The technical difference between “Keyaki” and conventional ferries is that “Keyaki” has a “vertical bow” and “buttock flow” and “duck tail” at the stern. The vertical bow shape (called a “Katana bow” by MHI, the builder of the vessel) is said to be suitable for ferries with a draft that fluctuates easily depending on the cargo carried, and for ferries that make frequent round-trips over relatively short distances. The buttock flow is a shape in which the bottom near the stern (instead of the conventional rounded shape that tapers toward the stern) becomes shallower toward the stern while maintaining the cross-sectional shape of the center of the hull, and a large rectifying plate is installed in the center of the bottom near the stern. By homogenizing the velocity of water flowing into the screw, it reduces the loss of the screw. Duck tails are horizontal extension plates attached to the stern, like a duck’s tail, to suppress the vortex generated at the stern and to reduce drag by regulating the wake current. This is the first time this technology has been introduced on a Japanese ferry, and the increased buoyancy of the stern also contributes to the reduction of drag by shifting the center of gravity forward. In addition, a new sway reduction system combining anti-rolling tanks and fin stabilizers has been introduced, resulting in smaller stabilizers and reduced drag. While all of these new innovations were introduced to save energy, in the Japan Sea, which tends to be rough in winter, the reduction of sway is also directly related to improved ride comfort, and is expected to be effective in terms of maintaining speed (i.e., ensuring punctuality of operations).
Functional and open interior space The interior of the ship is centered on the entrance hall, with guest cabins at the front and restaurants and open decks at the rear. There are a total of 76 cabins of five types (plus a driver’s room), with a capacity of 286 passengers. As the times change, group travel has almost completely disappeared, and the number of small groups and individual tourists has increased. The “Tourist S” has a private room with a door for security, while the “State” has a shower and toilet and is suitable for both single travelers and families. The highest grade is the “Suite,” which has a terrace and ocean-view bathroom, making the cruise feel like a luxury liner. In addition, the “State” category includes “With Pet” rooms, which allow guests to stay with their pets. In addition, there is a driver’s room for logistics drivers, which is a private room equivalent to the “Tourist S” room. The ship’s facilities are designed to be elegant and graceful, rather than extravagant and luxurious. The entrance hall is an open space with a three-story atrium from the 4th to 6th floors, around which restaurants, grills, and bathrooms are functionally arranged. These are based on the concepts of “Kyoto” and “history.” For example, the “Oeyama” grill restaurant, which serves course meals, is named after a poem in the Hyakunin Isshu, a Japanese anthology of one hundred poems. The forward salon on the 4th and 5th floors, with a two-story atrium, is named “Hakuryu” after a famous waterfall in Miyazu, and the immersive experience space, which makes full use of projection mapping, the first of its kind introduced on a ferry in Japan, is named “Ryugu” after the story of Urashima Taro in the Tango Fudoki. Now, the author also travels by ferry several times a year, and his biggest complaint has been the lack of cell phone communication when at sea, far from land. In addition, in staterooms near the center of the ship, there is often no signal even when close to land, and we often see people trying to communicate at rest spots on the port side. On the other hand, the Keyaki, as a new ship, has onboard Wi-Fi service (high-speed Wi-Fi using Starlink satellites) available in almost all areas of the ship, including the cabins, which is a big advantage of this ship that is difficult to show in numbers.
