Ferry Umiterashi Cruise Review | Tsushima to Fukuoka Travel Guide

Umiterashi
Hitakatsu, Tsushima - Hakata, Fukuoka: Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Experience! 5 hr Review of Japan's Ferry

Kyushu Yusen “Ferry Chikushi” Article

Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ride Report

  • Time: 16:00 → 20:55 (Approx. 4 hours 55 minutes)
  • Route: Tsushima (Hitakatsu Port) → Fukuoka (Hakata Port)
  • Seat: 2nd Class Room
  • Fare: ¥6,380 (at the time) *As of April 1, 2025: ¥7,540
busのアイコン

1:40 p.m., Hitakatsu Port (bus stop), Tsushima.
Today’s ride is on Kyushu Yusen’s “Umiterashi.”
The destination is Hakata Port in Fukuoka.
A sea journey of about five hours.

The boarding terminal is the “Hitakatsu Port Domestic Terminal.”
It’s about a 13-minute walk from the bus stop.
You’ll need to cross the bridge you can see from here.

It’s also possible to take a bus, but services are infrequent, and the timing might not line up well.
It would be helpful if Kyushu Yusen officially provided bus timetables, but this time I opted to walk.

If walking feels a bit tiring, taking a taxi is also an option.
The distance is short, but if you’re carrying luggage or it’s a hot summer day, it’s quite convenient.

portのアイコン

2:05 p.m., I arrived at the domestic terminal.
I completed the boarding procedure at the counter and received my boarding ticket.

Boarding was scheduled to begin at 3:40 p.m., so I might’ve arrived a bit too early.
I still had about an hour and a half before departure.

I spent the time strolling around the terminal area and quietly gazing at the sea near the port.

ticketのアイコン

At 3:40 p.m., a boarding announcement was made inside the terminal.

At the gangway leading to the ship, a crew member was tearing boarding passes.
After handing mine over, I received the stub in return.

I proceeded up the gangway and entered the ship.
From there, I climbed the stairs to the passenger cabin.

bedのアイコン

This ship has only shared seating, but a wide variety of room types—
large tatami rooms, chair seating, lounges, and salons—making it easy to find a spot that suits you.

At boarding, most corner spots were already taken, but I managed to secure an open corner in one of the large shared rooms.
I grabbed a loaner pillow and laid down to rest.

After placing my luggage, I did a light walk-through of the ship and headed for the observation deck.

ferryのアイコン

4:00 p.m., the ferry departed Hitakatsu Port right on time.
The five-hour voyage to Hakata Port had begun.

Shortly after departure, an onboard announcement played:
“Thank you for traveling with Kyushu Yusen’s Umiterashi today.”
“There are some waves at sea, so please watch your step when moving around the ship.”

With the waves in mind, I had to be careful about seasickness.
After watching the departure scenery for a while, I returned to my room and lay down to rest.

foodのアイコン

4:30 p.m., I bought some water and a pack of CalorieMate from the vending machine.
It’s not a good idea to stay on an empty stomach if you want to avoid seasickness.
I moved to the chair seating area and ate while enjoying the view outside.

It had been a while since I last had CalorieMate, and I forgot how dry it was—
I ended up drinking a lot of water just to get it down.
As a result, I felt overly full. A definite miscalculation.

After relaxing in the chair seating area for a while, I headed back to the large room
and decided to sleep before the ship started rocking more heavily.

ferryのアイコン

8:30 p.m., I woke up.
I hadn’t slept at all.

There was some rocking, but what was worse was the sound—
Waves constantly crashed against the hull with explosive, bell-like booms that echoed through the ship every few seconds.

It seemed like other passengers hadn’t slept much either.
It wasn’t just loud—it reverberated through your body, making you flinch involuntarily.
We’d been warned about the waves during the departure announcement,
but I hadn’t expected to be woken up by the sound itself.

Totally unexpected.

portのアイコン

A few minutes later, another onboard announcement was made.
At Hakata Port, the uppermost observation deck would be used as the disembarkation exit.
Hearing the announcement, passengers began gathering at the deck.

9:02 p.m., we arrived at Hakata Port, seven minutes behind schedule.
A movable ramp was quietly connected, and disembarkation began.

busのアイコン

After getting off the ship, I headed to the Hakata Pier bus stop.
From Hakata Pier to Hakata Station, it’s about a 15-minute bus ride (¥240).
The ship offers great accessibility to the city center.

