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Japanese Overnight Ferry Route Comparison
Three overnight routes, compared only on conditions published by the operators. Each value links to its source. Anything we could not confirm is marked Not confirmed. It does not mean “no”. Last checked 2026-10-05. We do not show fares.
Route overview
| Condition | Niigata ⇄ Otaru | Osaka ⇄ Beppu | Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Shin Nihonkai Ferry 新日本海フェリー | MOL Sunflower (Ferry Sunflower) 商船三井さんふらわあ | Meimon Taiyo Ferry (City Line) 名門大洋フェリー |
| Region | Honshu (Sea of Japan coast) – Hokkaido | Kansai – Kyushu (Seto Inland Sea) | Kansai – Kyushu (Seto Inland Sea) |
| Ships | Lavender, Azalea | Sunflower Kurenai, Sunflower Murasaki | Ferry Osaka II, Ferry Kitakyushu II, Ferry Kyoto, Ferry Fukuoka |
| Regular sailings | Niigata 12:00 → Otaru 04:30 +1 (Tue–Sun) Otaru 16:45 → Niigata 09:15 +1 (Mon–Sat) | Osaka 19:05 → Beppu 06:55 +1 (Sun–Thu) Osaka 20:05 → Beppu 07:55 +1 (Fri–Sat) Beppu 18:45 → Osaka 06:35 +1 (Sun–Thu) Beppu 19:20 → Osaka 07:25 +1 (Fri–Sat) | Osaka 17:00 → Shin-Moji 05:30 +1 (Daily) Osaka 19:50 → Shin-Moji 08:30 +1 (Daily) Shin-Moji 17:00 → Osaka 05:30 +1 (Daily) Shin-Moji 19:50 → Osaka 08:30 +1 (Daily) |
| English online booking | Yes – the official English page links to the operator's Internet Reservation system (reservation, change, cancellation, payment). Free user registration is required first.source | Yes – the English site links to an English web reservation page. Bookings open up to three months before departure. On our check date (2026-10-05) the booking page showed a maintenance notice.source | Request form only – the English page has a reservation request form for foreign passport holders. The operator replies by email within a day or two with availability and a booking number. It is not an instant online booking.source |
| Foot passengers (no car) | Yes – the official boarding page has a separate procedure for foot passengers. Arrive at the terminal at least 60 minutes before departure (90 minutes during Golden Week, summer holidays and New Year).source | Yes – passenger fares are sold separately from vehicle fares, and the terminal guide gives train/bus access. Boarding starts one hour before departure; you may be refused boarding if you arrive within 30 minutes of departure.source | Yes – check-in starts about 120 minutes before departure; boarding starts 60 minutes before the 17:00 sailing and 90 minutes before the 19:50 sailing. Vehicle documents are only needed if you board with a car or motorbike.source |
| One person in a private room | Private rooms are never shared with strangers. In fare Period A there is no surcharge, but a private room cannot be booked by fewer people than half its capacity. In Periods B–D a surcharge of half the adult fare is charged for each empty berth.source | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| How fares are counted | Fares are listed per adult by cabin class; the private-room surcharge rule above applies to under-filled rooms.source | Per adult: base fare plus a per-person class supplement for the cabin class (Japanese fare page).source | Not confirmed |
Regular timetables
These are regular scheduled times. They are not a list of dated departures. Operators skip some dates and change times for weather or holidays. Check each operator's monthly schedule before you plan connections. “+1” means the next day.
