Jetfoil Toppy & Rocket Cruise Review | How to Travel to Kagoshima

9:10 a.m., Tanegashima Nishinoomote Port.
Today’s boarding ship is the Taneyaku Jetfoil “Rocket 2.”
The destination is Yakushima Miyanoura Port. The journey takes about 50 minutes.

First, I completed the boarding procedures at the ticket counter.
Since seat reservation was possible, I chose a window seat on the 2nd floor.
After receiving my boarding ticket, I waited seated on a chair inside the terminal.
Waiting for the ship to arrive.

Today the wind is strong, and the palm trees at Nishinoomote Port sway wildly.
On such days, waves tend to be high, but with a jetfoil, there is less worry.

Jetfoils have powerful engines and hulls designed to reduce water resistance.
They are less affected by waves and do not rock as much as large ships.
Speed and stable navigation are their key features.

This trip takes about 50 minutes.
Unless you are severely sleep-deprived, seasickness should not be a concern.

At 9:05 a.m., “Rocket 2” arrived at the port, carrying passengers from Kagoshima.
The terminal area quickly became lively with people getting off.

Fifteen minutes later, boarding announcements started.
I had my boarding ticket scanned by the staff and finally entered the ship.
A crew member directed me to the luggage storage on the 1st floor, saying, “Please leave large luggage here.”
It seems the rule is to check in your luggage before heading to your seat.

After leaving my luggage, I went up to the 2nd floor seating area.

I arrived at my seat on the 2nd floor.
Above the window seat, there was a shelf for placing luggage.

The interior resembles a large airplane and is much more spacious than I had imagined.
A small TV monitor was installed in front of the seat.
However, due to backlighting, the screen was barely visible.
It might be nice to just enjoy the audio like a radio.

At 9:40 a.m., the ship departed Nishinoomote Port on schedule.
An onboard announcement followed immediately.

“Dear passengers,
Thank you very much for choosing Taneyaku Jetfoil Rocket 2 today.
We are now departing for Yakushima Miyanoura Port.”

The announcement used the term “boarding,” which gave the atmosphere a bit like an airplane.
The female crew wore scarves around their necks, like flight attendants.
Passengers were required to fasten seat belts.
It really felt like we were about to take off into the sky.

At 10:32 a.m., the ship arrived at Yakushima Miyanoura Port, 2 minutes behind schedule.
Though delays were possible due to sea conditions, the actual delay was minimal.
There was no significant impact.

An announcement for disembarkation was made, seat belts were unfastened, and we headed down to the 1st floor.
I retrieved my checked luggage and got off the ship.

Outside the port was a long line of passengers returning to Kagoshima.
It was a typical busy weekend scene.

I had wanted to explore Yakushima right away, but unfortunately it was raining.
The forecast calls for clear weather tomorrow morning, so I will stay overnight on the island.
Now, time to take a walk around Yakushima.

■Boarding Location: Kagoshima Office (Minami Pier)
■Address: 5 Honkō Shinmachi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture 892-0814
■Phone Number: 0570-004015

■Boarding Location: Ibusuki Office
■Address: 1274-15 Minato 4-chome, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture 891-0405
■Business Hours: 07:15–10:00, 16:00–17:00
■Phone Number: 0570-00-4015

■Boarding Location: Nishinoomote Office
■Address: 49-1 Nishimachi, Nishinoomote City, Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture 891-3111
■Business Hours: 07:00–17:00 (Saturday, Monday) 06:00–17:00
■Phone Number: 0570-00-4015

■Boarding Location: Miyano-ura Office
■Address: 1208-11 Miyano-ura, Yakushima Town, Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture 891-4205
■Business Hours: 08:30–17:00
■Phone Number: 0570-004015

■Boarding Location: Anbo Office
■Address: 176-1 Anbo, Yakushima Town, Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture 891-4311
■Business Hours: 06:00–15:00
■Phone Number: 0570-004015