The sparkling calm sea, the islands of the Setouchi (瀬戸内) Inland Sea approaching and then receding, the gentle ridges overlapping one another. Why not embark on a guntû (ガンツウ) journey to view the nostalgic Japanese landscape from a boat?
Guntû (pronounced ‘gantsuu’) is ‘a tiny inn floating on the sea in Setouchi’. Guntû is a cozy cruise ship that was launched in October 2017. Floating on the sea with your mind and soul clear, your heart will be filled with unforgettable scenery and refreshing experiences.
↑This cruise ship is a guntû! It has a large gable roof and spaces made of quality wood, like a comfortable home.
Forget about everyday life and lose yourself in beautiful scenery. A boat trip that will melt your body and soul is waiting for you!
Travelling is wonderful and interesting because you can encounter unexpected scenery and unimagined emotions. Even after you return to your daily life, you still feel a warmth in your heart saying “I was so happy…”.
The guntû, which began its voyage in October, is a passenger ship that sails from the port of Onomichi (尾道), Hiroshima Prefecture, and cruises around the Seto Inland Sea. Although the ship is small, with 19 cabins, it is supremely comfortable, with a terrace overlooking the sea and an open-air bath. During the day, the ship drifts slowly through the sea, and at night it sails quietly at anchor offshore.
The ship is also equipped with a modern small boat called a tender boat. During your journey, you can board one of these boats and stop off at Miyajima (宮島), home to the national treasure Itsukushima (嚴島) Shrine, Naoshima (直島), a sacred place for art, or Tomonoura (鞆の浦), a port town that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period.
‘The scenery of the Seto Inland Sea is most beautiful when seen from the sea.’
The cruise ship was started by local people who love the Setouchi Inland Sea, so it is the view from the ship that is most captivating. The ever-changing colours of the sea. The islands that appear beyond the haze like an ink painting. Simply watching the beautiful scenery flow by like a picture scroll is an enriching experience.
It is said that there are ‘seven colours of light’ in the Seto Inland Sea. The smiling faces of the local crew, who say that they never get tired of seeing the constantly changing faces of the Seto Inland Sea, are also heartwarming.
Taste the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea in the morning and evening, which can only be seen from a boat.
Ship design with Japanese beauty
Another feature of guntû is its ‘house’ like appearance, with a triangular gable roof. And it is not only the appearance that makes it a ‘house’. The luxurious use of wood inside the boat makes it extremely comfortable to live in. The air is dignified, the textures warm and the design is at one with nature – the result of Japanese architectural beauty, designed to make you feel at home.
The interior of the ship incorporates many Japanese architectural beauties, such as deep eaves and verandas
For example, a cypress veranda on the ship’s side deck. If you take off your shoes and sit down deeply, a panoramic view cut by large eaves opens up before you. It’s also fun to step out onto the chestnut-panelled bow deck and share the excitement with other guests at the moment of sunset or when the ship swings through the straits.
Architect Horibe Yasushi (堀部安嗣), who designed the ship, says: “I placed importance on the dynamic feeling that can only be experienced on a ship, such as the enjoyment of the moving scenery and the seasonal feel of the sea.” It is a space where you can feel the ‘joy of living’, to put it a little exaggeratedly.
True luxury may be found
The rooms are made of fine wood, even the ceilings, and offer views of the Seto Inland Sea from both the bed and the bathroom. The early morning glimmer of the sea before it wakes up and the night sky full of stars are just a stone’s throw away. Forget about everyday life and lose yourself in the sound of the waves – true luxury may be found in this form.
The guntû suite is located at the bow of the ship. You can enjoy a view of the scenery ahead of the ship.
guntû Gallery
Applications for tours of the cruise ship guntû can be made at the guntû Gallery (by appointment only) in the Imperial Hotel Main Building, Hibiya (日比谷), Tokyo, 03-6823-6055 (10am-6pm), closed Wednesdays.
Contact:guntû Gallery
This article is translated from https://intojapanwaraku.com/rock/travel-rock/1756/
