Can You Work on an Overnight Ferry? A Business Travel Review of Orange Ferry Between Osaka and Ehime (Matsuyama)

2026.01.13

Japanese Mobility, Manufacturing & Mobility, Workcation, 未分類

Orange Ferry offers a convenient transportation option for travelers heading to Ehime.

Operating between Osaka Nanko Port and Toyo Port in Ehime Prefecture, the ferry is not only a means of getting from point A to point B, but also a distinctive option that allows passengers to spend their travel time comfortably while continuing to work.

In this article, the focus is placed on business use. It outlines how to use Orange Ferry, the flow from boarding to disembarkation, and the onboard environment from the perspective of working during the journey.
For business professionals who wish to use travel time efficiently, or for those seeking a more relaxed and comfortable way to move between regions, this report aims to provide practical reference.

This article is based on an onboard experience on January 19, 2025.

Table of Contents

Travel Options Between Kansai and Ehime (Matsuyama)

There are several ways to travel from Kansai to Ehime, including Matsuyama. Below is a comparison of the main options, assuming travel from Osaka Station to Matsuyama Station. The figures shown are one-way fares.

The comparison is based on weekday travel in February 2025.
※All fares are current as of January 2025.

Mode of Transport	Route	Time	One-way Fare
Ferry (Orange Ferry)	Osaka Nanko Port – Toyo Port (overnight onboard) → Iyotetsu Matsuyamashi Station (by shuttle bus)	Approx. 9 hours 15 minutes (overnight onboard) + bus (approx. 85 minutes)	JPY 8,200 (Single) to JPY 17,800 (Royal) + shuttle bus (JPY 1,250)
Airplane	Osaka International Airport (Itami) – Matsuyama Airport	Approx. 1 hour 5 minutes (flight)	JPY 11,340 to JPY 15,740 (JAL flights)
Shinkansen + Limited Express	JR Shin-Osaka Station – Okayama Station (Shinkansen) → Matsuyama Station (Limited Express Shiokaze)	Approx. 3 hours 25 minutes	JPY 12,210 (non-reserved seat)
Highway Bus	Osaka Station – Matsuyama Station	Day service: approx. 5 hours 40 minutes / Overnight service: approx. 8 hours	JPY 4,200 to JPY 6,000 (based on Bus Comparison Navi)
Car	Osaka – Matsuyama	Approx. 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours	Varies depending on tolls and fuel costs

Ferry (Orange Ferry)：
A travel option that allows passengers to move overnight, making it possible to use time more effectively during the day.

Airplane：
The fastest option in terms of flight time. However, when travel to and from the airport and required procedures are taken into account, the actual total travel time may be longer.

Shinkansen + Limited Express：
A relatively fast means of transportation. In terms of overall travel time, it can be comparable to air travel.

Highway Bus：
The most cost-effective option when considering transportation alone. Overnight services, in particular, allow travelers to use their time efficiently.

Private Car：
Offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of schedule and route, but places a significant burden on the driver. Fuel efficiency also varies greatly depending on the vehicle. Cost performance improves when traveling with multiple passengers.

What deserves particular attention is the ferry as a travel option that offers private cabins, a relaxed environment, and the ability to work while in transit.

Orange Ferry: A Maritime Route Connecting Shikoku and Honshu

Orange Ferry is a ferry service operated by Shikoku Kaihatsu Ferry Co., Ltd.. The company operates two routes: the Kansai Route (Ehime–Kansai) and the Yonsu Route (Ehime–Oita).

Notably, Orange Ferry is recognized as Japan’s first overnight ferry service offering all-private cabins. With fully private rooms available across all cabin classes, the onboard experience is often described as comparable to staying in a moving hotel rather than a conventional means of transportation.

Departures from Osaka Nanko Ferry Terminal take place at 22:00, with arrival at Toyo Port in Ehime scheduled for 06:00 the following morning. Passengers arrive while they sleep, making overnight travel a practical option for long-distance movement.

