Sakaiminato – Donghae
Ferry to South Korea
Sakaiminato – Donghae
Ferry to South Korea
The Sakaiminato Donghae ferry route is currently not sailing. Sakaiminato Donghae sailing durations and frequency may vary from season to season. View our Deal Finder for alternative routes and compare prices, times and schedules.
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Much like many coastal cities, Sakaiminato is famous in the region for its fishing and maritime heritage. The harbour is adorned with modern facilities, though the entirety of the city has expanded with the demands of the tourism industry; Yumeminato Towers stands tall at 43 metres and has gradually developed into the unofficial emblem of Sakaiminato. After admiring the stunning building, you will notice several Yokai statues dotted around the centre, demonstrating the cultural history belonging to the west coast of Japan. Whilst the fishing history may still receive much of the attention, the city has slowly become a mecca for marine sports. Yachts decorate the horizon in a wave of pristine white, and for those who prefer to spend their time under water, other aquatic sports are available. The sport doesn’t just stop at the water; national beach volleyball tournaments are hosted in the region each year – the entertainment and idyllic surroundings of palm trees and white sands bring a large crowd.
Most of the areas are compact enough to be covered on foot.
The city of Donghae in the north-east of South Korea is a small settlement that stretches for 6-miles along the Sea of Japan coastline. This mountainous region, once a thriving industrial trade route, is now a renowned fishing community with local restaurants specialising in serving locally-sourced seafood dishes. Mukho Port, found in the north of the city, also hosts the largest squid market on the eastern coast, an event that attracts merchants and connoisseurs from across the country. Mukho Port is home to the ferry terminal of Donghae too. It sits in the shadow of the Mukho Lighthouse, a tourist hotspot built high upon the slopes of the nearby Mount Dongmun that commands spectacular views over the harbour and into the open Pacific. The lighthouse is also surrounded by a tranquil park brimming with native Forsythia blooms – the perfect spot for a summer picnic in the embrace of the refreshing sea breeze. Although the passenger terminal is small and offers little in the way of facilities, it is well serviced by a number of transport links. A number of bus and coach stops can be found on the Ilchul-Ro road that runs adjacent to the harbour, taking passengers to and from the city centre. The Donghae railway station is just a short walk from the terminal too. Trains leaving from the station follow the Yeongdong line across the province of North Gyeongsang, a route that feeds into other lines venturing westwards towards the capital city of Seoul. Only one ferry currently operates from the port in Donghae. A DBS Cruise Ferry leaves the port once a week, heading northwards on the day-long voyage across the Pacific to the major port city of Vladivostok at the foot of Russia.
