Nippon Maru, with 35 Years of History, Holds Retirement Ceremony
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Cruises' cruise ship "Nippon Maru" concluded its 35-year history with a retirement ceremony at Yokohama Port. Going forward, a two-ship system with "MITSUI OCEAN FUJI" and "MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA," launching in September 2026, will inherit the tradition of Japanese "omotenashi" and strengthen the cruise business.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 21:32
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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Cruises Co., Ltd. (President: Tsunemichi Mukai, Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter "Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Cruises"), a member of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group, concluded the operations of its cruise ship Nippon Maru on Sunday, May 10, 2026, upon its return to Yokohama Port, bringing its approximately 35-year history to a close. On that day, a retirement ceremony was held at Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal, where over 7,000 visitors watched as the final voyage concluded. Going forward, the "MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA" (hereinafter Mitsui Ocean Sakura) will launch in September 2026, and together with the already operating "MITSUI OCEAN FUJI" (hereinafter Mitsui Ocean Fuji), a two-ship system will inherit the tradition of the Nippon Maru. We will strive to provide services that satisfy even more customers with the authentic "omotenashi" (hospitality) that Japan is proud of.
Nippon Maru and Mitsui Ocean Fuji
Since its launch in 1990, the Nippon Maru has undertaken over 2,000 voyages, called at more than 400 ports both domestically and internationally, and welcomed over 600,000 guests (Note). Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Cruises has led Japan's leisure cruise market, receiving high praise from many customers for its long-cherished spirit of omotenashi and onboard dining.
On the day of the retirement ceremony, many people who had patronized the Nippon Maru for many years, as well as stakeholders connected to the ship, gathered. They waved to the crew members standing on the deck, showing their reluctance to part. On the pier, the Nippon Maru and Mitsui Ocean Fuji were lined up side by side, creating a scene that symbolized the past and future journey of the company's cruise brand.
The Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group has set forth a portfolio strategy in Phase 2 of its management plan "BLUE ACTION 2035," positioning the cruise business as one of its non-shipping, stable revenue-generating businesses that covers the highly volatile shipping market. Going forward, with the two-ship system of Mitsui Ocean Fuji and Mitsui Ocean Sakura, the group will strive to further enhance corporate value and realize its group vision.
(Note) According to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Cruises' records as of March 2025.
Nippon Maru and Mitsui Ocean Fuji
Since its launch in 1990, the Nippon Maru has undertaken over 2,000 voyages, called at more than 400 ports both domestically and internationally, and welcomed over 600,000 guests (Note). Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Cruises has led Japan's leisure cruise market, receiving high praise from many customers for its long-cherished spirit of omotenashi and onboard dining.
On the day of the retirement ceremony, many people who had patronized the Nippon Maru for many years, as well as stakeholders connected to the ship, gathered. They waved to the crew members standing on the deck, showing their reluctance to part. On the pier, the Nippon Maru and Mitsui Ocean Fuji were lined up side by side, creating a scene that symbolized the past and future journey of the company's cruise brand.
The Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group has set forth a portfolio strategy in Phase 2 of its management plan "BLUE ACTION 2035," positioning the cruise business as one of its non-shipping, stable revenue-generating businesses that covers the highly volatile shipping market. Going forward, with the two-ship system of Mitsui Ocean Fuji and Mitsui Ocean Sakura, the group will strive to further enhance corporate value and realize its group vision.
(Note) According to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Cruises' records as of March 2025.