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Kyushu's sea routes to remote islands (From North to South)

Hime-shima (Hime Island)

Hime-shima (Himeshima, Oita PRF)
Himeshima Village

Bungo-shoto (Bungo Islands)

Jimuku-jima (Jimukujima, Oita PRF)
Tsukumi City

Hoto-jima (Hotojima, Oita PRF)
Yama Maru

Onyu-jima (Katagami, Saiki, Takamatsu, Oita PRF)
Onyujima Kanko Ferry
Yutaka Kaiun

O-shima (Oshima, Oita PRF)
Saiki City

Yakata-jima (Yakatajima Oita PRF)
Fuka-shima (Fukashima, Oita PRF)
Kamae Kotsu

Shima(no)ura-to (Shima(no)ura Island)

Shimanoura-shima (Shimanoura, Miyazaki PRF)
Nippo Kisen

Minaminaka-gunto (Minaminaka Archipelago)

O-shima (Oshima, Miyagi PRF)
Nichinan City

Chikuzen-shoto (Chukuzen Islands)

Uma-shima (Umashima, Fukuoka PRF)
Aino-shima (Ainoshima, Fukuoka PRF)
Kita Kyushu City

Jino-shima (Jinoshima, Fukuoka PRF)
O-shima (Oshima, Fukuoka PRF)
Munakata City

Aino-shima (Ainoshima, Fukuoka PRF)
Shingu Town

Genkai-jima (Genkaijima, Fukuoka PRF)
Orono-shima (Oronoshima, Fukuoka PRF)
Shikano-shima (Shikanoshima, Fukuoka PRF)
Nokono-shima (Nokonoshima, Fukuoka PRF)
Fukuoka City

Hime-shima (Himeshima, Fukuoka PRF)
Itoshima City

Genkai-shoto (Genkai Islands)

Taka-shima (Takashima, Saga PRF)
Karatsu-shi Gyogyo Kyodo Kumiai

Kashiwa-jima (Kashiwajima, Saga PRF)
Karatsu Sea Line

Ogawa-jima (Ogawajima, Saga PRF)
Kawaguchi Kisen

Kakara-shima (Kakarashima, Saga PRF)
Kakarashima Kisen

Matsu-shima (Matsushima, Saga PRF)
Madara-shima (Madarashima, Saga PRF)
Yusho Maru

Tsushima-to (Tsushima Island)

Tsushima-to (Izuhara, Hitakatsu, Takeshiki, Nii, Mizusaki, Nagasaki PRF)
Iki Tsushima Sealine
Iki Tsushima Ferry
Kyushu Yusen
Taishu Kaiun

Ikino-shima (Iki Island)

Iki (Gonoura, Indoji, Ashibe, Nagasaki PRF)
Iki Tsushima Sealine
Iki Tsushima Ferry
Kyushu Yusen
Iki City

Haru-shima (Harushima, Nagasaki PRF)
Naga-shima (Nagashima, Nagasaki PRF)
O-shima (Oshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Iki City

Hirado-shoto (Hirado Islands)

Hirado-jima (Hirado, Maetsuyoshi, Nagasaki PRF)
Tsuyoshi Shosen

Taka-shima (Tonoura, Funatozu, Aoura, Nagasaki PRF)
Kuro-shima (Kuroshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Ao-shima (Aoshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Tobi-shima (Tobishima, Nagasaki PRF)
Takashima Kisen

O-shima (Oshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Hirado-shi Ferry

Taku-shima (Takushima, Nagasaki PRF)
Takeyama Unyu

Uku-jima (Taira, Konoura, Nagasaki PRF)
Kyushu Shosen Co., Ltd.
Sasebo City
Nippon Express Sasebo Branch
Nomo Shosen

Tera-shima (Terashima, Nagasaki PRF)
Sasebo City

Mu-shima (Mushima, Nagasaki PRF)
Nozaki-Jima (Nozaki, Nagasaki PRF)
No-shima (Noshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Ojika Town

Ojika-jima (Ojika, Yanagi, Nagasaki PRF)
Ojika Town
Kyushu Shosen Co., Ltd.
Sasebo City
Nippon Express Sasebo Branch
Nomo Shosen

