Ferry Chikushi is operated by Kyushu Yusen and connects Fukuoka (Hakata Pier) to Iki (Ashibe Port) and Tsushima (Izuhara Port).

Ferry Chikushi started service on the Hakata-Tsushima route on April 1, 1994, and celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024.

In this article, we boarded the Kyushu Yusen Ferry Chikushi!
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 boarding experience.

▼Article on Kyushu Yusen UMITERASHI

Fukuoka to Iki and Tsushima – Review of FERRY UMITERASHI! Kyushu Yusen’s Cruise

FERRY CHIKUSHI : Introduction of Specifications

1. Ship Name : Kyushu Yusen – Ferry Chikushi
2. Date of Commencement : April 1, 1994
3. Length : 97.37 meters
4. Gross Tonnage : 1,926 tons
5. Sailing Speed : 19 knots (35.18km/h)
6. Passenger Capacity : 674 passengers
7. Cargo Capacity : Approx. 80 cars

Onboard Introduction of the FERRY CHIKUSHI

Main Entrance(2F)

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Main Entrance(2F)

photo by mitemil

Main entrance on board the Kyushu Yusen Chikushi ferry

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The entrance is right in front of you as you enter the embarkation hall.

If you have reserved a 2nd class cabin, use the stairs immediately in front of you as you enter the embarkation entrance to go to the lower level (B deck).

In the middle of the entrance is the Sky Lounge, which only those with 1st class reservations are allowed to enter.
There is a passageway just behind the stairs to the Sky Lounge.

In the passageway, there are information boards about Iki and Tsushima, frames showing various rope shapes and ship’s equipment in miniature size, a panel of the international signal flag, and materials about Ferry Chikushi.

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Information desk(2F)

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Information desk(2F)

photo by mitemil

Information center on board Kyushu Yusen Ferry Chikushi

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The information desk is located on the second floor near the main entrance.
If you have any problems, please consult with us.

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Vending machine(2F)

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Vending machine(2F)

photo by mitemil

Vending machine on board the Kyushu Yusen Chikushi ferry

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In addition to beverages, vending machines were available for cup noodles and ice cream.

Cup noodle vending machines were located on the second floor.
Hot water for cup noodles is available at two water stations on the first floor.

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Water Heater & Chiller(1F)

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Water Heater & Chiller(1F)

photo by mitemil

Water heater and chilled water machine on board Kyushu Yusen Ferry Chikushi

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There were two hot water heaters on the first floor.

In my personal opinion, it was a little troublesome to have to go down the stairs to pour hot water for cup noodles.
If the sea is rough, the ship will be rocking, so you need to be careful not to get burned by overflowing hot water poured into the cup noodles.

If you have reserved a 1st or 2nd class room, you have to go back up to the 2nd floor with hot water, so I personally wish there was a hot water heater on the 2nd floor.

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Passenger Bench Seat(1F/2F)

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Passenger Bench Seat(1F/2F)

photo by mitemil

Passenger bench seats on board the Kyushu Yusen Chikushi ferry

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Benches were lined up outside on the first and second floors.
Those who boarded the morning flight could enjoy the open sea!

Ashtrays were placed on the pillars in the passenger bench seating.
It is a little far from the bench seats, so it seems that you cannot smoke while sitting down.

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Fishing Tackle Organizer(2F)

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Fishing Tackle Organizer(2F)

photo by mitemil

Fishing tackle storage area on the outdoor deck of the Kyushu Yusen Chikushi ferry

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It seems that many people heading to Iki and Tsushima go fishing, so a fishing tackle storage box was provided on the observation deck.

The fishing tackle storage box is a great place for fishing enthusiasts (^-^)

It is said that large horse mackerel can be caught on Iki Island between December~March!

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Game Corner(6F)

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Game Corner(6F)

photo by mitemil

Isolated game corner outside the Kyushu Yusen Chikushi Boat

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The game corner was located on the second floor near the passenger bench seats.
The game corner had retro arcade games such as Tetris, which was popular in the past, and slot machines.

