Japan

How to book ferries from Japan to Amakusa Islands

There are 4 ferry routes operating between Japan and Amakusa Islands offering you combined total of 81 sailings per week. Amakusa Takarajima Line operates 4 routes, Misumi to Hondo (Shimoshima) runs 18 times per week, Misumi to Matsuhima (Maeshima) about 3 times daily, Matsuhima (Maeshima) to Hondo (Shimoshima) about 3 times daily & Hondo (Shimoshima) to Matsuhima (Maeshima) about 3 times daily.

As the frequency and duration of crossings on some routes varies we would advise that you do a live search for crossings from Japan to Amakusa Islands to get the most up to date information.

Route map

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About Japan:

Japan is an island country in East Asia, divided into 47 prefectures and 8 regions in the Pacific Ocean.

With over 6,000 islands in total, Japan is defined by many different landscapes ranging from cherry blossom-clad hills and iconic volcanoes to ultra-modern cities showcasing the latest technological advances.

Tokyo, the capital, claims the most Michelin stars of any city in the world, so an exquisite sushi feast is never too far away. It also boasts a superb transportation system, an endless amount of bars and awe-inspiring structures, helping it become one of the most visited cities in Asia.

Travelling by ferry is a useful way to get around Japan, as it offers a substantial amount of routes within its many islands and prefectures, which are all operated by a wide range of excellent ferry operators. You can also sail to numerous international destinations including South Korea, China and Russia.

About Amakusa Islands:

Amakusa is a Japanese archipelago found just off the west coast of Kyushu, the southernmost of the four main islands.

This is a relatively remote region of Japan, known for its museums and white churches scattered across the hills, contrasting with the green landscape. Amakusa’s large, lush environments have earned the islands national Geo-park status as well.

There are three main islands named Shimoshima, Ueshima and Oyana and over a hundred smaller islets which are all connected by a series of bridges collectively called ‘Amakusa Gokyo’. These large structures provide some excellent viewpoints of the saw-toothed coastline and pods of bottle-nosed dolphins in the water.

The Amakusa Islands are close to the Japanese mainland, with frequent ferry routes from Misumi on Kumamoto Prefecture to a couple of ports on the island chain. It’s also easy to travel within the archipelago as there are numerous sailings between the ports of Hondo and Matsushima.