Thanks to You, Kato Kisen Group Celebrates its 150th Anniversary!

In 2027, the Kato Kisen Group will celebrate its 150th anniversary.

We sincerely thank everyone for their long-standing patronage.

To mark this milestone year, the group plans to implement various commemorative projects.

As the first phase, we will launch a special website and conduct a stamp rally across our group routes.

1. About the First Phase of the 150th Anniversary Project

(1) Special Website

Image of the special website

The Kato Kisen Group will launch a special website to commemorate its 150th anniversary.

The special website will sequentially disseminate information on various commemorative projects, campaigns, and commemorative goods for the 150th anniversary.

View the special website (coming soon)

[Illustrations of historical ships and vehicles]

To commemorate the 150th anniversary, Mr. Koudai Inoue, an illustrator specializing in vehicles, created a commemorative illustration for us. The illustration depicts ships from the Kato Kaiun Shokai era, as well as current ships, buses, and trucks active in the Kato Kisen Group, all drawn with a friendly and warm touch.

This visual, which allows one to feel the journey inherited through a long history and the current state of the Kato Kisen Group, will be deployed on the special website and commemorative goods, enhancing the anniversary project.

Illustrator: Mr. Koudai Inoue

Vehicle illustrator from and residing in Hyogo Prefecture.
Graduated from Osaka University of Arts, Faculty of Arts, Department of Design, Visual Arts Course.

Specializing in pen and CG colored illustrations, he develops works themed on railways, buses, and ships mainly in Kansai and across Japan.

・Official Website https://koudai-trainbus.jimdofree.com/

・X (formerly Twitter) https://x.com/koudaitrainbus

・Instagram https://www.instagram.com/norimonoillustratorkoudaiinoue/

(2) Kato Kisen Group 150th Anniversary Stamp Rally

As the first phase of the 150th anniversary project, the "Kato Kisen Group 150th Anniversary Stamp Rally" will be held from April 27th. This project is a customer-participation event where participants collect stamps while touring the Kato Kisen Group's ships and buses.

Titles corresponding to the number of stamps collected, special original goods for the 150th anniversary, and even luxurious travel vouchers by lottery are prepared. This project is designed for a wide range of generations, from children to adults.

For details on how to participate, stamp locations, and prize contents, please visit the event page on the 150th anniversary special website.

[Participating Routes/Lines]

Jumbo Ferry (Kobe - Shodoshima - Takamatsu)

Meoujima Kaiun (Takamatsu - Megijima - Ogijima)

Honjima Kisen (Marugame - Ushijima - Honjima)

Isewan Ferry (Toba - Irago)

Foot Bus (Osaka/Kobe - Takamatsu Highway Bus)

Bay Shuttle (Kobe - Kansai Airport) *Operation management: Kato Kisen

View event page (coming soon)

2. Future Plans

Special commemorative goods and special projects for the second phase and beyond are continuously being planned and will be announced soon. Please look forward to them!

3. About Kato Kisen Group

Since its founding in 1877 (Meiji 10), the Kato Kisen Group has been involved in businesses that support the flow of people, goods, and information in the Seto Inland Sea.

Despite various difficulties such as war damage, earthquakes, and the opening of the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge, we have been able to continue our journey to this day, supported by the local community and adapting to changes of the times.

"Moving forward."

Cherishing this sentiment inherited since our founding, we will strive to create new value for the next era to serve the community.

At the head office in Higashihama, Takamatsu City (Taisho era)

[History of the founding period]

1877 (Meiji 10)

There was a special demand for shipping due to the Seinan War. Yataro Kato, who had run a rice shop for generations, acquired two sailing ships (Nikko Maru and Koko Maru) from the Sanuki Matsudaira domain and began transporting cargo between Osaka and Kagawa. The head office at that time was in Higashihama, Takamatsu City, and the trade name was "Kadoya."

1914 (Taisho 3)

Reorganized into Kato Kaiun Shokai Gomei Kaisha and established a Hyogo branch. Expanded activities throughout Western Japan.

1928 (Showa 3)

Began passenger transport with three cargo-passenger ships (Third Chiyo Maru, Seventh Chiyo Maru, Eighth Chiyo Maru) between Osaka (Kizu River) - Kobe (Shimogami-cho) - Kagawa (Kusakabe, Tonosho, Takamatsu, Sakaide, Marugame, Kanonji). Head office moved to Kobe.

1937 (Showa 12)

Reorganized into Kato Kaiun Co., Ltd. Head office building completed in Shimogami-cho, Kobe City.

1942 (Showa 17)

Due to the Wartime Shipping Control Order, many of its crew members and ships were requisitioned, and many were lost due to war damage.

1949 (Showa 24)

The wartime control of domestic shipping was finally lifted. One cargo-passenger ship.