The arcade games cost 100 yen per play.
There were five slot machines at the entrance in front of the second-class cabin on the first floor.

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

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toilet(1F/2F)

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toilet(1F/2F)

photo by mitemil

Toilets on board Kyushu Yusen Ferry Chikushi

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There are three restrooms on the first floor and one on the second floor of the ship.
Only one toilet on the first floor was located outside.

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Sky lounge(2F)

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Sky lounge(2F)

photo by mitemil

Sky Lounge on board the Kyushu Yusen Chikushi ferry

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There is a “Sky Lounge” that only those who have reserved a first-class room are allowed to enter.
On the way up the stairs, there was a panel that read “Sky Lounge: No one except first-class passengers may use this lounge. Captain Ferry Chikushi.

Incidentally, there was also a sign posted on the door of the Sky Lounge (lol).
I was able to enter the Sky Lounge because I reserved a first-class cabin!

Since it is not easy for anyone to enter, the inside of the Sky Lounge was very clean compared to the corridors and rooms on the ship.
The Sky Lounge has a 360 degree view of the outside.

There was only one place where a TV was set up.

The sky lounge can also be accessed outside through a door.
There was also an ashtray on the fence, so smoking is possible.

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Kyushu Yusen FERRY CHIKUSHI’s Room Type

There are three room types on the ferry Chikushi: 1st class rooms, 2nd class designated rooms, and 2nd class rooms.

There were eight 1st class rooms from A to H, four 2nd class designated rooms from A to D, and eight 2nd class rooms.

The first-class rooms were named after famous places around Tsushima and Iki Island.

1. 白嶽（SHIRATAKE）
2. 浅芽湾（ASO-WAN）
3. 万関（MANZEKI）
4. 蛇ヶ谷（JAGATANI）
5. 左京鼻（SAKYOBANA）
6. 筒城浜（TSUTSUKIHAMA）
7. 石屋根（ISHIYANE）
8. 猿岩（SARUIWA）

The pillows were made of a cushion type material with a cushion around it and the center was like a pipe pillow with straws cut into rings. The blankets were fireproof and had been washed, so they smelled good (^-^).

The first class rooms were private rooms for 4 and 8 people.

It is a private room, but the not-so-good thing is that you cannot rent it out.

In the case of a 4-person room, at least 4 futons and pillows are provided in one room, so other people may use the room.

If you are lucky, you may be able to reserve a room for one person.

The first-class rooms were equipped with one electrical outlet, an air purifier, hangers, shared slippers, a wardrobe mirror, disposable Japanese paper pillowcases, translucent sanitary bags, and a television.

Ferry Chikushi: The difference between 1st and 2nd class

The difference between 1st and 2nd class rooms is that 1st class rooms are private rooms and 2nd class rooms are shared rooms.

I booked a 1st class room and boarded the ship this time, but according to the booklet inside the room, “If there are many passengers on the ship, you may end up sharing a room.

Indeed, for a private room, there were four sets of pillows and blankets in the room (laugh).

If you end up sharing a room, what is the point of paying a lot of money for a private room? I guess, but the maximum number of people in a first-class room is limited to 4, so even if you end up sharing a room with other people, it is recommended for those who don’t like crowds, since you will spend time with the minimum number of people!

There is a risk of sharing a room, but on the late night flight I boarded, there were not many people, so I was able to use a private room for a private charter!

FERRY CHIKUSHI’s Ferry Terminal & Access

Fukuoka

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Fukuoka

photo by mitemil

Hakata Pier Terminal 2 at night, illuminated

Boarding Point – Hakata Pier Terminal 2
Bus – Approx. 1 minutes on foot from Hakata Pier (Bus Stop)

It took about 15 minutes by bus from Hakata Station Nishi-Nippon City Bank F (bus stop) to Hakata Futo (bus) (240 yen)

Things to keep in mind when heading out by bus

Lines 88 and 99 both go to Hakata Port, but if you want to take a Kyushu Yusen boat, please take line 99.
If you take line 88, you will go to Hakata Port International Terminal, so be careful!

