Any news on Sakhalin Wakkanai-Hokkaido Ferry?
 

Is there anyone out there having an update on the future situation of this Ferry?

We are planning a trip from Holland to Japan starting may 1st 2016. The current ferry company is stopping the service this year.

Chris of Japan posted a lot of info but has been quiet about it lately (Maybe because there is no news...). I would be great to read some new info on this matter.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Wilco!
I´ll do the same coming from kazachstan/Mongolia/Russia.
I´m quite realxed about the ferry.
Either I´ll go via Sacchalin/Hokkaido or via vladivostok/Main island.
I think there´s enough time to change plans on route if there´s no ferry.
But it is hard to believe there will be no ferry to Wakanai.
I cn´t believe there is no need and they really stop it.
But if so...no problem, take a right turn and proceed to vladivostok. There is always some space for a bike!

May be we meet on the road. I´m seking some companion for Mongolia.
I´ll be at the boarder of Mongolia around the first week of june.
Save ride
Herbert

Nothing in the local news since October.
The fiscal year starts in April, so they will at least have budgeted it by then if it will run this year.
Check back around then.

Thanks Chris, for your information.
A pity, that I´m entering Japan end of July :rolleyes2:
I´ll see. One question to a resident:
I´ll be in Japan the whole August and a bit longer.
I read about the Taifun month of august and all the festivals happening in August and the prices going up...
Maybe august isn´t the best choice to visit Japan, your opinion on that?
thanx in advance.
greez
Herbert

Thanx for the update Chris. I came across some articles I would like to share with you (maybe you know them already?);

Japan-Russia ferry routes |

The Japanese decided to stop working the only ferry crossing with Russia | Last news from Russia

Hi Kurvenfieber, nice to meet you here. I noticed your previous post and learned that you are doing most of the route in our plan. We prefer Wakkanai to Sakaiminato (Vladivostok) because of the following reasons;

1. The route to Vanino/Sakhalin seems to be much more challenging and interesting
2. The Vladivostok boat sails only once a week, takes more time, is more expensive and I read somewhere that crating your motorcycle is mandatory
3. The route from the North to Tokyo feels more attractive (just a gut feeling no real investigation yet)

Let's keep in touch. Always good to meet a 'neighbour' for a nice beer!

Cu
Wilco.

August or not, or yes, or......
 

Hi there Kurvenfieber!

Concerning your question:

it does not make a (big?) difference whether you arrive here in August or some other time.

Japan is (more or less) expensive all year round. However, since you are a RTW person, I guess you will spend most of your time in a tent or at "rider houses". Food wise (I assume you are from Germany?) Japan is more expensive. For a can of 300ml beer you pay roughly Yen 200, 5 slices of bread (a little better quality) the same, 200 grams of butter Yen 400 and so on. On the other hand, if you go to supermarkets after 6 or 7 in the evening you will find discounted food (including lunch boxes) for a very acceptable price. Fuel, right now here on Shikoku Yen 115 l/regular. Be aware of highway fees .... veeeeery expensive! In case of any further questions, please let me know. Oh and by the way, Chris is the "MASTER" concerning any and all questions about Japan!! :thumbup1:

And if you want to know more about Japan, check out this website:

welt-tour.com - Japan

I know it's a little older but Heidi and Bernd survived Japan and maybe you can find some useful information! Greetings to Utrecht from a native Solingen guy :mchappy:

NOT the only route. The (more expensive) DBS Ferry still runs from Vlad to Sakaiminato (via Korea).
A new Sakhalin ferry might be open in 2016. No news yet.
A route scheduled to open from Zarubino or Nahodka (I forget which) to Niigata may open in 2017. It was supposed to start in 2016, but may be delayed a year. They don't have a ship yet, and they don't want to start in the winter season when the seas are rough.

Hi Klaus,
yes I´m german. I´ve visited Japan twice already for training purposes (Aikido), and know well about the prices :thumbdown:
I always ate around midday in the restaurant. It was way more cheaper than the same food in the same restaurant at night.
As I was always in the beginning of the year for the Kagami Biraki at the Honmbu Dojo in Shinjuku, I was wondering if the prices, not only for accomodation will rise in the holiday month of august.
Any way we don´t have any choice other than choosing another country to visit. Which will mean a change of my rtw trip.

@ wilco:
yes let´s keep in touch, maybe we meet on the road or somewhere.
If you happen to come to the south of germany, you are welcome at my home!

Just got word from a fb contact who told me about a local travel agency calling the mayor of Wakkanai. The reply of the mayor is in line with the reaction of Chris ofjapan; no opening expected in 2016.

:thumbdown:

Does anyone know if its possible to pay a fisherman or someone with a boat to go from Sakhalin to Wakkanai with the motorbike? If that would work, would the usual boarder procedure be a problem in Wakkanai because I would not have come to Japan via an official way? (I would carry a carnet de passage of course)
I also planed on doing a trip from Europe to Japan via Kaz.->Mongolia->Sakhalin in early summer 2016.

Hi silencium. Importing your bike on a fisherboat sounds romantic and daring. You must like the smell of fish on your bike. I would expect problems getting the right stamps in your carnet. Doesn't seem a healthy idea to me.