Sakhalin RUS to Hokkaido Ferry Sept. 2013
 

I recently took the ferry from Korsokov, Sakhalin, Russia to Wakkaina, Hokkaido, Japan. Here is some information. I hope it helps someone.

160 km average speed, around 29 km/h. Total time 6 hours.

Here is how you get on the ferry to Hokkaido. There are 2 important locations.

Heartland Ferry Office
46.621059, 142.771592 https://maps.google.com/maps?q=46.62...=17&iwloc=near

Customs and Terminal
46.619438, 142.768942 https://maps.google.com/maps?q=46.61...=17&iwloc=near

There are 2 ways to go into Japan with a motorcycle. Have a Carnet, or use the Japan customs C5014 http://www.customs.go.jp/kaisei/yous...m_C/C5014a.pdf

English website for Heartland ferry. http://www.heartlandferry.jp/english/index.html

You will need to go to the Heartland ferry office a couple days prior to the boat leaving. We went the day before and they pushed my documents through. This is not a recommended way to do it. There are a few documents to fill out. They will need a contact address, phone number and name in Japan. Luckily I had just met a friend from Japan a few days earlier. For my Japan Itinerary, I just filled out names of cities I knew. I don't think it matters.

Documents you will need:
Passport
Drivers licence and International Drivers Permit.
Motocycle Registration.
Russia Temp Import/Customs declaration for motorcycle.
Make sure you have your motorcycle engine # writen down because its required.

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All my copied documents were sent to Japan to be looked at. We got a call later that night that we could come in the morning at 8:00 and buy a ticket. The cost was about $340 for the motorcycle and me. 1 way Economy class. Once on the boat I had to pressure wash my moto. They had a pressure washer and brushes for me to use. The Japanese crew was really nice and they helped me a lot. I was glad I had washed my bike a few days earlier in Yuzhno. The ferry ride took 6 hours to get to Wakkanai. The boat was way cleaner then any of the Russian ferries I had been on. The common area was carpeted, normal Japan style. You take your shoes off and sit/lay on the floor. They have pillows to use as well as a snack/lunch.

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The high tech gate to the ferry dock.

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Make sure you wash your bike before hand. I thought mine was clean enough but we still had to wash it more on the boat. The crew helped me some.

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No seats. Good time to nap. Or catch up on movies on your lap top.

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Lunch was provided.

When I got to Japan an agent from Nippon Express was waiting for me. He had copies of all my documents. He told me to find him after I went through passport control. He and a customs agent looked over my motorcycle and stamped the C5014 document. The total cost for getting in was 22,000 Yen. This is about $220. Insurance for the motorcycle was also included in this price. All in all, it was quite easy and the Japan customs agent and Nippon Express agent were very nice and helpful. This was a breeze when compared to Kazakh customs after the ferry from Baku, AZ.

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Signed C5014 document.

Merci !bier

I have a lot more for you. I just need to get around to sending them :innocent:

Thanks for a great and very useful update!

Will bookmark it for further RTW folks coming to Japan.

Hope you enjoy your time over here!!

Thanks for the current info! :thumbup1: Should come in handy when I'm going the other direction later this year. How was the journey from the mainland to Sakhalin? Kholmsk to Vaino seems to be the only option? I've heard rumors about a possible short boat ride much further north where Sakhalin is closest to the mainland.

Sorry it took so long to reply to this.

I rode the boat from Vanino to Kholmsk. It left at 3 in the morning or something and took about 16 hours. Kind of a dirty boat but interesting. Coming from Russia, it was was normal. I think if you are coming from Japan, it will put you in the right mindset for the Russia and central asia. Food was good on the boat and if I remember correctly, you get a few free meals.