The ship logged enough distance during its service life to circumnavigate the globe roughly 45 times.
It was nicknamed the 'Swan of the Pacific' due to its elegant silhouette and white hull.
The ship features a traditional figurehead depicting a woman praying, known as 'Ranjo'.
It served as a primary training vessel for cadets until its retirement in 1984.
The Yokohama Port Museum, located nearby, houses a replica of the ship's engine room and bridge for land-based viewing.
The vessel does not leave its dock, but its sails are unfurled about 12 times a year for public demonstrations.
The ship's interior preserved original wooden craftsmanship from the 1930s era of Japanese shipbuilding.
The Nippon Maru is a four-masted barque permanently moored in the Minatomirai district of Yokohama, serving as a floating maritime museum. Launched in 1930, the vessel functioned as a training ship for the Japanese Ministry of Education, logging over 1.1 million nautical miles during its fifty-four years of active service. Visitors can tour the original cabins, the engine room, and the bridge to understand the living conditions of cadet sailors. The ship is officially designated as a National Important Cultural Property of Japan. It sits adjacent to the Yokohama Port Museum, which provides additional historical context regarding the city’s development as a trading hub. The ship’s masts are periodically rigged with sails for public viewing during specific festival dates.
From the opposite side of the Dockyard Garden for a full-frame shot of the masts against the modern city backdrop.
Check the official website schedule to see if your visit coincides with a 'Full Sail' day when the sails are unfurled.
Purchase the combined ticket for both the Nippon Maru and the adjacent Yokohama Port Museum for a comprehensive experience.
Wear comfortable, flat-soled footwear as the ship’s decks and ladders can be narrow and steep.
Do not attempt to climb the rigging or enter restricted crew areas marked by signage.
Closed on Mondays, or the following day if Monday is a national holiday; closed during year-end/new-year holidays.
Remove hats and be cautious of low doorways and steep staircases; do not lean on historical rigging.
