Nippon Maru

This historic sail training ship is permanently moored in Yokohama's Minato Mirai district. With its sails unfurled, its graceful appearance earned it the nickname “Swan of the Pacific.” Built in 1930 at Kawasaki Dockyard in Kobe, it trained approximately 11,500 cadets over 54 years before retiring in 1984, contributing to the development of Japan's maritime industry. In recognition of its historical value, it was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2017.

Today, the ship is open to the public in largely the same condition as during its active service. Visitors can tour the cadets' quarters, captain's dayroom, officers' saloon, and the wheel once used to steer the ship. The exhibits offer insight into life and training in the ship's confined quarters while deepening visitors' understanding of maritime work and navigation.

The graceful four-masted barque measures 97 meters in length and presents an impressive sight with all 29 sails unfurled. The sails are normally furled, but during the Full-Sail Exhibition held about 12 times a year, every sail is unfurled, revealing the ship's white sails billowing in the wind.