| Operator | From | To | Departs | Arrives | Days | Ships | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shin Nihonkai Ferry | Niigata | Otaru | 12:00 | 04:30 +1 | Tue–Sun (see monthly schedule for non-sailing days) | Lavender / Azalea | Official |
| Shin Nihonkai Ferry | Otaru | Niigata | 16:45 | 09:15 +1 | Mon–Sat (see monthly schedule for non-sailing days) | Lavender / Azalea | Official |
| MOL Sunflower | Osaka | Beppu | 19:05 | 06:55 +1 | Sun–Thu | Kurenai / Murasaki | Official |
| MOL Sunflower | Osaka | Beppu | 20:05 | 07:55 +1 | Fri–Sat | Kurenai / Murasaki | Official |
| MOL Sunflower | Beppu | Osaka | 18:45 | 06:35 +1 | Sun–Thu | Kurenai / Murasaki | Official |
| MOL Sunflower | Beppu | Osaka | 19:20 | 07:25 +1 | Fri–Sat | Kurenai / Murasaki | Official |
| Meimon Taiyo Ferry | Osaka | Shin-Moji | 17:00 | 05:30 +1 | Daily (1st sailing) | Ferry Osaka II / Kitakyushu II | Official |
| Meimon Taiyo Ferry | Osaka | Shin-Moji | 19:50 | 08:30 +1 | Daily (2nd sailing) | Ferry Kyoto / Fukuoka | Official |
| Meimon Taiyo Ferry | Shin-Moji | Osaka | 17:00 | 05:30 +1 | Daily (1st sailing) | Ferry Osaka II / Kitakyushu II | Official |
| Meimon Taiyo Ferry | Shin-Moji | Osaka | 19:50 | 08:30 +1 | Daily (2nd sailing) | Ferry Kyoto / Fukuoka | Official |
- Niigata ⇄ Otaru: Regular timetable from the official timetable page. The operator notes that schedules can be irregular and that the monthly ship-allocation PDF must be checked for each date.
- Osaka ⇄ Beppu: Regular timetable as shown on the official English page (stated as valid since 1 July 2023). Special daytime-cruise dates (fare Period E) are handled separately by the operator.
- Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu): Current timetable on the official English page. On 1–2 January departures are at 18:30, arriving 07:00 the next day.
Ships on each route
Niigata ⇄ Otaru
Lavender · Azalea
らべんだあ・あざれあ
The ship assigned to each sailing is listed in the operator's monthly ship-allocation PDF (配船表). In October 2026 the Niigata–Otaru sailings alternate between Lavender and Azalea.
Osaka ⇄ Beppu
Sunflower Kurenai · Sunflower Murasaki
さんふらわあ くれない・さんふらわあ むらさき
The official English timetable page names Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki as the ships on this route.
Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu)
Ferry Osaka II · Ferry Kitakyushu II · Ferry Kyoto · Ferry Fukuoka
フェリーおおさかⅡ・フェリーきたきゅうしゅうⅡ・フェリーきょうと・フェリーふくおか
The official 'Particulars of Ships' table assigns Ferry Osaka II and Ferry Kitakyushu II to the 1st sailing (17:00) and Ferry Kyoto and Ferry Fukuoka to the 2nd sailing (19:50). Cabin classes differ between the two pairs.
Cabin comparison
Cabin types are listed as the operators name them. “Semi-private” means a small room behind a curtain-type door that locks only from inside. “Shared” means a berth in a room with other passengers. For shared cabins, “not listed among its facilities” means the official cabin page lists no shower or toilet there. Passengers use the ship's shared facilities.
