Guide to Getting to the Kasaoka Islands ~ Explanation of How to Ride Ferries and Passenger Ships, How to Get to the Port, Fares, and More

Isn't it exciting to have an island-hopping experience in your travel itinerary?

When going to the islands, you may need to use a boat.

You will also use a boat to reach the Kasaoka Islands located in Okayama.

While it is a common means of transportation for the islanders, travelers may not know how to use the boats when they use them for the first time.

This article will provide detailed information on how to get to the Kasaoka Islands and how to use the boats (ferries, etc.).

What are the Kasaoka Islands?

The Kasaoka Islands are a group of 31 islands, large and small, located off the southwestern tip of Okayama Prefecture, near Kasaoka City. Among them, there are 7 inhabited islands as follows:

• Takashima
• Shiraishi-jima Island
• Kitagi-shima Island
• Manabe-shima Island
• Oobishima Island
• Kobishima Island
• Mushima Island

There are no bridges to the islands, and travel is done by boat from the port of Kasaoka City.

The islands have a tranquil and calm atmosphere.

Along with the islands of Marugame City, Shodoshima Town, and Tonosho Town in Kagawa Prefecture, it is designated as a Japan Heritage under the title "Do You Know!? The Stone Islands Where Eternal Time Flows - The Bisan Islands That Built the Foundation of Japan Across the Sea."

How to get to each island in the Kasaoka Islands

To get to each island in the Kasaoka Islands, you will use a boat, but it does not loop around like a train's circular line, nor does it stop at each station (each island).

The boat you take and the departure port (boarding point) differ depending on your destination.

▼Focusing on the destination, it is as follows.

▼Now, let's focus on the departure ports.

Using Sumiyoshi Port allows you to access all islands.

Sumiyoshi Port is very convenient as it is about a 5-minute walk from JR Kasaoka Station.

Let's first look at the information about Sumiyoshi Port.

How to get from JR Kasaoka Station to Sumiyoshi Port

Here is how to get from JR Kasaoka Station to Sumiyoshi Port.

▼There is only one ticket gate at the north side of JR Kasaoka Station (more precisely, the northeast).

▼With your back to the ticket gate, proceed towards the direction where the convenience store "Seven-Eleven" is located, to the right of the ticket gate.

▼Pass through the blue gate that has the words "Kasaoka Islands Entrance, Oidense Kasaoka" on it.

▼If you look closely at the pillars of the gate, there is a sign that says "Enter the underground passage 30m ahead / Kasaoka Islands Passenger Boat Terminal 400m", making it easy to understand.

▼As you proceed, you will see the words "Underground Passage / Kasaoka Port" at your feet.

▼Following the signs, you will find an underground passage with the words "Kasaoka Station East Underground Passage North Entrance". Let's proceed through here.

▼On the left side of the entrance to the underground passage, there is a guidance sign. Follow the green arrow to proceed through the underground passage marked in red.

▼In the middle of the underground passage, there is also a sign that says "Kasaoka Port <Regular Boat Terminal> / Connecting Road", so you can feel at ease.

▼This is the exit of the underground passage. Let's proceed straight ahead. There is also a guidance sign right in front of you.

▼You will come to a T-junction, so let's turn right as indicated by the guidance sign.

▼Now you will reach a crossroads. Let's go left.

▼You want to go straight, but you will encounter the busy National Route 2. Do not cross the road; instead, cross the overpass on your right.

▼At the end of the overpass, there is a guidance sign, so follow the instructions to proceed.

▼You will reach a T-junction, so turn right. Look, Sumiyoshi Port is coming into view.

You have arrived at the passenger boat terminal for the Kasaoka Islands, "Kasaoka Islands Passenger Boat Terminal Minato Kobanashi".

If you are traveling by car, park in the parking lot

If you are using a car to get to Sumiyoshi Port, please park in one of the four free parking lots nearby.

The easiest parking lots to find are the two parking lots located across from the Kasaoka Seaside Mall near Sumiyoshi Port.

▼Parking Lot 1. In the back, you can see the Kasaoka Seaside Mall.

▼ And across from Parking Lot 1 is Parking Lot 2.

If Parking Lots 1 and 2 are full, please use Parking Lot 3, which is located to the south of Parking Lots 1 and 2.

▼ Parking Lot 3 is located behind the factory visible at the back of Parking Lot 2. It is a bit of a distance to Sumiyoshi Port.

▼ The closest parking lot to Sumiyoshi Port is located to the north, but it is often full due to its small size.

▼ For detailed parking locations, please refer to the page below.

Access

Kasaoka Tourism WEB

Although it will incur a fee, you may also use the private parking lots near Sumiyoshi Port, such as Space ECO Kasaoka Station Front or Space ECO Kasaoka Station Front 2.

Please note that you cannot bring your car on the passenger ships departing from Sumiyoshi Port.

How to get to Fushigoe Port

Fushigoe Port is located further away from JR Kasaoka Station, and it takes about 13 minutes on foot.

It is convenient to take a taxi from JR Kasaoka Station or use a private car.

If you are using a car navigation system, enter "714-0098 Okayama Kasaoka City Juuban-cho" and head towards the northernmost area to reach Fushigoe Port.

From Fushigoe Port, ferries are departing, so you can also board with your car.

If you are not boarding with a car, please use the parking lot next to Fushigoe Port.

▼ There is another parking lot a little further away.

How to get to Kounoshima Sotoura Port

Kounoshima Sotoura Port is located further south on the mainland.

It takes about 6 minutes to Takashima, so only head there if you absolutely need to use Kounoshima Sotoura Port in a hurry.

