Expo 2025 Osaka: How to Get to the Expo by Ship or Ferry—Routes, Fares, and Reservation Requirements
【この記事にはPRを含む場合があります】
The “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai (2025 Japan International Exposition)” will be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025.
The closest train station to the Osaka Expo venue is “Yumeshima Station” on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.
The station is connected to the Expo venue, so it’s very convenient. Shuttle buses also run from the airport and parking lots near the Expo, so many people may be thinking about visiting by train or bus.
There’s also a special way to get to the Osaka Expo: you can go “by ship“.
If you come by boat, you will get to “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai” in a special way. It’s the only “Expo venue surrounded by the sea” in the world.
Many people don’t know about it, so it’s a bit of a secret.
This time, as someone living in Osaka, I will explain how to get to “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai (2025 Japan International Exposition)” by boat or ferry. I will also give information on fares and reservations.
- How to Get to the Osaka Expo by Ship from “Osaka Prefecture / Hyogo Prefecture”
- Access 1. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Ship “Mahoroba” (Fares and Reservation Method)
- Access 2. Universal Cruise Fares and Reservation Method
- How to Get to the Osaka Expo by Ferry from “Shikoku / Kyushu”
- Taking a trip to the Osaka Expo by ship or ferry is also a great option!
How to Get to the Osaka Expo by Ship from “Osaka Prefecture / Hyogo Prefecture”
(Source: EXPO 2025)
There are several ways to get to “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai (2025 Japan International Exposition)” by ship or ferry.
If you are in Osaka Prefecture or nearby Hyogo Prefecture, you can take a “passenger ship” for about 3,000 yen one way to reach the Expo venue.
There are also ferries from Shikoku and Kyushu that can take you to the Osaka Expo venue. Be sure to check out the options that interest you.
Access 1. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Ship “Mahoroba” (Fares and Reservation Method)
(Source: Iwatani Corporation)
One of the ways to reach “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai (2025 Japan International Exposition)” by ship or ferry is the hydrogen fuel cell passenger ship “Mahoroba”.
You can take a cruise across Osaka Bay on the “Mahoroba” to get to the Osaka Expo site.
There are boarding points such as “Universal City Port” near USJ (Universal Studios Japan), as well as “Nakanoshima,” “Sakai Old Port,” and “Nanko.” You can also board from “Kobe” and “Awaji Island” in Hyogo Prefecture.
万博会場 夢洲へのアクセス手段は、地下鉄とバスだけじゃない！
ということで、USJ近くのユニバーサルシティポートから、日本初の水素燃料電池船「まほろば」に乗って夢洲へと向かってみます！うおめちゃくちゃカッコいいお船だ！！！ pic.twitter.com/mtXC6Q8UIu
— もりっつ (@moritz6011) April 26, 2025
You can make reservations for the hydrogen fuel cell passenger ship “Mahoroba” that will take you to “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai (2025 Japan International Exposition)” from one month before the boarding date up to the day of the trip.
It’s great that you can even make a reservation on the same day!
“Mahoroba” is Japan’s first hydrogen fuel cell passenger ship. It uses clean energy that doesn’t emit CO2.
At the Osaka Expo, one of the main goals is to help achieve the SDGs. This means that a ship that uses clean energy would fit with the Expo’s vision of “promoting sustainable urban transportation.”
After arriving at the “Yumeshima Pier” by ship, you can take a free shuttle bus to the “West Gate” to enter the Expo.
＜ Transportation Access to the Expo Venue by Ship Mahoroba ＞
| Route | Universal City Port / Nakanoshima (Dojimahama Pier) → Expo Venue (Yumeshima Pier) |
| Operating Days | Every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday |
| Fare | One-way 3,000 yen (Round-trip 5,000 yen) Child: One-way 1,500 yen (Round-trip 2,500 yen) |
| Reservation Website | Official “Mahoroba” Reservation Website |
Please note that while traveling by ship is different from traveling by train or bus, there is a risk that services may be canceled in case of bad weather, such as strong winds. If the weather is expected to be bad on the day you reserved, it’s a good idea to check other ways to get there ahead of time.
水素船まほろばに乗る為に万博会場早めに退場したのに！！！どうして！！！！ pic.twitter.com/Ncpx7E7Onj
— kazu (@kazu199412) May 10, 2025
Access 2. Universal Cruise Fares and Reservation Method
(Source: Universal Cruise)
The “Universal Cruise” is a passenger ship that takes people to the “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai Expo venue” from Osaka City and Sakai City in about 30 minutes.
It goes to the Expo venue every day, and you can enjoy the scenery of Osaka from the boat while riding on a ship wrapped with the Expo’s official character, “Myakumyaku“.
Please remember that you must buy your ticket online before you come.
＜ Transportation Access to the Expo Venue by Universal Cruise ＞
| Route | Universal City Port / Central Wholesale Market Port / Old Sakai Port Pier → Expo Venue (Yumeshima) |
| Operating Days | Daily |
| Fare | Adults: One-way from 2,800 yen Child: One-way from 1,400 yen |
| Reservation Website | Official “Universal Cruise” Website |
How to Get to the Osaka Expo by Ferry from “Shikoku / Kyushu”
(Source: Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation)
If you are traveling to the “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai (2025 Japan International Exposition)” by ship or ferry from Shikoku or Kyushu, you can use the following six ferries.
Since the schedule departs at “night” and arrives in the “morning,” you can enjoy the Expo for a full day, starting in the morning.
The private cabins on the ferries are as nice and comfortable as hotel rooms, providing a relaxing space. You could also enjoy the Osaka Expo while taking the ferry.
＜ Ferries from Shikoku and Kyushu to the Osaka Expo ＞
| Ferry | Departure Location | Fare | Reservation Website |
| Meimon Taiyo Ferry, Hankyu Ferry | Fukuoka | From 7,590 yen | Taiyo Ferry |
| Miyazaki Car Ferry | Miyazaki | From 12,510 yen | Miyazaki Car Ferry |
| MOL Sunflower | Oita / Kagoshima | Oita: From 12,540 yen Kagoshima: From 15,920 yen |
Sunflower |
| Orange Ferry | Ehime | From 8,200 yen | Hankyu Ferry |
| Jumbo Ferry | Kagawa (to Hyogo) | From 1,990 yen | Jumbo Ferry |
Ferry fares vary depending on the date and time of your trip, as well as the type of cabin you choose.
There are also plans for a shuttle bus from Osaka’s “Nanko” to the Osaka Expo. If you are interested, check the reservation websites for each ferry.
Taking a trip to the Osaka Expo by ship or ferry is also a great option!
You might not know this, but the “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai (2025 Japan International Exposition)” is next to the sea. So, you can get to the event by ship or ferry.
If you are thinking about going to the Expo in the Kansai area, like in Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, Shikoku, or Kyushu, you should also think about visiting during a “sea voyage.”
You will have an even better time at the Osaka Expo.
Why not think about going to the Expo by boat, based on your planned date and where you’re leaving from?
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