NYK Hikawa Maru Exterior
NYK Hikawa Maru Exterior © Markus Leupold-Löwenthal, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

NYK Hikawa Maru日本郵船水川丸

The Hikawa Maru is a historic ocean liner and museum ship located in Yokohama, Japan. Launched in 1930, the Hikawa Maru served as a luxury passenger liner for the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Line and played a significant role in transpacific travel during the pre-World War II era.

With a sleek and elegant Art Deco design, the Hikawa Maru was renowned for its luxurious accommodations and impeccable service. The ship operated as a transpacific liner, connecting Yokohama with Seattle and Vancouver, making it a vital link between Japan and North America. It became popular among travelers seeking a comfortable and sophisticated voyage across the Pacific Ocean.

During World War II, the Hikawa Maru was requisitioned by the Japanese Navy as a hospital ship. After the war, the vessel returned to its passenger service, resuming its role as a symbol of Japan's maritime heritage and post-war recovery.

Today, the Hikawa Maru is permanently berthed at Yamashita Park in Yokohama and serves as a museum ship. It offers visitors a captivating journey back in time, allowing them to explore its well-preserved interiors, including the luxurious first-class cabins, dining rooms, and lounges that showcase the golden age of ocean travel.

Visitors can also learn about the ship's wartime history as a hospital vessel and its significant contributions to Japan's maritime industry. The museum exhibits artifacts, photographs, and documents, providing a fascinating glimpse into the ship's past and the lives of those who traveled aboard it.

As one of Japan's most treasured historical ships, the Hikawa Maru stands as a testament to the country's maritime heritage and its enduring connection with the sea. It offers a unique and immersive experience for visitors, allowing them to relive the glamour and nostalgia of transpacific voyages from a bygone era.

Opening Hours

10:00 - 17:00 (Closed on Mondays)

Admission

Adults: 300 JPY

Address

Yamashita Park, Yamashitacho, Naka-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023

Getting There

  • 7 minutes walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station (元町・中華街駅) ⎯ 4 Exit

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