Hiroshima to Matsuyama Ferry: Super Jet vs Cruise Ferry (2026 Guide)

Hiroshima to Matsuyama Ferry: Which Boat Fits Your Trip?

Two boat types cover this route. Both depart from Hiroshima Port in the Ujina area and arrive at Matsuyama Kanko Port. The operator is Setonaikaikisen, and you can check its current timetable on the operator's English site.

The Super Jet takes about 70 minutes. Our brief lists a range of roughly 65 to 80 minutes, depending on the sailing. Seating is indoors only, and the ride is smoother than on the slower boat. Choose it when you have a tight schedule or a connection to make.

The Cruise Ferry takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. Some listings round that to 2.5 hours. It is the budget option, with outdoor decks, tatami-style floor seating and vending machines. It is also the only one of the two that carries cars.

Our short recommendation is simple. Take the Super Jet if time matters most. Take the Cruise Ferry if you want a cheap sightseeing cruise past the islands, or if you are travelling with a vehicle.

Getting to Hiroshima Port (Ujina)

Hiroshima Port is not at the main rail station, so budget time for the transfer. From the city center, your brief points to Hiroden streetcar Lines 1, 3 and 5 toward Ujina. Confirm the line numbers and the current fare on the day, because streetcar routing can change.

If you arrive by train, start at Hiroshima Station. Our Hiroshima Station Guide: Exits, Platforms, Lockers and Food explains how to find the streetcar stops from the concourse. The JR West station timetable helps you plan the arrival side of the trip.

Allow extra time on departure day. Aim to reach the terminal at least 30 minutes before sailing. That figure is our planning buffer, not an operator rule, so check the ticket counter's own check-in guidance.

The terminal has these facilities:

• Ticket counters for same-day purchases
• Coin lockers for small bags
• Waiting areas before boarding

Option A: The Super Jet (High-Speed)

The Super Jet is the fast crossing. Plan on about 70 minutes on the water, within the 65 to 80 minute range in the brief. That is far shorter than any rail route around the Inland Sea.

Seating is indoors only. You will not get an open deck to walk on. The upside is a steadier ride and a quieter cabin, which suits business travelers and anyone with a same-day connection.

Premium pricing is the trade-off. We have no verified 2026 fare to quote, so check the current yen price on the operator's site before you commit. Expect the Super Jet to cost noticeably more than the Cruise Ferry for a much shorter ride.

Booking matters most in peak holiday weeks. Reserve online if the operator offers it for your date. Off-peak, a walk-up purchase at the Ujina counter is usually workable, but confirm that on the day.

Option B: The Cruise Ferry (Scenic and Slow)

The Cruise Ferry takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. It is the most economical way to reach Shikoku from Hiroshima. Treat it as a short cruise rather than pure transport.

Onboard, you get outdoor decks for island views. Floor seating in a tatami style lets you stretch out. Vending machines sell drinks and light snacks, so pick up a bento at Hiroshima Station before you leave.

This boat suits a slow travel day. It fits well at the end of the 3-day Hiroshima adventure itinerary, when your legs are tired and you want a calm transition. It also works for active travelers. Our guide to outdoor adventures near Hiroshima shows how to build a longer outdoor trip around it.

Cars travel only on the Cruise Ferry. If you drive, book that sailing and ask the operator about vehicle size and fare classes.

Super Jet vs Cruise Ferry: Side-by-Side Comparison

This table summarizes the differences using the figures in our brief. Check the operator for current fares and the day's timetable.

Arriving at Matsuyama Kanko Port

Matsuyama Kanko Port is not in the city center. Plan a second leg of ground transport before you sit down on the boat. Add this transfer time to your day, especially if you have a hotel check-in or a Dogo Onsen visit.

Two bus options connect the port with the city. A Limousine Bus runs toward Matsuyama City Station. Local buses cover the same general corridor. Check the current departure times at the port, because bus schedules follow the ferry arrivals.

Rail travelers have a third choice. The Iyotetsu railway is reached via Takahama Station, and a shuttle bus is required to get there from the port. Allow extra time for that connection.

If Dogo Onsen is your first stop, ask at the port which bus or tram connection works from City Station. Do not assume a direct service.

Cyclists, Luggage and Vehicles

Cyclists often use this crossing around the Shimanami Kaido. Policies on bicycles differ by vessel, so contact the operator before travel. Ask whether bikes must be bagged and whether there is a surcharge.

With large suitcases, the ferry is workable but awkward on stairs. Coin lockers at Ujina handle small bags. For heavy luggage, consider sending cases ahead by takkyubin (luggage forwarding) from your hotel. Ask your front desk about next-day delivery to your Matsuyama lodging.

If you drive, only the Cruise Ferry takes the car. Confirm size limits and reservation rules directly with the operator.

Passes, Booking and Weather Disruptions

This is a private ferry line, so a standard JR pass generally does not cover it. Check whether a regional Setouchi pass includes any discount on these sailings. Our brief flags the Setouchi Area Pass and tourist discounts for international visitors as items to verify. Ask at the ticket counter and carry your passport.

Book the Super Jet ahead during holiday periods. Same-day tickets are usually fine on quiet days, but that is not guaranteed.

Typhoon season brings cancellations. Check the operator's English site on the morning of travel. Keep a flexible plan for the day, and consider a refundable hotel in Matsuyama so a cancelled sailing does not cost you a night.

Planning the Hiroshima Side of Your Trip

If you are staying near Ujina, you are close to the coast. Our Beaches in Hiroshima: Mainland and Island Swim Spots (2026) covers shoreline options. The Hiroshima bay beach overview gives more background on the area.

Before departing, spend a day on the main sights. Our Hiroshima attractions guide covers the essentials. For a ranked shortlist, see our 15 best things to do in Hiroshima.

If Matsuyama is one stop on a longer journey, our Japan Travel Guide: Plan Your Trip with Expert Tips & Itineraries helps you link the legs.

Verdict: Why the Ferry Beats the Train Around Okayama

A rail route from Hiroshima to Matsuyama runs via Okayama, with a long detour and several changes. The ferry is direct. It takes 70 minutes on the Super Jet or about 2 hours 40 minutes on the Cruise Ferry.

Pick the Super Jet for speed and certainty. Pick the Cruise Ferry for views, a lower fare, or a car. Either way, plan the port transfers at both ends, and check the operator's timetable on the day.