O-shima (Oshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Ojika Town

Taka-shima (Takashima, Nagasaki PRF)
Kuro-shima (Kuroshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Kuroshima Ryokyakusen

Goto-retto (Goto Islands)

Nakadori-jima (Arikawa, Enokizu, Aokata, Gonokubi, Narao, Fuefuki, Shukunoura, Kirifurusato, Sakiura, Tainoura, Tatekushi, Nagasaki PRF)
Kido Shosen
Kyushu Shosen Co., Ltd.
Shinkamigoto Town
Goto Sangyo Kisen Co., Ltd.
Goto Ryokyakusen
Nippon Express Sasebo Branch
Nomo Shosen

Wakamatsu-jima (Wakamatsu, Nagasaki PRF)
Goto Ryokyakusen
Shinkamigoto Town
Nomo Shosen

Hino-shima (Hinoshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Arifuku-jima (Arifukujima, Nagasaki PRF)
Ryozegaura-shima (Ryozegaurashima, Nagasaki PRF)
Shinkamigoto Town

Naru-shima (Ainoura, Nagasaki PRF)
Kyushu Shosen Co., Ltd.
Goto Ryokyakusen
Goto City
Nomo Shosen

Mae-shima (Ura, Nagasaki PRF)
Goto City

Hisaka-jima (Tanoura, Nagasaki PRF)
Kiguchi Kisen

Fukue-jima (Fukue, Tomie, Tananoura, Kishiku, Kaizu, Nagasaki PRF)
Oushima Kaiun
Kiguchi Kisen
Kyushu Shosen Co., Ltd.
Goto City
Goto Ryokyakusen
Saganoshima Ryokyakusen
Nomo Shosen
Kaijo Taxi Goto

Aka-shima (Akashima, Nagasaki PRF)
Ou-shima (Oushima, Nagasaki PRF)
Oushima Kaiun

Kuro-shima (Kuroshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Shimayama-jima (Tamanoura, Nagasaki PRF)
Goto City

Sagano-shima (Saganoshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Saganoshima Ryokyakusen

Kakinoura O-shima (Kakinoura O Island)

O-shima (Hizenoshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Saikai Engan Shosen

Kakinoura-shima (Sakito, Nagasaki PRF)
Eno-shima (Maruta, Nagasaki PRF)
Hira-shima (Hirashima, Nagasaki PRF)
Sakito Kisen

Matsu-shima (Matsu Island)

Matsu-shima (Matsushima, Nagasaki PRF)
Ezaki Kairiku Unso
Saikai City
Saikai Engan Shosen

Ike-shima (Ikeshima, Nagasaki PRF)
Saikai Engan Shosen

Io-jima (Io Island)

Io-jima (Iojima, Nagasaki PRF)
Nagasaki Kisen

Taka-shima (Taka Island)

Taka-shima (Takashima, Nagasaki PRF)
Nagasaki Kisen

Amakusa-shoto (Amakusa Islands)

Yu-shima (Yushima, Kumamoto PRF)
Kumamoto Ferry Co., Ltd.

Yokoura-jima (Yokoura, Yoichigaura, Kumamoto PRF)
Amakusa Kanko Kisen
Kyodo Ferry
Sakae Kisen
Yamahata Unyu

Maki-shima (Makishima, Kumamoto PRF)
Goshoura-jima (Hongo, Arakuchi, Kumamoto PRF)
Amakusa Kanko Kisen
Kumamoto Ferry Co., Ltd.
Kyodo Ferry
Sakae Kisen
Yamahata Unyu

Amakusa Kami-shima(Matsushima, Aitsu, Tanasoko, Odo, Kumamoto PRF)
Amakusa Kanko Kisen
Sakae Kisen
Seacruise
Yamahata Unyu
Kimoto Kanko

Amakusa Shimo-shima (Hondo, Oniike, Tomioka, Ushibuka, Kamihira, Nakata, Kumamoto PRF)
Seacruise
Kumamoto Ferry Co., Ltd.
Sanwa Shosen
Shimabara Tetsudou Co., Ltd.
Tencho Ferry (Rosary Line)
Yasuda Sangyo Kisen Co., Ltd.

