{"id":6121,"date":"2017-05-21T10:15:59","date_gmt":"2017-05-21T10:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/?p=6121"},"modified":"2020-10-31T23:42:45","modified_gmt":"2020-10-31T23:42:45","slug":"the-night-boat-to-kyushu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/?p=6121","title":{"rendered":"The Night Boat to Kyushu"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ferry<\/a>
The Ferry Fukuoka 2 and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, April 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a teenager in the early-’90s, splashing out on a second-hand copy of Car Ferries of the World ’88<\/em> by Yoshiho Ikeda and Taiki Takeda seemed like a pretty big investment. I’d found the book mentioned in the listings of an antiquarian book seller and, intrigued, sent off a cheque for, I seem to recall, ?20. Several days later the 186-page volume in both English and Japanese text arrived in the post.<\/p>\n

\"<\/a>
Car Ferries of the World ’88<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The authors’ task had been to provide technical details, a photograph and perfunctory commentary on every car ferry on the planet with a gross tonnage in excess of 5,000grt as at December 1987. It’s fair to say that the book isn’t entirely comprehensive and a few ships were missed here and there; but as with many of these ferry time capsules it provides a remarkable portrait of a moment in time.<\/p>\n

Flicking through my purchase I was drawn originally to the familiar British and European ships and, I have to confess, found the 20% of the book containing black and white images of the ferry fleets of the authors’ home country easy to skip over. The colour pictures on the covers, however, were something else. In particular I lingered over the three on the back cover – sandwiching a fine view of Travemunde was one of a clutch of Tirrenia vessels of varying vintage lying at Genoa and another of a busy Japanese port with a large terminal building fronting a row of car ferries of different operators, all berthed with their bow visors open. A four-symbol Japanese caption identified the port.<\/p>\n

\"Back<\/a>
Car Ferries of the World ’88 – back cover. The picture of Osaka Nanko port features the New Orange (Shikoku Kaihatsu Ferry), Ferry Hakozaki (Meimon Taiyo Ferry), Hamayu (Nippon Car Ferry) and New Katsura (Osaka Kochi Tokkyu Ferry).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Twenty years later, I found myself on that very stretch of quayside, staring into the car deck of City Line’s Ferry Fukuoka 2 and struck by a tremendous sense of deja-vu. The port was, it turned out, Osaka’s Nanko ferry terminal and when I paid a visit there in 2012 to photograph the ships on their berths I was very quickly sure this was the same port I had admired all those years earlier. Later study of the original picture showed that, shoreside at least, remarkably little had changed – the Ferry Fukuoka 2 was berthed in the same place, at the very same ramp and in front of the same terminal building as the same company’s Ferry Hakozaki in the mid ’80s (the operator had yet to adopt the City Line name and were still known as Meimon Taiyo Ferry in those days). On the next berth I found the Orange 8, direct successor to the 1983-built New Orange seen on the same adjacent berth in the 1980s image and which operates between Osaka and Toyo.<\/p>\n

\"Ferry<\/a>
Ferry Fukuoka 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Orange<\/a>
Orange 8 and Ferry Fukuoka 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Alongside<\/a>
Alongside at Nanko ferry terminal in 2012, right to left – the Orange 8, Ferry Fukuoka 2 and her fleetmate, the Ferry Osaka.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ferry<\/a>
Ferry Fukuoka 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meimon Taiyo Ferry was the product of a 1980s merger between a pair of the ferry operators established in Japan’s 1970s ferry boom. Meimon Ferry and Taiyo Ferry both operated services across the Inland Sea but it is Meimon’s Osaka to Shin-Moji route, established in 1973, which has persisted in a market which is still fiercely competitive. Meimon’s first ship was lost in a collision with a tanker but the second, the Ferry Atsuta, would survive to become Minoan Line’ El Greco in 1979. Coincidentally Taiyo Ferry’s first ship would also end up with Minoan Lines – as their Daedalus.<\/p>\n

