A significant chapter in local history closed on May 31, with the final trip of the ferry service operating between Hiroshima, Kure and Beppu in Kyushu.| Jun.19 SAT. |
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A significant chapter in local history closed on May 31, with the final trip of the ferry service operating between Hiroshima, Kure and Beppu in Kyushu.
The 2,165-ton Yufu, which can accommodate up to 620 passengers in considerable luxury, has been operating the service for the past few years, but patronage has gradually declined in the face of the severe competition offered by the new bridges crossing the Seto Inland Sea. Ironically, the bridges link the main island of Honshu with Shikoku, not Kyushu, but business has suffered all the same.
The final journey to Beppu took place on May 30, when the Yufu left Ujina port at 9.30 pm with 166 passengers on board. As the ship threaded through the islands in the Seto Inland Sea, the passengers took dinner in the restaurant, or stood on deck watching the stars and reminiscing about the trips they took in their younger days. The return trip took place on May 31 in the daytime, with 277 passengers on board. After docking in Hiroshima, the ship left for Kure, and retirement, at 7.30.
The service has been in continuous operation for 46 years and for most of the passengers on the final trip, the experience was one of nostalgia, bringing back memories of honeymoons and family excursions in younger days.
From June 9 Hiroden's 'new face' began commercial operation on the Hiroshima - Miyajima route. The new German-built vehicle is distinctive for having no steps. Passengers step right on and off the tram from the platforms and so passengers in wheelchairs can travel much more easily. The new tramcar left the Hiroden depot in Ono-cho for Miyajima Garden in the late morning and a brief ceremony was held there at noon, attended by 80 persons. After which the tramcar set off for Hiroshima Station with the invited guests. Revenue-earning trips began immediately afterwards with the return journey from Hiroshima Station and the new Green Mover will make four return journeys daily between Hiroshima Station and Miyajima-guchi. Hiroden plans to buy twelve of the 5-car sets by 2001 and so the sleek, sea-green, black and grey 'barrier-free' vehicles will soon become a familiar part of Hiroshima's urban landscape.
...to Hiroshima Station and shop at the new department stores recently opened there. The Hiroshima Branch of JR West Japan are very happy at the resulting significant increase in passengers travelling to Hiroshima by train from suburban centres like Seno, Inokuchi, Saijo and Iwakuni.
拍拍飯店 Pakupaku Hanten is a Chinese restaurant situated on Chuo-dori, not far from the Tenmaya department store. During the week the majority of lunchtime customers are salarymen, and in the evening young people. Families tend to eat here at weekends. The cuisine is Cantonese and there are 66 items on the menu. Among the more popular items are steamed shrimp dumplings (\450). According to the manager, Rin Sho-to, every item is priced around \500 & one can have an excellent meal for under \3,000. Tel. (082) 247-8801.
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「さよなら由布！」
広島、呉、九州の別府を結ぶフェリーが５月31日、最後の航海を終えた。同時に地方史に残るほどの重要な海の道に終止符が打たれた。
とてもぜいたくな設備を備え、６２０人の乗客をのせることができるフェリー「由布」（２１６５トン）は、ここ数年の運航を担っていた。しかし瀬戸内海を結ぶ新しい橋による競争によって利用客もしだいに減っていった。皮肉なことに、橋は本州と九州ではなく、四国とを結ぶものだが、いずれにせよ影響を受けてしまった。
別府への最後の航海は５月30日。由布は宇品港を午後９時半、１６６人の乗客をのせて出航した。船が瀬戸内海の島々を縫うようにして進むなか、乗客はレストランで夕食をとったり、デッキに立って星を見たりしながら若いころの旅の追憶にふけっていた。翌日、２７７人の乗客をのせて帰路についた。広島に到着後、呉に向けて、そして引退に向けて午後７時半、宇品港を出発した。
操業は46年間続いた。最後の航海に立ち会ったほとんどの客にとって、この航海は、若かりしころの新婚旅行や家族旅行の記憶を呼び起こすノスタルジアを感じさせた。
「グリーンムーバー運転開始」
６月９日から、広島電鉄の「新しい顔」が、広島の宮島線で運行を始めた。この新しいドイツ製の乗り物は、ステップがないのが特徴。乗客はプラットホームから容易に乗り降りができるため、車椅子の人はより簡単に電車を利用することができる。午前中遅くに、新型車両は大野町の広電の車庫を宮島ガーデンに向けて出発。そこでは正午から関係者80人が参加した短い式典が行われた。この式典の後、招待客をのせた電車は、広島駅に向けて出発した。営業運転は広島駅からの折り返しから、さっそく始められた。この新車両「グリーンムーバー」は、広島駅と宮島口の間を１日４往復する予定。広電では２００１年までに５両１編成で12編成を購入すると計画しており、光沢のある青緑、黒、そして灰色で彩った「バリアフリー」の電車は、もうすぐ広島市の都市風景に溶け込むであろう。
「チケットを持って行こう・・・」
・・・広島駅へ、そして最近オープンした新しいデパートや店に。ＪＲ西日本広島支社は瀬野や井口、西条や岩国などの郊外からＪＲ線で、広島に来る人が著しく増え、大喜びだ。
