Did you know we have a boat? Yes! - the Kumamoto Maru 5 (第５代熊本丸)! Kumanichi reports that the fifth incarnation of this marine training ship, a 48-crewed vessel replacing its predecessor manufactured in 1999, has been launched from Tomioka Port in Amakusa’s Reihoku. If you’ve never been to the Reihoku peninsula, you should go. It’s Kumamoto’s closest point to Nagasaki’s Shimabara, was instrumental in the Shimabara Rebellion (Shimabara Ran, 島原乱), contains remnants of an ancient castle, and has a beautiful if small port. I had no idea the region could manufacture a 495 ton boat, but apparently they did, and put Kumamon’s face on the funnel to boot (the stylized version of 熊 in the star’s center is also cool). From April, it will steam to Tokyo and Hakodate ports.
Can you borrow it? - Probably not. But it wouldn’t hurt to ask. - William
