
Hanshin Electric Railway Mikage Station	→	Hankyu Railway Mikage Station	→	JR Sumiyoshi Station	→	From Island Kitaguchi Station (Rokko Liner)	→	Via ferry ‘Sunflower’ stop	→	Kobe Ferry Pier
16:28	→	16:35	→	16:43	→	16:58	→	–		17：05
16:55	→	17:02	→	17:10	→	17:25	→	–	→	17:32
17:23	→	17:30	→	17:38	→	17:05	→	–	→	18:00

Departure time of ferry to Shinmoji – 20:00 (Fri and Sat)

cost money		cost money		cost money		free
Hanshin Electric Railway Mikage (bus stop)	→	Hankyu Railway Mikage Station (bus stop)	→	JR Sumiyoshi Station(bus stop)	→	From Island Kitaguchi Station – Rokko Liner(bus stop)	→	Via ferry ‘Sunflower’ stop	→	Kobe Ferry Pier
16:28	→	16:35	→	16:43	→	16:58	→	–	→	17：05
16:55	→	17:02	→	17:10	→	17:25	→	–	→	17:32
17:23	→	17:30	→	17:38	→	17:05	→	–	→	18:00
17:55	→	18:02	→	18:10	→	18:25	→	–	→	18:32
18:25	→	18:32	→	18:40	→	18:55	→	–	→	19:02
18:45	→	18:52	→	19:00	→	19:15	→	–	→	19:22

The Hankyu Ferry Kobe terminal was located next to the Miyazaki-bound terminal of the “Ferry Sunflower”.

If you are heading there by courtesy bus, make sure not to mistake the terminal for the Hankyu Ferry, as it is the last stop!

Boarding from Fukuoka (Shin Moji)

Boarding Terminal : Shin Moji Port Terminal 1 [bound for Kobe]

Boarding Terminal 2, Shin-Mojiko Port [bound for Izumiotsu]

How to access

The bus to Izumiotsu in Osaka leaves only once a day at 16:10, but the bus to Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture leaves twice a day at 17:20 and 18:40.

Free shuttle buses are available from Kokura Station and Moji Station in Fukuoka Prefecture.

I summarized the timetable of the shuttle bus to Hankyu Ferry and the schedule of the departure time of the ship in the table.

It takes about 35 minutes by bus from JR Kokura Station to Shinmoji Port, and about 20 minutes from JR Moji Station to Shinmoji Port.

Hankyu Ferry Shin Mojiko Bus Schedule

	JR Kokura Station Shinkansen Exit		JR Moji Station		Shin Moji Ferry Terminal
To Izumiotsu (daily)	16:10	→	16:25	→	16:45
To Kobe (Sun ~ Thu)	17:20	→	17:35	→	17:55
To Kobe (Fri and Sat)	18:40	→	18:55	→	19:15

It takes about 35 minutes from JR Kokura Station to Shin Moji Port by bus, and about 20 minutes from JR Moji Station to Shin Moji Port.

Timetable

Sea route	Sailing time
Shinmonji → Izumiotsu	17:30 → 06:00 (Daily)
Izumiotsu → Shinmonji	17:30 → 06:00 (Daily)
Shinmoji → Kobe	18:40 → 07:10 (Sun ~ Thu) , 20:00 → 08:30 (Fri and Sat)
Kobe→ Shinmoji	18:30 → 07:00 (Sun ~ Thu) , 20:00 → 08:30 (Fri and Sat)

All one-way flights take approximately 12 hours and 30 minutes.

Bording fare

Hankyu Ferry has three different periods: normal, peak, and special periods, each with different rates.

Depending on the time of year, you may be able to board the ferry at a discount rate!

Class	Fare (regular period)
Royal	Adult – 26,190 yen Child – 13,100 yen
Suite	Adult – 19,890 yen Child – 9,950 yen
Deluxe Japanese/Western Style Room	Adult – 14,660 yen Child – 7,330 yen
Deluxe Western-style room for 2	Adult – 14,660 yen Child – 7,330 yen
Deluxe Japanese style room	Adult – 14,660 yen Child – 7,330 yen
Deluxe Single	Adult – 12,040 yen Child – 6,020 yen
Deluxe Western-style room for 4 persons	Adult – 10,470 yen Child – 5,240 yen
Standard Western-style room	Adult – 8,370 yen Child – 4,190 yen
Standard Japanese-style room	Adult – 7,320 yen Child – 3,660 yen

There are a total of nine room types.

The fee during peak season and special periods is about +800 yen on top of the regular fee.

Boarding fares 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

How to make a reservation

Reservations can be made from 9:00 a.m. on the same day two months in advance.

