JMSDF Kure Museum, Kure

Name: JMSDF Kure Museum
Address: 5-32 Takaramachi, Kure, 737-0029, Japan
Telephone: +81 823-21-6111

#2 among attractions in Kure

Top attraction, Museum, Specialty museum, History museum, More...

Gallery (11)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wei-Te Wong / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Fuji-s / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Hunini / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Trần Nguyễn Minh Huy / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Trần Nguyễn Minh Huy / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / メルビル / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Z3144228 / URL

Facts and practical information

The JMSDF Kure Museum, located in the city of Kure, Japan, is a maritime museum with a unique focus on the history and technology of submarines. This museum, also known as the "Iron Whale Museum," offers visitors an immersive experience into the world of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), with its centerpiece being the retired JMSDF submarine Akishio (SS-579).

Visitors to the museum can explore the interior of the Akishio, a real decommissioned submarine, to gain a firsthand understanding of the living and working conditions faced by submariners. The museum provides a detailed look into the technological advancements and strategic importance of submarines in modern naval defense.

In addition to the submarine itself, the JMSDF Kure Museum features exhibits on anti-submarine warfare, minesweeping, and other aspects of the JMSDF's operations. Artifacts, interactive displays, and models provide a comprehensive overview of the history and evolution of Japan's naval forces.

The museum is also known for its educational programs, which are designed to engage visitors of all ages in learning about maritime science and history. The museum's location in Kure, a city with a rich naval heritage, underscores its significance as a repository of Japan's maritime legacy.

Local name: 海上自衛隊呉史料館 Established: 5 April 2007 (17 years ago)Coordinates: 34°14'32"N, 132°33'18"E

Address

5-32 TakaramachiKure 737-0029 Japan

Contact

+81 823-21-6111

Website

Social media

Add

Kure

Day trips

JMSDF Kure Museum – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Yamato Museum, JDS Akishio, Naval Academy Etajima, Hui ke feng.

~480 ftSE
Museum, Specialty museum, Maritime museum
Yamato Museum, Kure
3 min walk • The Yamato Museum, formally known as the Kure Maritime Museum, is a testament to Kure's maritime heritage, located in the coastal city of Kure, Japan. This museum is a prominent attraction for both history buffs and naval enthusiasts.
~70 ftS
Ship
JDS Akishio, Kure
1 min walk • Akishio is a retired Japanese diesel-electric Yūshio-class submarine. She was laid down in 1983, launched in 1985, commissioned in 1986, and served until 2004. She served as part of both the 1st and 5th Submarine Squadrons of the 1st Submarine Flotilla. She took part in numerous drills, including the Pacific Reach 2000 drills.
4.6 miW
Historical place, Universities and schools
Naval Academy Etajima, Etajima
118 min walk • Etajima base in Etajima city, Hiroshima prefecture is in the Etajima-cho government building and is the base of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Beside housing the 1st Technical School and the Officer Candidates School, it is home to the local Kure Naval District, LCAC training facilities, and Self-Defense Force oil storage.
2.9 miNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Hui ke feng, Kure
75 min walk • Haigamine is an independent peak in the northern part of the city of Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is the second highest mountain in Kure City after Mt. Noro, with an elevation of 737 meters.
1.6 miW
Museum
Japan Coast Guard Museum, Setonaikai National Park
42 min walk • The Japan Coast Guard Museum is a museum dedicated to the Japanese Coast Guard in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. It is located on the grounds of the Japan Coast Guard Academy.
1.7 miW
Universities and schools
Japan Coast Guard Academy, Setonaikai National Park
45 min walk • The Japan Coast Guard Academy is a university-level service academy established within the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for the purpose of training students to become Coast guard officers.
3.2 miW
Ship
Japanese cruiser Izumo, Setonaikai National Park
82 min walk • Izumo was the lead ship of her class of armored cruisers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the late 1890s. As Japan lacked the industrial capacity to build such warships itself, the ship was built in Britain. She often served as a flagship and participated in most of the naval battles of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905.