Ordinary ferry fares are collected at Sakurajima port even when you board in Kagoshima. Pedestrians and vehicles use different entrances, and a car fare includes only its driver. Check the return direction before relying on outdated 24-hour service advice.
Photo: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · Commons-provided 1280px rendition unchanged; no crop or retouch
Who this guide is for: Foot passengers and drivers making a day return from Kagoshima to Sakurajima
Budget 500 yen for an adult’s ordinary pedestrian return. With a car, separate vehicle length from additional passenger fares. Pay at Sakurajima port and use the Sakurajima-departure timetable for your return.
Compare at a glance
| Option | Best fit | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Adult on foot | 250 yen one-way | 500-yen ordinary return |
| Child on foot | 130 yen | Age 1–elementary; preschool accompaniment exemption |
| Car 3–under 4 m | 1,700 yen | One driver included; others extra |
| Car 4–under 5 m | 2,350 yen | Check registration length |
Pay ordinary crossing fares on the Sakurajima side
The operator collects both passenger and vehicle fares at Sakurajima port: on the island-side arrival for a Kagoshima crossing, and on the island-side departure for the return. Pedestrian boarding is on floor 2 in Kagoshima and floor 3 in Sakurajima. Use the separate vehicle entrance when driving.
Separate foot fares from driver-inclusive car fares
Ordinary one-way fares are 250 yen for adults and 130 yen for children aged 1 through elementary school. One preschool child per accompanying adult travels free. A car 3 to under 4 metres costs 1,700 yen;4 to under 5 metres costs 2,350 yen, with one driver included. Add the fares of other passengers and check the length on the vehicle registration document.
Staff card acceptance is different from automatic tapping
The fare page lists staff-assisted Mastercard and transport IC payments including Suica, PASMO and ICOCA. The March 2025 contactless notice still describes Mastercard tap support as being prepared. Ask staff how to use your card instead of assuming every tap method works. Child or multiple-person tap payments require staff operation; electronic-money top-ups are unavailable.
Car passengers board inside the vehicle
Passenger cars board first come, separately from sightseeing-bus reservations. Other occupants remain in the car for boarding, may move to the cabin during the crossing, and return to the vehicle before disembarking. Allow extra time for queues, loading and unloading and follow staff directions.
Check the return direction after the end of overnight service
Departures during the 00:00–03:00 hours ended on 1 October 2025. The normal timetable lists Kagoshima first 04:30 and last 23:30, versus Sakurajima first 04:00 and last 23:00. Intermediate weekday and weekend/holiday services differ. Terminals close after the last departure; an overnight stay inside is not permitted.
Add boarding and assistance time to the crossing
Sailing takes about 15 minutes, or around 20 in some sea or weather conditions, followed by 2–3 minutes before disembarking. Sakurajima boarding closes 30 seconds before departure: do not make that your arrival target. Check the accessible-vessel schedule for the travel date; it may change shortly before departure. The January 2026 deck photograph shows another ferry, not today’s gate or payment equipment.
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Before you book
- Pedestrian floor versus vehicle entrance
- Vehicle length, included driver and extra occupants
- Island-side payment method and IC balance
- Return direction, date and operating notices
- Queue, unloading and mobility-assistance margin
Common questions
Do I pay on the island when boarding in Kagoshima?
The ordinary route collects foot and vehicle fares at Sakurajima port. Do not extend that rule to sightseeing cruises or separate products.
What is an ordinary one-way fare for two adults in a 4–under 5 m car?
The 2,350-yen vehicle fare includes one driver. Add 250 yen for the other adult:2,600 yen. Compare discount tickets and special fares separately.
Sources and booking conditions
- www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp — operator, destination or property information
English edition published 2026-10-13. Source review date inherited from the original guide: 2026-10-13. Editorial recommendations are not firsthand reviews or live quotes. Check current prices, availability and conditions before purchase.