Fukuoka to Iki and Tsushima – Review of FERRY UMITERASHI! Kyushu Yusen’s Cruise
UMITERASHI(うみてらし) is a ferry operated by Kyushu Yusen (九州郵船) that connects Fukuoka to Tsushima and Tsushima to Fukuoka, and started service on July 1, 2021 on the Fukuoka (Hakata Pier) – Tsushima (Hidakatsu) route.
The Waninoura district of Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, is home to Japan’s largest native population of the Hitotsubatago flower, which blooms in May each year. The 1,125-ton, 81.79-meter-long ship uses the Hitotsubatago’s alias UMITERASHI.
This time, we boarded the Kyushu Yusen UMITERASHI ! In this article, we will introduce the know-how that you should know in advance to enjoy the boat trip, as well as our impressions of the actual boarding experience.
The first place to visit after entering through the boarding gate is the entrance.
At the entrance, there was an information desk, restrooms, vending machines, hot and cold water machines, etc.
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luggage storage(1F)
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luggage storage(1F)
photo by mitemil
Baggage storage area on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
On the first floor, in front of the vending machines, there was a place to put suitcases and other baggage brought on board.
Luggage can be secured with a belt.
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information desk(1F)
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information desk(1F)
photo by mitemil
Information center on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
Blankets were available for rent at the information desk on the first floor.
They can be rented for 50 yen per piece, so use them during cold weather or when going to bed!
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Wheelchair space(1F)
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Wheelchair space(1F)
photo by mitemil
Wheelchair space on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
There is a space for wheelchairs in front of the information desk on the first floor.
The wheelchair space has a belt so that the wheelchair can be secured.
It looks like it can also hold a little luggage.
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Vending machine(1F)
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Vending machine(1F)
photo by mitemil
Vending machine on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
It was located right in the middle of the men’s and women’s toilet.
There are no stores on board, and food such as boxed lunches and cup noodles are not available.
The only food available is Calorie Mate and SoyJoy from the vending machine.
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Elevator(1F/2F)
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Elevator(1F/2F)
photo by mitemil
Elevator on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
During the voyage, you can use the elevator to go to the second floor and the first floor.
You can also go to the vehicle deck, but you cannot go there during the voyage because the vehicle deck is off-limits.
Next to the elevator, there are stairs that lead from the first floor to the second floor.
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Stairs(1F/2F)
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Stairs(1F/2F)
photo by mitemil
Stairs on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
The word “waniura” is on the wall.
Since the Waniura area of Tsushima is home to a colony of hitotsubatago (also known as umiterashi), the illustration looked as if hitotsubatago, which bloom in May, had bloomed on the slope of the mountain.
On the left side of the staircase was a poster with the words “safe voyage” and on the right side was a frame of “Umiterashi” written by Kayoko Tanaka, a calligrapher who lives in Tsushima.
The words “Umiterashi” are also written on the hull of the ship.
It is a very easy-to-read, beautiful stroke that fits the ship perfectly.
Incidentally, you can find illustrations of Umiterashi flowers scattered throughout the ship in various forms!
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Toilet(1F)
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Toilet(1F)
photo by mitemil
Toilets on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
The restrooms were located on the first floor of the ship.
There are three toilets: men’s, women’s, and barrier-free, but only one is located on the ship.
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Barrier-free toilets(1F)
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Barrier-free toilets(1F)
photo by mitemil
Barrier-free restrooms on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
The accessible restrooms are located on the first floor next to the information desk.
The barrier-free restroom was spacious enough and very clean inside.
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Smoking Corner(1F)
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Smoking Corner(1F)
photo by mitemil
Smoking area on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
The smoking area was located outside on the first floor, around the stern of the ship.
The smoking area was simple, with only a pole to sit on and one ashtray.
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Outdoor Deck(1F/2F)
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Outdoor Deck(1F/2F)
photo by mitemil
Outdoor deck on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
There were about 10 chairs in a row.
There were also trash cans, so please do not illegally dump your garbage from eating on the outdoor deck into the trash!
There are outdoor decks on the first and second floors, so we could enjoy different views from various angles!