Naga-shima (Naga Island)

Shishi-jima (Kasasoba, Shishijima, Hegushi, Kagoshima PRF)
Tencho Ferry (Rosary Line)
Hato Kisen

O-shima (O Island)

O-shima (Oshima, Kagoshima PRF)
Nangoku Kaiun

Koshikijima-retto (Koshikijima Islands)

Kamikoshiki-jima (Sato, Nakakoshiki, Kagoshima PRF)
Nakakoshiki-jima (Taira, Kagoshima PRF)
Shimokoshiki-jima (Teuchi, Nagahama, Kagoshima PRF)
Koshikishima Shosen
Goshiki Sangyo

Tanega-shima (Tane Island)

Tanega-shima (Nishinoomote, Shimama, Kagoshima PRF)
Kasho Kaiun
Cosmo Line Inc.
Tane Yaku Kosokusen
Yakushima Town

Yaku-shima (Yaku Island)

Yaku-shima(Miyanoura, Anbo, Kagoshima PRF)
Orita Kisen
Kasho Kaiun
Tane Yaku Kosokusen
Yakushima Town

Kuchi(no)erabu-jima (Kuchi(no)erabu Island)

Kuchi(no)erabu-jima (Kuchi(no)erabujima, Kagoshima PRF)
Yakushima Town

Nansei-shoto (Nansei Islands)

Take-shima (Takeshima, Kagoshima PRF)
Io-jima (Iojima, Kagoshima PRF)
Kuro-shima (Osato, Kagoshima PRF)
Mishima Village

Kuchino-shima(Nishinohama, Kagoshima PRF)
Nakano-shima (Nakanoshima Kagoshima PRF)
Suwanose-jima (Motoura, Kiriishi, Kagoshima PRF)
Taira-jima(Haenohama, Kagoshima PRF)
Akuseki-jima (Yasurahama, Kagoshima PRF)
Kodakara-jima (Kodakarajima, Shironomae, Kagoshima PRF)
Takara-jima(Takarajima, Ogomori, Kagoshima PRF)
Toshima Village
Nakagawa Unyu Co., Ltd.

Amami O-shima (Amami O Island)

Amami O-shima (Naze, Koniya, Kuji, Nishikomi, Keten, Kudadon, Shinokawa, Kagoshima PRF)
Amami Kaiun
Marue Ferry (A" Line)
Setouchi Town
Toshima Village
Marix Line

Amami-gunto (Amami Archipelago)

Kakeroma-jima (Koniya, Saneku, Shiba, Kakeroma, Kagoshima PRF)
Yoro-shima (Yoro, Kagoshima PRF)
Uke-jima (Ukejima, Kagoshima PRF)
Setouchi Town

Kikai-jima (Wan, Somachi, Kagoshima PRF)
Amami Kaiun

Tokuno-shima (Hetono, Kametoku, Kagoshima PRF)
Oki(no)erabu-jima (Wadomari, Inobe, China, Kagoshima PRF)
Amami Kaiun
Marue Ferry (A" Line)
Marix Line

Yoron-jima (Yoron, Kagoshima PRF)
Marue Ferry (A" Line)
Marix Line

Information

Nomo Shosen's Taiko entered service on the Hakata-Goto Islands route on July 7, 2014.

A sister company of A" Line (Marue Ferry), Kagoshima-based Amami Kaiun's 'Ferry Kikai'(2,551gt) took the water at MHI Shimonoseki Shipyard on November 13, 2014. She entered service on the Kagoshima-Kikaijima-Amami Oshima-Tokunoshima-Oki(no)erabujima route on March 5, 2015. The 'Ferry Kikai' (2,878gt, 1995) was sold to South Korea, and renamed Hanil Red Pearl.

On April 4, 2015, the Himashima Maru No. 2 (199gt) of Himishima village, Oita prefecture entered service on the Himeshima-Ibi route.

On April 10, 2015, Shinkamigoto-based Goto Sangyo Kisen opened the Arikawa-Sasebo route with its Ferry Arikawa (498gt) & Yumesaki (187gt).

