Nippon Maru: One of the last tall ships
The Nippon Maru isn’t just a ship; she’s a reminder of Japan’s maritime legacy. She sits tall and timeless amid Yokohama’s modern skyline. After a career that spanned over half a century—from training officers in the 1930s to enduring the rigors of WWII—she now rests quietly as a living monument to the art of tall ship sailing. Let’s take a closer look at this historical gem, just steps away from some of Yokohama’s most iconic sights.
A Brief History of the Nippon Maru
The ship had a long career. Launched in 1930 for the Tokyo Institute for Maritime Training, Japan’s merchant marine officers learned how to sail upon her. During World War II, she saw service in a variety of roles. When the conflict ended, she returned to her training. And finally, she was permanently docked at the Nippon Maru Memorial Park in Yokohama in 1984.
How was my experience photographing her?
I saw her when I visited Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden in 2020. Nippon Maru Memorial Park is just over the road, so as I had some spare time, I walked over to check the ship out for the first time in many years. She has been carefully preserved and is still a beauty.
It was freezing when I went, but the sky was deep blue. The ship’s masts looked like soaring tree trunks. While they weren’t as high as the skyscrapers, they didn’t look out of place. In the port area, the ship looked right at home. It’s easy to understand the popularity of tall ships.
It’s a pity Nippon Maru no longer sails. If it appeared on the waters of Tokyo Bay, it would be a huge tourist attraction. In other parts of the world, tall ships are incredibly popular, and I feel they hold a lot of potential here, especially as Japan is one of the great maritime nations. Maybe someone will recognize this in the future, and we might see a change. We have to settle with admiring her graceful form from the dock for now.
Where is Nippon Maru?
Address: 2-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Here it is on Google Maps:
Closest train/subway stations
- Minatomirai: Served by the Minatomirai Line (Tokyu Toyoko Line from Shibuya)
- Sakuragicho: Served by the Negishi and Yokohama Lines.
Conclusion
The Nippon Maru is beautiful. It’s good to know tall ships are still around. This one looks amazing under Yokohama’s skyscrapers. One day I’ll get aboard and photograph things close up. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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External related websites:
- Nippon Maru (official website)