Miyajima to Kure by Sea: The Blue Line Ferry Guide (2026)

Operator: Setonaikaikisen (瀬戸内海汽船)
Route: Miyajima pier to Kure Chuo Sanbashi Terminal (No. 3 pier), direct by sea
Crossing time: About 45 minutes (regular service); about 50 minutes (August Sea Spica)
Adult fare, one way: ¥2,500 (regular season); ¥3,000 (August Sea Spica). Kure→Miyajima adds ¥100 visitor tax
Season: April 4 – November 29, 2026; no service December–March
Operating days: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays (regular); adds Fridays and Mondays in August
Reservation: Phone 082-253-1212 by 16:00 the day before; no walk-up guarantee, no online booking
Kure arrival point: Kure Chuo Sanbashi Terminal — 1 minute from the Yamato Museum, 5–7 minutes from JR Kure Station
Japan Rail Pass valid?: No

Illustration of a white high-speed ferry crossing calm Seto Inland Sea waters between forested hillsides, the silhouette of a torii gate visible in the distance behind the boat on a clear morning, soft watercolor washes of pale blue water and green hills. Editorial watercolor in a coastal travel palette.

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The ferry slip at Miyajima is quieter than the deer and the souvenir shops behind it. Step aboard, and within a few minutes the vermilion torii is already shrinking in the wake. Forty-five minutes later, the grey shapes of JMSDF submarines appear along the Kure waterfront — a different Japan entirely from the one you just left. Almost nobody coming off the Miyajima ropeway thinks to arrive in Kure this way.

The sea route from Miyajima to Kure is one of the least-known access options in the Hiroshima region. Most visitors take the ferry back to Hiroshima Port or the JR Miyajima ferry to Miyajimaguchi, then catch a train. The Setonaikaikisen Blue Line does something different: it skips the land leg and drops you straight at the Kure waterfront, a short walk from the naval museums. For anyone planning a two-stop day, Miyajima in the morning and Kure in the afternoon, this is the route that makes the geography work.

What is the Blue Line, and who runs it?

Setonaikaikisen (瀬戸内海汽船) has operated passenger and ferry services across Hiroshima Bay and the Seto Inland Sea for generations. Their Blue Line is a seasonal high-speed service connecting Miyajima and Kure directly by water, without the usual land detour through Hiroshima.

The crossing takes about 45 minutes in the regular season. It is not a car ferry — this is a passenger-only high-speed vessel. The route passes through open Hiroshima Bay and approaches Kure harbour from the water, which means you arrive with a clear view of the base before you set foot on shore.

Is the Blue Line ferry the right way to get to Kure?

Best for

Visitors spending a morning at Miyajima and an afternoon in Kure — the sea route connects both without backtracking to Hiroshima
Anyone who wants to see Kure harbour approach from the water before visiting the naval museums
Travellers on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday between April and November
Groups who can coordinate a phone reservation the day before
Cycling travellers along the Seto Inland Sea who want a scenic break from trains

Maybe skip if

You are travelling on a weekday — the regular service is weekends and public holidays only
You are travelling in winter (December through March) — the service does not operate
You hold a Japan Rail Pass and want to minimise out-of-pocket costs — the ferry is not JR Pass eligible and costs ¥2,500 versus ¥510 for the JR Kure Line
You need to get from Kure back to Hiroshima after the museums close in the late afternoon — check that a return sailing aligns with your schedule before booking the outbound leg

Blue Line vs. JR Kure Line: which should you take?

This is the practical question. The two options are genuinely different in cost, route, and what kind of day they support.

	Blue Line Ferry	JR Kure Line (train)
Route	Miyajima pier → Kure waterfront (sea)	Miyajimaguchi or Hiroshima Station → Kure Station (land)
Fare (adult)	¥2,500 regular / ¥3,000 August	About ¥510 IC card
Journey time	About 45 min (regular) / About 50 min (August)	About 35 min rapid / about 50 min local
Days of operation	Sat/Sun/holidays (regular); Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/holidays (August)	Every day, roughly every 20–30 min during the day
Advance booking	Phone reservation by 16:00 the day before	No booking required
JR Pass valid?	No	Yes
Best for	Miyajima → Kure direct; scenic harbour approach	Everyday reliability; JR Pass holders; budget travellers

A JR Pass is not worth buying for the Hiroshima–Kure leg alone — the single IC fare is about ¥510 each way. If Kure is part of a wider Japan itinerary that already involves Shinkansen travel, Japan Rail Pass can still bundle the whole trip economically. But the Blue Line ferry is in a different category: you are paying for the direct Miyajima–Kure connection, not transport efficiency. For the Hiroshima-to-Kure journey specifically, our Hiroshima to Kure day trip guide covers all four access routes in detail.

