Last Updated on 2026-09-30 by Tsubaki
Hi! I’m Tsubaki, a freelance contributing travel journalist who has lived in Japan since 2016! Located about 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo, the Ogasawara Islands are home to Japan’s only Natural World Heritage Site that can only be reached by a 24-hour scheduled ferry journey. Before planning your trip, however, there is one very important thing you need to understand. ”How to get to the Ogasawara Islands and how to book your transportation.”
Often nicknamed the “Galápagos of the East,” the Ogasawara Islands are one of Japan’s Natural World Heritage Sites. For me personally, they were also the final piece of my journey to visit every Natural World Heritage Site in Japan. And out of all of them, this was by far the trip that took me the longest to plan and was the most difficult to reach.
Compared with other Natural World Heritage Sites such as Yakushima and Shiretoko, the challenge is completely different.
In Yakushima, seeing the ancient Jomon Sugi requires a certain level of physical fitness. In Shiretoko, seeing the spectacular drift ice depends much more on luck and weather conditions.
Ogasawara, however, has a completely different obstacle: getting there is a challenge in itself.
There is no airport and no Shinkansen. Ferry seats are limited, and this is definitely not the kind of destination where you can simply decide to go at the last minute. Just getting there from Tokyo requires spending an entire 24 hours aboard a long-distance passenger ferry.
At first, I tried booking the ferry and accommodation myself. Since I could only travel during longer holidays such as Japan’s Obon period. However, I kept running into the same problems. Sometimes the ferry would sell out almost immediately after reservations opened. Other times, I managed to find ferry tickets, only to discover that all the accommodation I wanted on the island was already fully booked.
After struggling with this for nearly two years, I finally decided to book through a travel agency specializing in the Ogasawara Islands.
So in this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about transportation to the Ogasawara Islands. Including the ferry schedule, ticket prices, how to make reservations, the minimum number of days you should plan for your trip, and how I eventually managed to secure my ferry tickets.
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Where Are the Ogasawara Islands?
A lot of people assume that the Ogasawara Islands are somewhere near Okinawa.
They’re actually part of Tokyo Metropolis, despite being located about 1,000 kilometers south of central Tokyo. In fact, they are much farther from Tokyo than you might expect.
Administratively, they may belong to Tokyo, but geographically, they feel completely detached from mainland Japan. It takes an entire day to reach them by ferry, which is why people sometimes jokingly refer to Ogasawara as “the most remote part of Tokyo.”
That isolation is also exactly what makes the islands so special.
Having remained geographically separated from the outside world for such a long time, Ogasawara developed its own unique ecosystem. This extraordinary biodiversity earned the islands the nickname “the Galápagos of the East”. And eventually led to their designation as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.
How to Get to the Ogasawara : Scheduled Ferry or Cruise Ship
One of the first questions people ask when they hear about Ogasawara is:
“Can you fly to the Ogasawara Islands?”
The answer is no.
At the moment, neither Chichijima nor Hahajima has a commercial airport. That means the only way to reach Chichijima, the main gateway to the Ogasawara Islands, is by scheduled passenger ferry or cruise ship.
This limited accessibility is also one of the reasons the islands have been able to preserve such a pristine natural environment, making Ogasawara one of Japan’s hardest-to-reach, yet most precious, Natural World Heritage Sites.
Scheduled Ferry
The scheduled passenger ferry Ogasawara Maru (おがさわら丸) departs from Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal in Tokyo, with a one-way journey taking approximately 24 hours.
The ferry is an essential lifeline connecting island residents with mainland Japan, and it is also the main form of transportation used by most visitors traveling to Ogasawara.
Cruise Ships
Cruise ship services are much less frequent and do not operate on a regular schedule. There are generally only a handful of sailings each year, often during specific tourism seasons, departing from ports around Japan such as Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagoya.
Compared with the scheduled ferry, cruises are designed more as sightseeing journeys. Cabins are generally private rooms for two, three, or more passengers, offering a more comfortable experience.
However, the overall voyage is usually longer, while the amount of time spent on the islands tends to be shorter. This makes cruise itineraries considerably less flexible.
