Information about the Ferry Tianjin-Kobe

※Acording to changing timetable of train、I changed the contents on October 2008

I decided to go back to Japan by ferry from Tianjin to Kobe.

I wasn’t planning to go by ferry. I was heading for Chengdu by train.
But on the way there was big earthquake around Chengdu. It was May 12 2008.

I gave up going to South China, changed a plan a lot,
and go back to Japan by ferry from Tianjin to Kobe.

But since I suddenly changed a plan, I didn’t have any information about Tianjin to Kobe.
So for the person like me, I try to gather some information, which I wanted, using internet.

Departure from Tianjin Port

Every Monday 10:30 AM (Check in by 10:00 AM)

Departure from Kobe Port

Every Friday 11:30 AM (Check in by 11:00 AM)

Time:

about 52 hours

Price:

Price: not included fuel surcharges
Room type		CHINESE RMB
2nd class A Bedroom 16 persons/1room	Adult one-way	1740 RMB(23,000 JPY)
2nd class B No bed (floor with carpet) 21 persons/1room	Adult one-way	1540 RMB(22,000 JPY)

(Fuel surcharges one-way 3,000 yen or 200 RMB)

※ These prices are on May21 2008.
※ Fuel surcharges are on June1 2008.
※ There will be higher prices for summer from July18～September15.

If you want to know the detail of the prices, go to the website of China Express line.

You can buy a ticket at the Port on the day of the departure.

I didn’t even make a reservation and buy a ticket here.
Some people made a reservation by phone or internet, paid at the Port on the day of departure.

(I asked about reservation to the staff afterward, they recommend making a reservation on the phone by the day before departure. Especially in summer there might not be a seat.)

You should pay by cash at the Port.

Ticket counter of the Port opens at 8:30 AM

You should have some cash because there is no exchanger or ATM around the Port.

Place to buy a ticket: Tianjin (New) Port
Tel: 022-25706-728
China Express line.

If you still have Chinese yen・・・

You can exchange at the reception counter on the ferry. (But exchange rate is not so good.)

You can pay by both Chinese yen and Japanese yen at the restaurant on the ferry.

I recommend to bringing・・・

Washing detergent
You can use a washing machine on the ferry free of charge.
But dryer was out of order, so most people hang out the washing on handrail in cabin.

Food
Snacks, noodles, tea leaves, tea bags, and tea cups.
Hot water is provided any time, you can eat cup noodles.

Telephone card
You can buy it on the ferry 500 JPY.　
From Tianjin to Japan, on the night before arrival at about 7:00PM I could make a phone call to Japan (from near Tsushima).

Books, I-pod, potable games
You have a plenty of time, I recommend something you can kill the time and enjoyable.
But if you are seasick, I don’t recommend books&games.

Electrical condition

There is a wall socket behind TV. (TV is in a cabin and a Lobby.)
If you want to use your computer in a 2nd class cabin, you should keep the space near TV.

Voltage in cabin: 220V 600W.Japanese plug can be used.