Osaka–Beppu Cruise Reimagines Sea Travel

A new kind of voyage is available between Osaka and Beppu: the Seto Inland Sea Casual Daytime Cruise.

The special sailings, which operate several times a year, showcase the Seto Inland Sea, one of Japan’s most beautiful stretches of water. They pass from Osaka, the cultural and historical heart of Japan, to Beppu, a region renowned for its hot springs, while passengers can enjoy experiences, entertainment and dining.

Only around an hour after departing port at noon, passengers can see the first of three massive bridges, the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge connecting Kobe with Awaji Island. From there, the 400-kilometre body of calm water that connects Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu opens up to reveal constantly changing panoramas.

Whether on the expansive deck or one of the many window seats inside, the island-dotted scenery is a sight to savour. One must-see spot is the Kurushima-Kaiyo Bridge, where the setting sun casts golden reflections across the water, creating a dramatic natural spectacle.

Special voyages

Established in 1912, the Osaka–Beppu route has a rich history. Although regular operations became exclusively overnight services after 1975, special daytime sailings were revived in 2011 to mark the route’s 100th anniversary.

Now, in another evolution, operator MOL Sunflower Ltd. is offering the Seto Inland Sea Casual Daytime Cruise on the route from June to November, with more planned for 2027. These voyages incorporate lifestyle experiences, designed to transform the journey from a means of getting from A to B, to an unforgettable part of the vacation. Passengers will be introduced to elements of Japan, from its culinary delights to its rich musical heritage.

During the inaugural voyage in May, wellness was the theme. First, a representative of natural cosmetics maker Botanical Factory hosted a hands-on fragrance-making workshop. Based in Kagoshima, the company makes ethical and sustainable products using locally sourced ingredients. Its signature natural aroma blends—woody, floral, spicy and citrus—formed the basis of the scents for the activity, and participants got an atomiser with their unique scent to take home.

Passengers could also enjoy hand and head massages using a selection of products from Botanical Factory. Back massages were provided by fellow Kagoshima-based company Clotho, which specialises in Maguma Retreat®, a treatment that harnesses the heat of the earth using hot stones crafted from rare natural lava from active volcano Sakurajima. As the volcanic material traps and retains heat, the massage targets deep tissue, boosting circulation, easing tension and acting as a natural detoxifier—all while the skin is being moisturised and hydrated by the antioxidant-rich camellia oil. 

The Sunflower Ferry is showcasing these Kagoshima offerings to highlight the prefecture’s appeal as a tourism destination. Another vessel runs from Kagoshima’s eastern port of Shibushi to Osaka, making it possible for outbound passengers on the Osaka–Beppu route to travel onwards to southern Kyushu and return to their starting point via the Shibushi–Osaka Sunflower.

In keeping with the wellness theme, passengers’ feel-good mood was enhanced with live music and projection mapping. During the day, diverse performances of steel drums and pop favourites serenaded passengers as they enjoyed sea views and socialized with fellow travellers. At night, the roof of the atrium came alive with immersive visual displays of starry night skies.

Top-class facilities

All Seto Inland Sea Casual Daytime Cruises are hosted on MOL Sunflower Ltd.’s Kurenai and Murasaki vessels, bringing passengers the high-quality facilities and services typical of a hotel.

The generous dinner and breakfast buffets feature an array of dishes from Japanese and Western cuisines made using fresh, seasonal produce. There is also a shop, stocked with drinks and snacks, as well as daily necessities and local souvenirs.

Accommodations are diverse, catering to a broad range of travellers and budgets, from simple group rooms to luxury suites with balconies. Both Japanese- and Western-style options are available, as well as rooms suitable for pets. Guests staying in the higher-end accommodations can access the executive lounge, a tranquil space stocked with complimentary drinks and snacks.

One of the most popular amenities is the communal Grand Bath, where it’s possible to soak while gazing onto the island-dotted seascape: a uniquely Japanese form of relaxation at sea. Private shower and powder rooms are available if preferred. In addition, there are dedicated barrier-free toilets and shower facilities, as well as barrier-free access throughout public spaces.

