When we asked on our Instagram account @visit_tsushima, ‘What would you like to know about Tsushima?’, we received comments saying they wanted to know about access to Tsushima. (If you have anything you want to know, please let us know!) Traveling from overseas to Japan, and then to Tsushima, a remote island, can be a bit of a challenge even for seasoned travelers.
Koreans might know better than Japanese people where Tsushima is located… When I, having moved from near Tokyo, told my friends, they often said, ‘Where is Tsushima?!’
So, this time, I want to share with English speakers ‘how to get to Tsushima.’ As someone who has relocated here, I’ll also share routes that are hard to find even with thorough research. Please read until the end! (Though there may not be many users from overseas…)
If you find this helpful or are interested in more information, please give me a heart on Instagram!
By air
Tsushima is a remote island, so naturally, the only ways to access it are by plane or boat. In emergencies, helicopters are used for hospital transfers, but hopefully, you won’t need their services during your trip.
The airport on Tsushima is located nearby a cliff. The area around the island is very windy and prone to fog, so flights are often canceled. Make sure to plan your itinerary with some flexibility.
Flights to Tsushima are available from Nagasaki and Fukuoka. Both flights take about 30 minutes. However, Fukuoka Airport is more convenient for international travelers, with easy access from international flights and only a 10-minute subway ride to the city center. As a result, many travelers from overseas choose to fly from Fukuoka.
Interestingly, flights from Nagasaki are less likely to be canceled, whereas flights from Fukuoka can be affected. (well… maybe it’s just a rumor) It’s unpredictable due to natural factors, but when visiting Tsushima, it’s best to come with an open heart, embrace nature, and perhaps think of Japan’s myriad gods. With this mindset, enjoy your journey to Tsushima.
You can book your flights through this website.
Departure from Fukuoka：07:45,09:55,14:00,16:15,18:30
Departure from Nagasaki : 09:15,12:00,14:30,19:00
*as of Jul 2024
By the way, it is also possible to arrive at Tsushima Airport by private jet.
The fee changes depending on the size of the airplane, although about 15 USD for landing and stay a day! (cheap!!!)
By Ferry / Jetfoil（Kyushu Yusen）
When accessing Tsushima by ferry, there are two ports on the island. I will introduce them according to the ferry companies.
◆Izuhara port
Kyushu Yusen operates both jetfoils and ferries. Both stop at the neighboring island of Iki, so how about some island hopping? While Iki and Tsushima are close to each other, they offer entirely different attractions. Compared to the mountainous and expansive Tsushima, Iki is a flat and compact island.
The Kyushu Yusen ferries to Izuhara depart from Hakata Pier, which is located near the Port Tower. Hakata Pier is about 20 minutes from Hakata Station.
Near the ferry terminal, there is a convenience store, shops, and even a hot spring, which are very convenient before a night departure. As a former cruise ship crew member, I love sea travel, so getting on a boat always excites me!
Please note that the jetfoils and ferries depart from slightly different locations, so be sure to check your departure point.
Departure from Hakata to Izuhara
Jetfoil:10:50,17:05 (Venus 2)
Ferry:00:05,10:20 (Ferry Kizuna, Chikushi…etc)
*as of Jul 2024
You can make reservations here (until the day before departure). Please note that internet reservations are only available for jetfoils, and Gmail accounts are not accepted. If you are an iPhone user, you can create an account using your iCloud email.
For passengers without vehicles, it is usually possible to board any ferry without a reservation. However, if you are transporting a vehicle, advance reservations are necessary as the ferry company needs to arrange the cargo.
◆Hitakatsu port（Ferry）
Kyushu Yusen also operates ferries to Hitakatsu, the second-largest city in northern Tsushima. There are no convenience stores near Hitakatsu, so if you’re a convenience store lover, make your last purchases at Hakata Pier. A well-known fact among Hitakatsu residents is that the nearest convenience store to their homes is actually in Busan, South Korea! There used to be a convenience store in Hitakatsu, but as of 2024, it has closed. The Hitakatsu route operates one service per day.
Departure from Hakata to Hitakatsu: 22:30 (Umiterashi)
By High speed boat（Korea route）
◆Hitakatsu＆Izuhara
Hitakatsu Port had 410,000 inbound travelers in 2018, making it the eighth busiest entry port among all airports and ports in Japan. Most visitors are from South Korea, with many coming for day trips.
After Narita Airport, Kansai Airport, Haneda Airport, Fukuoka Airport, Naha Airport, New Chitose Airport (Hokkaido), and Chubu Airport (Nagoya), the next busiest entry point is Hitakatsu Port in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, making it quite unique.
Currently, two companies operate services to Hitakatsu Port from Busan Port in South Korea. Additionally, there are a couple of services per week to Izuhara Port in the south. Since schedules can vary, please check directly with the ferry companies.
Generally, the ferries depart from Busan shortly after 8:00 AM and arrive in Hitakatsu shortly after 10:00 AM (including boarding and disembarking times).
・Panster
(Reservations from the Japan side are only available by phone. There are sometimes more affordable tickets available for departures from South Korea, so if you are entering from South Korea, be sure to check those options as well.)
・Nina
For those who are neither Japanese nor Korean, the language barrier with both ferry companies can be a bit high. However, younger people in South Korea are often very good at English (in my opinion!), so if you wish to come from Busan, try visiting the ferry company’s counter in Busan or checking in advance via email.
・Daea _ Seaflower (NEW!!)
TEL:0920–86–2008 ( Korean / Japanese)
This is the phone number of the local agent in Japan, and is the same for Panstar line.
By other ferry services
I learned about this route some time after moving here, but in addition to Kyushu Yusen, there are also ferries primarily for cargo that operate to Tsushima. While the main passengers are those traveling with their own vehicles, if you’re traveling by car or motorcycle, you should also check these options.
◆Izuhara
・Ferry Taishu
Departure from Hakata :23:50
*pier is different from Kyushu Yusen
・Iki Tsushima ferry
Departure from Hakata : 0:10
*pier is different from Kyushu Yusen
Lastly, **Note**:
It’s disappointing to miss out on your Tsushima trip because you couldn’t board your ferry or flight. So, please double-check all your travel times yourself!
If you need your private tour guide in Tsushima, don’t forget to contact Visit Tsushima!
