When I was a student, I never imagined I would work on ships, and I was hoping to get a customer-facing job at a travel agency or hotel. My first encounter with the ships came when I took a part-time job on summer vacation on the Izu Islands. At first, I thought the job would be like working at a resort, but during that month I could only go ashore for two minutes on Niijima – and that was just to deliver something a guest had left behind. It was so tough that I swore I'd never board a ship again. But after I finished my month on the job and some time passed, I found myself recalling the beauty of the sunrise and sunset, and the bioluminescent plankton shimmering on the waves at night. I realized I was starting to miss the motions of the sea. I had an irresistible desire to be on a ship again, so I saved up my part-time earnings to join a cruise, but this time as a guest. I became increasingly captivated by the extraordinary experience of traveling on a ship. Before I knew it, cruises were the only career path I wanted to pursue.

Unlike planes or trains that simply carry you to your destination, cruise ships journey where the time you spend on board is the whole point of the trip. You spend days away from everyday life, out on the sea. There are smiles, surprises, and quiet moments of inspiration. It's our job to produce all of that. The dining, the entertainment, activities at ports of call, and the casual moments on board – all these layers come together to create special memories our guests will always remember. Everyone who boards a cruise comes so they can enjoy a special time. That's why we do everything we can to arrange experiences that exceed expectations. There are many ways of transportation, but a cruise ship is unique among them, because when guests disembark, they thank you for the once-in-a-lifetime memory. I'm truly grateful to be engaged in such work.

The year Nippon Maru embarked upon a round-the-world cruise, we had to pass through waters off of Somalia along the way. At that time, an MOL Group cargo ship that was in the nearby vicinity decided to sail alongside the Nippon Maru. To ensure the utmost safety, they went so far as to adjust their schedule and reduce their normal sailing speed to stay close. And when they were done watching over us, the cargo ship increased speed again and pulled away. Watching the vessel recede into the distance, I was so moved that I trembled at its dignity and dependability. On the open sea, far away from Japan, I realized just how reassuring our group's bonds are. I will never forget the pride I felt at that time.

It tends to get too little exercise while on board, so I try to move my body whenever I have free time in port. I especially like to take a "city run." That's when you go for a run through an unfamiliar town and enjoy whatever scenery and good food you come upon. It's the best way to refresh! I had a particularly memorable run on Kikai Island. The docks are close to the airport, where a road circles around the runway. It makes a perfect route for a city run. Along the way, I found a food stand in the airport terminal selling egg-wrapped rice balls. It's a barrel-shaped rice ball wrapped in a thin omelet. The flavor was simple, but it was exquisite. Little travel discoveries like that stimulate me and give me energy for the next stretch of work. You slip through backstreets, come out on the coastline, and when you look up, you see your ship in the distance. Moments like that are part of the joy of travel.