The ferry was designed to carry 48 railway freight cars on its lower deck.
The Seikan Ferry service was ended on the same day the Seikan Tunnel opened to rail traffic in March 1988.
The ship’s hull was reinforced to withstand heavy winter ice and rough seas in the Tsugaru Strait.
The name Mashū-maru was taken from Lake Mashu in Hokkaido, following the tradition of naming ferries after notable lakes.
During its operational life, the ship navigated a route approximately 113 kilometers long.
The Mashū-maru is a decommissioned train ferry permanently docked in Hakodate Harbor that serves as a museum dedicated to the Seikan Tunnel and ferry era. It operated between 1954 and 1988, transporting freight trains between Aomori and Hakodate across the Tsugaru Strait. Visitors can explore the ship's engine room, the captain's bridge, and the specialized car decks where railway carriages were once secured. The museum preserves the history of the Seikan Ferry's role as a vital maritime link before the completion of the undersea tunnel. Displays feature detailed models, archival photographs, and equipment used during the ferry's service life. The vessel remains a tangible monument to the engineering challenges of navigating one of Japan's most treacherous shipping routes.
From the bow of the ship looking back toward the Hakodate cityscape and Mount Hakodate.
Explore the outdoor decks for views of the Hakodate waterfront and Mount Hakodate.
Allow time to watch the documentary screenings which explain the ship's mechanical operation.
Check the engine room exhibit, which is preserved in its original state.
Do not attempt to enter restricted maintenance areas behind safety barriers.
Closed for year-end and New Year holidays.
Visitors should remove hats when entering the captain's bridge area and avoid touching sensitive control equipment.
