Kure City
Kure City - Aiming for a happy and attractive city that is resilient to disasters
Kure City is located in the south west of Hiroshima Prefecture. This city is comprised of a landside facing Seto Inland Sea and smaller isles such as Kurahashishima Island and Akinada Islands. It is a seaside city blessed with a mild climate and natural environment.
As soon as the operation of former Kure 'Chinju-fu (naval base)' started in 1889, naval arsenals and related facilities were built one after another. Workers gathered from all over Japan to build the city infrastructure. The municipality was established in 1902. Kure City had developed as a city with Japan's top naval shipyard, for example, the battleship "Yamato" was built there in 1941.
When the Second World War ended and the Japanese navy was abolished, Kure City was restored successfully as a new seaside industrial district by constructively transferring former military assets with the aim of transforming the city into a peace-time industrial coast city. Furthermore, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kure District was set up and the Kure is now moving forward with new city construction based on "coexistence and co-prosperity" together with the JMSDF.
In 2000, the city was designated as a special city. The eight towns of the inland area and island area around Kure were merged with Kure City from 2003 to 2005 and the city was reborn as western Japan's premium city with both beautiful islands and a coastline.
In 2012, the city commemorated the 110th anniversary of its municipality. Kure now plans to further increase the appeal of the city (such as extensive medical treatment, education, and culture, and establishment of many companies) and promote autonomous and self-reliant new city construction through cooperative efforts while enhancing its ties with neighboring cities.
Official tree of Kure City
Oak
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Official flower of Kure City
Camellia
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| Municipality enforcement |
October 1, 1902 |
| Area |
352.83 km2 |
| Population |
204,946 |
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Yamato MuseumYamato Museum
This museum exhibits a "1/10th scale battleship Yamato," which is an authentic reproduction of the battleship Yamato built in Kure, as well as large-size reference materials of the Zero fighter plane and "Kaiten" manned torpedoes, among others. The museum is intended to let people learn about the history of Kure, importance of peace, and outstanding nature of science and technology through "Yamato."
JMSDF Kure Museum
This is the only museum of history in Japan that exhibits a real submarine on land.
Visitors can go inside the submarine and learn about the history of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) and role of a minesweeper.
Irihuneyama Memorial Museum (former Kure Naval District Commander-in-Chief official residence)
The former Kure Naval District Commander-in-Chief official residence in the museum was restored to its original form as it was when built in 1905. It is designated as a national important cultural property.
Street of Kure Art Museum
This beautiful, tree-lined street with red brick pavements has many sculptures of famous artists scattered throughout its gentle-sloped stretch. It is selected as "100 best roads in Japan."
MaritimeSelf DefenseForce Kure District Inspector General Department Building
This building was completed in 1907. It is one of the representative brick buildings that convey the excellent harmony between brick and granite in Kure City.
Rekishi no Mieru Oka (Panoramic Site of old Naval Arsenals)
From this hill, visitors can get a splendid panoramic view of the remains of the dock that built the battleship Yamato as well as the factories (remains of former Kure naval shipyard), which symbolizes the post-Meiji period history of Kure.
Alley Karasu-kojimaAlley Karasu-kojima
This is the only park in Japan where the visitors can view submarines from a close distance. This park projects a retro ambiance with brick buildings of the former Kure naval shipyard all around. The area reminds you of the history of Kure, which was once a hub for the Japanese Navy.
Nagasako Park (Old Naval Cemetery)
This place was opened as a burial site for mainly naval officers in 1890. Today, it has been developed into a park. There is a war memorial for the war dead of the battleship Yamato in the park.
Nightscape from Mt. Haigamine
This mountain is 737 meters high. The remains of an anti-aircraft gun of the former Japanese Navy have been renovated as an observation deck that allows visitors to enjoy a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the area. You can have a beautiful night view of the port city. This night view is widely known as one of the three famous nightscapes of the Chugoku and Shikoku regions.
Shotoen
This beautiful garden-style archival museum is located in Shimokamagari jima. The "Feast Ichibankan" in this museum exhibits a number of records related to Joseon (Korean) diplomatic missions to Japan that were collected from all over Japan.
Rantokaku Art Museum
This museum building is made entirely of cypress wood and evokes the beauty of Japanese architecture. It stores and exhibits works of Japan's top artists as well as paintings that portray the beauty of Seto Inland Sea, such as ocean and pine trees.
Kenmin-no-Hama Beach
This resort complex is located in Kamikamagarishima Island. In addition to a beautiful beach, which is selected as one of the "Japan's 100 Most Beautiful Beaches," you can take advantage of various facilities such as lodgings, hot spring spa, restaurant, and other facilities for sports.
Rekishi no Mieru Oka (Panoramic Site of old Naval Arsenals)
This park is located on high ground that allows visitors to overlook the Mitarai district of Osakishimo-jima Island. You can get a grand panoramic view of the Mitarai district, Kurushima Channel, and mountains of Shikoku.
Mitarai district (Conservation area for historically important buildings)
Mitarai district flourished as a port town where ships and crews would wait for favorable winds and tide during the Edo period. There are still many buildings and historic sites reminiscent of the middle to end of the Edo period.
View from Mt. Norosan
Mt. Norosan is 839 meters high and is the highest peak in Kure City. It is second-highest after Mt. Rokkosan in Kobe among the mountains of the Seto Inland Sea National Park. This mountain is the best place to view the beautiful islands in the Seto Inland Sea and the sunset.
Green Pia Setouchi
This is a resort hotel situated amidst a magnificent natural environment. Visitors can enjoy various activities and sports in a relaxed atmosphere with amenities such as a swimming pool, beautiful beach, tennis courts, and grass yard.
Ondo-No-Seto Park
This park is famous for its beautiful scenery.
The legend says that Taira no Kiyomori created Ondo-No-Seto in one day by summoning the setting sun with his fan. The park is also famous for its cherry blossoms and bloom of azaleas.
Nagato Museum of Shipbuilding History
This museum exhibits a number of documents related to shipbuilding and shipping industry as well as models of wooden ships from ancient times to the present day, starting with a ship taken by a Japanese envoy to China whose original 1,200-year-old appearance was painstakingly reconstructed.
Annual event schedule
| Time |
Event |
Description |
| April 29 |
Kure Port Festival |
This annual big event marks the spring of the port city, Kure. |
| Mid-July |
Kurahashi Kentoshi-sen Festival |
This festival reproduces the 'Kentoshi' (Japanese missions to Tang China) parade that climaxes with a fireworks display. |
| Late July |
Kure Fireworks Festival |
The fireworks festival is a classic summer event of Kure. The festival displays about 2,000 rounds of fireworks. |
| Beginning of August |
Yutakamachi Tanabata Summer Night Festival |
This festival is a summer event of Osakishimo-jima Island. The festival features a fireworks display and other events. |
| Mid-October |
Shimokamagari, Parade of the Joseon (Korean) diplomatic missions to Japan |
You can enjoy a parade that reproduces the Joseon (Korean) diplomatic missions to Japan during the Edo period. |
| Beginning of November |
Kure Food Festival |
All kinds of Kure cuisine are offered at this festival in autumn, the most enjoyable season for eating. |
| December to January |
Illumination Road in Kure |
Approximately 100,000 bulbs of illumination. |
| Mid-February |
Kure Seafood Festival |
You can enjoy eating many types of seafood, such as "grilled oysters in shells." |
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