JoyCruise Tours

Exploring the Seto Inland Sea often involves navigating ferry schedules or joining large tour groups, but JoyCruise operates on a different scale. Based in the port city of Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, the company provides private charters using an Italian-made Mochi Craft Long Range 23 luxury cruiser named Ocean Point VII. This vessel is designed with a double-engine configuration that allows it to reach speeds of 16 knots, though its primary function is to serve as a mobile base for exploring the calm, island-studded waters that characterise this region. Its relatively shallow draft allows it to approach smaller quays and more secluded coastal points.

The experience on board gives you a new angle on the unique topography of the Inland Sea. JoyCruise uses the vessel’s speed to explore the region’s dramatic tidal shifts at their peak. There’s a tidal difference of up to four metres, creating powerful currents in the narrow straits. Routes chosen by the experienced captain take you directly beneath the massive suspension bridges of the Shimanami Kaidō, offering a rare perspective on the scale of the Tatara and Ikuchi bridges from the waterline — an angle entirely missed by people traveling the expressway above. The ship’s flybridge, an open-air upper deck, is the best vantage point for observing the whirlpools that form in the narrow straits between the islands when the tide changes.

Architecture and interior design on the Ocean Point lean towards a modern, functional luxury. The cabin features large, wrap-around windows intended to maintain a visual connection to the waterline at all times. Natural light is a priority, reflecting off the pale wood finishes and neutral fabrics. This setup serves as a private dining room or a lounge area, depending on the length of the journey. The rear window can be lowered with the push of a button, linking the indoor and outdoor spaces. There’s even a jacuzzi on the upper deck jacuzzi, which provides a vantage point unlike any other in Setouchi. Below deck, there are three en-suite bedrooms, two with a king-sized bed, and one with two bunks, sleeping six in total. The large windows below deck offer views of the waterline.

Food service is a core component of the longer voyages, with a focus on local sourcing that goes beyond basic regional labels. JoyCruise collaborates with local chefs who prepare meals using ingredients specific to the Setouchi area, such as octopus from the Mihara coast or citrus fruits grown on the terraced hillsides of the surrounding islands. Japanese and Western course meals and buffets can be arranged, and there’s also a BBQ grill. During the warmer months, the aft deck serves as an outdoor dining space where you can eat while the boat is moored in a quiet bay. The size of the big cruiser ensures that it remains stable enough for formal meal service even while moving.

Beyond sightseeing, the boat functions as a platform for various water-based activities. The stern features a wooden deck just inches above the water, making it easy to launch paddleboards or kayaks into areas that are otherwise difficult to reach from the shore. This is particularly useful for exploring the sea caves and small, uninhabited islets scattered throughout the archipelago. For those interested in a longer commitment to the water, the vessel is equipped for overnight stays, allowing you to wake up in a different port or anchored off a remote island like Naoshima or Teshima.

There’s room aboard for bicycles too, making JoyCruise a mobile base for land based exploration. The islands of Setouchi are ideal for cycling, and you can have the boat drop you off at Point A and pick you up at Point B — the ultimate flexibility.

Because the boat is chartered in its entirety, you aren’t bound by a fixed itinerary. The captain, who speaks fluent English, adjusts the course based on the day’s weather and your specific interests. The logistical benefit of this type of travel is the seamless connection between the disparate islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Moving from the historic heritage of Onomichi to the contemporary art installations on the eastern islands usually requires multiple transfers and careful timing. JoyCruise eliminates these barriers by providing a direct, private link across the water. It’s an efficient way to see the various layers of the region — from the shipyards that line the coast to the ancient shrines built right at the water’s edge — without the constraints of public transport.

JoyCruise offers several flexible plans. You can enjoy the facilities of Ocean Point while moored for up to three hours, or take cruises of 4 or 7 hours with meals. Or you charter the boat for several days and use it as both luxury accommodation and means of transport. The boat operates from Ube in the west to Himeji in the east, including the coasts of Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, and Hyōgo on Honshū, and Ehime and Kagawa in Shikoku. Let us know your preference and we’ll do the rest.