For independent travelers whose main purpose is to explore the Ogasawara Islands themselves, the Ogasawara Maru scheduled ferry is usually the most practical option.
The Ferry Journey: What to Expect
Ogasawara Maru Schedule and Travel Time
When planning transportation to Ogasawara, the most important things to understand are the ferry schedule and travel time.
Apart from occasional cruise ships, the scheduled Ogasawara Maru is currently the main way to reach the islands, which means your entire itinerary needs to be planned around its fixed sailing schedule.
The outbound ferry generally departs Tokyo at 11:00 AM and arrives at Futami Port on Chichijima at 11:00 AM the following day.
For the return journey, the ferry departs Futami Port at around 3:30 PM and arrives back at Tokyo’s Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal at approximately 3:30 PM the following day.
Ogasawara Maru Basic Information
| Information | |
| Ferry | Ogasawara Maru（おがさわら丸） |
| Departure | Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal, Tokyo |
| Arrival | Futami Port, Chichijima (父島二見港) |
| Travel time | Approx. 24 hours |
| Frequency | Approx. once a week during the low season; every 3–4 days during peak periods |
| Flights | No regular commercial flights currently available |
The entire journey takes around 24 hours. After departing Tokyo, the ferry travels through Tokyo Bay, passes landmarks such as the Rainbow Bridge. Then continues past the Izu Islands before heading farther out into the Pacific Ocean.
Although spending an entire day on a ferry might sound exhausting, the voyage itself is part of the Ogasawara experience.
The ship is surprisingly well equipped, with restaurants, observation lounges, shower rooms, shops, vending machines, hot-water dispensers, a children’s playroom, smoking areas, and other facilities.
Instead of thinking of the 24-hour ferry ride as simply transportation, it really feels like the journey begins the moment you step onboard.
Here’s an interesting bit of history, too. According to historical records on the islands, older ships traveled much more slowly, and reaching Chichijima once took as long as three full days.
Compared with those early voyages, today’s fifth-generation Ogasawara Maru is the result of decades of improvements and is by far the most advanced version yet!
How Does the Ogasawara Ferry Schedule Work? Understanding the 6-Day Cycle
The Ogasawara Maru operates on a fixed rotation. So travel dates are much less flexible than they are for most destinations in Japan.
During the low season, the ferry generally operates on a six-day cycle, while during peak travel periods. The interval may be shortened to around three days. Always check the official Ogasawara Kaiun timetable before planning your trip.
During the low season, after arriving at Chichijima, the ferry remains at the port for three nights before departing for Tokyo at 3:30 PM on the fifth day.
During peak periods, additional sailings may operate, and the ferry may depart Chichijima again on the same afternoon it arrives.
Since the round-trip journey alone requires two full days at sea, a very short visit simply isn’t practical if you actually want to experience Ogasawara.
That’s why the standard itinerary for most visitors is 6 days and 5 nights. Including two nights aboard the ferry and three nights on the island.
And yes, if you miss your return ferry, you may have to stay on the island for several extra days until the next sailing!
I visited during the August peak season, when there were more frequent sailings, so I planned a 7-day, 6-night trip, including two nights onboard and four nights on the islands.
A typical itinerary might look something like this:
・Day 1: Depart Tokyo in the morning
・Day 2: Arrive at Chichijima in the morning
・Days 3–5: Explore Chichijima and Hahajima
・Day 6: Depart Chichijima in the afternoon
・Day 7: Arrive back in Tokyo
If you also want to visit Hahajima, you’ll need to take the separate Hahajima Maru ferry from Chichijima during your stay.
Ferry Cabin Classes and Ticket Prices
Fares for the Ogasawara Maru vary depending on the season and the monthly fuel surcharge. So prices can change from month to month.
There are six cabin classes onboard, ranging from the most affordable Second Class Japanese-style room. Which is essentially a shared sleeping area, to the luxurious Deluxe Cabin, a private room for two. One-way fares generally range from around ¥27,000 to over ¥100,000, depending on the cabin class and travel period.
