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Tokyo to Hokkaido by Ferry: Getting to the Port & Boarding the Sunflower

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All aboard the Ferry Sunflower! Find out how to get from Tokyo to Oarai Port, and onto the ship!

Relaxing All the Way from Tokyo to Hokkaido



Hokkaido is a land of snowy winters and gentle, sunny summers, with snow festivals and fields of lavender waving in the wind… But it's a little bit far from Tokyo, where most sightseers arrive in Japan and spend much of their time. To get from Tokyo to Hokkaido, the default transportation method is to fly, but what if we told you there was a better way? Instead of airport stress, plenty of travelers would prefer to start their next visit to Hokkaido with all the relaxation of an ocean cruise, and thankfully there's a ferry made for the job. The Sunflower ferries people (and cars and pets) from the Tokyo area to a port near Sapporo and back twice almost every day, and this spring, we decided to hop on board! After making reservations from the system on the Sunflower homepage (see our step-by-step reservation guide), and packing for a trip to the chilly northern region of Hokkaido, all that was left was to make our way from Tokyo Station to Oarai Port to board the Sunflower. Follow us as we show you the easiest way to get to the ferry from Tokyo!

Tokyo~Hokkaido Ferry Sunflower (フェリーさんふらわあ)
Official Website (en)

How to Get from Tokyo to the Ferry Sunflower

Step 1: Tokyo Station to Mito Station



Starting from the central point of Tokyo Station, it's an easy route to the ferry terminal, but there are some options when it comes to transportation!

The first step is to get from the heart of Tokyo to Mito Station, outside of the city, and there are two ways to do that. Option one is an intercity bus, which leaves from the Tokyo Station bus terminal. Go out Tokyo Station's Yaesu South Exit, and you'll see all the buses on your right, departing from a series of numbered stops.



By Bus:
You can purchase a ticket for the Mito-go (みと号) bus for about 2,250 yen from the machines inside the JR Expressway Bus office, found directly across the sidewalk from the buses, before lining up at bus stop #4 for the next bus bound for Mito Station. They leave once or twice an hour, and will take you to a bus stop just around the corner from the Mito Station. The 2:30 pm bus leaves at a good time for travelers headed straight to the ferry port!



By Train: 
The other option is to just take the train to Mito Station, which you can do by getting a ticket in Tokyo Station for a Hitachi or Tokiwa limited express train headed north, which leaves about twice an hour. This option is a little bit quicker (the bus takes about two hours and the train is closer to an hour and 20 minutes), but it's also somewhat pricier (train tickets are about 3,890 yen), so it's up to you to choose which route you prefer! Aim for the 3:53 pm train to get to the port at a good time.

Step 2: Mito Station to Oarai Station



Mito is the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, known for its huge samurai garden full of plum blossoms, but it's also not far from the ferry terminal. We're already almost there!

By Bus:
From Mito Station, you can take a bus to Oarai Ferry Terminal from bus stop #3 right in front of the station's north exit for between 560 and 620 yen. (Try for the bus that leaves at 5:25 pm.) But the bus isn't the only option!



By Train:
To take a local train instead, you can get yourself a ticket for the Kashima Rinkai Railway train to Oarai Station, which is actually the cheaper option this time! The tickets cost 330 yen – just be careful to get them from a ticket machine marked "JR/大洗鹿島線" on a green and red sign, and not the machines reserved exclusively for JR tickets.



Head through the gates and down to the platform to enjoy the very local one-car train and its retro stylings (a bit hit among Japan's railway fans), and hop on board for a trip with views of Japan's rural rice paddies. Take the train that leaves at 5:30 pm – it's about 15 minutes to Oarai Station.

Step 3: Oarai Station to the Sunflower!



While some buses can take you directly from Mito Station to the Oarai Ferry Terminal where the Sunflower departs, the train goes to Oarai Station instead. From there, it's about a 17-minute walk to the ferry, which isn't bad if you've got light luggage and good weather! But if a stroll through the seaside town of Oarai doesn't appeal to you, there's also one last bus you can take to get right to the ferry terminal, plus a taxi stand right outside the station.



The Kaiyu-Go Bus stops at Oarai Station and Oarai Ferry Terminal on the Oarai Sun Beach Route, and you can pay the 100 yen fare once you get on board. Unfortunately, it has a very limited schedule that doesn't line up very well with the ferry departure time. If you don't feel like dragging your suitcases along, just hop in a cab, and you'll get to the ferry port in five or six minutes (for under 1,000 yen).



Once you arrive at the Oarai Ferry Terminal, all you have to do is check in at the counter in the ferry terminal building, and then head onto the ship – or hang out in the lobby for a while while you wait until it's time to board.

