Hondo (Shimoshima) - Matsushima (Maeshima)
Ferry to Kyushu
Hondo (Shimoshima) - Matsushima (Maeshima)
Ferry to Kyushu
See ferry fares and operators from all over the world in one spot, and find the sailing that fits your trip. Booking early is usually the surest way to get a good price and plenty of choice.
Discounts are available with Direct Ferries all year round. If a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied for you automatically once the right age bracket is selected in the passenger options.
Students and recent graduates can claim a 5% saving. Register with our partner Student Beans to verify eligibility, then apply your discount code at checkout.
Resident discounts also apply to a number of Spanish and Italian routes — pick the "Residents" option during search and the fare adjusts automatically. Be ready to show proof of address, such as an ID card or residency certificate, at check-in.
Requirements for travel documents change from route to route, so check what's needed ahead of time. A valid passport is usually required for Hondo (Shimoshima) to Matsushima (Maeshima) travel, plus any visa or national ID relevant to your nationality. Since the rules depend on your citizenship and destination, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is the place to check for the latest guidance and avoid delays at check-in.
To book, just add your departure port, arrival port and preferred date, and you'll see every fare and sailing on offer. You can also compare alternative routes and times to find your best match.
Look out for early-bird pricing and flexible ticket options, such as upgrades or flexi-fares that let you make changes down the line. Entering accurate details — passenger count, vehicle specs and so on — keeps the process running smoothly.
As soon as your booking is confirmed, a confirmation email will land in your inbox. What happens next with your boarding pass depends on the operator you've booked.
Some operators issue boarding passes right away, while others need you to check in at the port itself. Where it's supported, the Direct Ferries app lets you check in online in advance.
You'll usually find ticket desks close to the ferry terminal. Giving yourself a little extra time before departure means you can collect tickets and check in without any stress.
Bring your confirmation email and valid photo ID, such as a passport or identity card, to check in. Pet owners should have vaccination and insurance documents on hand, and anyone with a resident discount should carry proof of address.
There are a few reasons departures from Hondo (Shimoshima) to Matsushima (Maeshima) might not show for your chosen date — a schedule change, sold-out sailings, or a seasonal lull are the most likely. Try another date or check alternative routes through our Route & Port finder.
Booking your Hondo (Shimoshima) to Matsushima (Maeshima) ferry well ahead of time generally works in your favour — you'll usually find better fares and a wider choice of departures and cabins.
A few weeks ahead is usually enough notice to catch the best offers, though fares can still fluctuate with the season and remaining space.
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Tucked away in a bay on Shimoshima Island, the largest of the islands that form the Amakusa archipelago off the southern coast of Japan, is the port of Hondo. Found on the jagged coastline of the island’s Amakusa City, this small selection of piers and wharves overlook a sweeping expanse of Shimabara Bay and towards the rolling hills of neighbouring Ueshima Island. The region is famed for its Amakusa pottery made from crystalline stones known as Toseki, which are ground down into clay and then masterfully sculptured into cups and bowls by the hands of local artisans. Such is the homespun beauty of the finished creations; they have been lauded by the government and are regularly shipped to all corners of Japan. The ferry terminal of Hondo, the name a throwback to the city of Hondo that existed in the area before being merged into Amakusa, is located at the foot of the port’s largest undercover jetty. It sits in a prime location near the city centre and is just a 5-minute drive from the bridge that connects Shimoshima with the island of Ueshima. There are plenty of passenger facilities here too, with the check-in building supplied by toilets, a nearby convenience store and a number of vending machines selling food and drink. Though there are a number of transport links in the city, travelling to the port can prove difficult for newcomers unfamiliar with the maze-like nature of the downtown streets and districts. The 324 motorway is one of the major routes through Amakusa, a lengthy, snaking road that passes by the port as it cuts through the city’s heart and then traces the coast of the island’s northern tip. The Amakusa Airport, offering flights to the Japanese mainland, is also found on the outskirts just a 15-minute drive away. On Saturdays, the airport can be reached via a shuttle bus that leaves from a station just outside the harbour. Two ferry routes currently leave from Hondo port a number of times each day. Services operated by Amakusa Takarajima Lines sail north across the waters of Shimabara Bay to the towns of Matushima just over half an hour away on the island of Maejima, and Misumi a little bit further towards the Japanese mainland.
