Japan Fireboats 2023

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Photos by Britton W Crosby

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New Page Published October 31, 2023 - Updated November 16, 2023

TOKYO BAY
The largest concentration of Fireboats is definitely around Tokyo Bay.
The City of Tokyo is located on the western side of the Bay and has a large fleet of boats.
Fireboats to the north and east of Tokyo were in the cities of Ichikawa and Chiba.
Fireboats to the south and west of Tokyo were in Kawasaki and Yokohama.

Our Home Base was in the Yokosuka area, south of Yokohama near the
entrance of the very large and busy Tokyo Bay.
All of the Fireboats in the area were within range (an hour or two) and accessed by a
wonderful combination of trains, buses, and usually quite a bit of walking.

OSAKA BAY
We took the Skinkasen "Bullet Train" south and west to the Osaka Bay area.
In our short visit, we were able to get to several Fireboats and Fire Stations
in that area, including Kobe, Osaka, and Sakai.

HIROSHIMA BAY
Our farthest Shinkasan "Bullet Train" ride brought us from the Osaka Bay area
south and west to the Hiroshima Bay area, where we found Fireboats
in Hiroshima and on the Miyajima Island.

THE NEXT TIME
We knew of, but were unable to get to a number of other Fireboats in Japan.
If, and when, we ever have the opportunity to return, we will definitely
be looking for some of the Fireboats we missed for one reason or another,
We would also love to find additional Fireboats in the Nagoya Ise Bay area,
on a lake at Otsu City, along the coast between Osaka and Hiroshima,
and where ever else we might find them.

THE ADVENTURE
Just as in America, finding Fireboats in Japan was an adventure.
It gave special purpose to each day in pursuit of "Just One More!"
Along the way, we saw places, experienced things, and met people,
we otherwise would never have enjoyed.

All the Firefighters and Departments were welcoming, friendly,
and very understanding despite considerable language barriers.
"Arigato" is Thank You in Japanese.
To all those great folks we encountered,
"ARIGATO!"

A map of Japan shows many of the cities we visited.
For perspective, it is approximately 500 miles from Tokyo to Hiroshima.
That is about the same as Boston to Richmond, VA.

Many of the Fireboats in Japan are in the Tokyo Bay area.

Several Fireboats are also in the Osaka Bay area.

CHIBA CITY

Chiba City Fireboat
"Matsukazi"
TOKYO BAY AREA
Visited on Day 13 - September 17, 2023
The Large Chiba Fireboat is docked in the Port of Chiba
behind a large Fire Station with a good deal of specialized apparatus.
I was invited aboard the "Matsukazi" and also introduced to how some
of the Japanese apparatus and equipment function by a great group of guys here.

MORE CHIBA CITY

HATSUKAICHI CITY

Hatsukaichi City Fireboat
Miyajima Island
"Momiji"
HIROSHIMA BAY
Visited on Day 19 - September 23, 2023
This Fireboat is docked at the Hiroshima high speed ferry dock at this very busy tourism location.
The boat is equipped with (2) water cannons and is also equipped with a car ramp bow
than enables the boat to carry an ambulance to other remote islands in the area.
This was one of the "surprise" boats I did not know about prior to finding it.

The area is most famous for its Grand Torri Gate located in the water,
several major shrines, a large population of overly friendly deer that
walk amongst the tourists looking for something to eat, and an enjoyable
number of restaurants, shops, hotels, and sights to see.
The small seaside village feel of the area made for an
enjoyable day at Miyajima.

MORE OF HATSUKAICHI CITY BOAT

HIROSHIMA

Hiroshima Fireboat
"Hiroshima"
HIROSHIMA HARBOR
Day 19 - September 23, 2023
The Hiroshima Fireboat is docked behind the Hiroshima South Aquadic Fire Station
in the Minami Ward.
The boat is painted primarily white and is equipped with several large
water cannons and manifolds.
A second, small rescue type boat is also docked here.

MORE OF HIROSHIMA BOAT

ICHIKAWA CITY

Ichikawa City Fireboat
"Chidori"
TOKYO BAY AREA
Visited on Day 13 - September 17, 2023
The Ichikawa City Fireboat is docked across from the
Ichikawa City Fire Station on a channel off the Mama River.
Ichikawa is located about halfway between Tokyo and Chiba,

I visited on the return trip from Chiba. It was a sweltering hot and humid
day. I got off the train at a fairly remote train station and walked about
a mile along the water to get to the boat and then walked back to the same
train station to continue on into Tokyo where I met up with the family
at the Tokyo Fire Museum and other adventures.
The Fireboat was built in 2017.