Fares and seasons: regular vs. August Sea Spica

There are two operating modes, and they are not interchangeable. The regular service and the August Sea Spica run different vessels, different schedules, and different fares. The full season runs from April 4 to November 29, 2026, on weekends and public holidays, with the August service swapping in the Sea Spica; there is no Blue Line service from December through March.

The regular service covers the April-to-July and September-to-November stretches; August runs separately on the Sea Spica. The operator does not publish the exact date the regular service pauses for August or resumes in September, so check the current calendar when you book.

Illustration of two different high-speed passenger ferry vessels side by side against the Seto Inland Sea — one a conventional white hull, one the angular dark-blue Sea Spica design — with calm water and a soft afternoon sky. Editorial watercolor in coastal maritime palette.

	Regular service	August Sea Spica
Season	April through July and September through November	August 2026
Operating days	Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays	Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays
Adult fare (one way)	¥2,500	¥3,000
Child fare (one way)	¥1,250	¥1,500
Kure→Miyajima visitor tax	Add ¥100	Add ¥100
Crossing time	About 45 min	About 50 min

The ¥100 Miyajima Visitor Tax applies to the Kure→Miyajima direction only — you pay it whether you are arriving at Miyajima by ferry, JR ferry, or any other means. If you are only travelling Miyajima→Kure, no visitor tax applies.

The timetable: what departs when

Regular service (April–July and September–November, Sat/Sun/holidays)

The regular service runs two sailings per day in each direction.

Kure → Miyajima:

10:40 → 11:25

Miyajima → Kure:

11:30 → 12:15
15:10 → 15:55

Kure → Miyajima (second departure):

14:20 → 15:05

This is a partial schedule. Confirm the full current timetable at setonaikaikisen.co.jp/language/en/highspeedship5/ before your trip, as Setonaikaikisen sometimes adjusts departure times within the season.

The Miyajima→Kure 11:30 sailing pairs naturally with a morning at Miyajima: depart Hiroshima early, spend two to three hours at the island, board the 11:30 ferry, and arrive in Kure in time for lunch near the museums.

August Sea Spica (Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/holidays)

The August service adds a third sailing in each direction and operates on more days of the week.

Kure → Miyajima:

09:35 → 10:25
13:15 → 14:05
15:30 → 16:20

Miyajima → Kure:

10:30 → 11:20
14:10 → 15:00
16:25 → 17:15

The extra flexibility in August comes at a higher fare (¥3,000 adults, ¥1,500 children).

How to book: phone reservation by 16:00 the day before

Illustration of a person sitting at a café table near a window with a phone in hand, making a reservation call, with the Seto Inland Sea visible outside, fishing boats in the background, late-afternoon light. Editorial watercolor in warm amber coastal tones.

Reservations are by telephone only. Call Setonaikaikisen on 082-253-1212 by 16:00 the day before you want to travel.

There is no online booking system for the Blue Line. The phone line is the only way to secure your seat. If you call the morning of travel, it is too late.

A few practical notes for international travellers:

The reservation line is handled in Japanese. If you do not speak Japanese, ask your hotel's front desk to call on your behalf — this is a routine favour at most mid-range hotels in Hiroshima and Kure.
Confirm the direction (Miyajima→Kure or Kure→Miyajima), the date, and the specific departure time.
Klook Japan eSIM Having a Japanese eSIM in your phone lets you make domestic calls during your trip without roaming charges.

If you would rather skip the logistics of a Japanese-language phone reservation, a guided day tour that includes transport can be worth considering. GetYourGuide Kure day tour GetYourGuide runs private tours from Hiroshima that cover transport and an English-speaking guide.

