You have planned the perfect day trip to Zamami Island, opened the official booking website—and found that the high-speed ferry is already sold out.
Do not give up yet.
The availability shown on the official website is specifically the online booking allocation. Even when the website shows an “X” or no seats for the high-speed boat Queen Zamami, seats are still held in a separate phone booking allocation. This allocation is maintained to accommodate local residents and people who are not comfortable using online reservations.
The catch is that phone bookings can be difficult for international travelers. You need to call a Japanese phone number, and the line can be extremely busy during summer and Japanese holidays. As a general rule, you should be prepared to complete the reservation in Japanese.
This guide explains what to try, when to call, and how to get Japanese booking help if you do not want to make the call yourself.
Quick answer: If Queen Zamami is sold out online, seats remain in the separate phone booking allocation. Call the Zamami Village Naha Office when phone reservations open at 10:00 a.m. Japan time one month before the sailing date. Phone seats are limited and can sell out after booking opens, so calling at the opening time is important.
Why “Sold Out” Online May Not Mean Every Seat Is Gone
The official Zamami reservation website states that the availability displayed on its calendar is for the web reservation allocation.
That distinction matters. When a sailing is marked as full online, seats remain in the separately managed phone booking allocation. Zamami keeps these seats available for local residents and people who may have difficulty using the web reservation system. This is not a waiting list or an unlimited supply—the phone allocation can sell out after phone booking opens—but you should check it before changing your Okinawa itinerary.
This is especially useful when:
- The morning Queen Zamami ferry is sold out online
- You need a specific sailing for a Zamami day trip
- Only the slower Ferry Zamami is available online
- Your preferred return sailing is fully booked
- The booking website does not accept your reservation or payment
You can also continue checking the website because cancelled seats sometimes return to online availability closer to the sailing date.
How Zamami Ferry Phone Reservations Work
Phone reservations for Ferry Zamami 3 and the high-speed boat Queen Zamami are handled by the Zamami Village Naha Office.
- Phone number from Japan: 098-868-4567
- Phone number from overseas: +81-98-868-4567
- Opening hours: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time
- Booking period: From 10:00 a.m. one month before your sailing date until the day before departure
- Same-day phone reservations: Not accepted
- Payment: Pay for the ferry ticket at the port on the day of travel
For example, if you want to travel on August 20, the phone booking window normally opens at 10:00 a.m. Japan time on July 20.
During summer, weekends, and Japanese holidays, the phone line may be difficult to reach. Calling as soon as the booking window opens gives you the best chance, but there is no guarantee that a seat will be available.
As a general rule, the booking office handles phone reservations in Japanese, so you should be prepared to communicate in Japanese.
What to Prepare Before Calling
Have all of your details ready before the call:
- Travel date
- Departure port and destination
- Preferred sailing time
- Full name of the lead passenger
- Contact phone number
If you plan to take different boats in each direction—for example, Queen Zamami outbound and Ferry Zamami on the return trip—you may need to arrange them as separate one-way reservations.
The Language Problem: What If You Cannot Book in Japanese?
Making an international call is already inconvenient. Doing it at exactly 10:00 a.m. Japan time, repeatedly redialing a busy line, and communicating passenger details can make the process stressful.
As a general rule, the reservation desk handles phone bookings in Japanese rather than English. Travelers should be prepared to complete the call in Japanese.
A friend of mine once tried to make the call using an AI interpretation tool. However, the AI-generated voice, the staff member’s Japanese, and the English translation repeatedly overlapped, making the conversation difficult to follow. The staff also provides several important instructions after a reservation is made, so I would not recommend relying solely on AI or translation tools for the call.
If you do not speak Japanese, are not accustomed to making international calls, or would prefer someone in Japan to handle the call, using a Japan-based phone booking assistance service is a practical option.
Zamami Ferry Phone Booking Assistance
SAKURA ALLY can call the booking office from within Japan and help reserve your preferred sailing.
The service fee starts at $15. If a seat is available, the reservation will be made in your name, and you will receive the reservation details and boarding instructions. If the reservation cannot be secured, no service fee will be charged.
We will call at the appropriate opening time and redial the busy line as needed in an effort to secure your reservation.
Please note that the ferry fare is not included. You will pay for your ferry ticket at the port on the day of travel.
