The Hachinohe/Tomakomai route operated by Silver Ferry is a ferry service that connects Hachinohe Port and Tomakomai Port four times a day for around eight hours.
Special class rooms are twin rooms with a capacity of 2 persons, and 1st class are Japanese-style rooms or Western-style rooms with a capacity of 2 or 4 persons.
2nd class bunk A is a private room for 1 person, and 2nd class bunk B is a bunk room (not a private room). 2nd class is a so-called large room, but each seat has a mattress and a locker.
Contents
Morioka/Hachinohe⇔Sapporo is hard to get to by plane or train!
By plane
The fastest way to get to Morioka or Hachinohe from the suburbs of Sapporo, or vice versa, is by air. For Morioka, there are flights between Hanamaki Airport and Shin-Chitose, and for Hachinohe, between Misawa Airport and Okadama Airport.
However, all of these flights are operated by JAL, which is basically expensive. It also costs money and time to get to the airport.
By train
The fare between Morioka and Sapporo is 18520 yen using the Shinkansen and limited express. It takes about 6 hours. Hachinohe⇔Sapporo is 16540 yen and takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes. Although less expensive than flying, it is more expensive and time-consuming for the distance. Tokyo, which is farther away from Morioka, is by far the quicker route, and it is also cheaper to go to Tokyo from Morioka.
Silver Ferry is highly recommended for travel between Morioka/Hachinohe and Sapporo!
One recommended way to get around is to use the Silver Ferry that serves Hachinohe⇔Tomakomai!
In fact, ferries operate between Hachinohe and Tomakomai (cities about 1 hour from Sapporo).
In addition, Sapporo Morioka Nakayoshi Ticket and Sapporo Hachinohe Nakayoshi Ticket are available, and the combined fare for the express bus from each city to the ferry terminal and the ferry ride costs 7,800 yen between Sapporo and Morioka and 6,000 yen between Sapporo and Hachinohe (for 2nd class seats). That’s significantly cheaper than airplanes and trains!
Especially the night bus is not only inexpensive, but also extremely easy to use, making the most of your time.
| Morioka/Hachinohe Sapporo |
airplane | train | ferry |
| Travel Time | ①Morioka⇔Sapporo: about 2.5 hours ②Hachinohe⇔Sapporo: about 2.5 hours (not including waiting time and transportation to the airport) |
①: 6 hours ②: 5 hours 15 minutes |
①：Approx. 9 hours ②：Approx. 12 hours (Not including waiting time and transfer to port) |
| cost | ①：18,000~23,000 yen + airport transfer fee ②：17,000 yen~ + airport transfer fee |
①：18520yen ②：16540yen |
①：7800yen ②：6000yen (All prices are for a 2nd class seat with a Nakayoshi ticket.) |
| Notes | ー | ー | There are night trains |
About the Nakayoshi Ticket
Please refer to the Silver Ferry website for the latest information.
https://yoyaku.silverferry.jp/
Even if you are a Seishun 18 Ticket or JR East Pass user, Silva Ferry is the way to go!
The Silver Ferry is also a recommended option for those who wish to travel from Morioka or Hachinohe to Sapporo using the Seishun 18 Ticket or JR East/Hokkaido Pass.
If you wish to take a train to Aomori and cross the Seikan Strait, the Hokkaido Shinkansen Option Ticket (2,490 yen) is available for the 18 Ticket, but the number of trains between Okutsugaru Mabetsu and Kikonai is extremely limited and the connection is mostly poor.
In addition, the Hokkaido Shinkansen and limited express option ticket for the JR East/Hokkaido Pass costs a hefty 6110 yen, and if the train is conventional to Shin-Aomori, it will take much longer to reach Sapporo. Moreover, there is a trap that this option ticket cannot be used during Obon and year-end and New Year holidays such as Aug. 1~19 and Dec. 28~Jan. 6 in 2022.
With the Silver Ferry, you can warp between Hachinohe and Tomakomai in one go for only 6,000 yen or so. And if you take the night ferry, you can save on lodging and start moving the next morning, saving you time and money, making it quite convenient!
Conclusion
Morioka/Hachinohe⇔Sapporo is difficult to reach by air or train because of the cost and time required for the distance.
The Silver Ferry is an inexpensive way to travel between Morioka and Hachinohe.
The Silver Ferry is a cheap way to travel between Morioka and Hachinohe and between Morioka and Hachinohe by air and train, but it is also a great way to save money on lodging and to start your journey in the morning.
The ship is quite spacious and clean. The inside of the ship is spacious and clean, and there is a large public bath where you can refresh yourself.
The 2nd class bunk beds are bunk beds, but they are separated by curtains, so I was able to sleep comfortably.
