Donghae – Sakaiminato
Ferry to Japan
Donghae – Sakaiminato
Ferry to Japan
You can easily find cheap ferry tickets with our Deal Finder. We recommend booking in advance to get the best possible prices and availability. You can also check out our Special Offers page for the latest deals on Donghae ferries.
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be automatically applied if they are available. Just select your age range from the passenger options.
Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, you need to register with our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You will then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.
Resident discounts are available on a variety of Spanish and Italian ferry routes. Just click on the "Residents" option when this is displayed in our Deal Finder. The discount is automatically applied to the price. Bear in mind that proof of registration or an identity card with the correct address must be shown at check-in.
Travel requirements can vary depending on the route, so it's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing. In most cases, a valid passport is required when traveling from Donghae to Sakaiminato, along with any necessary visas or national ID cards. Requirements may differ based on your nationality and the destination country’s regulations. To avoid delays at check-in, you can find helpful information for your journey in our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and in our blog post on tips and tricks for international travel.
Book your ferry tickets online with Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Just enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel to see all available options and prices. You’ll also be able to view alternative routes and times, so you can find the best deal to suit you.
Look out for early booking discounts or special ticket options such as upgrades or flexi-tickets that allow you to change or cancel your booking. To make your sailing as smooth as possible, make sure you enter all the required information correctly, such as number of passengers and vehicle specifications.
Once you’ve finalised your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. It depends on the ferry operator you book with as to how your boarding pass is issued and collected.
Whilst some ferry operators issue the boarding pass as soon as your booking is confirmed, others may ask you to check in at the port. There’s also the option for online check-in, which can be easily done via the Direct Ferries app, if available.
The ticket desks are usually located near the ferry terminals. To avoid any delays at the port, we’d recommend allowing some extra time to collect your tickets and to check-in.
During check-in, you must show your email confirmation, as well as an official photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. You might also be asked to provide documentation for your pet (vaccines, pet insurance etc.) or proof of residence, if you have booked your ticket with a resident discount.
There could be various reasons why there are no departures from Donghae to Sakaiminato for the date you’ve requested. For example, a temporary timetable change, limited availability or seasonal changes in the timetable.
We recommend checking for alternative dates. Our Deal Finder automatically compares the desired route with alternative routes and dates, offering up-to-date real time options, all in one place.
The best time to book ferries from Donghae to Sakaiminato is usually as early as possible. By booking in advance, you’ll not only get your tickets at the best available prices, but you’ll also get a better choice of departure times and cabin/seating options.
We’d recommend making your booking at least a few weeks in advance to benefit from the best offers. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and availability.
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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.
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.