This ferry is also popular among anglers—
since it departs Hakata at night and arrives in the morning, it perfectly lines up with the early morning fishing window.

According to my research, during winter, you can catch black porgy, Spanish mackerel, yellowtail, longtooth grouper, blackthroat seaperch, and squid.

Man, boarding a ferry with a fishing rod sounds like a great idea.
I’d love to ride this ferry to Tsushima again someday, just for fishing.

Umiterashi Ship Introduction

Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi docked at Hitakatsu Port in Tsushima
Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi docked at Hitakatsu Port in Tsushima
Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi docked at Hitakatsu Port in Tsushima
photo by mitemil

Ship Name – Kyushu Yusen Ferry Umiterashi
Launch Date – July 1, 2021
Length – 81.79 meters
Gross Tonnage – 1,125 tons
Cruising Speed – 17 knots (31.48 km/h)
Passenger Capacity – 176 passengers (economy class only)
Cargo Capacity – Approximately 43 vehicles

Umiterashi Cabin Types

Seats

Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Seats
Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Seats
Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Seats
photo by mitemil

Chair Seats

Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Chair Seats
Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Chair Seats
Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Chair Seats
photo by mitemil

Lounge Space

Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Lounge Space
Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Lounge Space
Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Lounge Space
photo by mitemil

Multipurpose Salon

Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Multipurpose Salon
Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Multipurpose Salon
Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Ferry Interior Multipurpose Salon
photo by mitemil

The multipurpose salon has both chairs and sofas.
The seats by the wall have power outlets and Type A USB ports.

Each seat has a power outlet.
Even if you forget your power strip but bring charging cables, you’re still covered.

Umiterashi Deck Map

Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi deck map

▼ Kyushu Yusen “Umiterashi” deck details page
https://www.kyu-you.co.jp/shipinfo/umiterashi.html

Umiterashi Interior Introduction

Entrance (1st Floor)

Entrance of Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
Entrance of Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
Entrance of Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi
photo by mitemil

Luggage Storage (1st Floor)

Luggage storage area inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Luggage storage area inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Luggage storage area inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
photo by mitemil

Information Desk (1st Floor)

Information desk inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Information desk inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Information desk inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
photo by mitemil

Wheelchair Space (1st Floor)

Wheelchair space inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Wheelchair space inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Wheelchair space inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
photo by mitemil

Vending Machine (1st Floor)

Vending machine inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Vending machine inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Vending machine inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
photo by mitemil

Elevator (1st/2nd Floors)

Elevator inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Elevator inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Elevator inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
photo by mitemil

Stairs (1st/2nd Floors)

Stairs inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Stairs inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Stairs inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
photo by mitemil

Toilet (1st Floor)

Toilet inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Toilet inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Toilet inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
photo by mitemil

Barrier-Free Toilet (1st Floor)

Barrier-free toilet inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Barrier-free toilet inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
Barrier-free toilet inside Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry
photo by mitemil

Smoking Area (1F)

Kyushu Yusen Umitarashi ferry smoking area
Kyushu Yusen Umitarashi ferry smoking area
Kyushu Yusen Umitarashi ferry smoking area
photo by mitemil

Outdoor Deck (1F/2F)

Kyushu Yusen Umitarashi ferry outdoor deck
Kyushu Yusen Umitarashi ferry outdoor deck
Kyushu Yusen Umitarashi ferry outdoor deck
photo by mitemil

Fishing Tackle Storage (2F)

Fishing tackle storage on the outdoor deck of the Kyushu Yusen Umitarashi ferry
Fishing tackle storage on the outdoor deck of the Kyushu Yusen Umitarashi ferry
Fishing tackle storage on the outdoor deck of the Kyushu Yusen Umitarashi ferry
photo by mitemil

Umiterashi Ferry Terminal & Access Methods

Fukuoka Prefecture, Hakata Port

Illuminated Hakata Port Second Terminal
Illuminated Hakata Port Second Terminal
Illuminated Hakata Port Second Terminal
photo by mitemil

Departure Point – Hakata Port 2nd Terminal
Bus – Hakata Wharf (Bus Stop) → Approximately 1 minute walk

Hakata Station West Japan City Bank Front F (Bus Stop) → Hakata Wharf (Bus Stop) Approximately 15 minutes | 240 yen

Things to Watch Out for When Taking the Bus

Both Bus Lines 88 and 99 head toward Hakata Port, but when taking a Kyushu Yusen ferry, make sure to take Bus Line 99.
Bus Line 88 will take you to the Hakata Port International Terminal, so be careful!

