Kaiwo Maru (sailing ship)

The 1930 tall ship "Lady of the Sea", kept as she was in service at a Toyama Bay port. On ten days a year, all 29 sails are unfurled.

A training ship that sailed 50 times round the Earth

Kaiwo Maru is a sailing ship built as a training vessel for merchant marine schools, where sailors are trained. She was launched on 14 February 1930, and over a little more than 59 years she sailed 1.06 million nautical miles (about 50 times round the Earth) and trained 11,190 young sailors. Her graceful look under full sail earned her the nickname "Lady of the Sea".

She has four masts and is about 97 m long. During the Second World War her sails were removed, she was painted grey and she was used to carry supplies. After the war she also carried people returning to Japan from overseas. She retired in 1989, moved to Toyama Prefecture and has been open to the public since 1990.

Go on board, and see all sails set ten times a year

Kaiwo Maru is moored at Kaiwo Maru Park in Imizu City, Toyama Prefecture, and you can pay to look round inside. She is kept as a "living ship", preserved in the condition she was in when she retired.

The biggest draw is "sohan tenpan", when all 29 of her sails are unfurled. Volunteers and crew set the sails by hand. It happens 10 times a year between April and October, and the dates are announced on the Kaiwo Maru Park official website. In rain or strong wind it may be cancelled, or fewer sails may be set.

At night the ship is lit up. Because Kaiwo Maru was launched on 14 February, Kaiwo Maru Park has been chosen as a "Lovers' Sanctuary" in a nod to Valentine's Day, and there is a "Bell of Happiness" on board.

Kaiwo Maru Park and getting there

Kaiwo Maru Park is a free bay-side area with the Japan Sea Exchange Center, which displays model sailing ships from around the world, and a play area for children. From the viewing plaza opened in 2018 you can take in Toyama Bay, the Tateyama mountain range, Shinminato Bridge and Kaiwo Maru all at once.

It is about a 10-minute walk from Kaiwomaru Station on the Manyosen tram line. By car it is about 20 minutes from the Kosugi Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway. Opening hours and boarding fees vary by season, so check the official website.

Tips

• On days when all sails are set, the inside of the ship is open for a shorter time than usual. Whether it goes ahead is decided at 8 am on the day and announced on the official website.
• Besides the regular closing day (every Wednesday), there are periods when the ship is closed for maintenance. Check the opening days on the official website before you go.
• Eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed on board, and you cannot climb the masts. Watch the stairs and your head, and wear comfortable shoes.
• In fiscal 2027 (April 2027 to March 2028), Kaiwo Maru is due to go into dock for major repairs lasting about six months. She may not be in port during that time, so check the notices on the official website.

Sources

• 海王丸パーク｜帆船海王丸を中心とした憩いのベイエリア（公式）
• 一般公開｜海王丸パーク（公式）
• 帆船海王丸 保存活用プロジェクト｜海王丸パーク（公式）
• 海王丸パーク｜射水市公式観光サイト
• 海王丸 (初代) - Wikipedia

Updated 29 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.