Enjoy a comfortable cruise from Tomei Expressway to Ise-Shima on IseBayFerry! An easy-to-understand report on how to ride and its charm!

From Tokyo, exit the Tomei Expressway at Hamamatsu IC or Hamamatsu Nishi IC and drive along the Hamamatsu Bypass while looking out at the Pacific Ocean. Once you enter Aichi Prefecture, take the peaceful National Route 42 towards Cape Irago. Along the way, you will pass through Pacific Long Beach (Tawara City), which is popular with surfers and photographers.

IseBayFerry boarding point, Irago Passenger Terminal, is attached to Michi-no-eki, Irago Crystal Porto. There are plenty of directions along the way, and since it's at the tip of the Irago Peninsula, you don't have to worry about getting lost until you reach the goal.

Once you park your car in the large parking lot reserved for passengers (again, there's no need to worry about getting lost!), follow the staff's instructions, and then take your vehicle inspection certificate and go buy your ticket. The vehicle inspection certificate is always in the car, so it's okay too.

The ticket office is immediately to the right of the parking lot. Walk a few dozen steps and feel the sea breeze. It's a small ticket office, but there's a signboard so you can easily find it.
Many people ask, ``What if I can't board because it's full?'' However, in reality, there are only a few flights a year that are full. There is no need to worry as the next flight will arrive after waiting for about an hour. Unlike waiting in a car in traffic, it's fun to wait at the terminal looking out at the ocean.

Credit cards and electronic money are also accepted at the ticket office. You can also make reservations in advance by phone (reservations are not possible during Golden Week, Obon, and New Year's holidays because many cars are delayed due to traffic jams).
There are also set tickets with popular theme parks, so you can buy them here instead of lining up locally. They also sell discounted round-trip tickets, so be sure to buy them if you plan on taking the ferry home as well.

You can return to your car 20 minutes before departure. The boarding process was easy. Once you hand over your ticket, the staff will guide you and your car onto the ferry.
The only thing to keep in mind is that not only the driver but also all passengers must board the ship by car. Dad, you can't keep your family waiting in the waiting room.

A bright and spacious interior. It's an unreserved seat. Pets are also allowed (please keep them completely in the cage).
*There are also barrier-free ships equipped with elevators, etc. Although it is not listed on the timetable, you can find out which boats are barrier-free by calling the day before. (Please note that there may be sudden flight changes.)

Special rooms are also available for a fee.
For 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary school students, you can enjoy the comfortable atmosphere of a hotel lobby!

There is also a shop selling souvenirs, snacks, and coffee. There are many table seats, so some families can enjoy eating while looking out at the ocean from the window seats.

After a long drive, you'll want something sweet.
Charge up your sugar with premium software on board! It really tastes better when you eat it while looking out at the sea!

There are many fishing boats nearby. The ferry moves on, avoiding small fishing boats.

Compared to traveling by car, ferry rides are very exciting and give you a sense of something out of the ordinary!
Many people took pictures while looking at Kamishima, the setting for Yukio Mishima's novel "Shiosai."
It is said that you may even encounter a pod of dolphins.

Ise Bay also has other inhabited islands such as Toshijima, Sugashima, and Sakatejima, which also have accommodation facilities. It's fun to look at the island from a boat with a telephoto lens, and you can see the school and the small harbor. Explanations about the island are sometimes played on the ship.

As we approached the port of Toba, we encountered people enjoying water bikes quite close to the ferry! It's exciting to know that we're getting closer to a resort area and a major tourist destination.

The ferry terminal is next to TobaAquarium, one of the most popular in Japan!
The 55-minute cruise will be over in no time as you look around the ship and admire the islands. Arrive at Toba Port with a comfortable journey without traffic jams.

We got into the car and were guided off the ship by the staff. There are no ticket gates, so you can head to sightseeing spots as soon as you arrive.
Start your trip to Ise-Shima on time without encountering traffic jams in Aichi or Mie prefectures!

The return ticket office is on the second floor of the Toba ferry terminal. It's a beautiful building with plenty of souvenir shops and a restaurant. We recommend arriving early on your way home and enjoying some shopping here.
Also, depending on the season, if you take the evening flight back, you may be able to see a beautiful sunset behind the ferry!