MORE OF ICHIKAWA CITY BOAT

KAWASAKI CITY

Kawasaki City Fireboat
"Kawasaki"
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 25 - September 29, 2023
Kawasaki City is located between Tokyo and Yokohama on the west side of Tokyo Bay.
The Fireboat Station is located in a very industrial area on a channel called Mizue Unga
adjacent to a bridge (Rte 132) leading to the Chidoricho Island.

Two Fireboats are docked behind a Fire Station.
The larger boat is the "Kawasaki"
The second boat is smaller and called "Umikaze"

I took a train to Kawasaki Train Station and then a bus to a stop near the boat.
Actually I took the bus to the stop well beyond my stop because it didn't stop at my stop.
My stop was on the other side of the road and worked fine going back to Kawasaki Station.
After the Kawasaki boats, I went into Tokyo to the Takanawa Fire Station visit.

MORE OF KAWASAKI CITY BOATS

Kawasaki City Fireboat
"Umikaze"
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 25 - September 29, 2023
The smaller of the two Kawasaki boats is still a good size, powerful looking boat.

KOBE 1

Kobe Fireboat
"Takatori"
OSAKA BAY AREA
Day 17 - September 21, 2023
The Kobe Municipal Aquadic Fire Station is located at the Port of Kobe,
on the Port Island side of the bridge, between downtown and Kobe Airport.
The fire station is a fairly large one with a number of special apparatus.

The larger Fireboat is the "Takatori"
The smaller boat is the "Kusouki"

A third Fireboat, called the "Tachibana" is located at another site
on a channel near the Karumo bridge. We did not get to that one
due to a lack of time.

We took our first Shinkansen "Bullet Train" trip from Yokohama to Kobe.
We spent just one night in Kobe which has a beautiful harbor area with much to do.
Getting around Kobe proved to be a little bit more of a struggle for me since
the bi-lingual signs I had gotten comfortable with elsewhere, did not seem to
be as common there. Getting to the boats was a real hit and miss combination of tram,
bus, and a lot of walking. Unfortunately proving to be too inefficient to do everything.
But two out of three ain't bad!

MORE OF KOBE BOATS

Kobe Fireboat
"Kusuoki"
OSAKA BAY AREA
Day 17 - September 21, 2023

Kobe Fireboat
"Tachibana"
OSAKA BAY AREA
Located at another site near the Karumo Bridge.
WE DID NOT GET THERE
- Next Time -

KOBE 2 - COAST GUARD

Kobe - Japan Coast Guard
"Nunobiki"
PC-54
OSAKA BAY AREA
There are many Japan Coast Guard Stations in Japan.
Some have some very large and impressive ocean going vessels.
This vessel with a significant firefighting capability is docked at
the Coast Guard Station in Kobe,

We watched it head out one day and return the next.
Some of the other Coast Guard Firefighting boats are also included.

MORE OF KOBE COAST GUARD BOATS

NAGOYA

Nagoya Fireboats

NAGOYA ISE BAY AREA
There are at least 2 fireboats in the Nagoya area.
Unfortunately, we did not have a chance to see them.

They are located near a Fire Station and a LegoLand Resort.

Hopefully next time.

OSAKA

Osaka Fireboat
"Maishima"
OSAKA BAY AREA
Day 20 & 21 - September 24 & 25, 2023
The Osaka Fireboat Station is located in the shadow of the Tempozan Bridge,
next to the Tempozan Park and a short walk to the Osaka Aquarium.
At least two vessels are docked here.
The larger Fireboat is the "Maishima"
The smaller, low profile Fireboat is the "Yunagi"

The 2 night visit to Osaka was also by the Shinkasen "Bullet Train"
on the return trip from Hiroshima. Osaka is a large city, but was very easy
to get around. A subway type trip from the hotel to the boats was a quick
straight easy ride and a little walking.

MORE OF OSAKA BOATS

Osaka Fireboat
"Yunagi"
OSAKA BAY AREA
Day 20 & 21 - September 24 & 25, 2023
This boat is docked next to the "Maishima" and is used to access areas of the city
that may have low bridges or difficult to access areas.

