Meiji Maru, Museum ship at Tokyo University of Marine Science campus in Etchujima, Japan
The Meiji Maru is a steel-hulled sailing ship built in 1874 in Glasgow, now displayed on the Tokyo University of Marine Science campus in Etchujima. The vessel stretches approximately 61 meters long and retains its original metal hull alongside Victorian-era interior spaces.
The ship was first deployed in 1875 as a lighthouse tender to mark and maintain navigation routes. In 1876, it carried Emperor Meiji during his official tour of northern Japan and subsequently served as a training vessel for maritime students at the university.
The vessel preserves rooms and decorative wooden elements from the Victorian period that were specifically prepared for imperial guests to use during voyages. This craftsmanship shows how the ship played a role connecting the imperial court with maritime exploration and modernization efforts.
The exterior can be viewed during university operating hours, giving visitors access to see the hull and deck from outside. Interior access requires advance booking through the university, so visitors should plan ahead if they want to see the rooms and wooden interiors up close.
This vessel stands as the only surviving 19th-century steel ship still in Japan and earned protected status as a cultural property in 1978. This designation reflects its rare value as a tangible link to Japan's maritime modernization during the Meiji period.
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