Recently popular at Restaurant Ferry on the second floor of the terminal is the famous Ise-Udon udon with two pieces of plump shrimp tempura. 920 yen is a good deal.
There is also a wide variety of other local dishes such as Matsusaka beef bowl, grilled turban shells, and Tekone-Zushi, as well as curry, ramen, ice cream, and more.

On the way back, there are many melon direct sales outlets on the Atsumi Peninsula, including Tahara City. From early summer to summer vacation, it becomes a melon road where you can eat cut melons and buy souvenirs at local prices.

<Price comparison> Simulation using a typical passenger car (vehicle length within 5m).

◆In the case of ferry...The ETC holiday discount fare is 4,040 yen from Yokohama Aoba IC to Hamamatsu Nishi IC on the Shuto Expressway (also known as Tomei Expressway), which was opened in the spring of 2020. Assuming the distance to Irago Ferry Terminal is 300 km, the gasoline cost will be 2,600 yen if you use 20 liters at a fuel efficiency of 15 km. Adding the one-way fare of 6,900 yen, the total was 13,540 yen. Additionally, a one-way fee of 1,600 yen will be charged for each passenger.
*For round-trip travel, the return fare will be 20% off.

◆If you are taking the expressway to Toba...If you use the Shin-Tomei Expressway + Ise Bayside Expressway + Tomei-Han Expressway + Ise Expressway, the ETC holiday discount rate is 7,140 yen. Assuming the distance to Toba is 450km, the gasoline cost will be 3,900 yen for 30 liters in the same way as above. Total 11,140 yen.
*Assumed 130 yen per liter of gasoline

●Looking at the above, the ferry appears to be more expensive, with a difference of around 2,000 yen. However, ETC is about 40% more expensive on weekdays, so in that case the difference will be smaller. Additionally, fuel efficiency varies depending on the type of vehicle, and fuel efficiency may worsen due to traffic jams in Aichi and Mie prefectures. If you are using high octane, you should look at it a little higher. (On the other hand, the difference may be a little wider for hybrid cars.)

<Comparison of required time>

A) When using IseBayFerry
① 230 km from Yokohama Aoba IC on the Metropolitan Expressway (Tomei Expressway) to Hamamatsu Nishi IC on the Tomei Expressway, 3 hours (including one 15-minute break on the way)
② 75km from Hamamatsu Nishi IC to Irago Ferry Terminal, 1 hour and 50 minutes (including one 15 minute break on the way)
③ 40 minutes in total at Irago Ferry Terminal to buy tickets and wait for boarding
④Boarding time 55 minutes
Total time from ① to ④: 6 hours 25 minutes

B) When only using the expressway without using the ferry
① From the Yokohama Aoba IC on the Shuto Expressway (Tomei Expressway) to the Tomei Expressway - Shin-Tomei Expressway - Isewangan Expressway - Tomei-Han Expressway - Ise Expressway, it takes 432km, 6 hours and 30 minutes (3 15-minute breaks and 30 meal breaks along the way) 1 hour and 15 minutes in total)
② After getting off at Ise IC, drive 13km and 20 minutes on the general road.
Total time from ① to ②: 6 hours 50 minutes

*For pattern A, it is unlikely that there will be a major delay in arrival time after getting off at the Tomei Expressway Hamamatsu Nishi IC.
In the case of pattern B, there may be significant delays due to congestion on expressways in Aichi and Mie prefectures and congestion on general roads in Ise and TobaCity.
In terms of accuracy of the start time of a trip in the Ise-Shima area, IseBayFerry seems to have a good time. (If you think of the journey as starting from the boarding port, it might be attractive to have a 4-hour wait until the start of the journey!)

<Such tricks>
Parking at IseBayFerry Irago Terminal is free. Some people park here and head to Toba Port (Ise-Shima) with a round-trip discount ticket of 2,880 yen.
After arriving, TobaAquarium is right next door. Many accommodations in TobaCity offer shuttle service to Toba Station near the aquarium, and you can also visit IseJingu and Meotoiwa(rocksofthemarriedcouple) with a one-day bus pass from the ferry terminal.
If you only have to drive from Cape Irago to your home in the metropolitan area on your return trip, you will be much less tired.