On Nov. 4, JR Kyushu’s new high-speed ferry, the Queen Beetle, began service between Fukuoka and Busan, South Korea. The trip takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes between the two cities’ ports. The double-decker ferry measures 83.5 meters in length. With a capacity of 502, it has about 2.5 times more passenger seats than the regular Beetle. Seatbelts are not required during operation, and there are duty-free stores and dining areas on board where passengers can enjoy eating and shopping as they travel. Although the first international voyage was postponed for about two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are high expectations for a recovery in inbound tourism demand.