Moored in Nippon Maru Memorial Park in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district, this 1930 sailing ship once trained Japan’s merchant marine cadets. Today, you can walk its deck, inspect the rigging and see preserved rooms used by the captain, crew and cadets. Placards explain the ship’s equipment and working spaces, and volunteer guides can add detail about life aboard. The adjacent Yokohama Port Museum covers the port’s history, so you can pair the two if you have time.
A training ship in Yokohama
Built in 1930, Nippon Maru trained cadets for Japan’s merchant marine. The ship gave them practical experience aboard a sailing vessel, including navigation and the work involved in maintaining a ship. After its working life, it was preserved in Yokohama as a museum ship.
The vessel is now moored in Nippon Maru Memorial Park in Minato Mirai. Its masts and rigging stand out among the district’s modern buildings. The ship also has a long record at sea: it traveled enough to circle the globe about 45 times and trained more than 11,000 cadets.
What to see on board
Start on deck, where you can look up at the three masts and examine the rigging. The preserved spaces below deck give a sense of how the vessel functioned and where people lived and worked. Areas to explore include the captain’s quarters, crew spaces, the engine room and the navigation room, though not every part of the ship is accessible.
Placards around the vessel identify its equipment and explain different parts of the ship. They help make the visit useful even if you explore without a guide. If a volunteer guide is available, ask about daily life for cadets and the jobs carried out by the crew.
Pair the ship with the port museum
The Yokohama Port Museum is next to Nippon Maru. Its exhibits use ship models, photographs, artifacts and interactive displays to trace the port’s development, from the Edo period to the present. They also cover Yokohama’s early opening to foreign trade and the port’s effect on the city.
You can visit the ship on its own if your schedule is short, or add the museum for a broader look at Yokohama’s maritime past. Admission is required for both attractions. Check the ship’s schedule before setting out, especially if you hope to see a full-sail exhibition or find it open for boarding.
FAQ
Where is the Sail Training Ship Nippon Maru?
It is moored in Nippon Maru Memorial Park in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district, beside the Yokohama Port Museum.
How long does a visit to Nippon Maru take?
Allow about 45 to 60 minutes to look around the ship. You will need more time if you also visit the adjacent port museum.
Can you go inside Nippon Maru?
Yes. Visitors can explore the accessible parts of the ship, including the deck and preserved interior spaces. Some areas are closed to visitors.
Is there a guide at Nippon Maru?
Volunteer guides may be available to explain the ship and cadet life. Their availability is not guaranteed.