Room type Tourist A ・ Tourist A1 (bed facing)
Capacity 1 x 22 beds, fee 12,000 yen (Period A)
Tourist A2 (bed up/down type)
Capacity 1 x 22 beds, fee 12,000 yen (Period A)
Facilities: bed lamp, luggage rack, roll curtain, electrical outlet (AC100V, USB Type-C), quilted blanket, pillow, bed sheet The “Keyaki” no longer has the large rooms on the old ferry, and the most reasonable is Tourist A (reserved sleeping accommodation). The bed size is 197 x 74 cm, and there is a partition and roll shutter between each bed to ensure privacy, but there are no locks. There is also a luggage rack in the private room. Tourist S ・ Tourist S
Capacity 1 x 74 rooms, fee 19,000 yen (Period A)
Facilities: Table, chair, light, TV (with HDMI port), power outlet (AC100V, USB Type-C), quilted blanket, pillow, sheets A bunk bed room with a TV, which is high enough for one person to spend time alone without any worries. The bed size is 199 x 79 cm. There is a power outlet in front of the desk, and you can use the onboard Wi-Fi service to work on your PC. Each room has a touch-key lock to ensure security. State S ・State S Japanese/Western room (19m2)
Capacity 4 x 8 rooms, fee 26,000 yen (Period A)
Facilities: Shower, toilet with washing function, wash stand, refrigerator, TV (with HDMI terminal), closet, power outlet (AC100V, USB Type-C), small desk, chair, hot water pot, tea set, hair dryer, amenities – State S Twin (12m2)
Capacity of 2 persons x 30 rooms, fee 26,000 yen (Period A)
Facilities: Shower, toilet with washing function, wash stand, refrigerator, TV (with HDMI terminal), closet, power outlet (AC100V, USB Type-C), small desk, chair, hot water pot, tea set, hair dryer, amenities – State S with Pet (12.5m2)
Max. 2 persons x 5 rooms, fee 24,000 yen + with-pet room fee 15,800 yen (Period A)
Facilities: Shower, toilet with washing function, wash stand, refrigerator, TV with HDMI terminal, closet, power outlets (AC100V, USB Type-C), small desk, chair, hot water pot, tea set, hair dryer, amenities, pet cage Mainly targeting families with children and couples Targeting mainly families with children and couples, these rooms are also suitable for single passengers. Since the Otaru-Maizuru route takes about 21 hours northbound and 22 hours southbound, passengers spend a longer time in their cabins. State S cabins are equipped with toilet, shower booth, refrigerator, amenities, and other facilities and equipment equivalent to those found in business hotels, and have a view of the outside from the window, making them excellent cost/performance ratio. The bed size in all rooms is 203 x 85 cm, and only State S Japanese/Western rooms have two sofa beds 200 x 80 cm. In addition, State with Pet staterooms are located on the 4th deck near the dog field and are equipped with in-room pet kennels. Pet-friendly staterooms are also available on conventional ships, but the number has been increased to five on this ship in response to growing demand. Deluxe A ・Deluxe A (25m2)
Max. 2 persons x 16 rooms, fee 34,600 yen (Period A)
Facilities: Terrace, bath, toilet with washing function, washbasin, refrigerator, TV with HDMI terminal, closet, power outlet (AC100V, USB Type-C), desk, chair, table, sofa, hot water pot, tea set, hair dryer, amenities All rooms have ocean view and private terrace (4 All rooms have ocean views and a private terrace (4.4m2), so you can enjoy the ocean breeze while traveling on the ship. The rooms are also spacious, with a table and a two-seater sofa in addition to a desk and chairs, allowing you to relax in comfort. The bed size is 203 x 92 cm, for those who want to enjoy a higher grade of cruising experience. Suite Room ・Suite Room (55m2)
Max. 2 persons x 2 rooms, fee 61,600 yen (Period A)
Facilities: terrace, bath, toilet with washing function, washbasin, refrigerator, TV with HDMI terminal, closet, power outlets (AC100V, USB Type-C), mirror stand, 2 tables, sofa, 2 chairs, kettle, tea set, hair dryer, amenities Top-class rooms, 55 m2 The bed size is 203 x 122 cm, with a private terrace and ocean-view bathroom, providing an experience similar to that of a luxury cruise ship trip. A large TV monitor keeps the bed out of sight of the living room, neatly separating the place for relaxing during the day from the place for sleeping. The hotel has also partnered with the popular ReFa beauty brand to provide an Ultra Fine Bubble shower head, a Viewtech hair dryer, shampoo, treatments, and body wash. As for meals, they can enjoy grilled course meals.
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