Otodo Ferry

The Ondo Ferry is a small ferry service that connects across the Ondo-no-Seto Strait in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is known as Japan’s shortest scheduled route, crossing just 90 meters in about 3 minutes one way. In waters with fast currents and many passing vessels, the boat departs whenever passengers board. On the 9-meter-long wooden boat, which has a capacity of 50 people, the boat song "Ondo no Funauta" is sung. The ferry was created to make up for inconvenient transportation, and later a toll road was built and then made free, but local residents continued using the ferry for its convenience. Today, the area is becoming a town where you can enjoy a distinctive retro atmosphere, with the Ondo Ferry and its waiting room inspiring renovations of old houses in a style that matches the vibe. Young people even launched a crowdfunding effort to help preserve the ferry and keep it operating into the future after it had been in service for 70 years. Nowadays, it is mainly used by students commuting to school and weekend cyclists bringing their bicycles onboard. To get to the Ondo Ferry, get off at the Hiroden Bus "Ondo Tosen-guchi" bus stop and walk about 1 minute.