Seikan Ferry and Aomori City
Hirafu-maru, which began it’s operation as a railroad ferry in 1908, is the start of the history of Seikan Ferry. Since then, Seikan Ferry connected Aomori Port (Honshu side) and Hakodate (Hokkaido side) for 80 years, transporting 160 million passengers and 250 million tons of cargo. It’s total navigatiom distance is 80 million kilometers, which is equivalent to 2,019 circles around the earth.
While Seikan Ferry was the basis and symbol of Aomori City’s economic growth, al 12 boats operating received devastating damages, including sinking by air raid, during World War II. There are also other sad moments in it’s history, such as the “Toya-maru” sea disaster. The sound of the departure gong and paper tape stirred travelers sentiment, and dolphins could be seen swimming by as if racing the ferry boats. Seikan Ferry, which had been loved and enjoyed by everybody, dropped the curtain of it’s History on March 13, 1988, to meet changing times with the opening of the Seikan Tunnel, much to the disappointment of many people.
(Ref: museum pamplet)
These were the first class seats back in the day, when the ferry was operational. There was a 2 hour long documentary playing on a loop, on a tv screen in the front. Visitors are encouraged to sit here and watch the movie. I was walking around all day so I too, a quick 15 minute nap and proceeded with my own private tour. The seats are most def still comfortable, and they fully recline back.
This seems to be a spacious and nice quarters, although kind of creepy with that Japanese doll there.
This manakin scared the crap out of me! I didn’t expect to see someone before i looked in here, lol.
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This is a small shrine the crew members would pray too before every trip (or a recreation of it). There is a sign here that says the crew would pray to it before leaving on a trip, for the safety of the crew and passengers. It asked visitors to pay respect and bow once, clap your hands twice, make a wish and the bow respectfully and deeply after that.
A view of the Aomori bridge from the ship. It’s pretty cool how you can walk around top side, unescorted, and enjoy the view.
These manakins are very realistic!
A nice little park in front of the Ship Memorial. Japan has a ton of small and large parks all over, at least up here in Aomori Prefecture.
Hakkoda-maru:
Hakkoda-maru, which began it’s operation on August 12, 1964, had the longest service among the 55 successive Seikan Ferry with a period of 23 years and 7 months. It also played an important duty as the last boat of Seikan Ferry. Many citizens loved it’s bright yellow color, and today it can be found moored and displayed as the Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship near the former pier.
Main data of Hakkoda-maru:
Entire length: 132.0 m
Entire width: 17.9 m
Gross Ton: 5,382.65 tons
Total output: 12,800 horsepower
Passenger capacity: 1,286 persons
Number of vehicles that can be loaded: 48 vehicles.
(Ref: museum pamplet)