Hikawa Maru, Museum ship at Yamashita Park, Japan.
Hikawa Maru is a preserved ocean liner moored at Yamashita Park in Yokohama, stretching over 160 meters (535 feet) in length with multiple decks, cabins, and exhibition spaces. The vessel displays original fittings from the 1930s alongside maritime artifacts, offering a view into the design and operation of a transoceanic liner.
The ship entered service in 1930 and completed over 250 crossings of the Pacific as a cargo and passenger liner until 1960. During the Second World War, it served as a hospital ship before returning to civilian operations until its final retirement.
Original Art Deco interiors blend Japanese craftsmanship with European design principles common on ocean liners of that era. Visitors walk through cabins, dining rooms, and salons that show how passengers crossed the Pacific in the early twentieth century.
The museum ship opens daily except on certain Mondays, allowing visitors to explore several decks and learn about transpacific maritime travel. Stairs connect the levels, so visitors should be comfortable moving between floors to reach all areas.
The vessel survived three mine strikes during wartime service and carried over thirty thousand wounded soldiers as a hospital ship. This resilience helped it return to service after the war and later be preserved as a historical witness.
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