In 1929, HIKAWA MARU was completed for Nippon Yusen KK Line. In 1930, she commenced service between Kobe and Seattle. In 1941, she was requisitioned by the IJN and converted to a hospital ship. HIKAWA MARU was the most active IJN hospital ship operating during the war. From 1945 to 1947 she was used as a transport for the Allied Repatration Service. Later, she operated as a freighter to the US East Coast until 1954. Thereafter, she re-commenced her original trans-Pacific passenger service until 1960. Today, she is a popular attraction as a restaurant at Yokohama.