▼ Please refer to the map below for the location of Kounoshima Sotoura Port.

It is too far to walk from JR Kasaoka Station, so please drive there.

▼ There is parking space on the west side of the port.

How to board the passenger ships and ferries

If you are boarding a passenger ship or ferry departing from Sumiyoshi Port, Fushigoe Port, or Kounoshima Sotoura Port for the first time, you may not know how to do it.

Let me introduce each one.

How to board the passenger ship departing from Sumiyoshi Port

To board the passenger ship departing from Sumiyoshi Port, purchase a ticket at the ticket vending machine inside the Kasaoka Islands Passenger Ship Terminal Minato Kobanashi.

▼ Before the dock where the passenger ship is moored, there is an entrance to the Kasaoka Islands Passenger Ship Terminal Minato Kobanashi, so please enter.

▼ Inside the entrance, there are two ticket vending machines lined up slightly to the right.

The ticket vending machines have two types: Rokushima Route and Manabe Island Route, so please select the ticket vending machine for the route to the island you wish to visit and purchase your ticket.

▼ The islands accessible by each route are as follows.

Please note that only cash (coins/bills) can be used at the ticket vending machines.

▼ Until it is time to board, please wait in the chairs located across from the ticket vending machines.

▼ When boarding the passenger ship, show your ticket at the window of the information desk marked "Ticket Gate".

▼ Other important points are as follows.

If you have any other questions, please ask someone at the information desk. They were very kind and helpful.

How to board the ferry departing from Fushigoe Port

Tickets for the ferry departing from Fushigoe Port are purchased on board after boarding.

There are no ticket vending machines at the Fushigoe Ferry Waiting Room.

▼ Please wait in the waiting room until your desired ferry arrives.

▼ There are three types of ferry routes, so be careful not to make a mistake when boarding.

• Shiraishi-jima Island bound
• Kitagi-shima Island bound
• Shiraishi-jima Island via Kitagi-shima Island bound

How to board passenger ships departing from Kamijima Gaiura Port

Tickets for passenger ships departing from Kamijima Gaiura Port can be purchased at the ticket vending machine located on the left side after entering the waiting room.

Please note that only cash (coins/bills) can be used at the ticket vending machine.

Show your ticket when boarding the passenger ship.

Fares for passenger ships and ferries to each island

Here are the fares for passenger ships departing from Sumiyoshi Port and ferries departing from Fukukoshi Port.

Fares for passenger ships departing from Sumiyoshi Port

There are two types of passenger ships departing from Sumiyoshi Port: the "Rokushima Route" and the "Manabe Island Route," each with different fares.

▼ Let's start with the Rokushima Route. The fares are from the departure point "Sumiyoshi Port."

▼ The fare for the regular ship on the Manabe Island Route is as follows.

▼ The fare for the high-speed ship on the Manabe Island Route is as follows.

▼ Here are some important points to note.

Fares for ferries departing from Fukukoshi Port

There are three types of ferry routes departing from Fukukoshi Port, but the destination islands are only Shiraishi-jima Island and Kitagi-shima Island.

However, fares vary depending on the ferry operating company (ship name).

▼ First, here are the fares to Shiraishi-jima Island.

▼ Here are the fares to Kitagi-shima Island.

Please note that fares are paid after boarding the ship.

After boarding, you will be approached by a crew member, so please pay in cash at that time.

Important points vary by ferry operating company, so please check each company's website.

Fares for passenger ships departing from Kamijima Gaiura Port

Here are the fares for passenger ships departing from Kamijima Gaiura Port.

▼ Here are some important points to note.

Travel time to each island by passenger ship and ferry

When taking a passenger ship or ferry, you may be curious about how long it takes to reach each island.

Travel time when boarding a passenger ship departing from Sumiyoshi Port

How long does it take to arrive at each island when boarding a passenger ship departing from Sumiyoshi Port?

Even at the same arrival port, the high-speed ship arrives faster.

Whether you want to "get there quickly" or "enjoy a leisurely boat trip," choose the ship that suits your purpose.

Travel time when boarding a ferry departing from Fukukoshi Port

Next, let's look at the travel time when boarding a ferry departing from Fukukoshi Port.

It takes quite a bit of time. Let's head over leisurely.

Travel time when boarding a passenger ship departing from Kamijima Gaiura Port

Here is the travel time when boarding a passenger ship departing from Kamijima Gaiura Port.

Items that can be brought onto passenger ships and ferries

You may not only travel to each island with just yourself but sometimes you may also take your car or bicycle with you.

The items that can be brought are roughly as follows.

Here are some important points to note.

Various fees differ by operating company, so please check each company's website for details.

Timetable for passenger ships and ferries

You may also be curious about the timetable for passenger ships and ferries.

Operating hours may be revised, so it is advisable to check each operating company's website or contact each operating company directly.

Other ways to reach the islands besides passenger ships and ferries

There are other ways to reach each island besides passenger ships and ferries.

Using a water taxi can take you directly to your destination island.

Depending on the number of passengers and time, it can be an effective means of transportation.

A water taxi is a charter boat, so sightseeing may also be possible.

Here is the information for various water taxis.

Additionally, charter boats can also be used to travel from Kamijima Gaiura Port to Takashima.

From the Writer

If you are visiting the Kasaoka Islands for the first time, you may feel anxious as there will be many things you do not understand.

Here are some points to keep in mind when using the ferry, so please check them before your departure.

If you prepare well in advance, you will surely be fine.

Have a great boat trip!

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