I'm gonna be the Pirate King~ Set sail on the real-life Thousand Sunny!

Text & Photography by Chi Binghui

The best-selling manga in Japanese history, ONE PIECE, announced in 2010 that it had reached 200 million copies sold. The 61st volume released this year sold 3.8 million copies in its first print run alone. Over the past decade-plus, royalties and merchandise revenue have been astronomical, with an enormous global fanbase. Any event related to One Piece is almost guaranteed to be a huge hit. Don’t worry if you missed the recently concluded One Piece exhibition in Japan—Huis Ten Bosch in Kyushu is definitely the must-visit destination of the year. Hop aboard the real-life “Thousand Sunny” and set sail!

Huis Ten Bosch, the resort park in Kyushu, has gone through three operators and celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. The heavily invested “Kingdom of Flowers” and “Thousand Sunny” have contributed to booming business, attracting large crowds every holiday. Last year, Huis Ten Bosch launched its “One Piece Theme Park,” which received great acclaim. This year, riding on that success, the park transformed an existing ship into the “Thousand Sunny,” officially opening it to the public in April. All the Straw Hat Pirates appear on board, giving you plenty of time to take photos during the 20-minute cruise.

One Piece promotional posters can be seen all over Huis Ten Bosch. Follow the map to the dock located in the “Free Zone.” As you get closer to the “Thousand Sunny,” excitement builds. Along the way, you’ll pass the entire Straw Hat Pirates flag display, the One Piece shop, and life-sized character cutouts. If your boarding time hasn’t arrived or you’re not boarding, you can still take photos here to make up for it.