You Can Now Fall Asleep On A Ferry In Taiwan And Wake Up In Japan As Yaima Maru Launches Slow Travel Sea Route

You can now fall asleep on a ferry in Taiwan and wake up in Japan as Yaima Maru launches slow travel sea route A new passenger ferry service between Taiwan and Japan is offering travellers a rare “slow travel” experience, where passengers can board in Taiwan, sleep overnight at sea, and wake up in Japan the next morning aboard the Yaima Maru ferry. The service operates between Keelung, Taiwan, and Ishigaki Island in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, marking the return of a direct sea connection between both destinations after about 18 years. The Yaima Maru has been designed to feel more like a cruise experience than a traditional ferry, featuring amenities such as

• Sauna facilities
• Karaoke rooms
• Cafés on the upper deck
• Private cabins and dorm-style accommodations

The ship allows passengers to treat the journey itself as part of the holiday, with open deck views of the ocean and overnight accommodation onboard. The ferry runs an overnight schedule across the East China Sea, covering roughly 270 kilometres in about eight hours. Passengers typically depart from Taiwan at night and arrive in Japan the following morning, allowing travellers to literally sleep through the journey and wake up in a different country. Travel analysts describe the route as part of a growing global shift toward slow travel, where tourists choose longer, more relaxed transport options instead of short flights. Onboard experience is designed to reduce travel stress, offering more space, walking areas, and a calmer environment compared to airports and airplanes The Yaima Maru can carry hundreds of passengers, offering multiple cabin types ranging from shared dormitory-style rooms to private suites. The service currently operates on a scheduled basis, with plans for more frequent sailings as demand increases. Beyond tourism, the ferry route is also seen as an important cultural and economic bridge between Taiwan and Japan, strengthening travel, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. Despite its leisure focus, reports note that the vessel is also part of Japan’s broader maritime strategy, with the ship listed among vessels that could assist in emergency evacuations if needed. With its blend of comfort, entertainment, and scenic ocean travel, the Yaima Maru ferry is redefining regional transport—turning a simple sea crossing into an overnight travel experience where passengers can truly “sleep in Taiwan and wake up in Japan.