By Daniel de Bomford
Night settles over Osaka Bay as trucks roll up the ramp and foot passengers file aboard, trading the glare of the city for the soft light of a ship preparing to sail. Inside, the scent of dinner drifts from the buffet, children wave farewell to onlookers on the quay, and the water outside turns from steel to ink.
For travelers who want more of Japan than a blur of stations and hotel lobbies, Meimontaiyo Ferry’s City Line offers an unhurried overnight passage between Osaka and Kitakyushu. The Seto Inland Sea crossing doubles as journey and lodging, carrying guests between regions as they sleep, dine and watch the islands slip by.
“Japan has a deep history, fascinating cultural heritage, and magnificent nature that has remained since ancient times, and continues to attract foreign travelers today,” says Yasuhiro Noguchi, representative director and president of Meimontaiyo Ferry.
“In Japan, one of the challenges we face is a shortage of hotel rooms, especially in popular tourist areas and large cities. Accommodation costs can also be quite high,” he says. City Line ferries sail between Osaka and Kitakyushu in about 12 hours, departing at night and arriving the next morning so passengers wake rested and ready for the day.
Noguchi contrasts the Shinkansen’s speed and efficiency with the ferry’s slower, more relaxed and comfortable way to travel. “Onboard, guests can enjoy a buffet-style restaurant offering a range of cuisines, as well as an observation lounge with panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea,” he says. In addition to traditional Japanese tatami rooms and large shared baths, there are also private rooms with private showers for foreign travelers.
Along the route, guests can see the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the Seto Ohashi Bridge and the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, known as The Three Major bridges with spectacular views. “Passengers can see the Seto Inland Sea at night, where these bridges are beautifully illuminated, and the picturesque islands at dawn,” Noguchi says. “From the night deck, countless stars twinkle in the pitch-black night, the beauty of which will bring you a mystical experience that will make you forget the everyday.”
City Line makes the Kansai–Kyushu crossing part of the vacation, not travel time in between. Travelers eat well, sleep soundly and arrive ready to explore by car or on foot. As Japan welcomes more visitors, Meimontaiyo Ferry offers a calm overnight journey, attentive service and breathtaking Seto Inland Sea views that leave travelers rested and deeply refreshed.
AloJapan.com