08:11 "Looks like an old design toilet." This American: "That is an incredibly advanced toilet."

The sense of calm that descends over me whenever I am watching your videos is undeniable. Thank you for these moments of peace.

Definitely an 80s vibe to the entire ship's interior decor! 😆

This is the first time I think we've heard your voice. :) It's very pleasant. Thanks for sharing another great voyage. It's so adorable that the staff wave goodbye as the ship leaves. I love that custom.

We just travelled aboard the Shin Nihonkai! We considered this same journey, but ended up choosing the Otaru-Niigata route, because as you mentioned this one only runs once a week. It was cool to see what the suites are like aboard Lilac. Because we booked our ticket the day before departure, we chose the capsules since that's what was available. Anyway, really enjoy the ferry videos and looking forward to seeing more. Happy travels! 😊⛴🇯🇵

About the DVD player: “Not yet extinct” 😂 absolutely loved that 👍🏽

If anyone is wondering, 'yurine' is the bulb of an edible lilly flower. Typically, more popular in Western Japan than in Eastern Japan although can be found in supermarkets all over Japan at the end of the year. It is often used in new year's dishes although one will be hard pushed to find it in normal supermarkets in Eastern Japan at any other time of the year. I keep the bulbs in the fridge and plant them so that they flower in August. The flower is a wispy orange lilly. I like them, but they are not a variety for decorating one's garden or home.

We get to hear him talk 😮

I'm always amazed that you will eat so many foods that you're not familiar with. I love your sense of humor, like when you said, "Honey, I'm back!" So cute!! Thank you again for a very interesting trip! 🌷😊🌷

Watching this & realising that you sailed around the earthquake zone. I hope you’re safe STJ & sending deep condolences to all those who have suffered loss at this sad time

Can't you buy some sea sickness meds in the shop? When i was a kid in the 80s that style of bathtub was popular. They called them Garden tubs because frequently there would be windows in the corner behind the tub and people would commonly put plants in that corner of flat space. I thought they were so classy but i thought the same of waterbeds

19:11 - You got a bear and ice cream? 19:18 - Ohhhh *Beer* 19:34 - Bear beer...? Ah, that explains it! A great video as always, STJ, with everything so lovingly decorated with taste and, I think, the most we've heard you talk in a video. I'm glad you make these videos for us because otherwise some of us would never get to see it Love to do this myself, but I doubt that I could learn enough Japanese to hold a talk on the phone for meals

OMG! 22:09 Is that your real voice??? I was really surprised. I love Japan, Japanese culture. And hence I have been watching your videos for so long, never miss any. And I don't think I remember hearing your voice particularly in any of them. I don't wanna sound weird but I think it was the highlight of my day 😂😂😂 If it was truly you... Well woww!!!... And even if not... Still made my day... And I must say you are hilarious too. I absolutely love and enjoy watching your work, keep making such videos!!

Prayers to all in Japan on this 1st day of 2024. 🙏❤🙏❤🙏❤

8:11 "Looks like an old design toilet." Looks space-age to me, as though it would send me right into orbit if I pressed the wrong button. ;)

The interior gave me 80’s vibes, especially that bathtub…but the food looked edible. Nice video👍🏼

STJ: “I got a bear” Me: Oh no sir, I’ve seen your older video. You’re not fooling me. You want me to think you meant beer, but it’s actually a bottle with a bear picture on it. I see what you’re doing. STJ: Shows an actual beer can. Me: Oh, I guess I was wrong. Maybe he really did mean beer this time. STJ: Shows there is a picture of a bear on the beer can Me: Son of a…

Never clicked so fast….. I absolutely lovvvvvvve these long ferry rides !!!!!🩷

"Please enjoy" *opens fridge* *basically empty fridge* Not going to lie... that got me

STJ-san, this looked like a gourmet restaurant that also takes you places! That was an awfully long time to be on a ferry, though, so thank you for showing it to us!

I hope you are safe and well after today’s earthquake. Please let us know that you are OK. ❤

Beer = 🍺 Bear = 🐻 👍👍👍

I must say, my friend, Japan is absolutely incredible and it is definitely a destination I aspire to visit. It would be a dream come true to meet you in person someday, as you have a remarkable talent for exploring and enjoying new places.

