Akashi to Awaji Island Ferry

Published on : 02/03/2019
by : Japan Experience

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Timetable
Fares
Loop Bus
Ferry Terminals
Accommodation in Akashi
Area Map
Japan Ferries

Akashi to Awaji Island Ferry 明石-岩屋

Akashi-Awaji Ferry, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

The Marin Awaji, a high speed catamaran ferry that runs between Awaji Island and Akashi in Hyogo

Awaji Island is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea between the main island of Honshu and Shikoku. According to myth it was the first of the Japanese islands created by the gods.

In 1998 the longest suspension bridge in the world, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, connected Awaji with Honshu and since then the numerous ferries that provided access to and from the island have ceased operations and now only a single ferry is left in operation.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Akashi Straits Suspension Bridge, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, longest suspension bridge in the world, seen from the Akashi-Iwaya Ferry

Akashi-Awaji Ferry, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Ferry terminal in Akashi for the ferry to Awaji Island

Timetable

The Akashi Awaji Ferry runs between Akashi Port in Hyogo Prefecture and Iwaya Port on Awaji Island. It is a frequent, convenient and inexpensive way for pedestrians and cyclists to travel to and from the island.

The ferry terminal in Akashi is quite primitive and has no ticket office. So buy your ticket from the vending machines. The boats are comfortable and include an inside lounge as well as large areas on deck for when the weather is good enough to enjoy the view. It takes only 15 minutes for the crossing and the boat passes below the stupendous suspension bridge.

Timetable (in Japanese )

www.jenova-line.co.jp

Fares

The fare is 500 yen one way for adults, 250 yen for kids. A bicycle is an extra 220 yen. A moped or small motorbike is 450 yen.

There are more than 30 crossings a day in each direction starting early in the morning until late at night. The first boat from Akashi is at 5.40 am with the last sailing at 11.40 pm.

The terminal at Iwaya is more substantial with a ticket office, an eatery, several food shops as well as fresh vegetables and fresh fish. There is also a small Tourist Information Office and bicycles can be rented. The best way to get around the northern part of the island is by bus.

Akashi-Awaji Ferry, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Comfortable lounge on the Akashi-Iwaya Ferry

Loop Bus

The Awaji Loop Bus runs an approximately 30 kilometer loop around the northern part of the island in both directions. This small shuttle-type bus passes most of the major tourist spots in the area including Yumebutai, Water Temple, Awaji Flower Park, the Earthquake Museum, Prefectural Park, and Esaki Lighthouse.

It also stops at Higashiura bus station for buses heading further south down the island. There are 8 or 9 buses a day in each direction. Tickets are 500 yen for a single journey or 1,000 yen for a one day pass. More details can be had from the tourist information office in the ferry building.

Akashi-Awaji Ferry, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Loop Bus operating a 30 km circuit around the northern part of Awaji Island

Akashi-Awaji Ferry, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Ticket office in Iwaya Ferry Terminal for ferries from Awaji Island to Akashi

Ferry Terminals

Akashi Ferry Terminal

2-Chome-10-1 Honmachi

Akashi-shi, Hyogo 673-0892

Tel: 0789 918 2411

The Akashi Ferry Terminal is located 650 meters south of JR Akashi Station and San-yo Akashi Station on the Sanyo Electric Railway Main Line. There is a bus that can take you 400 meters in the right direction.

Iwaya Ferry Terminal

925-27 Iwaya

Awaji-shi, Hyogo 656-2401

Tel: 0799 72 2015

The journey to San-yo Akashi Station is 31 minutes from Himeji on the Sanyo Electric Railway Main Line. Akashi Station is 23 minutes from JR Sannomiya Station in Kobe on the JR Kobe Line.

Akashi is easily reached from nearby Kobe, Kyoto or Osaka.

Akashi-Awaji Ferry, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Ferry Terminal in Iwaya on Awaji Island

Accommodation in Akashi

Accommodation in Akashi includes the two star Hotel Castle Plaza and the three star Green Hill Hotel Akashi, which is handy for Akashi Station and the Akashi Municipal Cultural Museum.

Also in the locality are the three star ryokan Hitomaru Kadan, the Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa Kobe and the Hotel Setre Kobe Maiko, both large four star hotels situated right on the waterfront near the bridge.