Mitsui’s Nippon Maru Makes Final Call at Yokohama

The Nippon Maru recently made its final call to the port of Yokohama before being withdrawn from service by Mitsui Ocean Cruises.

Wrapping up a 36-year sailing career, the 600-passenger ship bid farewell to the Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal on May 10, 2026.

“We are truly honored that Yokohama was chosen as the location for such an important final occasion,” said Fumie Ono, director of the cruise project promotion division at the Port and Harbor Bureau of the City of Yokohama.

A retirement ceremony was held at the terminal, which was announced in June 2025.

The Mitsui Ocean Fuji also called Yokohama on May 10, 2026, taking part in the retirement event.

According to the company, over 7,000 people attended the ceremony, which was held on the rooftop of Yokohama’s Cruise Terminal.

Built at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shipyard in Japan, the Nippon Maru originally entered service for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines in 1990.

Sailing from Yokohama and other Japanese ports, the Japanese-flagged ship had been offering itineraries not only locally but had been deployed internationally, on longer and even world cruises.

Mitsui did not announce plans for the future of the 21,903-ton ship, which remained docked at Yokohama at press time.

The Japanese company is now getting ready to welcome the Mitsui Ocean Sakura to its fleet later this year, after acquiring the ship from Seabourn in 2025.

Currently sailing as the Seabourn Sojourn, the 450-passenger vessel is set to make its debut for Mitsui in September 2026.

With the retirement of the Nippon Maru, the Asuka II and the Asuka III become the only Japanese-flagged cruise ships in service.

Operated by Asuka Cruise, the vessels offer a series of itineraries from a range of ports in Japan, including Yokohama, Kobe and Osaka.