| Route / cabin | Type | Capacity | Sold by | Solo use | Shower / toilet | Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suite スイート Shin Nihonkai Ferry · Niigata ⇄ Otaru | Private room | 2 (4 rooms) | Whole room (private) | Possible (1 of 2 = half capacity); surcharge in Periods B–D | Bath + washlet toilet in room | Private terrace, ocean-view bath | 56 m² including an 8 m² terrace. Grill-restaurant meals included (northbound lunch + dinner, southbound dinner + breakfast). source |
| Deluxe A Japanese-style デラックスA和室 Shin Nihonkai Ferry · Niigata ⇄ Otaru | Private room | 2–3 (8 rooms) | Whole room (private) | Not confirmed | 3-piece unit bath (bath, washlet toilet, basin) | Private terrace | 24 m² including a 6 m² terrace. Tatami room. Whether one person can book it depends on how the half-capacity rule is applied to a 2–3 person room; ask the operator. source |
| Deluxe A Twin デラックスAツイン Shin Nihonkai Ferry · Niigata ⇄ Otaru | Private room | 2 (24 rooms) | Whole room (private) | Possible (1 of 2 = half capacity); surcharge in Periods B–D | 3-piece unit bath (bath, washlet toilet, basin) | Private terrace | 27 m² including a 6 m² terrace. Beds 200 × 90 cm. source |
| State A Japanese-Western ステートA和洋室 Shin Nihonkai Ferry · Niigata ⇄ Otaru | Private room | 4 – twin beds + 2 sofa beds (22 rooms) | Whole room (private) | Not in Period A (1 is under half of 4); Periods B–D with surcharge per empty berth | Shower + washlet toilet in room | Not confirmed | 17 m². Aimed at families and groups. source |
| State A Twin ステートAツイン Shin Nihonkai Ferry · Niigata ⇄ Otaru | Private room | 2 (56 rooms) | Whole room (private) | Yes – the operator recommends it for solo travellers too; surcharge in Periods B–D | Shower + washlet toilet in room | Inside rooms have no window | 10 m², beds 200 × 85 cm. A pet-friendly version (2 rooms) also exists. source |
| Tourist S ツーリストS Shin Nihonkai Ferry · Niigata ⇄ Otaru | Shared | Shared section of 10 or 12 berths | Per berth | Yes (one berth per person) | Not in section (not listed among its facilities) | Not confirmed | Single-level berths partitioned per person; section door lockable with the QR ticket key. Outlet, light, luggage shelf, TV (bring earphones). source |
| Tourist A ツーリストA Shin Nihonkai Ferry · Niigata ⇄ Otaru | Shared | Shared sections of 18, 22 or 28 berths | Per berth | Yes (one berth per person) | Not in section (not listed among its facilities) | Not confirmed | Bunk berths with staggered entrances and a roll curtain. Women-only berths available (women and young children). source |
| Suite MOL Sunflower · Osaka ⇄ Beppu | Private room | 2–3 (12 rooms) | Per person + class supplement | Not confirmed | Bathtub, shower, toilet in room | Ocean side with balcony | 21.06 m² Western-style. Barrier-free and connecting suite variants also exist. source |
| Semi-Suite MOL Sunflower · Osaka ⇄ Beppu | Private room | 2–3 (13 rooms) | Per person + class supplement | Not confirmed | Shower + toilet in room | Ocean side with balcony | 17.25 m² Western-style. source |
| Deluxe MOL Sunflower · Osaka ⇄ Beppu | Private room | 2–3 (11 rooms) | Per person + class supplement | Not confirmed | Shower + toilet in room | Ocean side (window) | 13.84 m². Pet-friendly, connecting and Japanese-style deluxe variants also exist. source |
| Superior Twin MOL Sunflower · Osaka ⇄ Beppu | Private room | 2 (26 rooms) | Per person + class supplement | Not confirmed | Shower + toilet in room | Aisle side, no window | 9.73 m². source |
| Superior Single MOL Sunflower · Osaka ⇄ Beppu | Private room | 1 (30 rooms) | Per person + class supplement | Yes – single room | Shower + toilet in room | Aisle side, no window | 7.08 m². The only single on this ship with its own shower and toilet. source |
| Private Single Twin MOL Sunflower · Osaka ⇄ Beppu | Semi-private | 1–2 (4 rooms) | Per person + class supplement | Yes – capacity starts at 1 | Not in room (hand-wash basin shared per compartment) | Aisle side, no window | Semi-private: accordion-curtain door, locks from inside only. 4.56 m². source |
| Private Single MOL Sunflower · Osaka ⇄ Beppu | Semi-private | 1 per room; 9 rooms per compartment (2 compartments) | Per person + class supplement | Yes – one-person rooms | Not in room (hand-wash basin shared per compartment) | Aisle side, no window | Semi-private: accordion-curtain door, locks from inside only. 3.09 m² per room. source |
| Private Beds MOL Sunflower · Osaka ⇄ Beppu | Shared | 16 berths per room (14 rooms + 1 ladies' room) | Per berth (base fare, no class supplement) | Yes (one berth per person) | Not in room (not listed among its facilities) | Aisle side, no window | Bunk berths, about 1.81 m² each. A ladies-only room is available. source |