Tsushima, Hitakatsu Port

Hitakatsu Port Domestic Terminal
Hitakatsu Port Domestic Terminal
Hitakatsu Port Domestic Terminal
photo by mitemil

Departure Point – Hitakatsu Port Domestic Terminal
Bus – Hitakatsu Port (Bus Stop) → Approximately 15 minutes walk to the Domestic Terminal

Umiterashi Fare & Pricing

Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi Boarding Ticket

Hakata – Hitakatsu (Refer to the fare table from February 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025)

Adult: 6,780 yen
Child: 3,390 yen

Fares vary by season, so please check the latest information on Kyushu Yusen’s official website.

▼ Kyushu Yusen Official Fare Page
https://www.kyu-you.co.jp/price/index.html

Umiterashi Departure Times & Travel Duration

Hitakatsu Port Domestic Terminal Reception
  • Hakata (22:30) → Hitakatsu (03:25) Approximately 4 hours 55 minutes
  • Hitakatsu (16:00) → Hakata (20:55) Approximately 4 hours 55 minutes

Reservation Methods

Umiterashi does not have a general reservation system for regular passengers.

Reservations are only available for those boarding with vehicles or for groups of 15 or more via phone.

Unlike “Ferry Chikushi” and “Ferry Kizuna,” which have first-class and second-class reserved rooms, “Umiterashi” only has second-class seating, and seating is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis except for group reservations.

During busy periods, boarding restrictions may apply, so be sure to arrive early at the departure point and complete the boarding procedure.
(Group reservation passengers must complete the procedure at least 50 minutes before departure.)

Latest Information & Operational Status

The operation status and cancellation rate of Kyushu Yusen can be checked on the official site operated by Okikisen, or at “Kyushu Norimono Info.”

▼ Kyushu Yusen Ferry operation status can be checked at “Kyushu Norimono Info”
http://www.norimono-info.com/frame_set.php?disp=group&type=ship

▼ Kyushu Yusen official new updates list
https://www.kyu-you.co.jp/whatsnew/

Kyushu Yusen Onboard Wi-Fi

Information sheet about free Wi-Fi usage onboard the Kyushu Yusen Umiterashi ferry

There is free Wi-Fi onboard called “FreeSpot”.
It was possible to connect, but the signal strength fluctuated and was somewhat unstable, though it was still usable.

Kyushu Yusen Umitarashi FAQ

Can I book Kyushu Yusen ferries online? toggle icon

Online reservations are only available for Jetfoils. Membership registration is required.

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How can I reserve a ticket for Kyushu Yusen ferries? toggle icon

Reservations via phone are accepted from a month before departure until the day before for designated second-class, first-class, passengers with vehicles, and groups of 15 or more.
*Second-class free seating tickets are available only on a first-come, first-served basis at the port.

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Are there any discounts available for Kyushu Yusen ferries? toggle icon

There are no special discounts for phone or internet reservations.

Kyushu Yusen discounts are only for high-speed boats.

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How far in advance can I reserve a ticket for Kyushu Yusen ferries? toggle icon

Even with a reservation, it is not guaranteed that you can board if you arrive too close to departure time.
If you’re bringing a vehicle, you must complete check-in at least 90 minutes before departure.

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How far in advance should I make a reservation for a Kyushu Yusen ferry? toggle icon

Reservations via phone are accepted from a month before departure up until the day before.
Please confirm the vehicle’s length in advance using the vehicle registration document.
Reservations for special baggage (motorcycles, bicycles, etc.) are not available.

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Can I bring pets on Kyushu Yusen ferries? toggle icon

Small dogs and cats can be brought into the cabin if placed in a carrier or bag with the lid closed.
Large dogs are allowed only on the ferry’s deck.

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For more questions, please refer to the official Kyushu Yusen FAQ page.

▼Kyushu Yusen Official FAQ Page
https://www.kyu-you.co.jp/qa/index.html

Kyushu Yusen “Ferry Chikushi” Article

* The information posted is based on the publication date: 2025年5月16日.
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