Pleasure boats in Japan: why they look so much like starships (14 photos)

There are quite a few tourist destinations in Japan, and one of the most popular is the water route between the city of Asakusa and the artificial the island of Odaibo. So, boats run back and forth on it. However their design is very different from the river buses we are used to. them here three types, and all three were designed and built over 15 years ago.





The author and designer of these three ships is the artist Reiji Matsumoto who works in the anime and manga genre. He won the tender when he presented his sketches to the jury. Plus there was a survey. local residents and tourists. Thus, the vast majority of respondents I liked the sketches of Matsumoto.

So, let's start our review of all three ships. As you can see two of them have an open deck, which is on the roof, and the third does not.



The first ship is called Queen Emeraldas

, and it, like the rest, has a large glass area. This is needed for so that tourists have the best overview of the sights.

When you get inside, you get the feeling that you and true on a spaceship. The chairs here are made of Plexiglas, as if in cafe.





The captain's cabin is located in the bow, and he has a lot of visors. protecting from the sun. The length of this vessel is 33 m, the width is 8 m, displacement 114 tons. Other heat incomes have similar parameters.



In the stern there is a bar-buffet. The tabletops are permanently fixed throughout the cabin, but the chairs can be moved.



We go up to the open deck. Here the view is not only to the water and surroundings, but also to the ship’s cabin right through glass.



The second vessel also has an open upper deck and is called Hotaluna

. It is distinguished by a large number of so-called glass bubbles in panoramic windows. These are such puffy bulges that are funny stick out. Nobody explained to us why they are needed. Apparently this it's just the design.



As for the interior, there are also tables with seating in some places, and there are also just soft benches around the pylons.



Well, of course, there is a buffet and bar counter in the aft part, because tourists are always drinking or eating something.



But at the third ship - Himiko -

there is no open deck on the roof.



Inside, the atmosphere is also more like a catering establishment, than seating on a ship. But the chairs and tables are white.



The buffet bar looks a little different, but the assortment is plus or minus the same.



And finally, we turn to the most important thing - to the toilet. He is a latrine. And as in all other decent Japanese establishments, the toilet is here with software management. To understand it, you need to have a scientist degree not lower than the candidate. It is also noteworthy that the toilet has convex window and sofa. The appointment of this couch remains only guess.



And at night, these ships glow cool: