The Japanese cruise vessel Nippon Maru returned to Yokohama on Sunday, May 10th, following its final voyage, concluding a 35-year career during which the ship carried approximately 600,000 passengers and completed voyages around the world.
The 22,472-ton vessel, operated by a subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, arrived at the Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal at around 8:00 a.m. after completing a 3-day Pacific cruise off eastern Japan. Families of crew members, maritime enthusiasts, and long-time passengers gathered along the terminal to mark the ship’s retirement and bid farewell to one of the pioneers of Japan’s modern luxury cruise sector.
During a retirement ceremony held at the terminal, Captain Koichi Uchida reflected on the vessel’s long operational history, noting that the ship had undertaken voyages ranging from short coastal sailings to global circumnavigations while sharing memorable experiences with guests over several decades.
Passengers attending the farewell also recalled the vessel’s service standards and onboard atmosphere, with many describing the ship as an important part of Japan’s cruise heritage.
Since entering service in 1990, Nippon Maru sailed more than 5.3 million kilometres, equivalent to circling the globe approximately 133 times. Over the course of more than 2,000 voyages, the ship called at over 400 ports both within Japan and internationally.
The 167-metre vessel featured 190 guest cabins and a theatre venue used for performances by singers and musicians. Refurbishment programmes carried out in 2010 and 2020 extended the ship’s operational life and modernised onboard facilities. Its relatively compact dimensions also enabled access to a wider range of ports compared with larger cruise vessels.
Although Nippon Maru has now concluded service, the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines group continues to expand its cruise operations through the introduction of new vessels, amid expectations of continued growth in Japan’s cruise market.