Hello, this is Yam, a travel blogger. I recently went to Miyakejima Island for a photo shoot, and I’d like to share my experience report on getting there.
Miyakejima is a popular island that’s easily and affordably accessible by ferry from Tokyo. However, there isn’t much detailed information about the main transportation method – the large passenger ferry “Tachibana Maru”. Without knowing the boarding process and necessary supplies, you might find yourself in trouble on the ship. So, in this article, I’ll provide a detailed report on the process from purchasing a ticket for the large passenger ferry to disembarking at Miyakejima.
Preparation Step 1: Purchase a Tokai Kisen Ferry Ticket
First, secure your ferry ticket to Miyakejima from the Tokai Kisen reservation website. The route from Tokyo to Miyakejima is operated by Tokai Kisen’s large passenger ferry, the “Tachibana Maru”. To avoid sold-out tickets or unavailability of your preferred room class, try to purchase your ticket at least two weeks before your planned travel date.
Typically, the outbound journey is an overnight trip, departing Tokyo at 22:30 and arriving at Miyakejima at 5:00 the next morning. The return journey departs Miyakejima at 13:35 and arrives in Tokyo at 19:40 on the same day. During the busy season in August, the return journey may stop at Izu Oshima, delaying the arrival in Tokyo by about an hour.
Most people typically plan their trip to depart Tokyo on Friday night and leave Miyakejima on Sunday afternoon. However, for this trip, we decided to take the Monday afternoon outbound ferry to extend our stay by one night.
Room (seat) grades vary by rank. Source: https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/ourship/tachibana-room/
The seating ranks are divided into five levels from 2nd class to special class. The 2nd class is a tatami room with communal sleeping, while the special 2nd class has simple beds. The highest-ranking special class features luxurious, plush beds. Personally, I felt that special 2nd class was sufficient for the overnight outbound journey when sleep is necessary, while 2nd class was adequate for the return journey when sleeping isn’t required. For large groups, room types that can be occupied exclusively, such as special 1st class or 1st class, might be preferable.
Unlike airplanes, there’s no “seat assignment” system, so you won’t know which seat or bed you’ll get within your chosen class until you receive your paper ticket on the day of travel. However, when purchasing tickets for multiple people, they will be issued in sequence, so you generally don’t need to worry about being separated from your group.
Purchasing tickets online gives you access to the “Inter-wari” discount (which is simply an abbreviation for “Internet discount” in Japanese). This allows you to buy tickets at about 20% off the regular price (though this may vary during peak seasons).
About Tokai Kisen’s “Inter-wari” Discount
For those wondering what Tokai Kisen’s “Inter-wari” is and if they’re eligible: don’t worry! “Inter-wari” simply means “Internet discount”. Unlike island resident discounts, anyone can use it when booking through the website. It offers significant savings, especially during off-season, so there’s no reason not to use it!
By the way, while the idea of communal sleeping on a ship might conjure images of cramped, unpleasant conditions, rest assured that the interior of the Tachibana Maru is clean, spacious, and well-equipped with various amenities for your comfort!
After securing your seat, gather your necessary supplies. In addition to toothbrushes, there are even showers on board, so it’s good to bring a full set of shower amenities including body soap, shampoo, and face wash. While small hand towels are sold on board, they’re thin and not of great quality. I recommend preparing a portable towel like a chamois towel.
※Chamois towels, originally used in swimming, are highly absorbent and can be wrung out to dry quickly for repeated use. They’re compact and portable, making them popular among travel enthusiasts. As Miyakejima offers many beachside activities, this is a good opportunity to add one to your travel kit!
Also, you’ll need cash on board for various purposes: 100 yen coins for lockers and showers, and cash for vending machines and meal ticket machines. Make sure to prepare enough cash in advance, especially 100 yen coins.
※Many shops on Miyakejima Island accept credit cards and QR code payments.
Other items you might want to bring include alcohol and snacks to enjoy while viewing the night scenery from the ship, as well as games or playing cards to pass the time!
Concluding Thoughts
In this article, we’ve covered the preparations needed for a ferry trip to Miyakejima Island. In the next article, we’ll detail the process on the day of boarding, so stay tuned!
A cost-effective traveler who enjoys dozens of quick overseas trips annually while working as a musician, photographer, and 3D artist. I bring you articles that let you enjoy not just land-based experiences, but also underwater and aerial adventures.
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