Kagoshima-ken Travel Forum

We will be visiting Okinawa in March 2005. We are interested in taking the ferry from Kagoshima or Nagasaki. We do not speak or read Japanese. Do you think the ferry would experience would be ana interesting alternative to flying?

Is it necessary to book a birth, or is it acceptable to sleep on the deck?

I see that there are several ferry companies. Is there anything to recommend one over another?

I was planning to take the Kagoshima-Nagasaki ferry last year in March. However, the ferry l was planning to take leaves from Kushikino to Nagasaki. Kushikino city is on the western side of Kyushu. Last year I believe the cost was at least 10,000Y or more, one-way. My purpose for visiting Nagasaki was to see a friend (who is teaching English under the JET program). Soon after I arrived in Japan, he had moved to Fukuoka hence I made alternate travelling arrangements. I took a train from Kagoshima-Fukuoka and back. There was no shinkansen in March 2003 but I have been told a partial line has been built. You can check Kyushu Rail for more details. Hope this helps.

The Japanese ferries are great. Bring some snacks and enjoy picnicing on deck. The one I was on from Niigata to Sado-to had roasting squid for sale. People spread mats and picniced and drank their way across. I stopped and shared sake and squid with one group. We rented a space on the tatami for our bags and were able to lay down.

Don't worry about not speaking Japanese. Just ask people for help. If they don't understand keep a pad and pen handy to write with. All Japanese have English in school but they are better at reading and writing than understanding various spoken native accents. This is because they don't have enough experience speaking with foreigners. Have a great time.

I wish to clarify the question. We wish to take the ferry FROM either Kagoshima or Nagasaki TO Okinawa.

Thank you