From July 12 to 13, 2025, NYK participated in Yokohama Ocean Hub Umi Expo 2025 (“Umi Expo 2025”) hosted by the city of Yokohama at the Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal (commonly known as Osanbashi) and its surrounding area. Over the two days, the event welcomed more than 20,000 visitors!

“Umi” means “ocean” in Japanese, and the Umi Expo is an interactive event where both children and adults can enjoy learning about the ocean. It is organized with the cooperation of companies, universities, government agencies, and research institutions, aiming to convey the appeal of the sea through hands-on experiences. The 2025 edition marked the 10th anniversary of the event, and NYK has proudly participated every year since the beginning.

Blessed with good weather and a gentle sea breeze, Umi Expo 2025 filled Osanbashi with energy. From early morning, Osanbashi Hall resonated with the cheerful voices of families and children, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.

Exhibitor booths, each with their own unique features, lined the venue. Visitors experienced VR simulators that recreated maritime jobs, observed marine creatures like starfish, and explored exhibits that taught about marine work and sea life. A quiz-based exhibit on the deep sea also offered an educational challenge for adults.

At Zou-no-Hana Park, located across from Osanbashi, the “Chill Out in a Refrigerated Container!” experience by Ocean Network Express (Japan) Ltd. was a big hit with children. Visitors could step into a -30℃ refrigerated container used in maritime transport — a perfect way to beat the summer heat.

One of the most popular attractions for children was NYK’s ship handling simulator.

The simulator recreates a realistic navigation environment on screen using navigational instruments and advanced CG technology. With support from NYK’s deck and engine officers, children took turns at the helm while their proud parents looked on. The NYK booth also featured illustrated panels explaining the roles of seafarers and the workings of international shipping in a way that was easy for children to understand.

One child, eyes sparkling with excitement, commented: “It felt like I was really on the ocean. I was nervous at first, but the real captain guided me, so it was easy. The captain’s uniform was so cool!”

Looking at her child with a gentle smile, his mother added, “It was a great opportunity to talk with my child about future careers. He now thinks being a deck officer would be really cool.”

On stage, a talk event was held titled, “Learn from Active Deck and Engine Officers! Work of a Mariner.” Children were captivated by stories about the appeal of maritime work, life aboard ships, and ports visited around the world. An interactive Q&A session was so popular that its time had to be extended.

Another highlight was a guided tour of an NYK car carrier on the first day of the event. Pleiades Leader — a 200-meter-long, 11-story-high car carrier capable of carrying over 6,000 vehicles — docked at Osanbashi. Inside the massive ship, visitors engaged in activities such as driving electric carts to experience how cars are loaded, lashing vehicles in place, and viewing tool displays — offering an entertaining and educational glimpse into car carrier operations.

Visitors also had the rare chance to tour the ship’s bridge, where navigation takes place — an unforgettable opportunity to feel the scale and power of a large cargo vessel up close.

Docked next to Pleiades Leader was the brand-new Asuka III, the first newly built oceangoing cruise ship in 34 years for NYK Cruises Co., Ltd. It is also Japan’s first cruise ship capable of running on LNG (liquefied natural gas), drawing attention for its potential to reduce its environmental impact.

With the theme “Creating the Future of the Ocean from Yokohama,” Umi Expo 2025 offered a wide range of hands-on events and exhibits over two days to introduce children to the wonders of the sea and the maritime industry.
NYK Captain Kimihiro Maeda, a member of the Umi Expo Task Force, reflected on the occasion:

“We’ve been preparing for this day with great anticipation, so it was truly rewarding to see the children’s eyes light up. We at NYK love our sea-related work, and we all work with great enthusiasm. I hope that through Umi Expo 2025, our passion was conveyed to the children, even just a little.
The sea is beautiful, and the sense of freedom it gives — that’s the greatest charm of this job.”

By interacting with deck and engine officers, experiencing ship steering, and touring the vessels, children left the expo with excitement and a growing curiosity about the maritime world. The day when these children become the future leaders of the shipping world may not be far off.
We hope that through fun experiences, children will develop an interest in the maritime industry. As a leading presence in the industry, NYK will continue to bridge today’s reality with the dreams of tomorrow.