Destination Highlight: Naval History of Kure

The city of Kure, known for its maritime history and shipbuilding, dates back to the 1886 establishment of the Kure Naval Station. About 45 minutes from the pier, visit the Kure Maritime Museum, home to a 1/10 scale model of the battleship Yamato, a symbol of Japan’s shipbuilding legacy, and WWII artifacts that highlight the war’s impact. Next, explore the JMSDF Kure Museum, showcasing submarines and minesweepers, and the Irifuneyama Memorial Museum, once the residence of the Naval Station’s Commander in Chief, blending Japanese and Western architecture. Your final stop is Alley Karasukojima, offering a scenic view of docked vessels and historic brick warehouses that recall Kure’s naval port days.