Lots of things to see and do! I visited the Seikan Liaison Ship Mashu Maru in Hakodate City, Hokkaido.

  • Hokkaido
  • Experience Gifu
The Seikan Liaison Boat was put into service in June 1965 and ran until its last day in March 1988.

What is the Seiko-Hakodate Liaison Boat?

Hello. I would like to introduce the museum ship Mashu Maru, located in Hakodate, Hokkaido.
The Mashu Maru was a railroad ferry that plyed between Aomori and Hakodate as the Seiko-Hakodate Liaison Ship until March 1988.
The name "railroad ferry" is not so familiar to many people. The railroad liaison ships were used to connect places where railroad tracks could not be laid, such as oceans and rivers, by ship. Therefore, although they were shipping routes, they were positioned as railroad lines connecting stations, and were operated by Japan Railways (JR).

The Seikan Liaison Ship has tracks inside the ship.

The Seikan Liaison Boat, including the Mashu Maru, has one major feature.
The ship had tracks laid inside the ship, allowing freight cars to be loaded directly onto the ship. The image below shows a movable bridge built to efficiently load freight cars onto the ship. This movable bridge, which is designed to move in response to changes in tidal levels, began operating in 1925. The ability to efficiently transport cargo, freight car by freight car, revolutionized logistics between Honshu and Hokkaido.
Movable bridge completed in May 1925.
You can also see the tracks laid at the stern of the ship.

The Seikan Liaison Ship Memorial Museum Mashu Maru is not only a place to visit, but also a place to touch and experience the ship.

This memorial museum features not only materials that can be viewed, but also touched. Visitors can actually operate the ship-handling equipment in the wheelhouse and the electric key (a Morse code machine) in the radio communication room.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
In addition, by entering the date, visitors can view the day's sailing schedule in the "Sailing Schedule List" in the library of books and videos shown in the photo. If you have been on the Seikan Liaison Boat, you can check the date of embarkation before visiting the museum and search for the date in the "Operating Schedule List" to learn about the weather and operating conditions on the day of embarkation, bringing back memories.
You can actually send Morse code from the radio communication room.
You can see a list of sailing schedules.

A chance to meet a former crew member!

The Mashu Maru also offers guided tours (capacity of 8 people; reservations required), and in some cases there are navigators on board who used to work on the Seikan Liaison Boat. If this is the case, we recommend that you ask for them. It is very enjoyable to hear many valuable stories from those who were on the ship. The navigators are easily recognizable because they wear the uniforms of the time.

In Aomori, the Hakkouda Maru, which also operated as the Seikan Liaison Ship until March 1988, is open to the public as the Seikan Liaison Ship Memorial Ship Hakkouda Maru. *and trip. also introduces an article on the ship, so please take a look here.
From the wheelhouse, you can see beautiful scenery.　(Mount Hakodate in the foreground and Hakodate Dock in the background)

Why don't you come to the Hakodate Liaison Ship Memorial Museum Mashu Maru near Hakodate Station?

The Hakodate Liaison Ship Mashu Maru is a 4-minute walk from Hakodate Station. On the way there is Hakodate's famous Hakodate morning market. Why not try some fresh seafood for breakfast before or lunch after your visit?
Hakodate Seikan Liaison Ship Memorial Museum Mashu-maru Website

Let's combine your favorite train and lodging to save money!

You can make your own original trip!

The " JR East View Dynamic Rail Package " is a variable-price individual travel product sold exclusively through the Internet that allows you to freely select a train and accommodations and make a reservation at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your reservation, you may be able to save even on the day of departure at the earliest! We also offer one-day trip plans! Enjoy your own unique trip according to your schedule and purpose.

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For train + lodging "Hakodate/Onuma Area" reservations, please visit [ JR East View Dynamic Rail Package ]
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