Mitsui OSK Cruises, under the Mitsui Ocean Cruises brand, has confirmed the name of its next ship: Mitsui Ocean Sakura. The vessel, which will sail under the Japanese flag, is scheduled to enter service in the second half of 2026 with a programming focused on Japan.
The project takes shape on a well-proven basis: the vessel comes from the Seabourn sojourn and, thanks to its compact size, it aims for flexible operation. With a tonnage of approximately 32.000 GT, a length around 198 meters and ability to 458 passengers, is designed for short and medium-length itineraries departing from and arriving at ports in the archipelago.
Name, calendar and origin
The company confirmed that its new cruise ship will be called Mitsui Ocean Sakura and will begin operations in the second half of 2026. The ship, formerly known as Seabourn sojourn, will now operate under the Japanese flag, reinforcing the group's commitment to the local market and experiences designed specifically for travelers in Japan.
Regarding marketing, the company announced that the details of the maiden voyage and the start of sales will be announced after the winter 2025, a milestone that will mark the starting gun for its debut season.
Compact size and port access
With dimensions below the 200 meters in length and a displacement of around 32.000 gross tons, the Sakura will be able to call at ports that are inaccessible to larger vessels. This includes destinations such as Okinawa and Hokkaido, popular in Nippon Maru's Fly&Cruise series, and piers close to urban areas where quick access to the city is a key advantage.
The vessel's maneuverability and draft make it an ideal platform for varied scales, from remote islands to centrally located terminals, allowing routes to be adjusted to seasonal, local holidays, and weather windows with greater flexibility.
Programming: short stays, nights on board and themed nights
Mitsui Ocean Cruises will focus its offering on short and medium-term cruises based in Japanese ports, a formula highly valued by the local and regional public. The company also plans overnight trips, a modality that has proven very popular among those looking for a quick getaway without giving up the atmosphere of the sea.
In addition, it is expected thematic itineraries focusing on traditional festivals, fireworks, music or gastronomy, connecting each port of call with unique experiences on land. The proposal combines cruise logistics with Japan's cultural agenda, maximizing the appeal of each port.
Service philosophy and Japanese seal
The shipping company emphasizes that it will maintain the spirit of hospitality cultivated in its previous operations (including the Nippon Maru), reinforced by a distinctly Japanese aesthetic approach in environments and details on board. The kitchen, run by teams with experience in the MOL fleet, will focus on recipes from tradition worked with dedication and selected raw materials.
This approach aims to offer local experiences at each stopover, fostering connections with port communities and significant calendar events, a distinguishing feature of Mitsui Ocean Cruises' offering.
In charge and in the kitchen: profiles with a track record
During the premiere season, Satoshi Ninomiya, with extensive experience in the company, will be one of the captains of the Mitsui Ocean Sakura. He joined MOL's passenger division in 1993, and worked on ships such as the Fuji Maru, the Shin Sakura Maru and the Nippon Maru, was promoted to first officer in 2006 and captain in 2017. Since 2024 he has led the group of safe operations from the Fleet Operations Department.
Ninomiya has highlighted the relevance of the to maximise security and your enjoyment. and adapt the operation to the personality of each ship and each itinerary. In his vision, the compact and maneuverable Mitsui Ocean Sakura will allow you to take advantage of very diverse routes throughout Japan.
In the kitchen, the executive chef will be Katsutoshi Nakayama, who joined MOL in 1990 and was in charge of the bakery in the Nippon Maru since its inauguration. His career includes stages on the Shin Sakura Maru and the Fuji Maru, promotion to senior chef in 1996 and assistant senior chef in 1998, and his first assignment as executive chef in 2011.
Since 2012 he has designed numerous Menus as executive chef aboard the Nippon Maru and, in 2024, assumed the role of the first executive chef of the Mitsui Ocean Fuji. His approach emphasizes the attention to detail and respect for the product as a way of transmitting culinary passion to guests.
Upcoming commercial milestones
The company has indicated that, once the winter 2025, will announce the inaugural itinerary and sales start date. With the technical details confirmed and the key team appointed, the launch of the Mitsui Ocean Sakura enters its final phase of preparation.
With a compact vessel, experienced crew and itineraries designed for the Japanese market, Mitsui Ocean Cruises' offering combines access to unique ports, short getaways, and themed experiences connected to local culture, underpinning a debut that promises to resonate with travelers seeking a taste of the sea and Japan in limited doses.