In Hakodate, I made a special visit to the Hakodate Seikan Liaison Ship Memorial Museum Mashu-maru. The entire ship is docked at Hakodate Port, and even from the outside, it has a strong sense of history. After boarding, you can actually walk through the ship and see the equipment and spaces once used by the Seikan ferry, as if you had stepped into a time machine and gone back to the past.
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Hakodate City Seikan Ferry Memorial Museum “Mashu-maru”
Step aboard the Mashu-maru, the “bullet train of the sea” converted into a museum ship, and experience what it feels like to be the captain.
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This museum ship is housed in the second-generation Mashu-maru, a Tsugaru Maru-class vessel that served as a Seikan Ferry and was known as the “bullet train of the sea.” After its final voyage in 1988, the vessel was converted into an exhibition ship and opened to the public as a memorial ship. It was renovated and reopened in 2003 as the Hakodate City Seikan Ferry Memorial Museum “Mashu-maru.”
Visitors can explore the bridge and wireless communications room, both preserved as they were when the ferry was in service. You can even touch the ship’s wheel and various navigation instruments, giving you a taste of what it was like to captain the Mashu-maru. In the wireless communications room, visitors can also try tapping out Morse code. These rare hands-on experiences attract many visitors, including families.
The forward Green Class cabin has also been converted into an exhibition room, where visitors can view authentic ship components, models, and other items. Panels and videos explain the history and workings of the Seikan Ferry. Former crew members serve as volunteer guides aboard the ship from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and can answer questions with detailed explanations of its history and operation.
Highlights
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A museum ship created by converting the Mashu-maru, once known as the “bullet train of the sea.”
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Try a variety of hands-on experiences in the bridge and wireless communications room, preserved as they were during the ferry’s service.
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Learn about the history of the Seikan Ferry through extensive exhibits and videos. A guided tour of the ship is also recommended.
Photos
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A museum ship housed in the second-generation Mashu-maru. Its historic exterior evokes the vessel’s long years of service.
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The bridge. Visitors can operate the wheel in the center and experience what it feels like to be the captain.
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The exhibition room. Panels mounted on the walls explain the ship’s history.
Official FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Is reentry permitted?
A
No. However, reentry within about one hour may be permitted when necessary, such as when leaving to eat, shop, or retrieve a forgotten item.
Q
Is free Wi-Fi available inside the facility?
A
Yes.
Q
Are coin lockers available?
A
No, but luggage can be stored.
Reviews
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Some reviews are AI-translated.
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It’s docked by the harbor and really stands out. The exterior has a nice old-time feel.
You can walk into the ship and explore the cabins, and it really does feel like you’re on board.
The wheelhouse has all kinds of operating equipment, which is really cool if you’re interested in ships or navigation. -
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You can learn about the ferry's structure and history through panels and videos. I really recommend this place! 🤣
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 函館市青函連絡船記念館摩周丸
- Postal Code
- 040-0063
- Address
- 12 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
- Phone
- 0138-27-2500
- Closed on
- December 31 and January 1-3; may also close temporarily
- Hours
- 8:30 AM-6:00 PM (April-October); 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (November-March)
- Admission
- Adults (university students and older): ¥500; elementary, junior high, and high school students: ¥250; preschool children: Free
- Access
- 4-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
- Credit Cards
- Not accepted
- Official website
- Official website (Japanese)