Japan's All-Suite Cruise Ship Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage

Dec 02, 2024 | News On Japan

YOKOHAMA - Japan's first luxury cruise ship, where all rooms are suites, has departed Yokohama Port for its maiden voyage.

Operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, the "Mitsui Ocean Fuji" becomes the third luxury cruise ship run by a Japanese shipping company, following the "Asuka II" and "Nippon Maru."

The Mitsui Ocean Fuji is Japan’s first cruise ship where every guest room is a suite, offering ocean views from every room.

The debut cruise is a seven-day journey that includes a stop in Busan, South Korea, with travel costs ranging from approximately 500,000 yen to 2 million yen per person.

Spanning about 200 meters in length and accommodating over 450 passengers, the Mitsui Ocean Fuji left Yokohama Port at 5 p.m. on the 1st, heading for its next destination, Beppu City in Oita Prefecture, as a crowd gathered to bid farewell.

Source: ANN

Tokyo Elementary School Fire Injures 11 Pupils And Teachers

Eleven pupils and teachers were injured after a fire broke out at Takinogawa Daisan Elementary School in Tokyo's Kita Ward at around 11 a.m. on June 19, forcing more than 300 children to evacuate and briefly trapping several pupils on a narrow ledge outside a fourth-floor classroom.

Weekend Downpours Expected as Typhoon No. 7 Looms

Heavy rain is expected across a wide area of Japan this weekend, with western Japan facing cloudy and rainy conditions on June 19 and Kyushu likely to see torrential rain and thunderstorms before rain clouds move eastward toward eastern Japan and Tohoku through June 21.

Volcanic Alert Raised Ahead of Hokkaido Hiking Sesson

The eruption alert level for Mount Tokachidake in Hokkaido was raised to Level 2 on June 18 for the first time in 12 years, prompting authorities to restrict entry within 1.5 kilometers of the crater and close parts of hiking trails just days before the mountain’s official opening for the summer climbing season.

Bears Growing More Aggressive in June and July

Bear attacks and sightings are increasing across Japan, with multiple people injured on June 17 and experts warning that bears are becoming more accustomed to human environments, potentially leading to more dangerous and unpredictable encounters in the years ahead.

Supreme Class Debuts on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen

JR Central and JR West on June 17 announced pricing and service details for the new private-room seating that will be introduced on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen from October, creating a new top-tier class above the existing Green Car service.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Bears Growing More Aggressive in June and July

Historic Myoshin-ji Gate Damaged by Dog Pee

Kyoto's Myoshin-ji Temple, one of Japan's largest Zen temple complexes, is facing a growing problem that temple officials warn could eventually lead to costly restoration work and even pose safety risks to visitors.

Abandoned Pirate Ship Removed from Kawasaki Canal

A long-abandoned sightseeing boat that has sat tilted in a canal in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, for nearly eight years is finally being removed by city authorities after officials determined the deteriorating vessel posed a serious safety risk.

Supreme Class Debuts on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen

Nara's Ancient Capitals Seek Final Push for World Heritage Status

Nara Prefecture has conducted a promotional tour for ambassadors and diplomats from member states of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee to showcase the Asuka and Fujiwara Palace Sites as the property moves toward formal inscription as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Shirahama Approves Accommodation Tax Up to 1,000 Yen Per Night

Shirahama, one of the Kansai region's leading tourist destinations, has approved the introduction of an accommodation tax, becoming the third municipality in the region after Osaka Prefecture and Kyoto City to adopt such a measure.

Massive LED Canvas Unveiled at Ueno Station

JR Ueno Station has unveiled "Ueno Canvas," a new 75-square-meter LED display featuring videos that highlight the area's cultural attractions, tourism destinations, and artistic heritage as part of a station renovation aimed at connecting people and the city through culture.

Earthquake Shakes Gunma and Saitama, Reaching Lower-5 Intensity

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck eastern Japan at around 7:46 p.m., with a maximum seismic intensity of lower 5 recorded in parts of Gunma and Saitama prefectures, though no injuries or major damage had been confirmed and there was no risk of a tsunami.

< 2 3 4 5 >