From Naoetsu (Joetsu) to Muroran

PORT OF NAOETSU

Naoetsu Port Ferry Terminal

The ferry arrived at Joetsu (Naoetsu), Niigata prefecture. Most passengers got off here. Passengers who go to Muroran may stay on board or get off a ferry once. I left a ferry to buy films and to visit Naoetsu town.

New Rainbow Love

This is a sister ship, New Rainbow Love (2001, 11,401 G/T). She had arrived at Naoetsu from Muroran.

Naoetsu Town

I took a taxi and went to Naoetsu town. Naoetsu is a lonely town. I saw several "Ryokan(=Japanese-style inns)."

Translation: Ryokan (=Japanese-style inn), Furukawa-ya (Furukawa's).

I took supper at a cafe named "Restaurant Venice." I couldn't understand why the name was "Venice." Because it was not an Italian restaurant at all. I went to real Venezia long time ago...

JR Naoetsu Sta.

JR Naoetsu station was designed with an image of the Asuka (1991, 28,856 G/T), a cruise ship.

Asuka Street

Round windows recalled portholes to me. But many people can't notice it This building was built on October, 2000.

Naoetsu Port Ferry Terminal

I returned to the Ferry Terminal. Few people stayed at the waiting room, but some tour parties arrived nearly the departure time. Hokkaido is one of fascinating destinations in Japan.

The leading part was relieved from truckers to tourists on the Naoetsu - Muroran route.

Port of Naoetsu

JAPAN SEA

Today is the last day of my journey.

Tobishima Island

You see Tobishima Island off Yamagata prefecture over there.

I watch BBC News or other overseas news on BS TV . The TV gave information about an Iraq issue. I went out the promenade deck and enjoyed the view of the coast.

Oga Peninsula

Mt. Iwaki

Kojima

Hokkaido

Lunch

I had the last lunch on board. This "Seafood Set" (850 yen, $6.8) is one of the most expensive dishes on this ferry.

Hakodate

The Tsugaru Straits was beautiful. Mt. Komagatake (1,133m, left) and Mt. Hakodate (335m, right).

In former times, the "Seikan Tetsudo Renrakusen(=train ferries)" linked Hakodate to Aomori. But it was abolished on March 13, 1988 because of the opening of the "Seikan Kaitei Tonneru(=undersea tunnel)." However, ferry services remains like ferry services on the strait of Kanmon or Dover. Now, Higashi Nihon Ferry, Donan Jidosha Ferry and Seikan Ferry operate some routes.

Mt. Esan

PORT OF MURORAN

Etomo Peninsula

Port of Muroran

This journey ends soon. Muroran was the last destination. The last event was passing under the Hakucho Bridge.

Hakucho Bridge

Venilia

The Venilia (1999, 6,118 G/T) was moored at the pier. She was also built by MHI Shimonoseki Shipyard and plies between Muroran and Hachinohe.

The port of Muroran is one of the most important port in Hokkaido, as well as the port of Tomakomai. But the volumes of ferry transport reduced recently. Hokkaido total ferry transport volumes are as follows.

Hokkaido total ferry transport volumes (1996-2000)

Hokkaido District Transport Bureau

I saw another car ferry at the port. Former Rainbow Bell (1996, 13,600 G/T) was laid up here. I heard she was purchased (or chartered) by a new Japanese ferry company, Shuttle Highway Line, and would ply between Yokosuka and Oita from September 2002. I don't know why she was laid up here. Shuttle Highway Line is very unclear.

New Rainbow Bell (left) & Rainbow Bell (right)

At last my journey ended. As I got on board from older ferries to newer ferries, I understood the feature and change of Japanese car ferries.

The history of ships is complicated. If you describe the feature of Japanese ferries in a single word, you might say "rationalization." But a luxury ferry such as Shin Nihonkai Ferry's Lilac (2002, 18,225 G/T) was also built in Japan. The Words, "from luxury ferries to simple ferries" may not be correct. What is your impression?

02/11/19