Shin Nihonkai Ferry has decided to launch the new vessel “Hamanasu” on the Maizuru-Otaru route from Otaru to Maizuru on June 29. Reservations for boarding will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. on March 30.
The ship’s interior design is based on the concept of Hokkaido and nature, and includes the “Yuki-akari” grill restaurant, which offers a course menu supervised by the executive chef of the OSCENT HOTEL OTARU, utilizing seasonal ingredients from the ports of call; the “Kukiakari” restaurant, which offers a seasonal fair menu; the “Yuki-hana” forward salon, which has a two-level stairwell; and other restaurants. The name and design of the hotel are associated with Hokkaido and Otaru.
In addition to suites with ocean-view bathrooms, the ship offers deluxe rooms with private terraces, state Western-style rooms equipped with showers and toilets, state Japanese-style rooms suitable for family trips, and with-pet rooms that can accommodate pets. Tourist class rooms are also available with sleeping berths that ensure private space.
Like its sister ship “Keyaki,” which will enter service in 2025, the ferry has introduced “Ferry Wi-Fi,” an onboard Wi-Fi service utilizing Starlink, and high-speed Wi-Fi is available in all passenger cabins (for a fee).
Onboard events such as concerts and performance shows will be held for a limited time in the open three-story atrium entrance. In addition, the ship is equipped with an open-air bath with a large observation deck, a sauna, and shower rooms that can be used at any time of the day. Stores will sell specialty products and original goods from ports of call.
The new vessel “Hamanasu” will also work on measures to reduce environmental impact by installing next-generation perovskite solar cells on the exposure deck on a trial basis.
The vessel is 199.0 m in length with a gross tonnage of approximately 14,300 tons, and its main engine consists of four units of 8540 kW each, with a cruising speed of 28.3 knots (approx. 52 km/h), one of the fastest in Japan. It can carry approximately 150 trucks and 30 passenger cars, and has a passenger capacity of 286.
© Source travel watch