* 27,000 JPY (≈ $170.91 USD / £129.06 GBP / €152.55 EUR) * 100,000 JPY (≈ $633.00 USD / £478.00 GBP / €565.00 EUR)Prices vary from year to year, so I highly recommend checking the latest fares before booking.
My boyfriend and I didn’t really want to sleep in the shared Japanese-style sleeping area, so we paid a little extra and booked the Second Class Sleeper instead. The price difference wasn’t that big, and personally, I think the upgrade was totally worth it!
How to Book Ogasawara Ferry Tickets
Ferry tickets generally go on sale two months before the departure date through Ogasawara Kaiun. During peak travel periods, however, specific dates may have a designated ticket release date.
Tickets can be booked online through the Ogasawara Kaiun website 24 hours a day. Or reserved by phone or through a travel agency.
But here’s something you definitely need to keep in mind.
Since there are only around one or two sailings per week, tickets during peak seasons such as Golden Week and the summer holidays can sell out almost immediately after reservations open, regardless of cabin class.
If you’re determined to book everything yourself, I strongly recommend creating your account in advance. Also setting a reminder on your calendar for the exact moment ticket sales open.
In addition to booking ferry tickets online, Ogasawara Kaiun also offers the Ogamaru Pack. Which combines round-trip ferry tickets with accommodation.
However,
the Ogamaru Pack can only be booked by phone. Which may make it less convenient for international travelers who don’t speak Japanese.
Of course, if you have a more flexible schedule and aren’t restricted by a typical office job like I am. Another option is simply to avoid major Japanese holidays. Tickets are generally much easier to secure outside peak travel periods.
From my own experience, I tried booking everything myself for two years in a row.
The first year, I couldn’t get any of the more affordable lower-class cabins. The second year, I actually managed to find ferry tickets, only to discover that there were no suitable accommodations left on the island.
So both attempts ended in failure.
I even briefly considered just camping somewhere. Until I later found out that tent camping is prohibited throughout the Ogasawara Islands.
My recommendations:
✔️ Secure your accommodation before trying to book the ferry
✔️ Consider using a travel agency specializing in the Ogasawara Islands, which is what I eventually did
✔️ Once your ferry is confirmed, immediately book popular activities such as whale watching, swimming with dolphins, and tours to Minamijima
Recommended Travel Agency Specializing in the Ogasawara Islands
As I mentioned above, I tried booking everything myself for two consecutive years, and both attempts failed. Eventually, I decided to let a travel agency handle the reservation for me.
This time, I chose a travel agency specializing in trips to the Ogasawara Islands. In addition to ferry tickets, they offer packages combining ferry tickets and accommodation. With optional outdoor activities that can also be added to your itinerary.
The agency I used was National Land (ナショナルランド), which specializes in Ogasawara travel.
One important thing to understand, however, is that the agency does not receive priority access to ferry tickets. Booking through a travel agency therefore doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a seat. They still have to wait until official ticket sales open before confirming whether your reservation has been successful.
For international travelers,
another thing to be aware of is that the agency will initially contact you by email to ask whether you can communicate in Japanese.
That said, with AI translation tools available these days, I honestly don’t think communication is much of an issue. During the booking process, you’ll also need to confirm your preferred accommodation and whether you want to upgrade your ferry cabin.
When I first contacted them, most of the popular accommodations on the island were already fully booked. The agency asked whether I would be willing to stay in the Aose area, which is farther away from the port.
Instead, I decided to join the waiting list for accommodation closer to the port.
Luckily, a room eventually became available near the port, and I was also able to secure my first-choice cabin, the Second Class Sleeper!
In the end, our 7-day National Pack included round-trip ferry tickets upgraded to Second Class Sleeper cabins plus four nights of accommodation. The total for two people came to ¥219,840. Prices will vary depending on the accommodation you choose.