The modern company operates two pairs of ships providing ‘early’ and ‘evening’ departures on its Shin-Moji route. The later departure is evidently the more prestigious, as successive generations of new ships are allocated to this with the elder vessels taking the earlier slots. The pattern of two pairs of vessels was established in the 1990s as the late ’80s sisters Ferry Kyoto and Ferry Fukuoka were paired with the Ferry Osaka and Ferry Kitakyushu (of 1992) before being replaced by the new Ferry Kyoto 2 and Ferry Fukuoka 2 in 2002. The first Ferry Fukuoka would, incidentally, end up with Stena’s brave but ill-fated South Korean venture, Stena Daea Line, as their New Blue Ocean.<\/p>\n

The latest pair of newbuildings arrived in 2015 with the 1990s pair making way for a new Ferry Osaka 2 and Ferry Kitakyushu 2.<\/p>\n

\"Ferry<\/a>
Ferry Fukuoka 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two years after that eventful first visit to Nanko port, we were back again – and this time it was to board the Ferry Fukuoka 2 and sail on the company’s sole route between Osaka and Shin-Moji on the island of Kyushu. Presented below are some images from that crossing in May 2014.<\/p>\n

As with so many Japanese ferries, the Ferry Fukuoka 2 and her sister were built just up the coast from Shin-Moji at the Shimonoseki yard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – which also produced P&O’s European Causeway, Ambassador and Highlander. The ships are very much overnight vessels with a restaurant the only real diversion other than the open-plan central square and the attractive upper arcarde. The idea of a ferry bar, so familiar to European travellers, is almost unknown in Japan and alcohol is available only from one of the vending machines on board.<\/p>\n

\"City<\/a>
City Line Spring 2014 brochure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most passengers are on board to sleep, but few miss the highlight of the crossing, which is the passage beneath the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world and a source of much wonderment and pride in Japan. This comes early in the crossing when travelling westbound, albeit usually after dark for the later departure, but most passengers seemed to stay up to watch it. The crossing also passes beneath the Seto-Ohashi Bridge and the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge although, despite approximate timings being provided by the on board guide, I doubt too many people were up to admire them.<\/p>\n

