A pair of Japanese tall ships call at Kobe under full sail

A pair of Japanese tall ships call at Kobe under full sail

OSAKA, Japan - With sails fully extended, the tall ships Nippon Maru (R) and Kaio Maru (L) berth at Kobe port on Nov. 23 to take part in the 2007 Kobe sailboat festival to mark the 140th anniversary of the opening of Kobe port. At 2,570 tons and 2,556 tons respectively, the Nippon Maru and Kaio Maru are among the largest tall ships in the world. The Kaio Maru will be open to public viewing on Nov. 24, and the Nippon Maru on Nov. 25.

A pair of Japanese tall ships call at Kobe under full sail

A pair of Japanese tall ships call at Kobe under full sail

OSAKA, Japan - With sails fully extended, the tall ships Nippon Maru (L) and Kaio Maru (R) berth at Kobe port on Nov. 23 to take part in the 2007 Kobe sailboat festival to mark the 140th anniversary of the opening of Kobe port. At 2,570 tons and 2,556 tons respectively, the Nippon Maru and Kaio Maru are among the largest tall ships in the world. The Kaio Maru will be open to public viewing on Nov. 24, and the Nippon Maru on Nov. 25.

Stranded Kaio Maru kept away from breakwater

Stranded Kaio Maru kept away from breakwater

TOYAMA, Japan - Cranes are used to keep the training ship Kaio Maru away from a breakwater in Toyama Prefecture on Nov. 24. The vessel was stranded in waters off Toyama port along the Sea of Japan coast in October after it was thrown on the breakwater by high waves caused by a typhoon.

Sailing vessels gather in Yokohama for World Cup festival

Sailing vessels gather in Yokohama for World Cup festival

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Two sailing vessels, Japan's Kaio Maru (rear) and Russia's Nadezhd (fore), are berthed at Yokohama port on June 26. They were joined by six other sailing vessels from three other countries later in the day. The ships are taking part in an international sailing festival, a lead-up to the World Cup final match to take place at International Stadium Yokohama on June 30. (World Cup 2002)

Stranded Kaio Maru kept away from breakwater

Stranded Kaio Maru kept away from breakwater

TOYAMA, Japan - Cranes are used to keep the training ship Kaio Maru away from a breakwater in Toyama Prefecture on Nov. 24. The vessel was stranded in waters off Toyama port along the Sea of Japan coast in October after it was thrown on the breakwater by high waves caused by a typhoon. (Kyodo)

Sailing vessels gather in Yokohama for World Cup festival

Sailing vessels gather in Yokohama for World Cup festival

YOKOHAMA, June 26 Kyodo - Two sailing vessels, Japan's Kaio Maru (rear) and Russia's Nadezhd (fore), are berthed at Yokohama port on June 26. They were joined by six other sailing vessels from three other countries later in the day. The ships are taking part in an international sailing festival, a lead-up to the World Cup final match to take place at International Stadium Yokohama on June 30. (World Cup 2002)

A pair of Japanese tall ships call at Kobe under full sail

A pair of Japanese tall ships call at Kobe under full sail

OSAKA, Japan - With sails fully extended, the tall ships Nippon Maru (R) and Kaio Maru (L) berth at Kobe port on Nov. 23 to take part in the 2007 Kobe sailboat festival to mark the 140th anniversary of the opening of Kobe port. At 2,570 tons and 2,556 tons respectively, the Nippon Maru and Kaio Maru are among the largest tall ships in the world. The Kaio Maru will be open to public viewing on Nov. 24, and the Nippon Maru on Nov. 25. (Kyodo)

A pair of Japanese tall ships call at Kobe under full sail

A pair of Japanese tall ships call at Kobe under full sail

OSAKA, Japan - With sails fully extended, the tall ships Nippon Maru (L) and Kaio Maru (R) berth at Kobe port on Nov. 23 to take part in the 2007 Kobe sailboat festival to mark the 140th anniversary of the opening of Kobe port. At 2,570 tons and 2,556 tons respectively, the Nippon Maru and Kaio Maru are among the largest tall ships in the world. The Kaio Maru will be open to public viewing on Nov. 24, and the Nippon Maru on Nov. 25. (Kyodo)