Sources: Orange Ferry official website : https://www.orange-ferry.co.jp/en/osaka.html
Iyokan-net (regional transportation information site) : https://www.visitehimejapan.com/en/plan-your-trip/getting-around/

Boarding Procedure: From Check-in to Disembarkation

1. Reservation

Tickets should be reserved in advance through the reservation center, a travel agency, or the official website. When making a reservation, passengers select the travel date, route, number of passengers, and cabin category. As private cabins and popular sailings tend to fill quickly, early booking is recommended.
Shuttle bus services from Toyo Port are reserved at the same time as the ferry booking.

A 5% discount on the ferry fare is applied only to reservations made through the official website.
Reservations for the shuttle bus cannot be made separately. Without a reservation, the bus service is not available.

2. Check-in (19:45)

Passengers arrive at the ferry terminal station and proceed to Osaka Nanko Ferry Terminal via a connecting walkway of approximately 200 meters.

Upon reaching the entrance on the second floor, the presence of other passengers provides reassurance before boarding procedures begin.

Waiting Area

After moving down to the first floor, check-in is completed at the reception counter. Passengers are asked to inform the staff of their reservation number.

Breakfast is available by advance reservation only. A Japanese-style or Western-style breakfast is offered at JPY 900 each. On the day of departure, only the Western-style breakfast is available for purchase at JPY 1,000.Passengers wishing to reserve breakfast are requested to notify the counter or the onboard information desk by 22:30.

There is also a designated area for applications related to the boarding of trucks, buses, and private vehicles.

3. Boarding and Access to Cabins (20:00)

Walkway from the ferry terminal to the vessel

The areas accessible to passengers are spread across three floors. The 4th and 5th floors are primarily dedicated to cabins, while the 6th floor mainly consists of deck spaces.

Boarding begins at 20:00. Check-in procedures should be completed at least 30 minutes in advance, by 19:30.

Orange Ferry operates two vessels on an alternating daily schedule: Orange Osaka and Orange Ehime. While the overall layout is similar, differences can be seen in color schemes and the artworks displayed onboard.

4. Storing Luggage (20:10)

After placing luggage in the cabin, passengers can take a moment to settle in. Single cabins cannot be locked from the outside, so valuables should not be left inside the room. Valuables can be deposited at the front desk or stored in dedicated valuables lockers.

Valuables lockers.Each locker is designed to store several small personal items.

5. Enjoying Ehime Cuisine at the Restaurant (20:30)

From around 21:00, common areas on board tend to become crowded. For this reason, boarding at around 20:00 and completing dinner and bathing earlier is recommended.
The restaurant operates from 20:00 to 23:00 in the evening and from 05:30 to 07:00 in the morning. Menus feature dishes that make use of local ingredients, and dinner can be enjoyed while viewing the night scenery outside.

The menu includes curry, rice bowls, soba noodles, ramen, as well as set meals.

One of the most anticipated dishes is Uwajima Tai-meshi (JPY 1,500, tax included), prepared in the Nan’yo regional style. Fresh sea bream sashimi is dipped in raw egg and served over white rice.

6. Bathing (21:00)

Using the onboard public bath, which is available 24 hours a day, is also recommended. Soaking in the bath allows passengers to relieve fatigue after a long day. The fact that the facility is accessible at any time is also convenient for those who prefer bathing in the morning.

The washing area is equipped with 12 booths each for men and women. Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap are provided, and hair dryers are available at the wash basins. Towels are not provided, so passengers are advised to bring their own or purchase them onboard.

The corridor is designed so that the availability of the shower area can be checked before entering.

7. A Calm Moment While Viewing the Night Sea — and Finishing Some Work (22:00)

Spending time on the observation deck while feeling the sea breeze offers a relaxing experience. Gentle waves and the night sky provide a calm atmosphere after a busy day. On the Osaka–Ehime route, the ferry passes beneath the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge approximately one hour after departure. As access to the deck is restricted during rainy weather, checking conditions in advance is recommended.

8. Good night

9. Good morning

Breathing deeply on the deck while bathing in the morning sunlight creates a calm and slightly unusual way to begin the day. The fresh air and open surroundings offer a refreshing start to the morning.

10. Disembarkation (06:00)

After arrival, passengers disembark by following instructions from the staff. It is possible to remain onboard until 08:00. If no immediate onward transportation is scheduled, passengers may choose to spend additional time onboard at a relaxed pace.