Love the ship, Love the video! You seem like such a kind person I don’t think you would ever complain about the food, you find enjoyment in life, that is a good thing. Thanks for always sharing your adventures with us. 😊

The suite for £400 with all meals included is good value for such a long voyage.

Those meals looked to be a real highlight of the trip

I love how there was so much food included in your trip! Arigato gozaimasu 🇦🇺 💝 🇯🇵

Thank you STJ for sharing this trip with us! I hope you enjoyed your stay on the ferry despite the rough weather.

I always enjoy these as well as being a little jealous.

Kenshin sandwich! That made my night. Felt like a kid again.

I must admit, although this ship is older than the ships you usually take, it does appear to be very well maintained.

Dear STJ , my mom and I love to watch your videos!! They are so interesting as we have never traveled to Japan. We have been worried 😟 about you since the recent earthquake! Praying that you and your family are Okay 😟😥

The food choices were interesting, not at all.predictable & they did not repeat a meal. Pity the Sea spoilt your appetite at the last but never mind you arrived relaxed & that is how you should feel when you travel by boat or ship. Thanks for your calm videos, no flashy special effects & music & voiceovers, you allow the viewer to imagine themselves there. 👍

😊❤😊❤ thank you for letting us hear your voice i know some people dont thinl its a big deal but ive watched and waited to hear your voice just have been courious

I like how you meticulously have every little thing planned out. If you have alittle time you find something to eat or look around before you get on a ferry or whatever. You make me nervous. I’m a worrier! I can’t do that I have to stay right there I’d be afraid I’ll miss the boat or flight. I get worried for you too. Sometimes you can’t get on a bus or shuttle because it’s crowded or something! You seem so calm about everything but your hand shakes when you get upset… pretty funny. You seem very nice and sincere

Always great videos ….. Arigato !

The longer ferry rides seem to be my favorite. You can't get a bed or explore planes or trains for 40 hours. I also like the unique places such as the fish market, the historical village, the weird islands. Think of going to Japan's space launch center, any sea tunnels [engineering], chef schools, short fishing excursions, the financial or government districts, the Fukashima site, etc.

Hi! I've loved watching your videos almost since you started posting them. Just wanted to leave a comment that I hope you're alright given everything that is happening over the right now. ❤

Spa bath, very cool. Yeah I don't think I've ever drank a fridge before. 😊

That cabin looked like a 90's hotel room. Feels like I've been there before :p That TV unit was clearly design to hold an old CRT unite! Bathroom looked fun, I'm kinda jealous.

We all pray that you and everybody else is safe in Japan 🙏

Day 2 evening meal looks pretty, and more substantial.

I just want to say. Thank you! Merry Christmas.

One of my favorite channels on KZfaq keep it up.

Bear beer and Ruroni Kenshin ice cream. Good choice. Thank you, as always.

You've never seen a tub like that cause it's a dinosaur from the 1980s! lol! Don't think that place has been refreshed since then. When you opened the tv cabinet I just KNEW you'd find a dvd player. I hated that pink carpet. YUCK! But the food looked EXCELLENT! BTW, I'm one of those lucky people who NEVER get seasick! Great video!

Corner Bath is very retro! Very big in the 1980’s……..but not seen very often now! Bon voyage.

You might want to ask your doctor about scopolamine transdermal patch for motion sickness. My friends in the navy said it works very well.

I loved it when you wrote at 22:40 "Japanese style (you can't choose)". 😄I would have no complaint if all my three meals were Japanese style, but I might complain a bit it they were all American style. 😄 I am an Asian American who lived in Japan for a few years. I loved Japanese food.

that ;last meal, as spectacular as it was.......needed a bowl of rice....in my opinion.

Hee...when you said 'beer and ice cream', I was half-awake and read it as 'bear and ice cream'. Then you turned the beer can around, and it was indeed bear and ice cream! :-)

Definitely a luxurious experience proving you don't have to be an emperor to eat like one! It looks like anything served in a box is going to be delicious! All started with the benton boxes!

Beutiful. 😮Been watching your videos for a while now. Your ferries in Japan are like mini cruise ships. In America, most of our ferries are just empty spaces with benches and snacks/very little for food. I'm jealous.