\"City<\/a>
City Line’s route map, showing key points along the way – for many travellers the passage beneath the Akashi Kaikyo Suspension Bridge is the highlight of the trip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ferry<\/a>
Ferry Fukuoka 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Nanko<\/a>
Nanko ferry terminal, looking inland from the ferry berths. At some stage it has lost its northern wing but is otherwise still intact from its 1980s incarnation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Checking<\/a>
Checking in<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ferry<\/a>
Ferry Fukuoka 2 preparing for loading<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Heading<\/a>
Heading out along the foot passenger walkway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\".\"<\/a>
.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The sun sets as we head over the gangway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"City<\/a>
On board guide<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Deck<\/a>
Deck plan.
The City Line vessels are genuine overnight ships with few general seating areas apart from the arcade, lobby and restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The Osaka Express over at the nearby terminal shared by Miyazaki Car Ferry and Ferry Sunflower. The Osaka Express is a half-sister to Corsica Ferries’ Mega Express Five.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The central square on Deck 5, off which the shop, restaurant and information desk can be found<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The shop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Vending<\/a>
Vending machine corner with secure lockers for valuables (for passengers sleeping in the open lounges) to the right<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The central area, looking over to port<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking aft towards the restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The buffet restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Another<\/a>
Another view of the buffet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Heading<\/a>
Heading up to Deck 6, this is the starboard-side arcade<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking aft along the arcade<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Deck<\/a>
Deck 7’s little ‘rest corner’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Our<\/a>
Our accommodation for the night – a rather tidy four berth cabin. This is a ‘Western style’ version, with bunkbeds. There are also ‘Japanese style’ rooms of a similar size with fold-out futons or tatami mats. There are no en-suite facilities in the majority of cabins as most passengers prefer to use the communal baths.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Company<\/a>
Company images showing the Japanese-style rooms<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Larger<\/a>
Larger suites and deluxe cabins are available, as are capsule berths<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A<\/a>
A corridor of capsule berths showing the upstairs\/downstairs arrangement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The cheapest option are the open sleeping saloons where passengers sleep on the carpeted floor, with blankets and pillows provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The ship has two ‘Observation Bathrooms’, one for women and one for men, where passengers can bathe whilst enjoying the view from large picture windows<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"One<\/a>
One of the bathrooms<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A<\/a>
A quick look out on deck before departure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Time<\/a>
Time for dinner…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The main buffet area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hot<\/a>
Hot food selection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Dessert<\/a>
Dessert and drink options<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Chocolate<\/a>
Chocolate fountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Restaurant<\/a>
Restaurant seating area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Passengers<\/a>
Passengers watching baseball in the main hall area – local favourites the ORIX Buffaloes were in the process of beating the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ferry<\/a>
Ferry Fukuoka 2 miscellany<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ferry<\/a>
Ferry Fukuoka 2 miscellany<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ferry<\/a>
Ferry Fukuoka 2 miscellany<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Passing<\/a>
Passing beneath the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\".\"<\/a>
.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"...\"<\/a>
……<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Up<\/a>
Up bright and early the next morning for our arrival in Shin-Moji<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The rival Ferry Settsu of Hankyu Ferry is just ahead, having sailed overnight from Kobe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"There<\/a>
Only one of the berths at the City Line terminal in Shin-Moji links to the terminal, so the ‘early ship’, the 1991-vintage Ferry Kitakyushu, has cleared the port after her 0530 arrival and is at anchor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\".\"<\/a>
.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\".\"<\/a>
.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\".\"<\/a>
.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Also<\/a>
Also in Shin-Moji is the Ocean West, one of two pairs of 1990s sisters used by Ocean Tokyu Ferry on their long, two night service from Tokyo. The company divided their fleet into ‘Standard’ and ‘Casual’ ferries – the latter having fewer passenger facilities. The Ocean West and her sister the Ocean East were the ‘Standard’ ships; based on external appearances, it’s hard to imagine how basic the ‘Casual’ Oceans North and South were. The entire fleet has been replaced by four newbuilds since this picture was taken – all of which are designated as ‘Simple’ ships – passengers can acquire food only from a vending machine and heat it in a bank of microwaves.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The Ferry Settsu pulls into port alongside fleetmate Yamato from the Shin Moji-Osaka (Izumiotsu) route which competes with City Line even more directly. The ‘Settsu’ was replaced by a new build in 2015.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"City<\/a>
City Line berth in Shin-Moji, complete with side-loading linkspan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Passenger<\/a>
Passenger terminal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Model<\/a>
Model of the Ferry Fukuoka 2’s sister, the Ferry Kyoto 2, in the Shin-Moji terminal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Osaka<\/a>
Osaka Nanko in the 1980s – the New Orange, Ferry Hakozaki, Hamayu and New Katsura<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To conclude, let’s go back to our port of departure and that 1980s view of Nanko ferryport. Whilst the port and terminal remain, sadly the ships seen in that picture have all long since left Japan. The New Orange was sold to China in 1999 after the arrival of the aforementioned Orange 8 and it’s not entirely clear whether she remains in service or not. The other three went to the Philippines, where the Ferry Hakozaki somehow survives, laid up as the St Joan of Arc. The Hamayu was less fortunate, burning out in dry dock in 2000<\/a> as the Superferry 3. The New Katsura was an earlier half-sister to the ship which became DANE Line’s Diagoras – she, however, ended up with Sulpico Lines as their Princess of the South. Spared one of that company’s regular calamities<\/a> she managed to survive until being scrapped in 2014.<\/p>\n

\"<\/a>
……<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As a teenager in the early-’90s, splashing out on a second-hand copy of Car Ferries of the World ’88 by Yoshiho Ikeda and Taiki Takeda seemed like a pretty big…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[821],"tags":[900,901,905,904,902,903],"class_list":["post-6121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japan","tag-city-line","tag-ferry-fukuoka-2","tag-meimon-taiyo-ferry","tag-nanko-port","tag-osaka","tag-shin-moji","wpcat-821-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6121"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6121\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6592,"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6121\/revisions\/6592"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hhvferry.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}