11. Boarding the Shuttle Bus to Matsuyama (06:20)

The shuttle bus, which requires advance reservation, was used for onward travel. The journey to Matsuyama takes approximately one hour.Arrival times are as follows: Iyotetsu Matsuyamashi Station at 07:23, JR Matsuyama Station at 07:33, and Dogo Onsen Station at 07:48.The fare is a flat rate of JPY 1,250.

Work Environment on the Ferry: Advantages for Business Travelers

How suitable is a ferry as a working environment for business professionals? Based on the onboard experience, several practical advantages can be identified.

Cost Performance

By combining transportation and accommodation into a single service, ferry travel can help reduce overall costs. The ability to move overnight while minimizing lodging expenses is a notable advantage. On Orange Ferry, private cabins allow passengers to rest comfortably, which helps reduce fatigue during business travel.

Arrival Before 08:00

As ferry travel makes it possible to move while sleeping, nighttime hours can be used efficiently, enabling early-morning schedules the following day. In contrast, air or rail travel may require additional time to reach airports or stations, which can make early departures less practical. This time structure unique to ferry travel can be well suited to the needs of busy business professionals.

The Reassurance of a Private Cabin

A Single (Women’s) cabin was reserved for this journey. A women-only area is available onboard. The cabin measures 3.45 square meters (approximately 1.89 tatami mats) and is equipped with essential furnishings, including a single bed and a desk.

The cabin includes two electrical outlets.

Compared with the congestion often found at airports or railway stations, ferry travel offers a quieter environment. Unlike airplanes or buses, private cabins provide a personal space that supports focused work. From a business perspective, private rooms also make it easier to manage confidential information.

In addition to standard single cabins, a “Single Room Plus” option is available for up to two passengers at the same per-person rate. For those seeking more space and comfort, options also include a Deluxe Single Room (for one person), a Suite Room (for two persons), and a Royal Room (for two persons).

A Change of Pace Through Sea Travel

Ferry travel also offers opportunities for mental refreshment during transit. Views of the open sea can turn travel time into a period of relaxation. For many passengers, traveling by ship is a non-routine experience that brings a sense of journey and helps provide a change of pace.

Comfortable sleep onboard supports arrival in a well-rested condition. On a personal note, the fixed schedule—such as the need to wake up around 06:00—can encourage earlier rising than usual, allowing for a longer and more productive day. Scenes of groups enjoying drinks together onboard were also observed, and unlike car travel, even drivers are able to relax and enjoy refreshments with fellow passengers.

A Comfortable Option for Those Who Prefer Not to Fly

For travelers who are uncomfortable with flying, ferry travel can be a reassuring alternative. Air travel may involve stress from turbulence or pressure changes affecting the ears, whereas these concerns do not apply to ferry travel.
The Seto Inland Sea is generally calm, and onboard motion is relatively limited. The spacious interior and the ability to move freely between shared areas and private cabins help avoid feelings of confinement. As there are no pressure changes, discomfort in the ears is also not an issue.

While onboard motion was not a concern during this journey, passengers who are sensitive to motion are advised to bring motion sickness medication. Such medication is not provided onboard.

Traveling with Bicycles and Pets

Orange Ferry also accommodates travel with bicycles and pets. Through the My Bike Stay Service, bicycles can be brought directly into the cabin without being placed in a carrying bag (a separate fee applies).

Bicycle stands are also available at the Osaka ferry terminal, indicating that services are designed with cyclists—such as those traveling to enjoy routes like the Shimanami Kaido—in mind.

Important Points to Note in Advance

Wi-Fi and Connectivity

Free Wi-Fi is available onboard, allowing tasks such as sending and receiving emails or accessing cloud-based services. However, due to the maritime environment, connection speed and stability cannot be considered fully reliable.

Once the vessel moves away from port, mobile signals may be unavailable, and personal mobile Wi-Fi devices may also become unusable. For this reason, it is recommended that important files and materials be downloaded in advance.

When a connection is available, speeds are generally sufficient for viewing static images and browsing websites without significant stress.

Orange Ferry: Balancing Business and Comfort

Has this report conveyed the appeal of Orange Ferry as a travel option between Osaka and Ehime? With effective planning, it is possible to make progress on work while traveling and still enjoy time to refresh along the way. For those seeking to balance efficiency and comfort during business travel, Orange Ferry offers an option worth considering.