Enjoy the factory moe on the Yokkaichi Industrial Complex night view cruise~♡ I took pictures of the shining factories!

◆Yokkaichi Industrial Complex is a “sacred place for factory night views”
Among Japan's five major factory night views (Muroran, Kawasaki, Yokkaichi, Kitakyushu, and Yamaguchi), the Yokkaichi factory night view boasts one of the most impressive and beautiful views.
The view is so spectacular that it is called a ``sacred place'' by the people of ``Factory Moe.''

The Yokkaichi Industrial Complex Night View Cruise, which started in July 2010, is a very popular program as it allows you to see the night view of factories from the sea.
A ``60 minute cruise,'' ``90 minute cruise,'' or ``event cruise'' is available on specific Fridays and Saturdays (*) (Available from 2 months in advance / 400 yen if booked 1 month in advance) OFF).
The number of visitors has increased year by year, and it is said that over 30,000 people have enjoyed this view.
*Flights only every Saturday during the winter season

This time, I participated in a special cruise (90 minutes) on "Factory Night View Day" which was established on February 23rd!
For the 90-minute course, you will board the Meitetsu marine sightseeing boat ``Hayabusa'' (24.5m long, capacity 125 people), which has an observation deck.
In addition to the 60-minute route, this course also takes you to the vicinity of Chubu Electric Power's Kawagoe Power Plant, where you can get a close-up view of the gigantic factory that never sleeps.

My companion on today's trip is Mr. Furukawa, a volunteer guide who is an alumnus of the industrial complex.
Along with the flight, you will be guided through various episodes related to the history of Yokkaichi Port and the industrial complex. Having a guide will make it even more fun!

By the way, which side should I be on when I board the ship? I recommend this one on the right.
You can see both, but the guide is on the right, so it's easier to follow the explanation.

First, I decided to go up to the deck and take a look.

The 90-minute course ship has a spacious 2nd floor deck, so we recommend it!
There are benches, but no one sits on them today. This seems to be to take pictures in the best position on the deck side. It's quite difficult to take pictures of the night view because of the shaking, but many people were up to the challenge.

The first thing you'll see is the "Squirting Breakwater."
This breakwater was built during the Meiji period and has a unique structure, and has been designated as an important cultural property of the country. The small levee catches the waves, the larger levee catches the waves, and then the big levee catches the waves, and then the water squirts out of the hole into the inner part of the harbor, giving it the appearance of a ``whale squirting.''

◆Shiohama district/Ishihara district (Daiichi Industrial Complex)
The first complex you will see is Daiichi Industrial Complex, which has the most beautiful night view. This is Japan's first petrochemical complex, built on the site of a former naval fuel base after the war.
There are factories of many companies such as Showa Shell Sekiyu, Mitsubishi Chemical, Japan Synthetic Rubber, Panasonic, and Ajinomoto.

The Cosmo Oil Yokkaichi Refinery from Taisho Bridge is a popular photo spot.
You can see the beautiful distillation towers and plants, and the sense of scale and ruins is motivating. By the way, this light cannot be turned off. It is a ``nightless castle'' that operates continuously, day and night, for 2 years and 700 days.

By the way, the Yokkaichi Industrial Complex is a huge factory complex that stretches approximately 20km from No. 1 to No. 3 (6km in a straight line). Even the newest one is about 50 years old.

◆Kasumigaura Pier (3rd complex)
Pollution became serious in this industrial complex in the 1960s. In response to this sad history, the ``3rd Industrial Complex'' was built with the aim of creating a clean environment. There's a lot of smoke coming out of the chimney, but it's water vapor so it's safe.

This giraffe-like device is called a ``gantry crane.''
This is where containers are loaded and unloaded. Where do you think the driver's seat is?

The answer is...the middle (stomach area)!
By the way, the driver is called the "gunman" lol.
Passing by the giraffe's feet. This is an excitement that can only be experienced on a boat!

◆Yokkaichi Port Building
A tall building came into view. This is Yokkaichi Port Building. On the 14th floor, there is an observation room called "Umiterasu 14".
In Yokkaichi, where there are almost no mountains or hills along the coast, this is the only spot where you can overlook a group of plants.

There was a huge coal ship there and I could see the crane going up.

Was it the salt that was quickly dropped? There is a mountain in the back that looks like coal. On the cruise, you can see the factory in action up close.

This is "Flare Stack". Hydrocarbon gases such as methane are generated when producing gasoline and diesel oil from crude oil, but if they diffuse into the atmosphere, they lead to environmental pollution, so they are led from production and processing plants to flare stacks and safely burned and treated. It seems that it is.

Apparently there are three in Yokkaichi. I see! I have become wiser.

This is a piping bridge. This is a bridge for gas from various companies to pass through.

Red, white, and green lights are reflected in the sea, and beyond that are factories glowing orange. The water surface sparkles and looks very magical.

Industrial complexes at night are a world where we often don't get to see things that are essential to our lives. At night, the factories shine brightly and look as if they are breathing, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
I'm starting to understand the feelings of the "factory moe" people...!

At the end of the 90-minute cruise, the words the guide said left an impression on me, so I'm going to transcribe them.

``Fifty years ago, Yokkaichi had terrible smog, but thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, it has become a beautiful city that can be seen from far away.Yokkaichi is no longer a city of pollution.On today's night view cruise, I hope everyone has experienced this as well. I hope you will come and see the petrochemical complex, which plays an important lifeline in Japan, and see this beautiful night view."
I was moved by the guide's passion for Yokkaichi. It was a wonderful cruise that touched my heart.

【overview】
Event period: Weekdays 10:00-17:00
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, summer
Price: Adults (13 years and older) 3,900 yen~
Children (6 years old or older - 12 years old or younger) 3,400 yen~
Reservations Yokkaichi Complex Night View Cruise Desk
TEL: 059-327-5377 / FAX: 059-327-6588
Reception hours: Weekdays 10:00-17:00
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and New Year holidays

The meeting place
(1) Boarding location: Yokkaichi Port Building
(2) By car: About 25 minutes from Yokkaichi Higashi IC on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway
*Please arrive with plenty of time due to heavy traffic.
(3) Train: Please use the free shuttle bus from Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station or JR Yokkaichi Station.
*This is a temporary flight. We will inform you of the time and other details when you make your reservation.
Official website http://ykyc.jp/

*Information as of March 2018. When you go out, be sure to check the latest information on the official website.