It was Chinese New Year around my parts, so I had some time to spare, and have decided to make a short trip to Japan.
The itinerary was planned to be Onomichi - Mihara - Kure - Nagasaki - Sasebo - Kanmon Strait, and was completed as planned.
First, a new tug spotted at Onomichi port:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814241Onomichi Dockyard had some newbuildings in various stages of completion:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814282http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814279http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814258Above photos were taken from a ferry to Tsuneishi, where there were also some new ships to be seen:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814284http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814286Then, on to Mihara, only to realize that otherwise ideal boat ride to Okunoshima, that passes by Imabari shipyard operates only on weekends. So, plan B was to take a ferry to Setoda, and then take a cab ride around the island Takaneshima overlooking Imabari shipyard, which was the next best thing, even if a bit expensive one.
There was that usual set of K Line container vessels, together with a glimpse of the first magenta-colored one of Imabari design.
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2813830http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814156Something lost, something gained: boat trip to Setoda gave me the opportunity to check out whatever was going on at the local Naikai shipyard:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814304There I also saw one ferry that so far hasn't been seen here on site:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814295Then, a fast train ride to Hiroshima, followed by a tram to Ujina port, and a ferry ride to Kure, where there are always some vehicle carriers to be seen along the way, like this one:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814158And, of course, those smart looking Japanese coasters:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2814302New pink/magenta container vessels for ONE were obviously the main reason why I wanted to go to Kure in the first place.
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2813857http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2813845I was so excited to take as many photos as possible of the first magenta one, that I forgot that there was yet another one under construction in a dry dock right next to it; but I remembered to check the other dock, where the "One Aquila" was being assembled.
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2813854Then, a train ride back to Hiroshima, followed by a shinkansen to Hakata. My pass ticket covered my trip only to Hakata, so I proceeded to Nagasaki by bus. Where there is no ultra-high-speed train network in Japan, it makes sense to travel by bus, as the prices are roughly half of the train ticket, and travel times are same.
So, this was Day 1. Next day, it was Nagasaki and Sasebo.