sailed the Kanmon Straits of Japan on a cold, dark and windy sunset January 25, 2025. The ferries Lilac and Yuukari, according to Shinnihonkai Ferry's website, connect Tsuruga Port, Niigata Port, Akita Port in Fukui Prefecture, and Tomakomai East Port in Hokkaido. So, why was Lilac sailing thru the Kanmon Straits between Kyushu and Honshu in southern Japan? Rumor has it, the ro-pax vessel was carrying military personnel.
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| LILAC Shinnihonkai Ferry ★ らいらっく 新日本海フェリー |
Ship Freakazoid used a secondhand Olympus E520 DSLR with Zuiko 150mm lens to take photographs (Adobe Photoshop used to brighten and adjust contrast of these photos) and an old used JVC Everio video camera with Konica Minolta 54x lens mounted on a Slik tripod (used, of course!) to get video footage while ship spotting the roll-on roll-off passenger ship as it sailed between Garden Paradise Kitakyushu and Surreal Shimonoseki City. Check out the video at the @ShipFreakazoid channel on YouTube.
Japan has several ferry services that have rooms for passengers and can also carry their cars and motorcycles. It is a popular, economical and comfortable way to travel in Japan. SF recommends you try the ferry if you visit Japan from abroad. It is often times cheaper than a hotel and it gets you from Point A to Point B while you sleep, if it is a night route.
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| Ferry sailing at sunset in Japan - Lights on the ship and the buoy |
Type of vessel: Ferry
Region: Japanese flag, Japan
Owner: Shin Nihonkai Ferry
Operator: Shin Nihonkai Ferry
Built at: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Yokohama 3rd Factory
Home port: Otaru Port
Sister ship: Yukari ( Yuukari ? ゆうかり )
Class: JG
Signal: JRHY (Radio station license information)
IMO number: 9257424
MMSI number: 431301606 (no Inmarsat)
History
Laid down: 27 June 2001
Launched: 20 September 2001
Completed: 29 March 2002
Entered service: 5 April 2002
Specifications
Gross tonnage: 18,229 tons
Length: 199.90 m
Length between perpendiculars: 188.0 m
Width: 26.50 m
Depth: 14.50m
Draft 6.93m
Number of decks 5
Engine type Diesel
Main engine DU-SEMT Pielstick 8PC40×2
Propulsion Controllable pitch propeller 2-shaft
Power output 21,200kW
Maximum speed 25.09 knots
Sail speed 22.7 knots
Passenger capacity 892 (at completion)
846 (remodeled in 2017)
Crew 58
Vehicle capacity 146 trucks, 58 cars