The oldest means of transportation for taking people on their travels is the ship. Today, cruise ships ply routes around Japan and all over the world, providing not just a means of travel but also a leisurely escape that allows people to “enjoy time and space,” as well as a means of travel. In addition, ferries have grown with the spread of car and truck transportation, and play key roles in Japan’s domestic logistics network. But like cruise ships, traveling by ferry also opens up new horizons in leisure-time activity, an element of the “Casual Cruise” concept.
Creating Relaxing Voyages with Heartfelt Hospitality
Cruise ships are used not only as a means of transportation, but also as a fun way to travel. The ship travels to its destination port while passengers experience the cuisine, watch a show, or just relax and enjoy the sea. Passengers can enjoy the entire cruise at their own pace.
Ferries are the liners that carry passengers, cars, trucks, and semitrailers all together. Generally, cars, trucks, and so on are accommodated in a space inside the hull, and they are loaded and unloaded using a rampway. The upper decks house guest rooms, a restaurant, and a large public bath, providing a comfortable space not only for passengers but also for truck drivers.
MOL Group ferries also play a vital role in the logistics business, transporting industrial raw materials, finished products, and foodstuffs by connecting important supply centers and markets with the largest sea and land transport network in Japan.
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MITSUI OCEAN FUJI
No. of passenger cabins: 299
Passenger capacity: 458![]()
POOL KOHAN -
Cruise Ships
Cruise ships serve not only as a means of transportation but also as an enjoyable and comfortable way to travel. MITSUI OCEAN FUJI and MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA feature all ocean‑view, suite‑style cabins, multiple restaurants and bars, entertainment stages, and facilities such as spas and a boutique. These ships create a relaxing environment at sea, allowing guests to unwind at their own pace, away from the bustle of everyday life.
The appeal of cruising lies in the ability to enjoy both the destination and the journey itself, in a manner that suits each guest’s preferences.
MITSUI OCEAN FUJI and MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA are highly regarded for their compact hulls—opening up new travel destinations including remote islands—and for their attentive hospitality “Omotenashi” and commitment to exceptional cuisine.![]()
POOL KOHAN -
Cruise Ships
Cruise ships serve not only as a means of transportation but also as an enjoyable and comfortable way to travel. MITSUI OCEAN FUJI and MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA feature all ocean‑view, suite‑style cabins, multiple restaurants and bars, entertainment stages, and facilities such as spas and a boutique. These ships create a relaxing environment at sea, allowing guests to unwind at their own pace, away from the bustle of everyday life.
The appeal of cruising lies in the ability to enjoy both the destination and the journey itself, in a manner that suits each guest’s preferences.
MITSUI OCEAN FUJI and MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA are highly regarded for their compact hulls—opening up new travel destinations including remote islands—and for their attentive hospitality “Omotenashi” and commitment to exceptional cuisine.
Both MITSUI OCEAN FUJI and MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA are equipped with stabilizers designed to minimize rolling and enhance comfort while underway. In addition, tender boats serve not only as landing craft and lifeboats but also provide high mobility during port calls, adding a new dimension to the onboard experience.
People and Cargo in Japan’s Coastal Waters
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The Sunflower Kamuy:
This LNG‑fueled ferry accommodates 157 passengers (all in private cabins) and up to 155 large trucks and 50 passenger cars -
Ferries
Ferry travel integrates both transportation and accommodation, making trips more affordable. Plus if travelers bring their cars on board, they will have greater mobility when they reach their destination.
When it comes to cargo transport, ferries give drivers a chance to rest while their cargo continues to move. In addition, ferries allow for “unmanned sailing” transporting only trailers without drivers aboard. What’s more, transporting cargo and people by ferry reduces CO2 emissions, the key cause of global warming, compared to other modes of transport. So they are expected to be an essential part of the “modal shift” promoted by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Ferries also help address the shortage of long-haul truck drivers and reduce labor burdens.
Friendly to Both People and the Environment
entered service. The vessels are the first ferries in Japan equipped with high-performance dual-fuel engines that can use both LNG and heavy oil as fuel. The use of LNG fuel is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by about 25%, SOx by 100%, and NOx by about 85%.
Generations of families can get together to enjoy a cruise trip. Under the concept of kizuna, or “bonding” with family members, the ferries are designed to allow passengers to experience a new category of travel, which we call the “Casual Cruise.”
MOL will fulfill its social responsibility as a shipping company by contributing to the Modal Shift, while working to swiftly introduce LNG-fueled vessels with lower environmental impact.