| Suite Meimon Taiyo Ferry · Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu) All four ships | Private room | 2–4 (twin beds + sofa bed or tatami area) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Bathtub, shower, toilet in room | Not confirmed | 26 m². Western or Western-Japanese style. source |
| Superior Meimon Taiyo Ferry · Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu) 2nd sailing (Ferry Kyoto / Fukuoka) | Private room | 2 standard, 3 max (pullman bed) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Shower + toilet in room | Not confirmed | 12 m². A ladies' Superior with a sea-view window exists (3 rooms). source |
| First A Meimon Taiyo Ferry · Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu) 1st sailing (Ferry Osaka II / Kitakyushu II) | Private room | 2 standard, 3 max (pullman bed) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Toilet in room; no shower listed | Not confirmed | 12 m². A ladies' First A with a sea-view window exists (4 rooms). source |
| First B / First J Meimon Taiyo Ferry · Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu) All four ships | Private room | First B 2–3 (beds + tatami); First J 4 (futons) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | No toilet or bath in room (wash basin only) | Not confirmed | 16 m² each. First J is a tatami room suited to families. source |
| First S Meimon Taiyo Ferry · Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu) All four ships | Private room | 1 | Not confirmed | Yes – single room | No toilet or bath in room (wash basin only) | Not confirmed | 5 m² Western-style single. source |
| Comfort Meimon Taiyo Ferry · Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu) 2nd sailing (Ferry Kyoto / Fukuoka) | Shared | 14 beds per cabin | Per bed (shared cabin) | Yes (one bed per person) | Not in cabin (bed lamp and outlet only) | Not confirmed | No amenities provided. source |
| Tourist Meimon Taiyo Ferry · Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu) All four ships | Shared | 10–30 beds per cabin | Per bed (shared cabin) | Yes (one bed per person) | Not in cabin (bed lamp, outlet, slippers) | Not confirmed | Capsule-type bunks with stairs to the upper berth and entrances on opposite sides. Ladies' rooms available on request (not on every sailing). source |
| Economy Meimon Taiyo Ferry · Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu) 1st sailing (Ferry Osaka II / Kitakyushu II) | Shared | 20 people per room (mattresses) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not in room (outlet only) | Not confirmed | Large shared room the operator describes as suited to big group tours. source |
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How to book each route
Shin Nihonkai Ferry
Niigata ⇄ Otaru
English online: Yes – the official English page links to the operator's Internet Reservation system (reservation, change, cancellation, payment). Free user registration is required first.source
Other ways: Phone, terminal counter and travel agencies are listed as booking methods on the Japanese reservation pages.source
MOL Sunflower (Ferry Sunflower)
Osaka ⇄ Beppu
English online: Yes – the English site links to an English web reservation page. Bookings open up to three months before departure. On our check date (2026-10-05) the booking page showed a maintenance notice.source
Other ways: Email bookings are accepted, according to the English 'From booking to boarding' page. Tickets are paid at the boarding gate (cash in yen or credit card).source
Meimon Taiyo Ferry (City Line)
Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu)
English online: Request form only – the English page has a reservation request form for foreign passport holders. The operator replies by email within a day or two with availability and a booking number. It is not an instant online booking.source
Other ways: Request at least by the morning (Japan time) of the day before departure, for dates within two months. Round trips must be requested as two separate bookings. You pay at the terminal reception before boarding (yen or listed credit cards). Guests without a reservation can ask at the terminal counter about availability.source
Phone-only products
Some official ferry products cannot be booked online. For example, MOL Sunflower's “Pacific Story” ferry + expressway-bus package between Tokyo and Sapporo (via the Oarai–Tomakomai ferry) is reserved by phone only. You then buy the package ticket at a bus company counter. source
Third-party booking sites may list Japanese ferry operators. A listing does not mean that a particular date, route or cabin class can be booked there. Compare against the operator's own page.
