This article introduces an 18-hour overnight ferry trip from the Tokyo area (Oarai, Ibaraki) to Hokkaido (Tomakomai, Hokkaido) on the Sunflower Furano.
In this journey, you travel in Tourist Class, sleep on the floor in a shared space, and use the ferry as both transport and travel experience.
Video
This article comes from the trip shown in the video below.
You can use the article as a quick reference while you watch.
Route & Ferry Details
The Oarai–Tomakomai route connects the Tokyo region with Hokkaido by sea.
- Ferry Operator: MOL Ferry (Sunflower)
- Vessel: Sunflower Furano
- Route: Tokyo area — Oarai Port (Ibaraki) → Hokkaido — Tomakomai West Port
- Travel Time: About 18 hours on board
- Room Type: Tourist Class — shared floor-sleeping / tatami-style space
- Approximate Fare: From ¥10,500 (online and seasonal discounts apply)
- Official Site: https://www.sunflower.co.jp/
This route works well if you want to save a hotel night and still reach Hokkaido the next day.
Check-in & Boarding
You first head to Oarai Ferry Terminal in Ibaraki Prefecture.
From the Tokyo area, you can reach Oarai by train and bus, then walk to the terminal.
At the terminal, you buy or confirm your ticket, check in, and then board the ship.
During busy seasons and holidays, it helps to arrive a bit earlier, because the line for check-in sometimes grows longer than expected.
After boarding, you remove your shoes, find your assigned sleeping area, and store your luggage in the space around your mat.
Onboard Experience (Tourist Class & Facilities)
In Tourist Class, you sleep in a large shared room with thin floor mattresses lined up in rows.
Everyone sleeps in the same open space, so you hear other passengers moving around.
Because of this layout, privacy stays very limited.
However, the atmosphere usually feels calm once the lights go off at night.
You find basic facilities around the ship:
- Restrooms on each deck
- Vending machines for drinks and snacks
- Seating areas where you can sit, read, or watch the sea
In addition, walkways and observation areas let you look outside and enjoy the view when the weather cooperates.
Meals, Bath & Services
You can buy a 2-meal set ticket on this route:
- Dinner (buffet) + Breakfast
- Adults: ¥3,200
- Children: ¥1,600
Dinner and breakfast both follow a buffet style, so you choose what you like and pay a fixed price.
If you prefer, you may bring light food on board, but you still need to follow the ship’s rules for where you can eat it.
The ship also offers a large public bath.
So, after boarding, you can soak in hot water while the ferry moves through the dark sea.
This experience often becomes one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
Mobile signal and onboard Wi-Fi change during the journey.
Near the coast, your phone sometimes works, but in the open sea the connection often becomes weak or unstable.
Things to Know Before You Book
Before you choose this ferry, it helps to understand a few key points.
First, Tourist Class uses an open sleeping area with almost no privacy.
You receive a mat and simple bedding. Towels and toothbrushes are not included, so please bring your own — or buy them at the onboard shop.
Second, you should expect noise.
Snoring, footsteps, and small sounds travel easily in a shared room, so earplugs and an eye mask make a big difference.
Third, the ship may rock, especially in rough weather.
If you often get motion sickness, you should bring medicine and drink enough water.
In winter, the outside deck feels extremely cold and windy.
Because of safety, the crew sometimes closes the deck during strong wind or heavy rain, so you may not always walk outside.
Who This Ferry Suits
This overnight ferry works best for travelers who:
- Want to combine transport and travel experience
- Enjoy slow travel and do not mind a long trip
- Feel comfortable in a shared sleeping environment
On the other hand, this option may not suit travelers who:
- Need complete privacy and silence
- Rely on stable, fast internet during the whole trip
Overall, this route makes sense if you treat the ferry as part of your trip, not just a way to move from A to B.
Official Information
Official Site : https://www.sunflower.co.jp/
FAQ
Yes. You receive a thin mattress and simple bedding, but you sleep in a shared open room with many other passengers.
No. You pay for food separately. However, you can buy a 2-meal set ticket that includes buffet dinner and breakfast.
Yes. You may bring items such as cup noodles or a bento meal, and the ship provides hot water and a microwave.
