The Nippon Maru was launched in 1990, and was refitted in 2010 and 2020. Over the past 35 years, more than 2,000 cruises have been conducted, calling at more than 400 ports in Japan and abroad, with a total of more than 600,000 passengers on board. The ship has sailed approximately 133 times around the globe (5,332,383.964 km).
Nippon Maru, a cruise ship operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, completed its “Final Cruise II,” which started on May 8, and arrived at the Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal in the Port of Yokohama at 9:00 a.m. on May 10, before retiring. A retirement ceremony was held by the City of Yokohama on the day of the event, and the Nippon Maru’s last onboard tour was also held.
The Nippon Maru had its last onboard tour, and I had the opportunity to see a part of it. The ship has a maximum capacity of 422 passengers in 190 cabins and is an eight-story structure. The main entrance is on the second floor.
I will never forget you, Nippon Maru. Thank you, Nippon Maru.
At the retirement ceremony held on the rooftop of the cruise ship terminal, Mr. Yasuhiro Shimpo, Director of the Port and Harbor Bureau of Yokohama City, took the stage first as a representative of Yokohama City. He noted that the Nippon Maru has left a significant mark in the history of cruises in Japan, and that it has had a deep relationship with the Port of Yokohama for many years. The Port of Yokohama is committed to improving its environment as a port that will support the next generation of cruises, and through policies such as the GREENxEXPO 2027 (2027 International Horticultural Exposition), which will open in March next year, we will strive to provide visitors to Yokohama from the sea with new attractions. We are looking forward to seeing the new attraction of Yokohama to visitors from the sea,” he said, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity.
Then, Mr. Koichi Uchida, Captain of Nippon Maru, gave his closing remarks.
The Nippon Maru has completed its final voyage and returned to the port of Yokohama. To all Nippon Maru customers, citizens of Yokohama, and fans of the Nippon Maru, thank you very much for coming to see us today. Since its inauguration in 1990, the Nippon Maru has made numerous voyages from the port of Yokohama, from one-night cruises to round-the-world cruises, to share the excitement with our guests. On our final voyage, we set sail from the Port of Yokohama with many people seeing us off, and today we have safely returned home. Thank you very much.
Since announcing my retirement, Nippon Maru has received warm words of thanks, good-bye, and welcome back from many people at each port of call. It has made us realize that the Nippon Maru is still running in the hearts of people all over Japan.
To all of you gathered here, to the people of the Yokohama area, to everyone involved, to all the guests who have supported us, this moment is truly one to remember. To all of you who have supported us, this moment, today, with so many of you gathered around the Nippon Maru, is a moment that I will never forget.
I am sure each of you has your own feelings about Nippon Maru. For me, the entire Nippon Maru experience is a treasure. Let us all pay our respects to Nippon Maru, which has been running for 35 long years until today. Thank you for your hard work, Nippon Maru. I will never forget you, Nippon Maru. Thank you, Nippon Maru. Thank you, everyone, for all your hard work over the years.
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