1-Day Tour: Port City Kure - Cruise, Battleships, Submarines & More!

Not far from Hiroshima city lies the historic naval port town of Kure. Before and during World War II, this city became the largest military port in East Japan. It Is known as one of the greatest shipbuilding cities in the world, and it is where the largest battleship of all time, Yamato, was constructed. Kure is also currently home to one of the major bases of the Japanese Navy.

Join this 1-Day Kure tour to enjoy a mini-cruise ride on the Kure Bay area, learn about the role of the Japanese Navy during and after the war, and understand the key role this city played in the modernization of Japan. Guests will also have the unique opportunity to walk inside a decommissioned submarine and view the inside of the former residence of the Kure Naval Station Commander-in-Chief.

This tour is a must for ship and history enthusiasts! There is no better place to visit if you wish to get a first-hand experience of Japan’s naval technology.

Highlights

• Enjoy a scenic cruise around Kure harbor, getting a closer look at the ships and submarines which lie within
• Sample local specialties such as Kure JMSDF Curry, Kure Reimen, chicken skin in miso, and more!
• Learn about the history of the Japanese Navy and the technological contributions of Kure by visiting the Yamato Museum
• Observe a one-tenth scale model of the battleship Yamato, the largest battleship ever constructed
• Take part in the unique experience of touring the inside of one of Japan’s decommissioned submarines, Akishio
• Admire the unobstructed view of Kure’s historic shipyard and other historic sites
• Explore the beautiful former residence of Kure’s Naval Station Commander-in-Chief and learn about the unique architecture of the Meiji era
• Take a relaxing stroll by the sea as you look upon the vessels anchored at the pier

*For those looking to join the tour from Kyoto/Osaka, please see the FAQ section.

Description

This tour will begin at Hiroshima Station at 9:30 AM. Your guide will meet you by the Shinkansen gates under the Tourist Information sign. There are coin lockers available at the station if you wish to leave any belongings behind, but we ask that you show up a bit earlier to the meet-up spot if this is the case. From here, you and your guide will head to Kure.

The first activity of the day will be taking part in a scenic cruise of Kure harbor. You will board a boat alongside other guests and sail towards the many battleships, submarines and cargo ships used by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Guests will be able to get a closer look at vessels which can only be observed from afar when standing on the shore. You might even catch a glimpse of officers as they go about their workday.

Throughout the cruise, your guide will provide you with explanations and commentary regarding the ships, such as their history and purpose. Guests can enjoy this unique experience sitting on the open rooftop deck or inside the boat.

After this activity, we will break for lunch and free time near the pier. Why not take this opportunity to try some of Kure’s local specialties? You could order the Kure JMSDF Curry, which is a faithful reproduction of the curry eaten on warships and thus is served on a food tray. If curry is not your thing, you can always try Kure Reimen, which are cold noodles soaked in a spicy, sweet and sour sauce. For those who are a bit more daring you could even order some miso-braised chicken skin. There are plenty of unique dishes to choose from!

After lunch, we will head to the Yamato Museum, where you will learn about the history of Kure, it’s involvement in Japan’s military conflicts, and the science and technologies that were developed in this city. Your guide will walk you through the exhibits, providing context and explanations about Japan’s Navy and Kure’s Naval Base. You will observe how Kure developed throughout the centuries and became the major port city that it still is today.

Guests will be able to look at ship blueprints as well as authentic items from World War II such as the Zero Fighter Type 62. Of course, you will also have the chance to admire the one-tenth scale model of the battleship Yamato, the largest battleship ever constructed.

The next stop will be the JMSDF Museum. It is run by the Self-Defense Force itself and is mainly about the tasks performed by the Japanese Navy, with heavy focus on minesweeping. In this museum your guide will once again walk you through the different exhibits and provide necessary context. You will then have the unique experience of stepping into a real decommissioned submarine. As you walk through the vessel, you will be able to picture what life inside a submarine is like.

Our next destination will be the Irifuneyama Memorial Museum, where we will tour the former official residence of the Kure Naval Station Commander-in-Chief. This home is a stunning example of the beautiful and unique architecture that developed in Japan during the Meiji era. During this time period, Japanese culture was greatly influence by the West and this was reflected in the fashion, architecture, and transportation of the time.

Inside this residence you will learn about the family that once resided in it and observe its distinctive interior design. The contrast between the Western and Japanese style rooms provides a lot of insight into this specific time period. The scenery outside the house is also quite charming and includes a clocktower which plays melodies written by Kure students.

The last two stops of the tour will provide additional great views of the Kure Shipyard and JMSDF vessels. First, we will head to a small hill which will allow guests to enjoy a panoramic view of Kure which shows its evolution from military port to a peaceful and industrious city. From here you can also see the place were the battleship Yamato was built.

A short distance from this hill, one can find the public park, Alley Karasukojima. Here you can get an even closer look at the submarines operated by the Japanese Navy. Across the street you will also notice the brick warehouses built during the Meiji era, which give the are a quaint and charming look. Taking a relaxing stroll down this peaceful harbor and feeling the calm sea breeze will be the perfect end to this tour.

Finally, you will head back to Hiroshima Station, where the tour will end in front of the Shinkansen gates. Feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.

TOUR MEETUP POINT

HIROSHIMA STATION @ 9:30 A.M.

The meetup point is under the Tourist Information sign outside of the Shinkansen gates. 

If you are arriving via Shinkansen, the sign will be located directly to your left as you exit the gates.

If you are arriving via a JR line, please look for signs directing you towards the Shinkansen gates. It is located on the same floor as the JR lines gates.

For those coming from outside the station via bus, your first task will be to find an Underground Passage and then following the signs directing you to Hiroshima Station. These underground passages are usually located very close to bus stops. Once you have made it to Hiroshima Station, follow the signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

For those coming from outside the station via Streetcar, Hiroshima Station will be right next to you. Follow the signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

Lastly, if you wish to arrive via taxi, please ask the driver to drop you off at the Shinkansen Entrance (also known as North Entrance). After arriving, please look for signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

When you arrive, be sure to look for the guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign. We highly recommend arriving early as Hiroshima Station is currently under heavy construction and can be quite disorienting.   

NOTES

Included

• English speaking guide
• Entry fees at all tour locations
• Transportation to/from activities

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Transportation to meeting point

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or raincoat if necessary.
• There is a 35-minute-long ferry ride on this tour. We ask that you take precautionary measures if you are prone to experiencing seasickness.
• In the summer, temperature highs are around 32 °C (90 °F) and above with extreme humidity. We recommend wearing something light and airy while minding sunburn and heatstroke. A parasol, sunblock, and drinking water are highly encouraged.
• Winter temperatures in Hiroshima average between 1°C-10°C. (34°F-50°F). Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for cold conditions.