First NYK Transoceanic Liner Recognized
The moored museum ship Hikawa Maru was officially designated as an Important Cultural Property by the nation’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Hikawa Maru is a Japanese ocean liner that Yokohama Dock Company built for Nippon Yūsen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK). She was launched on 30 September 1929 and made her maiden voyage from Kobe to Seattle on 13 May 1930.
In commemoration of this recognition, an exhibit titled “Marugoto Hikawa Maru” (The Entire Hikawa Maru) is being held until December 25 at the NYK Maritime Museum in Yokohama.
The exhibit includes diaries of people associated with the ship, cabin color schemes, brochures, photographs, and routes showcasing the ship’s 86 years of history.
In addition, the Hikawa Maru Academy is taking place as a series of lectures (in Japanese) to mark the event. Detailed information can be found in Japanese at the NYK Hikawamaru’s website.
NYK will continue its efforts to preserve this important cultural property to stimulate interest in the maritime industry.