Honshu (Sea of Japan coast) – Hokkaido
Shin Nihonkai Ferry: Niigata ⇄ Otaru
- Ships
- Lavender (らべんだあ), Azalea (あざれあ)
- Regular timetable
- Niigata 12:00 → Otaru 04:30 +1 · Tue–Sun (see monthly schedule for non-sailing days)Otaru 16:45 → Niigata 09:15 +1 · Mon–Sat (see monthly schedule for non-sailing days)source
- English online booking
- Yes – the official English page links to the operator's Internet Reservation system (reservation, change, cancellation, payment). Free user registration is required first.source
- Other booking
- Phone, terminal counter and travel agencies are listed as booking methods on the Japanese reservation pages.source
- Foot passengers
- Yes – the official boarding page has a separate procedure for foot passengers. Arrive at the terminal at least 60 minutes before departure (90 minutes during Golden Week, summer holidays and New Year).source
- One person in a private room
- Private rooms are never shared with strangers. In fare Period A there is no surcharge, but a private room cannot be booked by fewer people than half its capacity. In Periods B–D a surcharge of half the adult fare is charged for each empty berth.source
- How fares are counted
- Fares are listed per adult by cabin class; the private-room surcharge rule above applies to under-filled rooms.source
- Niigata terminal
- Niigata Ferry Terminal (Yamanoshita Pier)
Connecting bus from JR Niigata Station bus terminal (stop 5), about 15 minutes; on the official page the buses timed for the 12:00 departure leave at 10:44 (weekdays) and 10:39 (weekends/holidays). Taxi from JR Niigata Station: about 4 km / 15 minutes.source - Otaru terminal
- Otaru Ferry Terminal (Katsunai Pier)
Taxi from JR Otaru Chikko Station about 1.8 km / 5 minutes, or from JR Otaru Station about 2.8 km / 10 minutes. The official page lists a bus from JR Otaru Station at 15:29 on Niigata-bound sailing days. It lists no terminal bus timed for the 04:30 arrival from Niigata.source - Cabin types listed
- Suite, Deluxe A Japanese-style, Deluxe A Twin, State A Japanese-Western, State A Twin, Tourist S, Tourist A – compare cabins
Sources checked (7)
- Shin Nihonkai Ferry – English top page — checked 2026-10-05
- Timetable (Japanese) — checked 2026-10-05
- October 2026 ship allocation (PDF, Japanese) — checked 2026-10-05
- Lavender / Azalea cabins (Japanese) — checked 2026-10-05
- Fares and private-room rules (Japanese) — checked 2026-10-05
- Boarding and disembarking (Japanese) — checked 2026-10-05
- Terminals and access (Japanese) — checked 2026-10-05
Kansai – Kyushu (Seto Inland Sea)
MOL Sunflower (Ferry Sunflower): Osaka ⇄ Beppu
- Ships
- Sunflower Kurenai (さんふらわあ くれない), Sunflower Murasaki (さんふらわあ むらさき)
- Regular timetable
- Osaka 19:05 → Beppu 06:55 +1 · Sun–ThuOsaka 20:05 → Beppu 07:55 +1 · Fri–SatBeppu 18:45 → Osaka 06:35 +1 · Sun–ThuBeppu 19:20 → Osaka 07:25 +1 · Fri–Satsource
- English online booking
- Yes – the English site links to an English web reservation page. Bookings open up to three months before departure. On our check date (2026-10-05) the booking page showed a maintenance notice.source
- Other booking
- Email bookings are accepted, according to the English 'From booking to boarding' page. Tickets are paid at the boarding gate (cash in yen or credit card).source
- Foot passengers
- Yes – passenger fares are sold separately from vehicle fares, and the terminal guide gives train/bus access. Boarding starts one hour before departure; you may be refused boarding if you arrive within 30 minutes of departure.source
- One person in a private room
- Not confirmed
