[2025 Kure Attraction] Travel Guide for Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kure Museum (Updated Jul)

**Hiroshima·Kure City: A Historical Town of the Japanese Navy** Kure City is located in the southeast of Hiroshima Prefecture, bordering the Seto Inland Sea. It has been an important naval base and shipbuilding center in Japan since the Meiji era. As one of the four major naval bases of the old Japanese Navy, the Kure Naval Factory has built many famous warships, including the world's largest battleship "Yamato". ### **History of Kure and Warships** 1. **The Rise of the Naval Base**: In 1886, the Kure Naval Factory was established. With its natural harbor and geographical advantages, it gradually developed into the core of the Japanese Navy. 2. **The Glory of Battleship Construction**: Before World War II, the Kure Naval Factory built battleships such as "Nagato" and "Yamato", and its technical strength was the world's leading. 3. **The Birth and Sinking of the Yamato**: In 1941, the "Yamato" was secretly built in Kure Port, symbolizing the ambitions of the Japanese Navy. It was eventually sunk by the US military in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. ### **Kure City Today** After the war, Kure City transformed into a Self-Defense Force base and shipbuilding city. **Kure City Maritime History and Science Museum (Yamato Museum)** is the core attraction, exhibiting a 1/10 model of the "Yamato" and naval historical materials, telling the military memory of Kure. In addition, **Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Historical Museum** and the retired submarine "Akishio" also attract military enthusiasts. Kure City combines war lessons and peace visions. From a military port to a tourist city, its history reminds people to reflect on war and cherish peace. #Kure #Hiroshima

#Spring0yenTrip Kure is a port town with a strong naval history, and visiting it is a place where you can feel its historical background. In particular, at the Kure City Maritime History and Science Museum (Yamato Museum), I was able to spend a moving time learning about the history of the war and the model of the Yamato battleship. By touching the actual ship models and materials on display in the museum, I was able to feel the majestic figure of the fleet and navy at that time, which was very impressive. There is also Kure Bay and the Iron Whale Museum, which overlook Kure Port, and I was able to feel the atmosphere of the town while strolling along the seaside. The streets of Kure itself have an atmosphere unique to a port town, and when you stand in a place facing the sea, the sound of the waves and the breeze are pleasant, and time flows leisurely. The gap between the history as a naval port town and the calm townscape of today is interesting, and it was a place where you could feel the weight of history once again.

#springwander The Maritime Self-Defence Force Kure Historical Museum, also known as "Tetsuno Kujira Museum", is open to the public as a museum of "Akishio", which was active as a Self-Defence Force submarine from 1986 to 2004. It is the only valuable historical museum in Japan where you can visit the interior of the submarine that was actually operating. When you enter the building, the first floor introduces the history of Kure and the Maritime Self-Defence Force, which have developed as a "Navy Town" since the opening of the former Naval Guard Office in Kure in 1889. In Japan, an island country surrounded by the sea, you can learn about the history of today's Maritime Self-Defence Force from the navy to the inaugural of today's Maritime Self-Defence Force after the war, such as engaged in sea sweeping.

📍Kure Maritime Self-Defense Force Museum (Tetsuno Kujirakan) 📍Address: 5-32 Takaramachi, Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 737-0029 🕰️Business hours: 10:00AM-6:00PM (closed on Tuesdays) 💰Price per person: Free! ------------------------------------------------This is the Tetsuno Kujirakan, a museum run by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture! Here, you can actually enter a real submarine that was actually in use, and inside you can observe the beds and machines used by the crew! What's more, admission is free! Currently, the nearby Yamato Museum is undergoing full renovation until around February 2026, so you may have fewer opportunities to go to Kure, but I think you'll still enjoy this museum alone, so please be sure to visit! #Spring0yentrip

This is a museum about the Yamato, the world's largest battleship, which sank in the fierce battle of Okinawa during World War II. It is located in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and can be reached from Hiroshima city in about 45 minutes by express bus. The catchphrase "Home of Yamato" is prominently displayed in the shipyard, and a scaled-down model of the Yamato is leisurely displayed inside the museum. There are models of not only Yamato but all battleships, but the size of the Yamato stands out. There is also a model of a Kaiten on display. #100 Travel Style

Its official name is the Kure Maritime Self-Defense Force Museum, but it is commonly known as the Iron Whale Museum. The submarine in front of the building is not a dummy or fake, but a real retired submarine. You will be overwhelmed by its size when you see it up close. The best thing about it is that there is no admission fee. I think it is a facility that enthusiasts will love, but the general public can also enjoy it. There are exhibits of the interior of submarines and torpedoes. You can also enter the real submarine on the outside. The Yamato Museum is right in front of it, so be sure to visit both.

Bear Walk: A well-behaved bear meets an iron whale in Kure City! The Bear bumped into an Iron Whale in Kure City! ♪☆(^O^)／ #Outing #Memories