Reservations at the counter

Reservations can be made at the Hankyu Ferry ticket counters located in the three ports of Shinmoji, Kobe, and Izumiotsu.

A completed form must be submitted to the counter to make a purchase.

Reservations by phone

Shinmoji Boarding Terminal	093-481-6581
Kobe Boarding Terminal	078-857-1211
Izumiotsu Boarding Terminal	0725-22-7171

Online reservations (the cheapest way to buy!)

For online reservations, you can purchase a boarding ticket at a 20% discount if you register for a free membership called “FUNET Reservation” and make an advance reservation on the Internet.

During the regular period when I boarded the ferry, the price for a deluxe single berth was 11,940 yen, but since I made a reservation online, the 20% online reservation discount was applied and I was able to board the ferry for 9,640 yen.

▼Hankyu Ferry Official Website reservations form

https://www.han9f.co.jp/en/reservations/input

OFF TIME

Lights on/off times are fixed only for standard Japanese-style, Western-style, and single rooms.

Lights on/off times for standard Japanese-style, Western-style, and single rooms

Sea route	Off time	Lighting time
Shinmoji ⇄ Izumiotsu(Daily)	22:00	05:00
Shinmoji ⇄ Kobe(Sun ~ Thu)	22:00	06:00
Shinmoji ⇄ Kobe(Fri and Sat)	23:00	07:00

The room will be lit shortly before the next morning’s morning shipboard announcement.

This time I booked a “Standard Western-style room”, the second cheapest shared room on the ferry Yamato.

The difference between a standard Western-style room and a large room was about 1,000 yen.

Standard Western-style rooms are located on the 5th floor of the ship.

Standard Western-style rooms have bunk beds, and those who reserve the lower bunk can place their luggage under the stairs.

Odd-numbered beds are on the bottom bunk and even-numbered beds are on the top bunk.

It looks small, but it is enough to lie down, so there was no problem.

However, since there is only one curtain, there is a risk of hearing other people snoring, so if this bothers you, I recommend bringing earplugs.

The snoring problem is a matter of luck, so let’s hope for good luck (laugh).

In-bed facilities

There were hangers, retractable shelves, lights, electrical outlets, vents, retractable tumblers, and coin lockers.

There was no wind in or out of the vents at all.

Backpacks and other hand luggage could be hooked up to the retractable hooks at the foot of the room, which was very helpful!

The coin lockers cost 100 yen, but you get 100 yen back when you unlock them.

There is only one outlet hole, so I recommend bringing an item that can be extended.

I always have one just in case, so I used it with an extension.

If you use a small power strip, the right side has a light switch, so you can only expand up to two, so takko-shi wiring would be better.

The power of the outlet hole is up to 125V1200W, so you can extend it with a small 3-outlet takkohaku wiring sold at 100 yen stores to charge your smartphone or camera all together!

Reference example of power

Classification	Wattage (W)
Type C quick charger for cell phones	100W
Normal type charger for cell phones	20~30W
Hair iron	150W~240W
Hot curler	45W~70W
Electric shaver	10W
Single lens reflex camera	3~4W
Notebook PC (MacBook Pro)	67W

Ship Introduction

Lobby

The lobby was right in front of us as we boarded the ship.

In terms of the ship’s structure, the lobby was on the 5th floor, and it was vaulted all the way to the 7th floor.

It is hard to believe that the structure is inside the ship (・∇・ 😉

Free Wi-Fi is available on the Hankyu Ferry, but it is out of range when you are inside your room, such as in your bedroom.

If you go to the lobby or other public spaces, you will be able to connect, so if you need internet access, please go to the lobby.

Free Wi-Fi

The free onboard Wi-Fi service table also 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 resets at midnight.

When I actually used the service, I selected a network with three incoming signals, but I could not connect properly because I had a poor connection and had to reconnect several times, resulting in a judgment that I connected four times within 30 minutes ( ´ ▽ ` ; )

I tried again at around 1:00 a.m. with a Google account login, and was able to connect to Wi-Fi.

The speed was below normal, but I was able to browse the Internet and play videos in high quality settings!

I was hesitant to reconnect because the connection was not working and I was tied up for 30 minutes, lol.

Inboard elevator

Incidentally, in addition to the stairs, there is an elevator in the center of each floor.

Even wheelchair users can easily move to each floor.

Information Center and Shops

Information Center and Shops Hours

Shinmoji ⇄ Izumiotsu	When embarking~22:00 / 5:00~ until the ship arrives at port
Shinmoji ⇄ Kobe(Sun ~ Thu)	When embarking~22:00 / 6:00~ until the ship arrives at port
Shinmoji ⇄ Kobe(Fri and Sat)	When embarking~23:00 / 7:00~ until the ship arrives at port

The store and information desk were located on the fifth floor of the ship.

