More maritime history and streetscapes.

Today we are going to explore Yokohama’s maritime history. How did it become such an international port? Now no groaning…you know you will find it interesting.

Now Japan in the past, did not allow trade with foreign countries. This changed in the 1800’s when a treaty was formed over a few years with America. A new port was needed to meet the needs of the export trade and this was Yokohama.

Construction of a deep sea port started and was quickly in use . Earthquakes and war have seen the port being expanded and reconstructed. The last expansion was when the training ship the Nippon Maru was brought in and the land was extended around its mooring. See it was interesting and didn’t you have fun trying to load cargo using the gantry crane.

Did you recognise any of the art by Ryohei?

I recognised some of his characters but was unfamiliar with the artist. A few more sites from the museum.

Sailing requires lots of skills. I am sadly lacking in them, how about you? Never fear , you could become one of the 100+ volunteers and learn them. You don’t live in Yokohama. Well I guess that is a no.

The Nippon Maru has been a training ship from 1930. Students would spend 40 days at sea putting into practice the theory they had learnt at the maritime college.

Cleaning the decks requires many hands with sandstone rocks (holystones), coconut shells and wooden boards

Saturday is wash day.

The ship is still used to teach students both through class excursions and regular maintenance classes. The sails are unfurled, cleaned, dried and refurled once a month. This requires many hands. Similarly other regular ship maintenance is performed by volunteers and training seamen.

Did you enjoy looking at the other different types of accommodation. The captain certainly had a more spacious room.

Did you know in the time of Morse code there would be two periods of 3 minutes when there would be no communication from any ship? This was to be able to hear any distress calls in an area.

Enough maritime history…I must admit I am in information overload. Let’s explore more of the city.

There are quite a few drinking streets. To solve the problem of one too many, you can go to a hotel for a little rest.

Isezakicho used to be the main shopping area. Now there are shops but mainly it is a great place for lunch.

You know I like odd sights so here are a few.

Site of the signing of the treaty in 1854 with America.

Tomorrow we head for Tokyo to join the cruise. From all the reviews, the internet is quite poor so you may have fewer visual experiences but don’t worry, I am sure you will write about our trip. See you tomorrow.