Yes, that means the round-trip ferry plus four nights of accommodation alone cost more than ¥100,000 per person. Ogasawara is definitely not a cheap trip…
* 219,840 JPY (≈ $1,391.59 USD / £1,050.84 GBP / €1,242.10 EUR) * 100,000 JPY (≈ $633.00 USD / £478.00 GBP / €565.00 EUR)Important Things to Know Before Traveling to Ogasawara
Protecting Ogasawara’s Unique Ecosystem
When traveling between the islands, such as visiting Minamijima or Hahajima, you may be required to clean the soles of your shoes before disembarking or entering protected natural areas.
This is an important measure designed to prevent invasive species, including flatworms and non-native plant seeds, from being accidentally carried into Ogasawara’s fragile ecosystem.
Prepare for Seasickness
It’s a long journey, so I strongly recommend bringing your own seasickness medication.
Earplugs, an eye mask, and a light jacket are also worth packing if you want to sleep more comfortably during the 24-hour voyage.
If you forget to bring seasickness medicine, you can also find dissolvable motion sickness medication at the onboard shop, although I personally wouldn’t rely on it as your only option, as it may not be strong enough for everyone.
Emergency Medical Transportation
In the event of a serious medical emergency, patients may need to be transported by Japan Self-Defense Forces helicopter or flying boat to mainland Japan, or transferred via Iwo To before receiving further medical treatment.
Final Thoughts
You won’t find huge shopping malls or the kind of convenient transportation you might expect elsewhere in Japan.
What you will find, however, is some of the clearest ocean water in the country, an incredibly rich natural ecosystem, and a slower pace of travel that genuinely feels far removed from the noise of city life.
And perhaps it’s precisely because Ogasawara is so difficult to reach that the islands have managed to preserve so much of their wild and precious character.
Yes, you’ll have to survive a 24-hour ferry journey with little to no internet connection. But in a way, that’s also part of the experience.
For once, you’re forced to disconnect, step away from the constant stream of notifications, and enjoy a proper digital detox in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
If, like me, you’re hoping to complete your journey through all of Japan’s Natural World Heritage Sites, Ogasawara absolutely deserves a place on your list.
It takes time, money, and a lot more planning than most trips around Japan, but there’s a very good chance it will also become one of the most unforgettable journeys you’ll ever take in Japan.
Ogasawara Islands Transportation FAQ
How to get to the Ogasawara Islands?
There are currently no commercial flights to the Ogasawara Islands. For most travelers, the only way to get there is by taking the scheduled Ogasawara Maru (おがさわら丸) ferry from Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal in Tokyo to Chichijima. The one-way journey takes approximately 24 hours.
Can you fly to the Ogasawara Islands?
No. Neither Chichijima nor Hahajima currently has a commercial airport, so the islands can only be reached by sea. Although plans to build an airport have been discussed in the past, there are currently no commercial flights serving the Ogasawara Islands.
How many days do I need for a trip to the Ogasawara Islands?
You should plan for at least 6 days and 5 nights. Since the Ogasawara Maru operates on a fixed schedule and the round trip alone requires two days at sea, most visitors spend around three nights on the islands before taking the ferry back to Tokyo.
When do Ogasawara ferry tickets go on sale?
Reservations generally open around two months before departure, while peak travel periods may have designated ticket release dates. Demand is extremely high during summer vacation, Golden Week, and the Obon holiday, so it’s a good idea to create an account in advance and book as soon as reservations open.
Is it difficult to book Ogasawara ferry tickets?
Tickets are generally easier to get outside peak travel periods. However, during Golden Week, summer vacation, Obon, and the New Year holidays, popular cabin classes can sell out very quickly after reservations open. Accommodation on the islands also fills up fast, so I recommend planning your ferry tickets and accommodation together.
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Traveler’s Note:
The insights shared above are based on my personal experiences and subjective perspectives. When planning your trip, please consider current weather conditions and your own travel preferences.
Please note that all English articles on this site are AI-assisted translations of the original Traditional Chinese content. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and natural flow, occasional nuances or expressions may differ. Thank you for your understanding.
In an era dominated by viral trends and “clickbait” locations, my true passion lies in exploring hidden corners and regions where information is scarce. I know firsthand how precious detailed, reliable information is when planning a journey. That is why I dedicate countless hours to research and field exploration, to curate these hard-earned insights for fellow travelers like you.
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