Museum Ship Mashu Maru of Hakodate

The Mashu Maru is a former railway ferry vessel now permanently moored at the former Hakodate Second Wharf as a museum ship. The vessel displays the layout and equipment typical of passenger and railway ferries from that era.

The ship served a vital connection between Honshū and Hokkaido until the Seikan railway tunnel opened in 1988 and replaced ferry services. The tunnel's completion marked the end of an era for oceangoing vessels in regional transportation.

The vessel maintains its original bridge and radio room where visitors can see how crews once navigated and communicated during voyages. These spaces tell the story of maritime life and the skills required to operate a working ferry.

You can board the ship from the dock and walk through the different areas to experience conditions on board. The spaces are easy to explore on foot, though there are stairs and narrow passages typical of ships.

Visitors can operate surveillance cameras from an exhibition area to view otherwise restricted spaces like the vehicle deck and engine room. These cameras provide a look at parts of the ship that would otherwise remain hidden from guests.

Location: Hakodate

Inception: June 15, 1965

Official opening: April 26, 1991

Length: 132.01 m

Width: 17.9 m

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 08:30-18:00

Phone: +81138272500

Website: http://mashumaru.com

GPS coordinates: 41.77294,140.72189

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:23