This is Hamamoto from TIMEWELL
This is Hamamoto from TIMEWELL.
A Different Kind of Journey to the Osaka-Kansai Expo
As a way to travel to the Osaka-Kansai Expo, why not try the "hydrogen fuel cell ship"—a very different experience from the usual subway or bus? You board the hydrogen fuel ship from Universal City Port, adjacent to Universal City Station—the nearest station to USJ. With transportation options to the Expo venue becoming increasingly diverse, the zero-CO2 emission method of travel is drawing attention as a future mode of transportation.
This experience went beyond mere transportation, becoming an opportunity to encounter the scenery of Osaka Bay and the city, as well as cutting-edge architectural and industrial technology. The spacious deck inside the ship, the comfortable interior, and careful explanations from specialist guides created an exhilarating time that felt like experiencing a city of the future from aboard a vessel. This article conveys every detail of the journey by hydrogen fuel ship from Universal City to Yumeshima, while fully introducing the unique appeal and technological innovations of the hydrogen fuel ship, as well as the charms of the great city of Osaka.
- Setting Off from Universal City: A New Voyage on the Water
- The Appeal and Innovative Technology of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ship — An Eco-Friendly Mode of Transport for the Future
- The Fusion of Osaka's Port and Future City — New Scenery and Tourism Attractions Seen from the Ship
- Summary
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Setting Off from Universal City: A New Voyage on the Water
While Many People Usually Head to the Expo Venue by Subway or Shuttle Bus
While many people usually head to the Expo venue by subway or shuttle bus, on this day I chose to board the hydrogen fuel cell ship "Mahoroba" from Universal City Port near Universal City Station. Universal City Port is about an 8-minute walk from Universal City Station. While Universal City Port normally serves as a departure point for ships to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and cruise ships, it is being used on a limited-time basis as a departure point for the hydrogen fuel ship heading to the Expo West Gate. Among the people waiting in the pre-boarding waiting area, some were waiting for the usual Kaiyukan-bound ships while others were travelers intrigued by the hydrogen fuel ship for the first time—an atmosphere of mixed expectation and uncertainty hung in the air.
The operation schedule for the hydrogen fuel cell ship "Mahoroba" runs from the first departure at 13:35 to the last at 18:05, with four departures per day, assuming that users will mainly enter between 14:00 and 19:00. The fare is set at 3,000 yen one-way and 5,000 yen round-trip—a little more expensive than the subway or bus, but proportionally valuable as an eco-friendly transportation option with consideration for the environment.
Pre-boarding Guidance Included Instructions for Using the First-Floor Restrooms
Pre-boarding guidance included instructions for using the first-floor restrooms, with attention called to the stairs up to the second-deck and some lower sections of the roof. On the temperature management front, since the second floor has no air conditioning, guests were recommended to take breaks for extended stays, and heat stroke prevention was also called out to passengers. With departure, a special day began—filled not only with anticipation for the new experience of a hydrogen fuel ship, but also excitement for the future city experience awaiting at the Expo venue.
The Appeal and Innovative Technology of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ship — An Eco-Friendly Mode of Transport for the Future
The hydrogen fuel cell system installed on this ship operates on a completely different mechanism from conventional combustion engines. Large compressed hydrogen tanks are lined up at the rear of the ship, and the hydrogen supplied from them is sent to motors to generate powerful propulsion that moves the hull. These hydrogen tanks are fitted with fine measurement devices inside, and safety is ensured through constant monitoring of pressure and temperature.
The principle of the hydrogen fuel system operating the ship lies in the reverse reaction of basic water electrolysis. As you may have learned in science class, when water is electrolyzed, it separates into hydrogen and oxygen. The reverse of this experiment—that is, the reaction combining separated hydrogen and oxygen—generates electricity and water. This reaction is extremely efficient and does not emit any harmful CO2 into the surroundings, making it a very environmentally friendly method of energy conversion.
Additionally, the hydrogen fuel ship is also characterized by its comfortable ride—free from the large vibrations and fuel smells of engine-driven vessels. In practice, the sound from the engine was extremely quiet, with almost no rocking, and we were able to travel through Osaka Bay while feeling the silence.
In the Onboard Demonstration
In the onboard demonstration, immediately after boarding, the latest monitoring system lit up and introduced the real-time display of the state of the compressed hydrogen tanks and the operating status of the generators. This allowed passengers to see firsthand how the power of science is applied in real life to create a comfortable travel experience.