Other facilities include free Wi-Fi, a kids’ room, baby-changing rooms, a dog run and lockers. Multilingual digital information boards throughout public spaces display weather updates, onboard operating hours and tourist information. Vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles can also be boarded.

Upcoming departures

In 2026, Seto Inland Sea Casual Daytime Cruise departures from Osaka to Beppu are scheduled for September 13, October 4, October 25 and November 15.

Each voyage will feature hands-on lifestyle activities that showcase Japanese culture. Highlights include a workshop to brew green tea from Chiran, an acclaimed growing area that produces some of Japan’s earliest spring teas, and traditional performances of shamisen (three-stringed lute) and fue (bamboo flute). 

Reservations can be made online or by phone, including by credit card. Fares vary depending on accommodation type and seasonal pricing variations; the cost for an adult foot passenger starts at around ¥30,000. 

Exploring Beppu and around

The Sunflower ferries dock in Beppu around midnight and passengers can disembark from 7am the following day. So, what is there to do in Beppu and the surrounding area?

At such an early hour, a great option is to head to the seven “hells” (jigoku), which open at 8am. These hot springs received their nickname as early as the 8th century, when an ancient document classified them as “abominable land” as they emit fumes as well as boiling mud and water.

Unlike onsen hot springs, these otherworldly hells are for viewing only. Their unique characteristics and additional attractions, such as footbaths for a relaxing break and spaces where you can enjoy hell-steamed eggs or puddings, has made it popular to visit all seven of them on the “hell tour.”

At Oniishi Bozu Jigoku, grey mud bubbles up at boiling point, while the clay at Chinoike Jigoku makes its pool crimson red. One of the most expansive hells is Umi Jigoku, a national site of scenic beauty featuring a cobalt blue hot spring surrounded by a lake, lush vegetation and torii gates leading to a shrine. The main building features an observation terrace and an exhibition about the geology and history of Beppu’s hells and onsen hot springs.

The city has more than 2,800 hot spring sources, which feed some 150 dedicated bathing facilities, giving Beppu its alternative moniker, the onsen capital of Japan. Therapeutic bathing dates back a millennium and the city has the highest volume of gushing thermal water of any site in the country, making a soak in the mineral-rich waters a must-try activity.

Oita Prefecture offers plenty, too. To the north-east, the Kunisaki peninsula beckons with historic temples, shrines and pilgrimage trails—the result of an ancient fusion of Shintoism, Buddhism and mountain worship—set in stunning mountains and forests. Highlights include Fukiji Temple, the oldest wooden structure in Kyushu and a National Treasure.

To the south, the quaint onsen town of Yufuin boasts picturesque lakeside scenery, local culinary delights and, of course, ample opportunities for relaxing in hot springs.   

Kickstart your trip

As it’s best to arrive at Osaka Port early (final boarding is at 11am), it’s a great idea to stay in Osaka the night before. For visitors who would like to kickstart the cruising mood early, one option is Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda.

The hotel is located in Grand Green Osaka, a new lifestyle hub featuring shops, restaurants and experiential spaces, immediately north of JR Osaka Station. It’s an ideal place for exploring, either on foot or on one of Canopy’s complimentary bicycle rentals.

The property itself combines the city’s energy and serenity. There are local touches everywhere, from the delicious menus in the all-day-dining restaurant and the craft drinks on the rooftop bar to the accents in the luxury rooms.

The central lobby hub feels like a natural extension of the neighbourhood and is designed for socializing, co-working or relaxing, while high-end amenities include a fitness centre and boutique. Guests who plan to bring their pet on the Sunflower can stay at one of Canopy’s pet-friendly rooms. 

Set sail on the ferry

For more details on MOL Sunflower Ltd.’s Seto Inland Sea Casual Daytime Cruise, please visit https://www.ferry-sunflower.co.jp/lp/day/en/