Day Tour Explore Port City Kure Cruise Battleships and Submarines
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You will visit the Yamato Museum, where your guide will walk you through the exhibits, providing context and explanations about Japan's Navy and Kure's Naval Base. You will also have the opportunity to admire the one-tenth scale model of the battleship Yamato, the largest battleship ever constructed. *NOTE - The Yamato Museum is currently undergoing renovations until March 2026. Due to this, you will be visiting a temporary exhibit titled the "Yamato Museum Satellite" instead. While you will have access to the same type of information, the one-tenth scale model of the battleship Yamato is not viewable at the moment. Instead, you will be able to observe a 1:100 scale model of the Yamato, as well as a full-scale model of the Type Zero Observation Seaplane (Mitsubishi F1M).*
We will tour the JSMDF Museum where you will have the unique experience of stepping inside of a real decommissioned submarine
We will tour the Irifuneyama Memorial Museum, where we will enter 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.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Tour Availability Disclaimer: All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.
Reviews(3)
Isabelle and Koh were very knowledgeable hosts with excellent English. Unfortunately when we went, the main Yamato museum was closed for renovations, but we took in many other sights. The port tour around the ships is well worth doing. Be prepared for lots of walking as it is a full day that takes in a lot of the Kure Harbour area.
I had a wonderful time with guide making arrangement to meet at Hiroshima train station from which we caught a commuter train to naval base for a boat cruise getting close to ships and subs and learning about its history, afterwards walking to museums, through a decommissioned submarine, commander’s base quarters, and hill top view of facility and shipyard. Anyone who enjoys naval history should take this tour. Very informative, and great way to spend the day.
Great day out. Isabel was a super friendly and informative guide. We would be happy to do another tour around Hiroshima with her.
