To celebrate the theatrical release of Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island, the Sunflower ferry has been transformed with special decorations inspired by the movie’s world. From the moment you step onboard, the trip feels like the start of a proper getaway, with Chiikawa touches adding to the fun throughout the ship.

For this trip, we traveled on the Osaka Port ⇔ Shibushi Port, Kagoshima route. Ferry travel may sound time-consuming at first, but that’s actually part of its appeal.

Board in Osaka in the evening, enjoy a hearty dinner onboard, unwind in the large public bath, then settle into your comfortable cabin for the night. By the time you wake up the next morning, you’ve already arrived in Kagoshima in Kyushu.

It effectively combines transportation with an overnight stay, while letting you avoid the fatigue of spending hours sitting on a train or bus. It’s an especially convenient option for travelers hoping to combine Kansai and Kyushu in one trip.

The Chiikawa collaboration begins the moment you step inside the ship. Across the three main passenger decks, you’ll find Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, and other familiar faces popping up throughout the ferry.

Each floor’s distinctive round windows has its own character-themed decoration, making for some especially fun photos with the open sea in the background. And don’t forget to look up. Even the skylights hide a few surprises, with Chiikawa and friends cheekily peeking down from above.

Deck 6 is home to a dedicated photo area that fans won’t want to miss. It’s an ideal spot to get creative with poses and take some playful photos inspired by the movie.

Head outside to the upper deck and you’ll find one of the biggest Chiikawa photo spots on the entire ship: the enormous funnel.

On the ferry we traveled aboard, the funnel featured an energetic Usagi design. But there’s another surprise for dedicated fans, as different ships feature different characters.

The other ferry operating on the Osaka to Kagoshima route features the Sirens, while ships on the Oarai to Tomakomai route feature Chiikawa and Hachiware. Anyone determined to photograph every design may have a few more ferry trips in their future!

There’s also a unique film character onboard: the mysterious “Somehow Friendly Bird” (Nanka Natsuiteru Tori).

Where exactly is it hiding? This one is genuinely tricky to find, so we’ll leave the hunt to you once you’re onboard.

In addition to all the decorations, make sure one of your first stops after boarding is the information desk, where you can pick up a free Photo Rally sheet.

Follow the clues around the ship, find the hidden Chiikawa characters, and take photos of them along the way. Complete the challenge and you’ll receive an exclusive original collaboration goshuinsen, a collectible ferry stamp available only through the event.

It’s a special souvenir that isn’t sold separately, making it particularly worth seeking out for fans.

If your image of an overnight ferry is still cramped bunk beds and little else, the Sunflower may surprise you. For this trip, we stayed in a Deluxe Western-style cabin with ocean views, designed for two to four guests.

Open the door and you’ll find a bright room of around 14 square meters, furnished with comfortable beds and additional bedding for larger groups. Best of all is the large private window overlooking the sea, letting you enjoy uninterrupted ocean views without even leaving your room.

The cabin facilities also feel closer to a hotel room than a typical ferry berth.

The room includes a private shower, toilet, and separate washbasin, along with a TV, refrigerator, air purifier, and electric kettle.

Thoughtful amenities include towels printed with the Sunflower logo, a tea set, and complimentary bottled water. With so much already provided, you can settle in comfortably without having to pack much extra.

Both dinner and breakfast are served at the onboard restaurant, which offers buffet-style Japanese and Western dishes.

If you can, grab a seat by the window. Depending on the time of day, you can enjoy dinner against the sunset or breakfast as morning light spreads across the sea.

There are plenty of Chiikawa decorations in and around the restaurant too, so don’t be surprised if dinner turns into another round of photo-taking.

After dinner, one of the best ways to wind down is with a soak in the ferry’s panoramic public bath.

Photography isn’t permitted inside for privacy reasons, but it’s well worth experiencing for yourself. Soaking in a hot bath while looking through large windows at the open sea makes for a particularly memorable way to end the day onboard.

Afterward, you can head to the spacious atrium or one of the ocean-view lounges, pick up a drink, and enjoy a quieter side of the journey as the ship continues through the night.

If you’d like to experience the Chiikawa Leisurely Sea Journey for yourself, it’s worth planning ahead and booking online as early as possible.

For your next trip to Japan, consider adding this overnight journey from Osaka to Kagoshima to your itinerary. With Chiikawa along for the ride, even the journey between Kansai and Kyushu becomes part of the fun.