OTSU CITY

Otsu City Fireboat
"Kotokaze"

KYOTO - LAKE BIWA AREA
Lake Biwa is a large lake to the east of Kyoto.
One of the Fireboats on the Lake is at Otsu City on the southern end of the Lake.

We are pretty sure there are other boats on the lake as well.

We didn't get a chance to see it this time.

Hopefully next time.

A great photo of the Otsu City Fireboat found on the internet.
Credit to the photographer (Not my photo)

SAKAI

Sakai City Fireboat
"Boukai"
OSAKA BAY AREA
Day 20 - September 24, 2023
Soon after we got into Osaka, I got on another train to Sakai, just south of Osaka.
I walked a little ways to this impressive Fire Station with hopes of seeing
the Sakai City Fireboat docked behind the station, almost under the bridge.

Unfortunately, the boat was out of service and away somewhere for maintenance that day.
Obviously disappointing, but this Sakai City Fire Bureau Fire Station, located in a very
industrial area, had some of the largest, most impressive apparatus I saw on the trip.
I have shared these as well.

MORE OF THE SAKAI CITY VISIT

Sakai City Fireboat
"Boukai"
OSAKA BAY AREA
The Empty Dock

A great photo of the Sakai City Fire Bureau found on the internet.
Credit to the photographer (Not my photo, unfortunately)

TOKYO 1 - RINKO

Tokyo Fireboat
"Miyakodori"
Harumi - Rinko Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 12 & 28 - September 16 & October 2, 2023
There are (3) Fireboat Stations in the City of Tokyo.
The largest, and centrally located station is the Rinko Fire Station in Harumi.
I made two trips there to get the boats up close, and took a number of pictures
on various days from the water or from a tram. It is an impressive facility.

"Miyakodori"
The largest Tokyo Fireboat
It was built in 2013
43 meters (140 ft) LOA x 8 meters (26 ft) beam x 2 meters (6.5 ft) draft
Pumps rated at 70,000 LPM Liters Per Min (18,500 gpm)
It is equipped with at least 6 large water cannons.
(2) 15,000 LPM, (2) 10,000 LPM, (2) 5,000 LPM
195 gross tons - travels at 20 knots.
Probably the largest fireboat in Japan.

MORE OF TOKYO 1 - RINKO BOATS

Tokyo Fireboat
"Oedo"
Harumi - Rinko Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 12 & 28 - September 16 & October 2, 2023
The second largest fireboat in the Tokyo fleet is the "Oedo"

"Oedo"
Built 2018
37.6 m (123 Ft) LOA x 9.7 m (31 Ft) Beam x 2.95 m (9.6 Ft) Draft
Tugboat Type Propulsion (2) 360 degrees props
Equipped with 15 m (50 Ft) Elevating platform Snorkle
(2) 10,000 LPM, (1) 3,000 LPM
198 gross Tons - Cruise 13 knots
Stern deck for helo landing
The second largest fireboat in the Tokyo fleet is the "Oedo"

Tokyo Fireboat
"Shibuki"
Harumi - Rinko Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 12 & 28 - September 16 & October 2, 2023
One of the smaller boats, used for rescue and dive operations,
is the "Shibuki" which means "Splash"

"Shibuki"
11.2 m (41 FT) LOA x 3 m (10 FT) Beam x .5 m (1.6 FT) draft
Cruise 30 knots
(3 character name)

Tokyo Fireboat
"Hrumi"
Harumi - Rinko Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 12 & 28 - September 16 & October 2, 2023
The other small boat, used for rescue and other operations is the "Hrumi"

"Shibuki"
Built 2006
14.5 M (47 FT) LOA x 4.0 m (13 FT) Beam x .62 m (2 FT) Draft
(2) 1,500 LPM water cannons
Jet Drive - 35 knots
(3 character name)

Tokyo Fireboat
- unknown name -
Harumi - Rinko Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 12 & 28 - September 16 & October 2, 2023
This small, rigid hull style boat is also a quick way to get to incidents.

The Tokyo - Rinko Fireboat Station from thewater.

TOKYO 2 - TAKANAWA

Tokyo Fireboat
"Kachidoki"
Takanawa Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 25 - September 29, 2023
The second Tokyo Fireboat Station is the Takanawa Fire Station, in the Konan, Minato City area.
It is on an island within the harbor and closest to the west side loop to the Rainbow Bridge.
The boats were observed several times, from a distance, going over the Rainbow Bridge.

