I told you that we visited Hokkaido this summer by ferry boat last post. There are a couple ways to get to Hokkaido from Kansai area and most people choice an airlines. However, if you have a time I highly recommend to choice a ferry boat from Maizuru in Kyoto or Tsuruga in Fukui to Hokkaido. (Two lines, Maizuru-Otaru and Tsuruga-Tomakomai)
Ferry boats leave the Port of Maizuru or Tsuruga at midnight and arrives at the Port of Otaru or Tomakomai 21 hours later. In fact, I love long distance ferry boats, because I don't need to check my e-mail and do anything in a ship. You can relax and read books all day in a ship. There are many facilities, like a public bath, restaurants, cafés, sports gym, game corner, laundromats and shops in a ship, so everything is at your fingertips. Generally, long distanced ferry boats have a many classes like an executive, first, reasonable bed rooms and Japanese style rooms and more. Every class are quite comfortable as well and you can stretch your legs. I think it's not like being on a plane and more reasonable than airlines. Actually, we relaxed all day and enjoyed Japanese mutton barbecue on the boat!