Direct bookings are usually slightly less expensive because Fiverr’s platform fees do not apply. Fiverr is also available if you prefer to place and manage your order through the platform.
Important: What to Do on the Travel Day
Getting the reservation is only the first step. Some travelers miss their boat because they underestimate the time needed at Tomari Port.
Pay for and collect your ticket at least 30 minutes before departure
Phone reservations are not prepaid. You must pay for and collect the ticket at the ticket counter on the day of travel.
The official reservation information says to purchase your boarding ticket no later than 30 minutes before departure. Earlier is safer during busy periods because there may be a line at the counter.
Allow extra time for traffic
Morning traffic around Tomari Port can be heavy. Zamami Village specifically warns that travelers sometimes miss their boats because of road congestion or full parking lots.
Do not plan to arrive at the last minute, especially for a morning sailing.
Avoid driving if possible
The Tomari Port parking areas can fill up during:
- July, August, and September
- Golden Week
- Summer vacation
- Weekends and public holidays
- Busy morning departure times
The Tomari terminal recommends using public transportation such as a bus, the Yui Rail monorail, or a taxi during crowded periods. If you must drive, leave a large time buffer and have a backup parking plan.
Remember that the high-speed boat boarding area is not inside the main terminal
Queen Zamami departs from the North Pier waiting area, known as berth No. 7A. It takes approximately 7–8 minutes to walk there from the Tomarin terminal building.
After collecting your ticket, go directly to the correct boarding point. Passengers should be ready to board at least 10 minutes before departure.
What Zamami Island Was Like: My Personal Experience
I have personally visited Zamami Island, and the trip made me understand why securing the ferry is worth the effort.
The sea around Okinawa’s main island was already beautiful, but Zamami felt like the most beautiful place I had ever seen in Japan. The vivid blue water truly lived up to the name “Kerama Blue.” I could see fish while snorkeling straight from the beach, without needing to join a boat tour.
I also appreciated how much quieter it felt than Okinawa’s main island. There were fewer people, so I could relax and enjoy the beach and clear water at an unhurried pace. The photographs in this article are my own images from that visit.
What If the Phone Allocation Is Also Sold Out?
Try these backup options:
- Check another sailing on the same day. Afternoon Queen Zamami services may have more availability than the first morning boat.
- Check Ferry Zamami 3. It is slower, but it may still let you keep your trip.
- Check for online cancellations. The official website notes that seats may reappear closer to the travel date.
- Adjust the outbound or return date. Even a one-day change can make a difference during peak periods.
- Avoid relying on same-day standby. It may work after cancellations, but it is too risky for a fixed itinerary or a day trip.
Never travel to the port assuming that an online “sold out” sailing will definitely have walk-up tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Queen Zamami really sold out when the website shows an X?
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It is sold out only for the allocation displayed online. Seats remain in the separately managed phone booking allocation, which is maintained for local residents and people who have difficulty using web reservations. Call the Naha Office as soon as phone booking opens because this allocation is limited and can also sell out.
- Can I reserve the Zamami ferry by email?
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No. The official tourism information states that ferry reservations cannot be made by email. Use the online system, call the Naha Office, or visit the Tomari Port counter in advance.
- Can I make a phone reservation on the day of departure?
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No. Phone reservations are accepted only until the day before travel.
- When Do I Pay for My Ferry Ticket?
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For a phone reservation, you pay for and collect your ticket at the Tomari Port ticket counter on the day of travel.
- How early should I arrive at Tomari Port?
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Plan to reach the ticket counter well before the official 30-minute ticket deadline. During peak season, allow additional time for traffic, parking, ticket-counter lines, and the walk to the Queen Zamami boarding area.
Final Advice
Seeing the Zamami ferry sold out online does not mean that every seat is gone. The official calendar shows only the web allocation, while seats remain in the separate phone booking allocation. Your best next step is to call as soon as phone reservations open.
If you speak Japanese and can call at 10:00 a.m. Japan time, contact the Zamami Village Naha Office directly. If the timing, international call, or language barrier makes that difficult, use a Japan-based helper to handle the call.
Whichever method you use, prepare backup sailings, arrive at Tomari Port early, and check the official operation status on the morning of your trip because services can change or be cancelled due to weather.
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