The Aomori Hakodate ferry, which has contributed significantly to Japan’s economic development, symbolizes Aomori City. Today, Aomori Prefecture and Hokkaido can be reached by Shinkansen bullet trains.till, for a long time before the opening of the Seikan Tunnel, the world’s longest and deepest undersea railroad tunnel with a total length of 53.85 km, connecting Aomori and Hakodate, only a sea route was available.

The first Seikan Liaison Boat was the Hirau Maru, commissioned in 1908 as a railroad liaison ship. The Hakkoda Maru, which was in service for 23 years and 7 months, the longest of the 55 ships in the series, is a valuable facility that preserves the ship in almost the same condition as when it was in service.
In 2024, the vessel will celebrate its 60th anniversary since its first service on August 12, 1964. The museum offers many attractions for ship lovers, including a diorama of Aomori Station in the Showa period (1926-1989), a theater that recreates the 80-year history of the Aomori Liaison Ship, and a chimney observation deck that offers a great view of the ship’s voyage deck.