Where to board in Kure

The Kure departure point is the Kure Chuo Sanbashi Terminal (呉中央桟橋ターミナル), 4-44 Takaramachi, Kure. High-speed ships, including the Blue Line, depart from the No. 3 pier at this terminal.

This terminal is the same one used by the Kure harbour warship cruise. From the Yamato Museum main entrance, it is a 1-minute walk along the waterfront. From JR Kure Station, it is about a 5–7 minute walk south toward the waterfront.

Kure Chuo Sanbashi Terminal on Google Maps. The Yamato Museum entrance is approximately 1 minute's walk along the waterfront.

Where to board in Miyajima

On the Miyajima side, the Blue Line departs from a pier that Setonaikaikisen explicitly notes is separate from the regular Miyajima ferry terminal used by the Miyajimaguchi boats. The operator does not publish the exact pier name or a walking time on its English or Japanese schedule pages. Local tourism listings place the boarding point a short walk east of the passenger terminal (their accounts say roughly 80–100 m, and the figures vary). Because the official source stops short of a precise number, confirm the boarding point when you phone to reserve, and on the island look for the Setonaikaikisen Blue Line signage rather than the main ferry queue.

What to do on arrival in Kure

The ferry drops you at the Kure Chuo Sanbashi Terminal, one minute from the Yamato Museum. If you have an afternoon in Kure, the natural plan is:

13:00–13:15 Arrive by the 12:15 ferry (Miyajima departure 11:30). Walk to the waterfront area.

13:15–15:30 Yamato Museum — the 1:10 scale model of battleship Yamato, a Zero fighter, and the Kaiten human torpedo. Last entry is 17:30; the museum closes at 18:00. Admission ¥1,000 adults.

15:30–17:00 JMSDF Kure Museum (Tetsu no Kujira) — free entry, a 1–2 minute walk across the plaza from the Yamato Museum. Walk through the decommissioned JS Akishio submarine. Closes at 18:00, last entry 17:30. Closed Tuesdays.

17:00 onward Lunch or dinner at a naval curry restaurant in the Akarenga Doori area, or head to JR Kure Station for the return train to Hiroshima (about 35 minutes, about ¥510).

For more on what to see in a single afternoon in Kure, see our one-day Kure itinerary.

How does this fit into a two-day Hiroshima itinerary?

Half day

Miyajima Morning, Kure Afternoon

Ferry connection, no backtracking to Hiroshima

08:00 Depart Hiroshima early for Miyajima (JR or ferry from Hiroshima Port)
09:00–11:00 Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, waterfront
11:30 Board Blue Line ferry at Miyajima pier
12:15 Arrive Kure Chuo Sanbashi Terminal
12:30–17:00 Yamato Museum + Tetsu no Kujira; naval curry lunch at Akarenga Doori
17:30 JR Kure Station → Hiroshima (~35 min, ~¥510)

Full day

Best Balance

Full Miyajima + full Kure afternoon + harbour cruise

07:30 Depart Hiroshima for Miyajima; arrive before the crowds
08:00–11:15 Miyajima: shrine, ropeway, deer, oysters at a vendor on the main street
11:30 Blue Line ferry from Miyajima
12:15 Arrive Kure; walk 1 min to waterfront
12:30–13:00 Lunch at a naval curry restaurant near the terminal
13:15–15:30 Yamato Museum (audio guide, 2–3 hours)
15:30–16:30 Tetsu no Kujira (free, 1 hour)
17:30 Return train to Hiroshima

Recommended

2 days

Overnight in Kure

Adds the warship cruise, Etajima, or the Tobishima cycling route

Day 1: Miyajima morning → Blue Line ferry → Kure afternoon (museums + naval curry)
Day 2: [Kure harbour warship cruise](/kure-harbor-warship-cruise) (¥2,200, ~40 min; book 2 days ahead) or Etajima Naval Academy tour (free, ferry ¥450–650 from Kure pier)
Stay: Booking.com Kure hotels Hotel options near JR Kure Station, 5–7 min walk to the museums

Practical tips for the crossing

Illustration of passengers on the deck of a high-speed ferry in Hiroshima Bay, the forested coastline of Miyajima visible behind them receding in the distance, calm blue-grey water, morning light, a few passengers standing at the railing. Editorial watercolor in a cool coastal palette.