The staff at the information desk broadcasts the ship’s announcements.

Amenity goods such as towels, slippers, shampoo, and razors are sold at the ship’s store, so those who could not prepare shower goods in advance can get them at the store!

The store also sells exclusive onboard goods and alcoholic beverages, so it is recommended to have an evening drink in the public spaces on each floor 🥂

Restaurants

The restaurant was located on the 6th floor of the ship.

Restaurant Hours

Shinmoji ⇄ Izumiotsu (Daily)	Evening – 17:30 – 20:00 Morning – 05:00 ~ before port
Shinmoji ⇄ Kobe (Sun ~ Thu)	Evening – 18:30 ~ 21:00 Morning – 06:00 ~ before port
Shinmoji ⇄ Kobe (Fri and Sat)	Evening – 19:00 ~ 21:30 Morning – 07:00 ~ before port

Hankyu Ferry restaurants are cafeteria-style, with prices set for each dish.

You put the dish you want to eat on a tray and bring it to the cashier to pay.

The restaurant is very spacious and has plenty of seating!

After receiving your meal, salad eaters pour the dressing provided, put disposable chopsticks and forks on the tray and take it to your seat.

There is a table for four by the window so you can enjoy your meal while enjoying the view outside.

If you have a seat with a window, you can enjoy the view even more.

The best part of being on a ship is eating while looking out at the sea (^O^)

I recommend you to have a window seat when you get on the ship!

I looked around the entire place and saw that there were condiments on every seat.

Drinks are free with free refills of water, hot water, and tea.

Restaurant Menu (Dinner)

1. Steak Teppan 1,200 yen, daily special Teppan-yaki 850 yen and up, Steak Donburi 1,250 yen, etc.
2. Gourmet Kyushu goodies – Sara udon 690 yen, chicken nanban 560 yen, char-grilled chicken 410 yen, etc.
3. Chinese and steamed dishes – Bean-curd soup with hot sauce (mapo doufu): 510 yen, hapohao chai (Chinese dish with eight treasures): 510 yen, etc.
4. Stewed and simmered fish – Oden 120 yen, simmered beef 410 yen, recommended simmered dishes 310 yen and up, etc.
5. Grilled and deep-fried dishes – Ginger yaki 460 yen, karaage 500 yen, etc.
6. Kyushu fish dishes – Kurose Buri, Kanmon Octopus, Miyabi Sea Bream, etc. from 460 yen, etc.
7. Salads and small bowls of food – vegetable salad 260 yen and up, vinegared motsu 320 yen, cod roe 310 yen, etc.
8. Desserts – Fruit punch 310 yen, coffee jelly 260 yen, etc.
9. Rice – Rice 200 yen, rice with 16 grains 200 yen, Takana rice balls 260 yen, curry rice 650 yen, etc.
10. Soup – Miso soup 150 yen, pork soup 260 yen, shellfish soup 260 yen, seasonal soups 250 yen and up, etc.

Restaurant Menu (Breakfast)

1. Toast 210 yen
2. Bacon and eggs 280 yen
3. Fried eggs 180 yen
4. Grilled fish 210 yen and up
5. Vegetable salad 260 yen and up, etc.
6. Chilled tofu 150 yen, cod roe 310 yen, etc.
7. Natto (fermented soybeans) 90 yen
8. Morning udon and soba 400 yen
9. Miso soup 150 yen
10. Rice 200 yen
11. Other

The restaurant menu is extensive, with different dishes available for “dinner” after the ship leaves port and for “breakfast” the next day.

There are also seasonal menus that vary depending on the time of year you board the ship.

After finishing our meal at the restaurant, a sign erected on the exit walkway read, “The restaurant is open for business after closing.” It read, “The restaurant will be open after closing.

Promenade

The promenade is located on the 6th floor next to the restaurant.

There are many windows so you can see the outside scenery during the voyage!

Game Corner

The game corner was located on the fifth floor.

The game corner had several UFO catchers and slot machines.

It is nice to have a little place to play on a ship that tends to be boring.

The game corner can be accessed at any time from the time of embarkation until the ship enters port!

Kids’ Room

There was also a place for young children to play.

There was a small slide and a TV where they could play a little while watching cartoons.

Incidentally, Tom and Jerry was playing on the TV.

It is located in front of the lobby, so parents can sit in the lobby and watch their children.

The kids’ corner can be accessed at any time from the time of embarkation until the ship arrives in port.

Restroom

The restrooms on board were neat and clean.

There are two men’s and two women’s restrooms on the 5th and 6th floors, and one on the 7th floor.

There is a multipurpose restroom only on the 5th floor, but there is a diaper changing table.

