Sakurajima Ferry — Complete Guide

Vehicle fares

• Car fares are based on your vehicle's length and already include one driver's passenger fare — no need to pay separately for yourself.
• Larger vehicles (vans, campers, buses) keep scaling up from there — the official fare table covers every length up to 12m.

Car fare by length (one-way)

Local tip: no reservation is needed for a private car — just drive up and join the line. Only sightseeing buses can book a spot ahead of time.

How payment actually works

• You pay at Sakurajima Port, not when you board — whichever direction you're heading, the fare gate/toll booth is on the Sakurajima side.
• Cash and major credit cards work: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners, Discover and UnionPay, including tap-to-pay for most of those brands.
• National transit IC cards are accepted too — Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, Kitaca, TOICA, manaca, Hayakaken, nimoca, SUGOCA — but you can't top them up here, so make sure there's enough balance loaded before you go.
• There's also a Kagoshima-only rechargeable card called Rapica (¥3,000 to start: ¥2,500 usable + a refundable ¥500 deposit) — worth it only if you'll cross more than once or twice.

Boarding on foot

• Kagoshima side: board from the 2nd floor of the ferry terminal.
• Sakurajima side: board from the 3rd floor of the terminal.
• Boarding closes 30 seconds before departure on the Sakurajima side, so give yourself a few extra minutes there.

Boarding with a car, motorcycle or bicycle

• Drive or ride straight to the vehicle entrance at either port — no ticket-counter stop needed first.
• It's first-come, first-served. Expect a wait only during New Year, Golden Week or Obon, when the ferry sometimes adds extra sailings.

Can I bring a bicycle on board?

Yes — bicycles ride for ¥160 in addition to your own ¥250 passenger fare, and there's no reservation needed.

Can I use my Suica, PASMO or ICOCA?

Yes, along with most other national transit IC cards — but you can't add money to them at the ferry, so travel with enough balance already loaded.

Do I need to book ahead if I'm driving?

No. Private cars, motorcycles and bicycles board first-come, first-served. Only sightseeing buses can reserve a spot.

Does it run on New Year's, Golden Week or Obon?

Yes — it operates every single day of the year, and the city sometimes adds extra sailings during those peak periods.

Wait, isn't this a 24-hour ferry?

It used to be — but since October 1, 2025 it runs 4:00am to 11:30pm daily. Plan around that if you're arriving very early or leaving very late.

Does the CUTE pass cover the ferry?

Yes. The CUTE digital ticket (1-day ¥1,400 / 2-day ¥2,100 for adults) covers city buses, the city tram, the City View and Sakurajima Island View sightseeing buses and the Sakurajima Ferry, plus discount coupons for attractions. Buy it in the “myroute” or “Wakuwaku” app, or at a ticket counter, and show it to the staff at Sakurajima Port. It can't be changed or refunded after purchase.

Sakurajima is erupting — is it safe to visit?

Sakurajima is an active volcano, and as of the Japan Meteorological Agency's late-September 2026 bulletins it remained at Eruption Alert Level 3, with frequent small eruptions — entry near the craters is prohibited, and ash can fall in Kagoshima City depending on the wind. Ordinary sightseeing continues and the ferry normally keeps running, but check the ferry's official social media and JMA's volcano page on the day, and carry a mask or sunglasses on ash days.

How much is the Sakurajima ferry, how long does it take, and where is the timetable?

The walk-on fare is ¥250 for adults and ¥130 for children (age 1 to elementary school), the same in both directions and paid at Sakurajima Port. The crossing takes about 15 minutes, and boats run every day from 4:00am to 11:30pm — roughly every 15–20 minutes in the daytime and every 30–60 minutes at night. The full departure-by-departure timetable is on the official site (see the timetable link above).