What a shame you couldn't really enjoy that beautiful meal! But how lovely to hear your voice in this one.

I was so sorry to hear about your earthquake damage and tsunamis. I hope you're safe.

I like how you include a little bit of your own voice in these now. You even gave us some eating ASMR in this one which was a nice touch!

Shin Nihonkai! Shin Nihonkai! Taiyo ni mamorarete... Wait... Wrong company... 😹✌️

The beer bear is adorable.

And thank you for another wonderful video! It did look very relaxing, and all the food was gorgeous. It's too bad they didn't have motion sickness meds in the shop, though.

I love that the very 90s style boat even serves ice cream with characters from a 90s anime.

It looked as if you were the only person on the ship lol. Soo relaxing.

I love this suite! comfy and commodious but the DVD Player broke my heart! I guess that's because I'm your grandparent's age.... but this video was epic STJ!!! ***** Happy Solstice to you, and thanks for easing me into welcoming 🙏slumber....💜✌🤟

I love watching your videos while I work on paperwork. I am jealous of all the delicious food you get to eat T.T

You must have been starving! Those set meals were a fraction of what you typically eat 😆

"The carpet looks like Space Invaders" 😂

This is so nice. This ferry is clearly older, but in really lovely shape for her age! Whole place seems very well kept-up and the meals looked great! Oh, and the very rare voice-over by famous actor STJ!!! Seems like you really got your money's worth on this trip. Quiet, peaceful, delicious. *nods sagely* An excellent voyage, weather or no.

Thank you for sharing. From Vancouver Island Canada 😊

Wow the food looked excellent and the suite was spacious.

Love watching what u going to eat, very nice on this ferry

We realy enjoyed your video! So sad that the ship was tired. However, the food looked really nice! Thank you again for sharing with us!

Service is operating once a week because Lilac’s sister ship, Yuukari, is currently somewhere in Aioi for repairs. I wonder how bad this affected the Tomakomai-Akita-Niigata-Tsuruga service.

Beautiful!

34 hours without curry? How did you survive?

Cute typo! I thought you bought a stuffed teddy bear 😂😂

Beautiful breakfast!

I was once on a cruise in the Caribbean during moderate seas, it was exciting and loved it. Would be great to have a bath with a view like yours however. I'd just sit there in the hot water for hours, with a bottle of wine! LOL. Thank you for video.

Merry christmas

Nice soothing vid

I think the meals lacked enough rice but I enjoyed your video so much

Yeah I would totally take all my meals in house.

Your videos are making me very hungry! I would like to travel to Japan just for the food!

Travel by ferry looks so comfortable!

The bathtub is similar in design to what is known as a "Garden Tub" and is frequently found in American modular housing builds. (I have one in my master bath.)

The red bathtub was very popular in the 1980s and 1990s. The whole ship looks about 30 years old,but still comfortable condition.

What a fun journey!

Nice trip,delicious food

The way you navigate corners makes me suspicious that you might be a roomba

Wishing you a Happy 2024!

The main activity on the ship is eating LOL LOL LOL I thought that too watching you. Which is why at my decade, I avoid such adventures. Eating in not an advent anymore.. Your very entertaining. Thanks.

Bear!!! Hahahaha! Got me

Beautiful

"The main activity on the ship is eating." Okay, I like that.😅 Want to do this again. We took a similar ferry from Kyushu to Tokyo and I also looked forward to every meal 😅. I miss that experience. 😊 Enjoy the Golden Week!

The mismatched furniture gives the thrift store vibe. It's like your 1st apartment or dorm room mixed with cheap buys or on borrow from parents. It's clean but bare bones in the bathroom

I like your videos and this video did me think about a ferry trip I made about 20 years ago, between Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Hull (England) with wind force 12. I had the trip of my life! I have to say I like ferry trips and I made them all between the Netherlands and the UK. Windforce 12. You can't give me more joy! 😆😆😆

Very nice video!

Very brave you travel on rough winter season. ❤

Thank you for another enjoyable video. Always interesting. But the bathtub 😂

That is the cutest Bear beer I've ever seen☺️ thanks for this video. It's great❤

Merry Christmas ☃️🎄

I think i would still prefer the Buffet over arranged meals ^^