Ferries
Fun on the water!
With thousands of islands, Japan has an extensive network of ferries. This isn’t the cheapest or quickest way to get around, but can certainly provide some amazing experiences, with long-haul ferries often offering communal baths on board and even karaoke rooms!
Most ferries also carry vehicles, and it’s generally not a problem to take a bicycle if you are cycle touring.
Ferry can be a great way to get to Hokkaidō, and there are routes on both the Pacific and Sea of Japan sides of Honshū.
A highly recommended adventurous route links Kagoshima city on Kyūshū with Naha in Okinawa - with the opportunity to drop in and stay at four fascinating islands along the way.