TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The cruise ship Mitsui Ocean Fuji docked at Anping Port in Tainan for the first time on Wednesday morning.

Tainan City government arranged a traditional cultural performance to celebrate the ship’s arrival, according to a city government press release. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) presented gifts to the passengers, including dried fruit and brochures promoting Tainan’s attractions.

Huang said the Mitsui Ocean Fuji primarily carries high-end tour groups from Japan, Europe, and the US. On this voyage, the ship departed from Naha, Japan, and is stopping at Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Keelung.

The mayor hoped that well-planned urban tours would allow visitors to experience Tainan’s cityscape and its historical connections with Japan.

According to the city government, the Mitsui Ocean Fuji is a luxury cruise brand launched in 2023 by Mitsui Ocean Cruises, part of Japan’s Mitsui shipping group.

Meanwhile, Wagon Group’s ferry service between Keelung and Ishigaki has been delayed until the end of January. The ship, Yaima Maru, is still undergoing refurbishment and will later conduct sea trials before launching service.