Furthermore, detailed explanations were provided on board about how efficient the hydrogen fuel energy supply is, and how it dramatically reduces environmental burden compared to conventional transportation. According to the explanations, this system is not merely experimental—it is already being operated in practice and holds the potential to become a new option for inter-urban transportation.
The hydrogen fuel ship is also groundbreaking in that it efficiently secures the power it needs through a combination of generators and a plug-in power system. While fuel costs and energy efficiency were major challenges for conventional ships, this hydrogen fuel ship uses the latest technology to resolve those problems, realizing a system with even lower fuel consumption and lower emissions. Passengers had a valuable opportunity to learn in detail about these mechanisms and reflect on the future of energy.
The Fusion of Osaka's Port and Future City — New Scenery and Tourism Attractions Seen from the Ship
With Osaka Bay as its backdrop, the scenery seen from the ship showed a diverse range of expressions that evoked the feeling of a future city. As the ship quietly progressed through Osaka Bay, passengers witnessed the urban landscape, factories, and spots where cultural events are held stretching out to the left and right, and were once again moved by the sight of an evolving Osaka where culture and technology are integrated.
Regular Announcements Were Made on Board
Regular announcements were made on board, speaking in detail about the progress of the voyage and the spectacular scenery of Osaka Bay—including the high-rise building clusters of central Osaka. This allows passengers to enjoy it not just as mere transportation, but as a kind of cruise experience.
First, immediately after departing from Universal City Port, the first thing that came into view was the area called "Tempozan." The large Ferris wheel towering in front of us is truly a symbol of this area, and its presence was impressive.
The large cruise ships—reportedly up to the second largest in the world—dock at Osaka Port in the Tempozan area several times a year. Osaka Port is not only playing its role as a commercial port, but has also developed as a hub for tourism and cultural exchange.
Next, to the right of the direction of travel, a building with a distinctive and attractive design came into view. This building is a garbage incineration facility designed by an Austrian artist, with striking yellow and white stripes and red lines—the unique form and use of color catches the eye. The surface of the building features not just straight lines but curves and irregular patterns, giving the building as a whole the character of an art installation.
Also, the Maishima area has plans to develop as a sports island in the future, and there is a gym arena with a capacity of 10,000 people. The vast grounds capable of hosting international competitions will become a new entertainment spot for local residents and tourists alike. Furthermore, the "Yumemai Bridge" spanning between the Maishima area and the Yumeshima area where the Expo is being held is the world's first arch-type rotary bridge—it has the unique function of rotating itself to allow ships to pass through. This rotating bridge is not only improving traffic convenience, but is also attracting attention as a tourism resource.
In This Way, Through This Voyage
In this way, through this voyage, the multifaceted scenery of Osaka—the advanced technology embedded within it, and the evolution of Osaka as a city of the future—made a strong impression. The fusion of culture, technology, and design goes beyond the framework of mere transportation to provide new values and surprises in our daily lives. Future transportation holds the potential to simultaneously reduce environmental burden and revitalize cities, and this became an opportunity to once again confirm that the city of Osaka is standing at the forefront.
This experience was an entirely new kind of travel—boarding a hydrogen fuel cell-equipped vessel at Universal City Port and heading via Yumeshima to the Expo venue—unlike anything before. This ship provides passengers with a comfortable and safe journey through a design that emits absolutely zero CO2 and minimizes noise and vibration, with the travel itself becoming a form of entertainment. Furthermore, the ship fully showcased the charms of Osaka as a city—the magnificent scenery of Osaka Bay and the city streets, the artistic architecture of Maishima, and the world-first rotating bridge.
On the technical side, the power generation mechanism of hydrogen fuel, the hybrid operation of the plug-in power system, and the resulting environmental conservation efforts were explained in detail, allowing passengers to actually experience the benefits of cutting-edge technology in visible form. Through this experience, it becomes clear that traveling to the Expo is not limited to being a "means of getting to a destination," but has become something transmitting a larger message as a "moving pavilion"—one of environmentally conscious energy use and the future vision of the city.
For Those Planning to Visit the Osaka-Kansai Expo
For those planning to visit the Osaka-Kansai Expo, please consider this new hydrogen fuel ship transportation option in addition to the subway and bus. The experience on the hydrogen fuel ship will surely turn even travel time into a wonderful memory. The hydrogen fuel ship as a new mode of transportation—as a trailblazer showing the future of urban transportation—will make the Expo experience even more valuable.
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-JHX9_vtzI
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