How much luggage can I bring?

The official English page does not publish a luggage policy for the Blue Line. For practical planning: high-speed passenger ferries in Japan typically allow standard carry-on travel bags without issue, but oversize luggage may be difficult on a smaller vessel. If you are travelling with large bags, confirm with Setonaikaikisen when you call to reserve.

Kure Station has coin lockers if you want to leave luggage while touring the museums.

Accessibility

The official English page does not state accessibility details for the high-speed ferry. If you or someone in your group uses a wheelchair or has mobility requirements, contact Setonaikaikisen before booking.

Weather cancellations

The Blue Line is a small high-speed vessel operating in open Hiroshima Bay. Setonaikaikisen may cancel or delay sailings in rough weather or strong winds. If you are visiting in late autumn, check the weather forecast and have a backup plan (the JR Kure Line from Hiroshima to Kure runs daily regardless of sea conditions).

Stay connected

If your phone plan does not cover calls and data in Japan, a Klook Japan eSIM Japan eSIM is worth picking up before your trip. You will need it to call the reservation line and navigate the Japanese booking forms you may encounter elsewhere in Hiroshima.

FAQ

Does the Blue Line ferry run every day?

No. The regular service runs Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only, from early April to late July and again from early September to late November. The August Sea Spica service adds Fridays and Mondays to the weekend schedule but uses a different vessel and costs ¥3,000 per adult instead of ¥2,500. There is no service at all outside these seasonal windows. If you need to get to Kure on a weekday, the JR Kure Line from Hiroshima or Miyajimaguchi is the reliable option — about 35 minutes and ¥510 each way.

How long does the Miyajima–Kure ferry take?

The crossing takes about 45 minutes on the regular service (April–July, September–November) and about 50 minutes on the August Sea Spica. Both depart from the Miyajima pier and arrive at Kure Chuo Sanbashi Terminal, a 5–7 minute walk from JR Kure Station and a 1-minute walk from the Yamato Museum entrance.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. Setonaikaikisen requires a telephone reservation made by 16:00 the day before travel. Call 082-253-1212. Walk-up boarding is not guaranteed and is not recommended during busy weekends or public holidays. There is no online booking system.

Can I use a Japan Rail Pass on the Blue Line ferry?

No. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on Setonaikaikisen ferries. The Blue Line is a private ferry service with its own fares. However, a JR West Miyajima/Setouchi Gururin Pass allows travel at an additional ¥500 (adults) or ¥250 (children), so holders of that regional pass pay a reduced supplement rather than the full fare.

Where in Kure does the ferry dock?

The ferry docks at the No. 3 pier, Kure Chuo Sanbashi Terminal, 4-44 Takaramachi, Kure. This terminal is about a 5–7 minute walk from JR Kure Station and a 1-minute walk from the Yamato Museum entrance.

Is there a visitor tax on top of the fare?

Yes, but only for the Kure-to-Miyajima direction. The ¥100 Miyajima Visitor Tax is added to the Kure→Miyajima ticket price, making the effective adult fare ¥2,600 (regular season) or ¥3,100 (August Sea Spica). Travelling Miyajima→Kure, no visitor tax applies.

Is there anything to see on the crossing itself?

The route passes through Hiroshima Bay and approaches Kure from the water. On a clear day you can see the Kure JMSDF base appearing on the horizon as you approach — submarines and destroyers at berth, visible from the water before you disembark. Whether any specific vessels are present depends on the JMSDF's operational schedule. The crossing itself takes about 45 minutes and is pleasant on calm days; in rough autumn weather, conditions on a small high-speed vessel can be choppy.

Call before 16:00. Everything else follows from that.

The ferry reservation is the single constraint that shapes this day. Once you have the seat confirmed, the Kure side is straightforward: the museums are one minute from the dock, the naval curry restaurants are a short walk, and the return train to Hiroshima runs every 20–30 minutes. If you want backup options for transport, a guided day tour, or a Kure hotel for an overnight stay, these are the practical bookings to have ready.

Japan Rail Pass GetYourGuide Kure day tour Klook Japan eSIM Booking.com Kure hotels