The two Fireboats assigned here are nearly identical.
The "Kachidoki" was built in 2015.
The "Ariake" was built in 2018.

"Kachidoki"
23.2 m (76 FT) LOA x 5.95 m (19.5 FT) Beam x 1.15 m (3.7 FT) draft
(4) 5,000 LPM water cannons - Approx 5,000 GPM

My visit to the Takanawa Station was in the afternoon, after my Kawasaki visit.
It was a totally unannounced (typical) visit, where I walked up an introduced myself.
The guys were great. I got a good look at the fireboats from various angles.
I also ended up getting a ride, about 30 meters (100 ft) up in the basket of
a Ladder Truck that was training that day. A definite BONUS!

MORE OF TOKYO 2 - TAKANAWA BOATS

Tokyo Fireboat
"Ariake"
Takanawa Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 25 - September 29, 2023
The "Ariake" is newer, but was out of service at the dock the day I visited.

"Ariake"
23.2 m (76 FT) LOA x 5.95 m (19.5 FT) Beam x 1.15 m (3.7 FT) draft
(4) 5,000 LPM water cannons - Approx 5,000 GPM

The Takanawa Fireboats and a Ladder Truck training,
with the Rainbow Bridge in the background.

The view from above.
Very cool!

TOKYO 3 - HAMACHO - SUMIDA RIVER

Tokyo Fireboat
"Kiyosu"
Hamacho - Sumida River Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 28 - October 2, 2023
The third Fireboat Station in Tokyo is located a little ways up the Sumida River.
There are many bridges over the river, and adjacent waterways, so both of
the boats on the river are low profile and essentially identical.

"Kiyosu"
13 m (42 FT) LOA x 4 M (13 FT) Beam x .6 m (2 FT) Draft
(2) 1,500 LPM
Jet Drive - Low profile

The "Kiyosu" can be identified by the (3) characters in the name on the stern.

MORE OF TOKYO 3 - HAMACHO-SUMIDA BOATS

Tokyo Fireboat
"Hamakaze"
Hamacho - Sumida River Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 28 - October 2, 2023
The second boat on the Sumida River is the "Hamakaze"
which can be identified by (4) characters in the name on the stern.

"Hamakaze"
Built 2008
13 m (42 FT) LOA x 4 M (13 FT) Beam x .6 m (2 FT) Draft
(2) 1,500 LPM
Jet Drive - Low profile

The two boats raft together alongside the river and walking distance from the
Hamacho Fire Station.

YOKOHAMA

Yokohama Fireboat
"Yokohama"
Tsurumi Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
Day 10 - September 14, 2023
The Yokohama Tsurumi Fireboat Station is located on an island in Yokohama Harbor
near the Yokohama Bridge.

There are two fireboats assigned to the station.
The largest of the Fireboats is the "Yokohama"
The smaller Fireboat (not shown) is called the "Mamori"

Yokohama was the first place Robyn & I had gone to own our own.
We took the train and stayed over night for our 38th Anniversary.
Getting to the fireboats looked easy on the map.
We were still new to using the trains, buses, and
other means of getting around.

Our first day, Sept 13, we totally failed, unable to figure out how to
get across the Yokohama Bridge to see the boats.
It was very hot, humid, and frustrating.

After a little more research, we figured it out.
It was our Anniversary.
We made it to the Tsurumi Station and were welcomed,
given a great tour of the boat and had a great time.

MORE OF YOKOHAMA 1 BOATS

Yokohama Fireboat
"Mamori"
Tsurumi Fire Station
TOKYO BAY AREA
The "Mamori" was away the day we visited.

YOKOHAMA 2 - JAPAN COAST GUARD

Yokohama - Coast Guard Fireboat
"Hiryu"
FL-01
TOKYO BAY AREA
The Japan Coast Guard has a large station in Yokohama.
It is located next to Pier 8 and a popular tourist area along the shore.

This was the "First" Fireboat I photographed in Japan.
It is a large, specially designed Coast Guard Fireboat.

There are other Coast Guard vessels, many of which may also have firefighter
capability, but not a large as the "Hiryu."

MORE OF YOKOHAMA 2 - COAST GUARD BOATS

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