Kuchinotsu to Oniike Ferry Amakusa Islands
Kuchinotsu to Oniike Ferry: Shimatetsu ferries ply between Kuchinotsu Port in Nagasaki and Oniike Ferry Terminal on Shimoshima Island in the Amakusa Islands, Kumamoto.
Kuchinotsu to Oniike Ferry 島鉄フェリー
Shimatetsu ferry operating between the Shimabara Peninsula and the Amakusa Islands
Oniike Ferry Terminal on Shimoshima Island, the largest of the Amakusa Islands in Kumamoto
The Shimabara Peninsula in Nagasaki connects to the Amakusa Islands in Kumamoto by a car ferry that runs across the entrance to the Ariake Sea.
Operated by Shimatetsu, the 9 kilometer, 30 minute crossing connects Oniike Port in Amakusa with Kuchinotsu Port in Nagasaki.
The ferry operates from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm, with 15 crossings each way on weekdays and 17 crossings on weekends and holidays.
The boats leave at the same time from each port.
Kuchinotsu to Oniike Ferry docked at Oniike Port in Amakusa
The lounge of the Shimatetsu Ferry connecting Shimabara Peninsula with the Amakusa Islands
Timetable
Kuchinotsu & Oniike Departures
Kuchinotsu & Oniike Departures
Ferry
Weekdays
Weekends & Holidays
1
*6.30 am
*6.30 am
2
7.30 am
7.30 am
3
8 am
8 am
4
9 am
8.45 am
5
9.45 am
9.30 am
6
10.45 am
10.15 am
7
11.30 am
11 am
8
12.30 pm
11.45 pm
9
1.15 pm
12.30 pm
10
2.15 pm
1.15 pm
11
3 pm
2 pm
12
4 pm
2.45 pm
13
4.45 pm
3.30 pm
14
5.45 pm
4.15 pm
15
*6.30 pm
5 pm
16
-
5.45 pm
17
-
*6.30 pm
* Ferries marked with * sail only from March 1 to October 31.
Ferry Facilities
The boats have large, comfortable, climate-controlled lounges as well as exterior seating under cover. There are drinks vending machines but no food available on the 30 minute crossing. WiFi is available.
Fares
The one way fare for adults is just 360 yen, 180 yen for kids.
For cars the fares start at 1,500 yen for the smallest vehicles.
Bicycles 250 yen.
Motorbikes 490 yen to 1,000 yen depending on size.
Oniike Ferry Terminal
5087 Itsuwamachi Oniike, Amakusa-shi, Kumamoto
Tel: 0969 32 1727
Oniike is about 15 kilometers, or a 30-minute drive, from Hondo the main city on the islands. Regular buses connect to Hondo Bus Center and then on to all points on the islands. Some of the buses stop at Amakusa Airport. By car the port is 97 km from Kumamoto Castle.
Kushinotsu Ferry Terminal
4134-71 Kuchinotsu, Minamishimabara-shi, Nagasaki 859-2504
Tel: 0957 86 2165
From Kuchinotsu it is 23 km to Obama, the hot spring resort on the west coast of the peninsula.
It is also 25 km to Unzen Hot Spring up in the mountains, and 35 km to Shimabara with its castle and car ferry to Kumamoto.
Buses run from the ferry terminal to all three locations as well as to the newly registered World Heritage Site of Hara Castle. The port is 70 km from Nagasaki, and 54 km from Isahaya.
Adverse weather may affect sailings and schedules.
Timetable and full range of fares, in Japanese www.shimatetsu.co.jp/ferry/guide
The mouth of the Ariake Sea is home to many wild Bottlenose Dolphins and is a prime dolphin watching spot. Near both ferry terminals are numerous companies offering dolphin watching tours.
More information on Japanese ferry routes
Ferry terminal at Kuchinotsu Port at the southern tip of the Shimabara Peninsula in Nagasaki