- How fares are counted
- Per adult: base fare plus a per-person class supplement for the cabin class (Japanese fare page).source
- Osaka terminal
- Sunflower Terminal (Osaka) Terminal 1, Nanko
Take the Newtram from Suminoe Koen (Yotsubashi Line) or Cosmo Square (Chuo Line) to Trade Center Station, then about 5 minutes on foot.source - Beppu terminal
- Beppu Kanko-ko (Beppu International Tourist Port)
About 15 minutes by bus from JR Beppu Station, then a 3-minute walk from the “Beppu kokusai kankoukou Ferry Sunflower Mae” stop; or about 10 minutes by taxi.source - Cabin types listed
- Suite, Semi-Suite, Deluxe, Superior Twin, Superior Single, Private Single Twin, Private Single, Private Beds – compare cabins
Sources checked (6)
- MOL Sunflower – English top page — checked 2026-10-05
- Osaka–Beppu timetable (English) — checked 2026-10-05
- Osaka–Beppu cabins (English) — checked 2026-10-05
- Osaka–Beppu fares and class supplements (Japanese) — checked 2026-10-05
- Ferry terminal guide (English) — checked 2026-10-05
- From booking to boarding (English) — checked 2026-10-05
Kansai – Kyushu (Seto Inland Sea)
Meimon Taiyo Ferry (City Line): Osaka ⇄ Shin-Moji (Kitakyushu)
- Ships
- Ferry Osaka II (フェリーおおさかⅡ), Ferry Kitakyushu II (フェリーきたきゅうしゅうⅡ), Ferry Kyoto (フェリーきょうと), Ferry Fukuoka (フェリーふくおか)
- Regular timetable
- Osaka 17:00 → Shin-Moji 05:30 +1 · Daily (1st sailing)Osaka 19:50 → Shin-Moji 08:30 +1 · Daily (2nd sailing)Shin-Moji 17:00 → Osaka 05:30 +1 · Daily (1st sailing)Shin-Moji 19:50 → Osaka 08:30 +1 · Daily (2nd sailing)source
- English online booking
- Request form only – the English page has a reservation request form for foreign passport holders. The operator replies by email within a day or two with availability and a booking number. It is not an instant online booking.source
- Other booking
- Request at least by the morning (Japan time) of the day before departure, for dates within two months. Round trips must be requested as two separate bookings. You pay at the terminal reception before boarding (yen or listed credit cards). Guests without a reservation can ask at the terminal counter about availability.source
- Foot passengers
- Yes – check-in starts about 120 minutes before departure; boarding starts 60 minutes before the 17:00 sailing and 90 minutes before the 19:50 sailing. Vehicle documents are only needed if you board with a car or motorbike.source
- One person in a private room
- Not confirmed
- How fares are counted
- Not confirmed
- Osaka terminal
- Osaka Nanko Ferry Terminal
Osaka Metro New Tram to Ferry Terminal station (P14), changing from the Yotsubashi Line at Suminoe Koen. The operator's PDF gives about 35–45 minutes to Umeda/Osaka, and 20–30 minutes to Namba.source - Shin-Moji terminal
- Shin-Moji Ferry Terminal (Kitakyushu)
Free bus to Kokura, about 35–45 minutes; from Kokura, Shinkansen to Hakata about 20 minutes (operator's PDF).source - Cabin types listed
- Suite, Superior, First A, First B / First J, First S, Comfort, Tourist, Economy – compare cabins
Sources checked (6)
- Meimon Taiyo Ferry – English page (timetable, ships, request form) — checked 2026-10-05
- Rooms & beds (English) — checked 2026-10-05
- Get prepared – reservation and boarding (English) — checked 2026-10-05
- Check-in & boarding (PDF, English) — checked 2026-10-05
- Public transport in Osaka (PDF) — checked 2026-10-05
- Public transport in Kyushu (PDF) — checked 2026-10-05
Spotted a change? Ferry operators update cabins, timetables and booking systems. If something here no longer matches the official page, please tell us.