Do a Little Sightseeing On Your Way



If you're short on time, you might want to take the quickest possible route from Tokyo to the ferry, but if you've got a few hours to spare, there's plenty to see along the way! With a little planning, you can add a trip to Mito's famous gardens to your day by throwing your luggage into a locker at Mito Station and taking a bus and a short walk (about 20 minutes altogether) to Kairakuen Gardens. The gardens are especially lovely at the end of winter (February and March) with all the plum blossoms in bloom, but the expansive park is a relaxing destination throughout the year.

▷ More on Kairakuen Gardens here.



For a slightly more spur-of-the-moment destination to check out if you've arrived in Oarai a little bit early, don't miss Oarai Isosaki Shrine, with its torii gate standing on a rocky outcropping buffeted by the ocean waves.

▷ More on Oarai Isosaki Shrine.

Transportation to and From the Hokkaido Port



According to ferry staff, the vast majority of sightseers who take the ferry come aboard in the Tokyo area and head north on the Sunflower in the direction of Hokkaido. That means most travelers disembark from the ship in the ferry terminal in the small Hokkaido town of Tomakomai, and need to make their way into Sapporo via bus or train. Of course, if you're boarding in Hokkaido, you can just start in Sapporo and follow these directions in reverse! It's a simple route from Tomakomai Ferry Terminal into the big city.



The easiest and cheapest option is just to take a direct Express Tomakomai-go bus from the ferry terminal into Sapporo, which takes about two hours and 1,450 yen, but the bus only runs that route four times a day. There's one that leaves a little before 2 pm, but since the ferry only arrives at Tomakomai Port at about 1:30 in the afternoon, that might be cutting it a little close for some people! If you don't make it onto the bus straight to Sapporo, you can take a bus to Tomakomai Station instead. From there trains leave for Sapporo at fairly regular intervals.

The Sunflower's operating company also offers a special Tokyo to Sapporo ticket called the Pacific Story pass, which includes both the ferry ticket and bus fare between the cities. You can contact the reservation center in Oarai (029-267-4133) or Tomakomai (0144-34-3121) for more information on prices, and to make reservations!



Whichever direction you're headed, you'll be on the ferry in no time, enjoying the crisp ocean air and all the creature comforts of a shipboard adventure, instead of a cramped flight across Japan. For details on all the fun you can have on board, keep an eye out for our next article, and for ideas of what to do once you reach Hokkaido, check out all our Hokkaido recommendations.

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

Details

NAME:Ferry Sunflower (フェリーさんふらわあ)

ACCESS:Tokyo Station to Sapporo Station

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      Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!

    • Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.

    • Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).

    • Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).

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      Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.

    • Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!

    • Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!

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      Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.

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      Yamagata Prefecture is up against the Sea of Japan, in the southern part of the Tohoku region, and it's especially popular in winter, when travelers soak in the onsen (hot springs) and ski down snowy slopes. International skiiers are especially fond of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Gassan Ski Resort, and in recent years visitors have been drawn to the area to see the mystical sight of local frost-covered trees. Some destinations are popular regardless of the season, like Risshakuji Temple, AKA Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen's nostalgic old-fashioned streets, and Zao's Okama Lake, all great for taking pictures. Yamagata is also the place to try Yonezawa beef, one of the top 3 varieties of wagyu beef.

    • Japan's most densely populated area, the Kanto Region (関東地方) includes 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, which means it also contains the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. In modern-day Japan, Kanto is the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country, and each prefecture offers something a little different from its neighbors.

    • Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.

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      Tochigi Prefecture's capital is Utsunomiya, known for famous gyoza, and just an hour from Tokyo. The prefecture is full of nature-related sightseeing opportunities year-round, from the blooming of spring flowers to color fall foliage. Tochigi also has plenty of extremely well-known sightseeing destinations, like World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park―famous for expansive wisteria trellises. In recent years the mountain resort town of Nasu has also become a popular excursion, thanks in part to the local imperial villa. Tochigi is a beautiful place to enjoy the world around you.

    • Tokyo (東京) is Japan's busy capital, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city as a whole is quite modern, crowded with skyscrapers and bustling crowds, Tokyo also holds onto its traditional side in places like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa neighborhood. It's one of the world's top cities when it comes to culture, the arts, fashion, games, high-tech industries, transportation, and more.

    • The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.

    • Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.

    • Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.

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      Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.

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      Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.

    • Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.

    • Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.

    • Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.

    • Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.

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      The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.

    • HIROSHIMA

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      Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.

    • SHIKOKU

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      On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).

    • Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.

    • Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!

    • FUKUOKA

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      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

    • KAGOSHIMA

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      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

    • OKINAWA

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      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

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