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Fishing tackle storage box(2F)
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Fishing tackle storage box(2F)
photo by mitemil
Fishing tackle storage area on the outdoor deck of the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
There is a fishing tackle storage area on the observation deck.
On the right side is a fishing rod stand and on the left side is a place to put cooler boxes.
For those who go fishing in Tsushima, it is nice to have a dedicated place!
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!
The bridge was a relatively long distance from the bus stop to the harbor.
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UMITERASHI’s Timetable & Travel Time
Hakata → Hitakatsu
22:30→03:25
Hitakatsu → Hakata
16:00→20:55
How much is the fare/fee/price for boarding the UMITERASHI ?
Adult: 6,380 yen
Child: 3,190 yen
All seats on the “Umiterashi” are second-class rooms, so there are no private rooms, but there are a variety of seat types available.
UMITERASHI Room Types
Seat
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Seat
photo by mitemil
Seats on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
It was a full flat type room and spacious.
There is a sofa on the window side so you can sit and enjoy the view!
There were several leather pillows on the shelves.
There were common slippers in the shoe box, so it was convenient not to have to bother changing into shoes.
There were air purifiers in each area of the cabin.
There is also an electrical outlet in the area where the air purifier is located, so you can recharge your batteries.
There were three seating areas on the ship, including barrier-free seating.
The barrier-free seats had a wider entrance than the regular type seating area.
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Chair Seat
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Chair Seat
photo by mitemil
Chair Seat on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
The seating area was lined with fixed chairs that did not recline.
The reclining is not adjustable, but the structure is inclined.
Window seats offer a view of the voyage.
Curtains are available to block out outside light when sleeping.
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Lounge Space
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Lounge Space
photo by mitemil
Lounge space on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
It was located next to the seating area.
There are several sofas and chairs available.
The window sofas were popular and filled up quickly after boarding.
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Multipurpose Salon
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Multipurpose Salon
photo by mitemil
Multi-purpose salon on board the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
The multi-purpose salon had chairs and sofas.
The wall-side seats had outlet holes and Type A USB ports.
Each seat has an outlet hole.
I brought the charging cord but forgot the power strip! It’s a good thing to have a power strip.
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How do I make a reservation for UMITERASHI ?
There is no reservation system on the Umiterashi.
All seats are 2nd class, so it is first-come, first-served.
During peak season, boarding may be restricted, so it is necessary to arrive at the boarding area early (50 minutes prior to boarding for 2nd class groups with reservations) to complete boarding procedures.
About Umiterashi Discount
No special discounts were offered through Internet reservations.
Kyushu Yusen’s discount system is limited to high-speed vessels.
How many minutes in advance do I have to make a reservation for UMITERASHI?
If you arrive just before the ship departs, you may not be able to board even if you have a reservation.
If you wish to board a vehicle, you must complete the boarding procedures at least 1 hour and 30 minutes before departure, so be sure to arrive at the port well in advance.
UMITERASHI Latest Information & Operation Status
You can check the operation status and cancellation rate of Kyushu Yusen ferries on the official website operated by Kyushu Yusen or at “Kyushu Norimono Info.com”.
▼ Kyushu Norimono Info.com, where you can check the ferry operation status of Kyushu Yusen.
We were able to connect, but the connection was strong and weak, and rather unstable, but usable.
The Wi-Fi guide (published in December 2016) posted on the Ferry Chikushi, the last time I boarded the ship, included instructions for connecting the portable game console PS Vita.
Two years later, the Wi-Fi guide (issued in June 2018) on the ferry Umiterashi “PS Vita” connection instructions had disappeared (lol)
My impression of the UMITERASHI
This time I boarded the Umiterashi from Tsushima (Hidakatsu) to Fukuoka (Hakata).
The ship was very clean and very comfortable.
It takes about 5 hours one way between Tsushima and Hakata, so if you want to go sightseeing in Tsushima, you can fly, but why not take a relaxing and inexpensive ferry “Umiterashi”?
If you are going to board the ferry “Umiterashi”, please be careful!
Have a nice cruise!
※The posted information is as of the time of publication on February 16, 2024.
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