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Iki Island

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Iki Island

photo by mitemil

Ashibe Port on Iki Island

Boarding Point – Ashibe Port Terminal Building
Bus – Approx. 1 minutes on foot from Ashibe Port (bus stop)

Boarding Point – Gonoura Port Terminal
Bus – Approx. 1 minutes on foot from Gonoura Port (bus stop)

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Tsushima

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Tsushima

photo by mitemil

Izuhara Port in Tsushima

Boarding Point – Izuhara Port New Domestic Terminal Building
Bus – Approx. 1 minutes on foot from Izuhara Domestic Terminal (bus stop)

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FERRY CHIKUSHI’s Timetable & Travel Time

The time required

Hakata to Iki – Approx. 2 hours and 20 minutes
Hakata to Izuhara – Approx. 4 hours and 40 minutes

Basic departure and arrival times are as shown above, but extra flights are added during peak season.

The number of flights varies depending on the time of year, so please check the official website in advance before boarding.

▼ Kyushu Yusen official website

https://www.kyu-you.co.jp/route/#timetable

If you take the ferry, you can sleep until 7 a.m. in Tsushima if you take the overnight flight!

When I boarded the late-night flight, the crew asked me, “When you arrive at the port of Izuhara in Tsushima, you can rest on board until 7:00 a.m. What would you like to do?” I answered “Yes! I answered “Yes!

There is a bus stop called “Izuhara Domestic Terminal” at Izuhara Port, but the first bus leaves at 07:03 in the morning.

The first departure is at 07:03 in the morning, and the night sea arrives at Itsukuba at 04:45, so I have about 2 hours and 15 minutes to spare, which is a very conscientious service.

There are two disembarkations at Itsukuba Port, so the bridge will be detached after the first disembarkation.

Those who stay on board until early morning will not be allowed to leave the ship until the second disembarkation.

Sleeping is not allowed on temporary vessels.

Temporary vessels deployed during busy periods such as ship docking periods and Golden Week do not offer the service of sleeping on board until morning.

Please note that this service is provided on regular vessels during regular periods of general assignment!

How much is the fare/fee/price for boarding the FERRY CHIKUSHI ?

Boarding fees vary depending on the time of year, so please check the official website in advance before boarding.

▼Kyusyu Yusen official website (Fare chart)

https://www.kyu-you.co.jp/price/

Free Wi-Fi available on board Kyushu Yusen Ferry Chikushi

There is free Wi-Fi on board.

The connection guide was published in December 2016 and even included a guide to Wi-Fi connection for the then-popular PS Vita game console (lol).

I actually connected it and checked the signal status, and the connection was not that stable.

However, once connected, the connection was somewhat stable at times, so I was able to browse the web without any problems!

FERRY CHIKUSHI Latest Information & Operation Status

You can check the operation status and cancellation rate of Kyushu Yusen Ferry Chikushi from the official website operated by Kyushu Yusen or “Kyushu Norimono Info.com”.

▼Yusen Ferry Chikushi operation status can be checked at “Kyushu Norimono Info.com”.

http://www.norimono-info.com/frame_set.php?disp=group&type=ship

▼KYUSHU YUSEN List of Official Site New Arrivals

https://www.kyu-you.co.jp/whatsnew/

My impression of the FERRY CHIKUSHI

This time, I boarded the “Ferry Chikushi” from Hakata Pier to Tsushima (Itsukuba).

I actually boarded the ferry, and since it was a late-night flight, I thought I would have to wait in the terminal for 3 hours after arrival until the bus arrived, but I was very grateful for the service that allowed me to sleep on the ship even after disembarkation time.

It was cold when we boarded the ship this time, but it was very warm and comfortable inside the ship!

I was told that the ship would rock a lot depending on the height of the waves, but the sea was not too rough when I boarded, so it did not rock that badly.

If you are going from Fukuoka to Iki or Tsushima by ferry Chikushi, please be careful!

Have a nice trip!(^-^)/

▼Article on Kyushu Yusen UMITERASHI

Fukuoka to Iki and Tsushima – Review of FERRY UMITERASHI! Kyushu Yusen’s Cruise