How to cross from Aomori to Hakodate safely with a cat?

Hey, folks!

My partner, our cat, and I will be moving from Shikoku to Hokkaido in September of this year. We’ll be taking a road trip to get there. I’m in the process of training the cat to be more comfortable in the car, her carrier, around unfamiliar dogs, around unfamiliar people, etc. The trickiest part is apparently going to be crossing from Aomori to Hakodate. While we could take the ferry (and my partner will with the car), based on what I’m seeing we’d have to leave the cat alone in the car during the 3+ hours the voyage would take. In September. I’m worried it will be too hot for her. So, we’re thinking I will travel with the cat on the train and meet my partner in Hakodate.

Here are my questions: Would she be safe on the ferry? Is there another option we are missing something? Any tips for traveling with a cat across Japan?

Update: Thank you all for your feedback. u/shambolic_donkey recommended the MOL Sunflower Ferry that goes from Oarai to Tomakomai ([https://www.sunflower.co.jp/en/](https://www.sunflower.co.jp/en/)). They have a better pet policy that allows us to have our cat with us in our own room.

Leave a Reply
You May Also Like