The Mishima (1,196gt), which plies between Kagoshima and Mishima islands, has called at Makurazaki monthly as a general rule from October 2015.

Mishima Village will build a replacement ship for the Mishima in 2019.

In July 2015, Karatsu Sea Line's Kojin Maru (19gt, LOA: 24.5m) entered service on the Karatsu-Kashiwajima route. The Karatsu Maru (58gt, LOA:25m) was replaced.

Kuroshima Ryokyakusen's new ferry, Ferry Kuroshima (182gt) was completed in September 2015. She will begin to run on the Sasebo-Takashima-Kuroshima route in October 2015.

On November 15, 2015, the Big Baramon King (19gt), which is operated by Kyushu Shosen caught fire in her engine room, and sank off Enoshima, Nagasaki prefecture. 9 people onboard, including 6 passengers were all rescued and safe. The Nagasaki-Arikawa route will be closed for a while.

On November 15, 2015, Shimabara-based Shimabara Tetsudou's new ferry, the Ferry Amakusa II (620gt) entered service on the Kuchinotsu (Shimabara)-Oniike (Amakusa) route. The Ferry Amakusa was replaced.

On April 1, 2016, Matsuura-based Takashima Kisen's pure passenger ferry, Takashima (60gt, pass: 96) entered service on the Tononoura-Tobishima-Imafuku route. The New Takashima 2 (356gt), a car ferry was replaced.

In March 2016, Iki-based "Iki Yusen" changed in corporate name to "Iki Tsushima Sealine".

Kyushu Shosen's Sea Princess will enter service on the Nagasaki-Arikawa route on October 28, 2016.

Setouchi Town's Ferry Kakeroma (197gt) was completed on November 15, 2016, and due to enter service between Koniya and Kakeromajima on December 1, 2016.

Goto Sangyo Kisen will open the Fukue-Sasebo route on May 1, 2017. The Arikawa No.8 (58gt, Pass: 79), a fast ferry will run on the route.

On September 14, 2017, Nagasaki-based Kyushu Shosen announced that it will launch a fast ferry (about 120gt, Pass: 140) on the Sasebo-Nakadorijima route in July 2018, and a car ferry (about 1400gt, Pass: 432) on the Sasebo-Ukujima-Ojikajima route in April 2019 respectively. Existing "Sea Queen" fast ferry (115gt) will launch on the Sasebo-Ukujima-Ojikajima route. The Narushio (645gt, 1987) will be sold.

On November 19, 2017, the Ferry Toshima 2, which is being built for Toshima village will take the water at MHI Shimonoseki shipyard.

Toshima Village's Ferry Toshima 2 (about 2000gt, LOA: about 90m, Beam: about 15m, Pass: about 300) was delivered by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding (ex-MHI) Shimonoseki shipyard on March 1, 2018. She is set to enter service in April.

Marue Ferry (A" Line)'s Ferry Naminoue (8072gt, Pass: 707) , which runs on the Naha-Amami islands-Kagoshima route will call at the port of Miyanoura, Yakushima island from March 4, 2018 for a year on a trial basis.

On October 2, 2018, Nagasaki-based Goto Sangyo Kisen ceased all operations without any advance notice.

In October 2018, Nagasaki-based Goyo Sangyo Kisen was out of business, and will go into administration in the very near future. It is expected that the company has liabilities of 1.5 billion yen or higher.

On October 10, 2018, another "Goto Sangyo Kisen Co., Ltd." was newly established and started the Nagasaki-Tainoura service with the Arikawa No.8 (58gt) on October 19, 2018.

Goto Sangyo Kisen went into bankruptcy on November 13, 2018 when the Nagasaki District Court commenced bankruptcy proceedings. Its debts, including an affiliated business', total about 2.5 billion yen.

On November 20, 2018, Japan Marine United (JMU) announced that it has accepted an order from Iki Shogyo Kaihatsu to convert "Mikasa" car ferry (671gt) into a show boat. The "Mikasa" will be renamed "STU 48 Go", and will be used to put on the stage by Inland Sea-based idol group, "STU 48."

