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Know the rule before you reach the ramp

Japan ferry rules, route by route.

Check whether to book, how early to arrive, what can travel with you, and which terminal to use. Only routes that answer all five questions from official operator information are listed.

Official-source coverage 21

routes across 11 operators

Official-source route database. All 21 A-rated routes open as individual booking and boarding guides.

Live schedules and prices

Compare ferries to and within Japan

When you are ready to book, compare current sailings and prices on Direct Ferries. Availability and fares are provided by the booking site, not this rules database.

Compare ferries and prices ↗
Five questions answeredBooking, arrival, modes, terminal and procedure.
No live claimsFares, schedules, delays and availability are intentionally excluded.
Held routes stay outNine B-rated routes are not shown as publication pages.

Find a route

Search by port or ferry operator

21 verified routes

Browse by sailing region

Hokkaido & Tohoku

6 routes
Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry A · verified

Aomori - Hakodate

regional vehicle ferry

Latest check-in
40 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry A · verified

Aomori - Muroran

regional vehicle ferry

Latest check-in
40 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Taiheiyo Ferry A · verified

Nagoya - Sendai

long-distance Pacific ferry

Latest check-in
Foot 60 min · vehicle 90 min
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
MOL Sunflower A · verified

Oarai - Tomakomai

long-distance overnight ferry

Latest check-in
Foot 75 min · vehicle 135 min
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry A · verified

Oma - Hakodate

regional vehicle ferry

Latest check-in
40 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Taiheiyo Ferry A · verified

Sendai - Tomakomai

long-distance Pacific ferry

Latest check-in
Foot 60 min · vehicle 90 min
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle

Browse by sailing region

Sea of Japan & Sado

2 routes
Sado Kisen A · verified

Naoetsu - Ogi

regional car ferry

Latest check-in
30 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Sado Kisen A · verified

Niigata - Ryotsu

regional car ferry

Latest check-in
30 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle

Browse by sailing region

Kansai, Shikoku & Kyushu

13 routes
Setonaikai Kisen A · verified

Hiroshima - Matsuyama

daytime cruise ferry

Latest check-in
20 min before departure
Booking
Optional
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Hankyu Ferry A · verified

Izumiotsu - Shinmoji

overnight Seto Inland Sea ferry

Latest check-in
60 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Miyazaki Car Ferry A · verified

Kobe - Miyazaki

overnight Pacific ferry

Latest check-in
60 min before departure
Booking
Reserve first
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
MOL Sunflower A · verified

Kobe - Oita

overnight Seto Inland Sea ferry

Latest check-in
60 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Hankyu Ferry A · verified

Kobe - Shinmoji

overnight Seto Inland Sea ferry

Latest check-in
60 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Jumbo Ferry A · verified

Kobe - Shodoshima

island vehicle ferry

Latest check-in
30 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Jumbo Ferry A · verified

Kobe - Takamatsu

short-distance vehicle ferry

Latest check-in
30 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
MOL Sunflower A · verified

Osaka - Beppu

overnight Seto Inland Sea ferry

Latest check-in
60 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
MOL Sunflower A · verified

Osaka - Shibushi

overnight Seto Inland Sea ferry

Latest check-in
60 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Orange Ferry A · verified

Osaka - Toyo

overnight Seto Inland Sea ferry

Latest check-in
30 min before departure
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Ocean Tokyu Ferry A · verified

Tokushima - Shinmoji

long-distance coastal ferry

Latest check-in
Foot 30 min · vehicle 60 min
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Ocean Tokyu Ferry A · verified

Tokyo - Tokushima

long-distance coastal ferry

Latest check-in
Foot 30 min · vehicle 60 min
Booking
Recommended
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
Tokyo Kyusyu Ferry A · verified

Yokosuka - Shinmoji

long-distance overnight ferry

Latest check-in
60 min before departure
Booking
Reserve first
FootCarMotorcycleBicycle
No publication-ready route matches that search.
Routes with unresolved boarding questions are intentionally excluded.