'Bookship' makes port in Fukuoka

FUKUOKA (Kyodo) The world's largest floating bookshop, housed on a 93-year-old vessel, opened to the public Saturday at Hakata port in the city of Fukuoka, boasting about 500,000 books and 350 volunteers from more than 50 countries.

The 6,818-ton Doulos, the world's oldest ocean-going passenger vessel still in service, docked at Chuo Pier on Friday. It will be open to the public for 10 days.

The vessel is offering an onboard book fair, international cafe, English conversation lounge and tours until May 21.

It is the vessel's first visit to Hakata port.

The 130-meter-long ship was built in 1914, making it only about two years younger than the Titanic.

The Doulos was built as a freighter and was remodeled as a passenger ship before being bought by a German-based nonprofit charity organization. After Hakata, the Doulos will call at Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, and Niigata.