The Kagoshima–Amami–Okinawa route is served by A-Line Ferry and Marix Line, with northbound and southbound sailings alternating daily. Southbound ferries depart Kagoshima Shinko at 6:00 p.m. and reach Amami Oshima the next morning at 5:00 a.m., then call at Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, and Yoron before Motobu and Naha in Okinawa. Northbound sailings from Okinawa via the Amami Islands to Kagoshima are also available—after your time in Okinawa you can island-hop through Amami.

Amami Kaiun’s Kagoshima–Kikai–China route departs Kagoshima Honko North Pier at 5:30 p.m. and reaches Kikai Island at 4:30 a.m. the next day. It then calls at Naze on Amami Oshima, passes through the Oshima Strait between Amami Oshima and Kakeromajima, calls at Koniya in southern Kakeromajima, and arrives at Hirono Port on Tokunoshima before returning. *Calls at China Port (Okinoerabujima) are currently suspended.