On February 6, 2019, the Inori (1,450gt) for Kyushu Shosen took the water at Naikai Zosen Corporation Setoda shipyard. She is set to enter service in April 2019. The Ferry Narushio (645gt, 1987) will be replaced.

On March 1, 2019, the Ferry Oshima (272gt, Pass: 150, Car: 14, Minivan: 2, Cost of Constructing: about 842.4 million yen) entered service on the Hirado-Tabira-Azuchi Oshima route (13.53km). "Daini Ferry Oshima (=Ferry Oshima No.2)" (199gt) was sold to an Okinawan shipping company, Anei Kanko.

On March 12, 2019, the Diamond Iki (932gt) was completed at Yamanaka Shipbuilding. And she was delivered to Kyushu Yusen on March 14, 2019. The Diamond Iki is set to ply between Karatsu and Intsuji (Iki island) from April 1, 2019. The "Ferry Azusa" (683gt, 1987) will be replaced and sold.

Kyushu Shosen's "Inori" (1,450gt) is set to enter service on the Sasebo-Ukutaira-Ojika route on May 12, 2019.

On December 26, 2019, the Ferry Mishima (1,850gt) for Mishima Village took the water at Naikai Zosen's Setoda shipyard. She is expected to be delivered on March 30, 2020.

On October 27, 2020, Tsushima City and Kyushu Yusen announced that they have decided to name a replacement ship for the Ferry Genkai, which is being built at Usuki Shipyard, "Umiterashi." The Umiterashi (1,100gt, LOA: 81.50m, Beam: 13.4m, Service Speed: 17.0knots, Pass: 174, Car: 43) is scheduled to be completed in June 2021, and enter service on the Hitakatsu (Tsushima island)-Hakata (Fukuoka) route.

On February 16, 2021, the Umiterashi for Kyushu Yusen took the water at Usuki Shipyard.

Nagasaki-based Goto Ryokyakusen's new ferry, "Ocean" (GT: 431gt, LOA: 53m, Pass: 168, Car: 12, Built at Izutsu Shipyard) is set to enter service on the Wakamatsu-Naru-Fukue route on March 22, 2021. The "Ferry Ocean" (396gt) will be replaced.

On June 16, 2021, Usuki Shipyard delivered the Umiterashi (1,100gt, LOA:81.79m, Pass: 176, Car: 43, Sea Speed: 17knots) to Kyushu Yusen. She is set to enter service on the Fukuoka (Hakata)-Hitakatsu (Tsushima) route. The Ferry Genkai (675gt, 1983) will be replaced.

Rosario Calm (299gt, LOA: 36m, Beam: 10.6m), a double-ended ferry for Tenchou Ferry took the water at Maehata Shipbuilding in Sasebo on July 16, 2022. She ie expected to be delivered in mid-December, 2022. Ferry Rosario will be replaced.

Tencho Ferry’s Rosario Calm (295gt, LOA: 41.5m, Pass: 200, Built in 2022) is set to enter service on the Nakata-Shishijima-Shourajima route at the end of January 2023.

"Himeshima Maru No.1" ferry (199gt, LOA: 46m) for Himeshima Village took the water at Miura Shipbuilding in Saiki on November 10, 2023. She is slated for completion in the end of March 2024.

Koshikishima Shosen will replace its Ferry New Koshiki (940gt, built in 2002) . The new ferry (GT: 1,050gt, LOA: 73m, Beam: 13.2m, Speed: 17.5m) can carry up to 358 passengers and 41 cars, or 19 cars and 5 trucks. She will be built at Naikai Zosen. She is schedule to enter service on the Kushikino-Koshikijima Islands route in March 2025.

On December 29, 2023, fire occured in the engine room on the Toshima Mura’s Ferry Toshima 2 (1953gt) off Akusekijima. 29 passengers and crew members were all right.

On July 11, 2024, Koshikishima Shosen's Yui Line Koshiki (1,050gt) took the water at Naikai Zosen Setoda shipyard. She is expected to enter service on the Koshikishima islands-Kushikino route in March 2025. Ferry New Koshiki (940gt, built in 2002) will be replaced.