Ibusuki to Nishinoomote Ferry

Ibusuki Guide

Ibusuki Ferry Port

On the island of Kyushu forming part of the mosaic of southern Japan the coastal city of Ibusuki. The city is nestled deep within volcanic country and is surrounded by a steeply undulating landscape of verdant hills that pale in comparison to the hulking peak of the Kaimondake volcano on the western outskirts. Ibusuki is also famed for its black-sand spas and hot springs warmed by the underground flow of magma. Every year visitors flock to the city to don towelling robes, bury themselves up to their necks in the sand, and let the curative warmth knead the aches and pains away. The area around Ibusuki is a wonderland of natural beauty. Upon the fertile hills of the countryside are found a multi-coloured motley of deep woodland and flowers; among them the emblematic hibiscus plant whose blossoms are resplendent in a mix of crimsons, golds and pinks. With such a diverse range of flora on the doorstep, it is little wonder that the city has gained a reputation as an important wildlife sanctuary. The Ibusuki Experimental Botanical Garden; where students can study rare, tropical plants and genetic conservation; is just one of the many local facilities dedicated to protecting Mother Earth. The port in Ibusuki is found in the Minato district of the city, on the eastern side of the spine of hills that splits the city in two. It consists of a wide pier that extends into a section of the warm Kagoshima Bay sheltered by a breakwater. A single, palm-lined road leads from the residential streets that trace the city shore to the ferry terminal at the tip of the pier. The small facility, painted in baby-pink, is home to a ticket office, a small car-park, a few vending machines selling food and drink, and an indoor waiting room. The easiest way to travel to the port is to catch the Ibusukimakurazaki Line train to Ibusuki Station and then walk the short distance to the port. Those driving can make use of the number 226 motorway that cuts through the heart of the city before curving north along the coast of the peninsula towards the city of Kagoshima. This route is regularly traversed by buses that leave from a stop just outside the train station to whisk passengers to Kagoshima airport. Three ferry routes currently operate from the port in Ibusuki throughout the week. Services hosted by Tane Yaku Jetfoil zip to various destinations in the southern reaches of Japan. They include short island-hopping trips to Miyanoura on the island of Yakushima and Nishinoomote on Tanegashima, as well as a slightly longer trip north through Kagoshima Bay to the mainland city of Kagoshima.

Nishinoomote Guide

Nishinoomote Ferry Port

Nishinoomote is a city laying on the north coast of the island of Tanegashima, an island belonging to Japan, and is found in the Kagoshima Prefecture. There are a few ferry routes operating from the port, all to other coastal resorts belonging to Japan.

What is there to do in Nishinoomote?

The combination of stunning mountainside and unique rock formations, amongst a long stretch of golden sands, make the Urada Beach such a highly regarded attraction. The difficulty doesn’t come from deciding whether to visit, it’s when to visit: in the summer the warm weather is an added bonus, whereas in the colder months the beach often resembles a deserted, tranquil haven. Kishigasaki Beach is also a popular destination; beautiful greenery surrounds the sands creating a tropical feel. If beaches aren’t particularly desirable, there is a number of historical and cultural sites. Akaogijo Culture and Traditional Museum Gessotei and the Akaogi Castle Ruins are well worth visiting; the ruins are a fascinating insight into the historical architecture belonging to the city. After a day of sightseeing or sunbathing, head to the abundance of restaurants, typically serving seafood fresh from the water as the speciality.

How do visitors get around Nishinoomote?

The city is relatively small so it is possible to cover much of it by foot, alternatively, there are several taxis readily available.