It is good that the ferry has nursing rooms, kids’ rooms, and other facilities for passengers with babies on board( ´ ▽ ` )

Smoking room

There are two smoking areas, one each on the 5th and 6th floors and one on the 7th floor.

There were two curved poles to sit on for a moment.

Hot water supply room

Cold water is available in the hot water supply room.

Used paper cups are disposed of in the trash bin located under the cold water machine.

Vending machine corner

In addition to vending machines selling drinks such as juice and tea, there were also vending machines selling cup noodles.

The vending machine corner was also equipped with a machine for charging smartphones and a microwave oven for heating food.

I appreciated this because I could heat up onigiri (rice balls), bread, etc. to eat.

There was also a vending machine dedicated to alcohol!

Relaxation room

The relaxation room was located on the 5th floor of the ship.

The relaxation room could be used at any time from the time of embarkation to before the ship entered port!

There were 3 massage chairs available for 200 yen per 15 minutes.

It is available anytime from embarkation to disembarkation.

Karaoke Room

Karaoke room hours

Embarkation – before lights out

Karaoke Room Rates

1 room

3,000yen

There were two karaoke rooms, A and B, on the fifth floor near the ship’s parking lot.

Observation room

Observation Room Hours

Shinmonji ⇄ Izumiotsu(Daily)	Night – When boarding ~ 22:00 Morning – Not available
Shin-Monji ⇄ Kobe (Sun ~ Thu)	Night – When boarding ~ 22:00 Morning – Not available
Shin-Monji ⇄ Kobe (Fri and Sat)	Night – When boarding ~ 23:00 Morning – Not available

The observation room was located on the sixth floor of the ship.

The observation room had a completely different and more relaxed atmosphere than the public spaces on the ship.

The floor was decorated with firework patterns and very beautiful (*´ω｀*)

The place was very quiet and very cozy.

Super recommended for couples as it is too romantic!

Open-air bath and large bath

Public bath hours

Shinmonji ⇄ Izumiotsu(Daily)	Night – upon embarkation – 22:00 Morning – 04:30 until the ship enters port
Shin-Monji ⇄ Kobe (Sun ~ Thu)	Night – upon embarkation – 22:00 Morning – 06:00 until the ship enters port
Shin-Monji ⇄ Kobe (Fri and Sat)	Night – upon embarkation – 23:00 Morning – 06:30 until the ship enters port

The large bathroom was located on the seventh floor.

The blue curtain is for men and the red curtain is for women.

From the bathtubs in the large baths, it looks like you can see the whole ocean during the voyage.

In addition to the large baths, there were also private shower rooms.

Shower room

Shower rooms are available at any time from the time of embarkation until before embarkation.

The time it takes for the hot water to come out varies depending on the strength of the angle you press.

When I used the shower, I measured the time that the hot water kept coming out by feel, and it was about 30 seconds at the maximum.

Rinse-in shampoo and body soap are provided in the shower room.

The small window in the shower room offers a view of the outside!

Observation lobby

The observation lobby was on the seventh floor, the top floor of the ship.

It is located next to the respective entrances for the men’s and women’s large bathrooms I mentioned earlier.

Of course you can enjoy the scenery on the observation deck outside, but since the wind is strong during the voyage, you can fully enjoy the outside scenery in the observation lobby.

The observation lobby was decorated with photos showing past Hankyu Ferry vessels that were in service in the past.

Observation Deck

The observation deck was located on the top seven floors of the ship.

The observation deck had a few chairs and tables.

It is sometimes crowded with passengers when the ship passes through the three major bridges or when it leaves port.

Time schedule of the bridges that the ship passes through during the voyage

The Hankyu Ferry passes under three large bridges.

You don’t usually see many bridges, but the position directly under a bridge hanging over the sea is especially difficult to see.

It is a privilege for passengers on the ship to see the huge bridges from directly below, so please try to time your visit accordingly!

Shinmoji – Izumiotsu route

Sea route	Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge	Great Bridge Seto	Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
Shinmonji ⇒ Izumiotsu	about 23:00	about 01:00	about 04:40
Izumiotsu ⇒ Shinmonji	about 00:00	about 21:40	about 18:35

Shinmoji – Kobe route

Sea route	Kurushima Strait Bridge	Great Bridge Seto	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

To close

In this issue, I would like to introduce our experience aboard the Hankyu Ferry “Yamato”!

The trip from Hyogo to Fukuoka 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.

For those who live in the city of Fukuoka Prefecture, it takes about 2 hours in total to get to the port from Hakata by train or bus to get the cheapest fare, so it is a bit far!

If you are planning to take the Hankyu Ferry Yamato, please be careful.

Have a nice boat trip! (´∀｀*)