Ibusuki Port (Kagoshima Prefecture)

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Key points of Ibusuki Port

  • Ibusuki is a hot spring town at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture.
  • Because the Mitsui Ocean Fuji is a large ship, it anchors offshore, and passengers transfer to smaller boats (tender boats) to disembark. Yamakawa Fishing Port in Ibusuki City has been used as the landing site.
  • The main attraction is the sand bath, where you bury yourself in warm sand. The port of call may change if the wind or waves are strong.

Last verified: October 2, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)

Print this port's key points, access, taxi card and FAQ on a few pages, or save them as a PDF to read on board without Wi-Fi.

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Visiting Japan on a cruise?

Landing permits, all-aboard time, cash and cards, getting around, tax-free shopping and what to do in an emergency: see our Port Day Guide for cruise passengers. Working on board? See the Crew Guide (shore leave, sign-on, shopping near the terminal).

Emergency: 110 police / 119 ambulance & fire / Japan Visitor Hotline +81-50-3816-2787 (24/7, English, Chinese, Korean)

More guides for your trip:

What kind of port is Ibusuki Port?

Ibusuki is a hot spring and nature tourist destination located in the southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture. It is known for its sand baths, which utilize hot springs that bubble up on the beach.

In April 2025, due to strong winds offshore from Yamakawa Fishing Port, it was deemed dangerous for small boats to land, and the port of call was changed to Kagoshima Marine Port. Please check the weather information and the cruise line's announcements.

Docking location and access

Landing method The ship anchors offshore, and passengers disembark by tender boat.
Examples of landing sites Yamakawa Fishing Port (Ibusuki City)

The landing location may change with each port of call. Please check with the cruise line for details.

Port Day Weather (7-Day Forecast)

This is the Japan Meteorological Agency's weekly weather forecast for Kagoshima Prefecture (excluding the Amami Islands) and Kagoshima. The names of cruise ships are listed on days when they are scheduled to call at port.

Tue, Oct 6 Today
☀️
Sunny
—
Wed, Oct 7
☀️☁️
Sunny, cloudy at times
29° / 17°
Rain 10%
Thu, Oct 8
☀️☁️
Sunny, cloudy at times
28° / 17°
Rain 20%
Fri, Oct 9
☁️🌧️
Cloudy, rain briefly
27° / 19°
Rain 50%
Sat, Oct 10
☁️
Cloudy
28° / 23°
Rain 40%
Sun, Oct 11
☁️☀️
Cloudy, sunny at times
30° / 22°
Rain 30%
Mon, Oct 12
☁️☀️
Cloudy, sunny at times
30° / 21°
Rain 30%

This is a regional forecast, so conditions at the port may differ slightly. It is updated several times a day; check the forecast the day before your call and the ship's daily program too. Source: Japan Meteorological Agency "Weather Forecast"

A seagull spreading out a map to guide you.

Once you arrive at the port, the first thing you should do is get a map from the tourist information center! Check your smartphone's clock (in Japan Standard Time) to confirm the all-aboard time.

Useful information about the port (tourist information, currency exchange, ATMs, Wi-Fi)

Here is some useful information for sightseeing around Ibusuki Port, where cruise ships arrive (based on official sources).

Tourist information Ibusuki City Tourism Association. Information for cruise passengers is available on Kagoshima Prefecture's tourism website, "Let's Enjoy Kagoshima."

To withdraw yen with a card issued overseas, use Seven Bank ATMs (at 7-Eleven stores and elsewhere) or Japan Post Bank ATMs. You can find ATMs on the map below.

Facilities and operating hours may vary depending on the port of call and time of year. (Date confirmed: October 2, 2026 Source: Kagoshima Prefecture Tourism Website "Let's Enjoy Kagoshima")

Port Day Time Planner

Pick your ship (or enter your own times) to see when you can go ashore and when to head back.

⚠ These times are estimates only

All-aboard times differ by ship and can change on the day because of weather or operations. Always check the time in your ship's daily program or onboard announcements, and allow plenty of time to get back. cruisefun cannot accept responsibility if you miss your ship.

For ships on the list, the all-aboard time is set to 30 minutes before departure as a guide. Always use the time in your ship's daily program.

Recommended ways to spend your time depending on the length of your port call

2-3 hours

  • Sand bath hot springs: A unique bathing experience in Ibusuki where you bury your body in warm sand.

Port-town food

  • Skipjack tuna: Yamakawa Port is known for its skipjack tuna landings.
  • Kagoshima local cuisine: You can find restaurants around the port on the map below.

You can post reviews of places you've actually visited by clicking "Write a review" at the bottom of this page.

Map of shops around the port

These are restaurants serving local cuisine around Ibusuki Port. Clicking on a restaurant on the map will allow you to check its opening hours and customer reviews (Google Maps). Please check in advance whether the restaurant is open on the day of the port call.

Photos of this port by members

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What a port day costs

Reference: According to a national survey, the average amount spent per person at a port of call is approximately 22,000 yen.

From a survey of passengers on 18 cruise ships by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (August–December 2025). Each extra hour in port added about ¥900 in spending on average, and passengers on luxury and expedition ships joined more tours and tended to spend more.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: "Making the economic effects of cruise ship port calls 'visible'"

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From July to October, typhoons can cause skipped port calls or changed port times. See our typhoon and cruise guide for refunds and how to prepare.

FAQ

Q1 How do you disembark from the ship?

You will transfer from the ship anchored offshore to a tender boat (a small vessel) to disembark.

Q2 What happens when the weather is bad?

Strong winds and waves may prevent landing or change the port of call.

Source/Reference Information

Photos are being prepared. Last checked: October 2, 2026. Information is subject to change. Please let us know of any inaccuracies or issues through reviews or inquiries.

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Ibusuki Port (Kagoshima Prefecture)

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