By Daniel de Bomford and Cian O’Neill
The beautiful blue ocean stretches across the horizon, and the fresh sea breeze carries a pleasing salty scent. There are many ways to travel Japan, but nothing compares to ferries and the feeling of relaxation in the rich embrace of nature. Shin Nihonkai (SNK) offers travelers the opportunity to experience the tranquility of Japan as they travel the country. President and CEO Yasuo Iritani says that nature is an essential part of the travel experience. “The sea is vast and quiet, with few other vessels in sight, making for a peaceful and immersive journey. If you’re lucky, you might even spot dolphins along the way,” he suggests.
Historical Routes and Beautiful Scenery
Founded in 1969, the company was established to connect Japan’s central island of Honshu to Hokkaido from the ports on the Sea of Japan side. SNK’s network services Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu and even has a service to South Korea. Iritani said government efforts to promote nationwide tourism outside the Golden Route, beyond the Kanto and Kansai areas, to revitalize the region are in line with the company’s mission to connect ports along the Sea of Japan. The ferries offer a variety of cabin types, on-board facilities and an open-air bath. “One key focus is our seasonal cuisine, with menus that highlight locally sourced ingredients and dishes that reflect the flavors of each season,” Iritani says. The company also offers a variety of entertainment and local cultural experience programs on board to keep guests entertained throughout their journey. For example, it has held a Japanese paper craft experience on the Maizuru route and a medal and accessory making workshop on the Niigata route. The company’s routes connect significant regions, such as Kansai’s Maizuru and Tsuruga and Hokkaido, linking the regions via Niigata. Historically, the company’s routes follow the historical Kitamaebune logistics network, which connected the economic hub of Kansai to the rest of Japan throughout the Edo Period.
In a time when economic activity is centered on large metropolitan areas such as Osaka, the company is evoking a time when regional exchange and logistics were more active. “We believe it is time to reverse this trend by strengthening regional connections and promoting the movement of people and goods throughout Japan. At the same time, there is the joy of visiting regional ports, experiencing unique customs and cultures, and making new discoveries,” Iritani explains. He says ports on the Sea of Japan side have more regional character than those on the Pacific coast. The company believes these domestic sea routes will encourage more travelers to take short trips, such as going from Kanto to Niigata for sightseeing and then returning by ferry.
A New Tourism Experience
Iritani says the company is tapping into the sightseeing and luxury travel markets for people with and without vehicles. However, it doesn’t neglect budget-conscious travelers either. “More travelers are paying attention to the journey, and the method of travel itself is gaining interest,” he says. SNK also offers tours and trips for groups, which include luxury hotel stays, including stays at its own hotels in Otaru and Niseko, Hokkaido. “On our website and onboard the ferry, we provide brochures with information on various destinations, and currently, we are focusing particularly on small-group travel,” he explains. For travelers on a budget, it maintains competitive prices to entice higher volumes of passengers. “People now want to appreciate both the travel process and their time at the destination,” he says. In the past, he explained people traveled to reach their destinations as quickly as possible. But recently, travelers have rejected that mindset, embracing “slow-travel,” supporting the age-old adage where the journey is as important as the destination.
A New Side of Japan for Inbound Visitors
Inbound visitors continue to climb, and a weak yen attracts record tourist numbers. “We are seeing a growing number of European visitors staying in Japan for extended periods, and many of them are choosing to travel by ferry to explore different regions of the country,” Iritani says. Japan’s transport sector is renowned for its punctuality and reliability, where even slight delays are considered regrettable. Iritani says SNK is looking to capitalize on these standards and the increased interest in Japan, while expanding travel options away from the centralized hubs of Tokyo and Osaka.
SNK is proving the truth of that wisdom, allowing travelers to experience the beauty of Japan’s natural environment and emphasizing a leisurely, luxurious experience. With the government supporting regional revitalization and tourism efforts, SNK has positioned itself as an essential element of diverting tourists from the Golden Route to regional areas. Travelling by ferry gives travelers the opportunity to appreciate Japan from a new angle and enjoy being immersed in the country’s natural beauty, instead of watching it fly by from inside a Shinkansen.
To hear more from President Yasuo Iritani of Shin Nihonnkai Ferry, check out this interview with him
AloJapan.com