After strolling through the sake brewery street in “Saijo,” known as one of Japan’s three major sake production areas, you’ll visit “Kure,” which flourished as a naval city and is known for its advanced shipbuilding technology. Here, you’ll enjoy a warship tour cruise, the Yamato Museum, and the JMSDF Kure Museum. You’re sure to feel the unique charm of Kure, where a distinct history and culture breathe, developed as a naval port.
Hiroshima Station → Saijo Sake Brewery Street Stroll → Irifuneyama Memorial Museum → Kure Shopping Street → Yamato Museum Satellite → Tetsunokujira-kan (Whale of Iron Museum) → Hiroshima Station
Departure from Hiroshima Station (around 9:00 AM)
Travel: 50 minutes by car
Saijo Sake Brewery Street Stroll (60 minutes)
“Saijo,” known as one of Japan’s leading sake production areas, is a rare and valuable area in Japan where eight sake breweries are dotted along a mere 1.5 km stretch. You can leisurely stroll while admiring the beautiful brewery architecture with white walls and lattice windows. Some breweries offer paid tastings, so compare them and find your favorite sake.
Travel: 50 minutes by car
Irifuneyama Memorial Museum (40 minutes)
The “Irifuneyama Memorial Museum” preserves historical buildings centered around the former Commander-in-Chief’s Residence of the Kure Naval District. The residence, which blends Meiji-era Western and Japanese architectural styles, is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, offering a glimpse into the lives of high-ranking officials of the time. The “Kinkarakami” wallpaper, in particular, is a must-see. It is a valuable place for deeply understanding Kure’s modern history.
Travel: 5 minutes by car
Kure Shopping Street / Lunch (70 minutes)
Kure Shopping Street is a historic shopping arcade with a retro atmosphere, beloved by locals. A unique food culture, rooted in its history as a former naval port city, has taken hold here, and there are many restaurants offering local foods and specialties that can only be found in Kure. Enjoy strolling while soaking in the atmosphere of a good old-fashioned shopping street.
Travel: 5 minutes by car
Kure Bay Warship Cruise (50 minutes)
This is one of the few naval port cruises in Japan where you can view the impressive sight of submarines and escort ships from the sea. The types of warships docked vary by day, so there are new discoveries every time you visit.
Travel: 5 minutes on foot
Yamato Museum (Kure Maritime Museum) (50 minutes)
A must-visit when in Kure is the “Yamato Museum,” where you can learn about Japan’s science, technology, and history. Upon entering the museum, the first thing that catches your eye is the giant battleship Yamato, reproduced at 1/10 scale. Its intricate craftsmanship vividly conveys the high level of Japanese shipbuilding technology at the time. *Closed for renovation until March 2026. Reopening is scheduled for April 2026.
Travel: 5 minutes on foot
Tetsunokujira-kan (Whale of Iron Museum) (50 minutes)
This facility clearly introduces the activities of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The biggest highlight is the actual giant submarine “Akishio” displayed on land. You can also tour the inside of the submarine, allowing you to experience and learn about the lives of the crew in a confined space and the mechanisms of a submarine.
