A New Exhibition Opens in Kure While Yamato Museum Closes for Renovation

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In February 2025, the Yamato Museum (Kure Maritime History and Science Museum) in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, closed for renovations. It will remain shut until spring 2026. The museum conveys both the hidden stories behind the construction of the famed battleship Yamato — once called the largest battleship in history — and the value of peace.

As one of Japan's leading facilities for learning about the former Imperial Navy's history and technological capabilities, the timing is unfortunate. 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and high visitor numbers were expected. Although the local community understands the need for renovation, the closure still hits hard. Alternative facilities are being used to fill the gap, but they are on a smaller scale. Whether they can truly make up for the loss remains to be seen.

Concerns Over Economic Impact

"Even while the Yamato Museum is closed, we have the [Yamato Museum] Satellite," said Kure's newly appointed mayor, Yoshiaki Niihara. "We've also launched a digital stamp rally that links attractions. These include the Irifuneyama Memorial Museum, Houhaikan, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kure Museum (known as the Iron Whale Museum)." He made the remarks on February 28, the opening day of the Yamato Museum Satellite.

Niihara urged people to explore the charm of this historic naval port through related attractions while the main museum is closed.

The Yamato Museum opened in 2005 to commemorate 60 years since the end of the war. It presents Kure as a city of shipbuilding and introduces the technologies used to construct the battleship Yamato. 

With a 1:10 scale model of the Yamato as its centerpiece, the museum welcomed an astounding 1.6 million visitors in its first year — far surpassing its goal of 400,000. By the time it closed in February 2025, it had hosted around 16 million visitors from Japan and abroad. These are remarkable figures for a regional city.

Despite the museum's popularity, there were issues with the visitor experience. For example, the air-conditioning system was due for replacement. At the same time, the city decided to embark on a major renovation, aiming to reduce congestion and switch to LED lighting.

Delays

Planning had started several years ago. Originally, the goal was to reopen in time for the museum's 20th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of the Yamato's sinking. However, as city officials explained, "delays in procuring materials and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted those plans."

Once the museum reopens at the end of fiscal year 2025, it will feature enhanced displays using digital technology. Still, the Yamato Museum is the city's star attraction. There are legitimate concerns that a drop in visitors during the closure could negatively affect the local economy.

Satellite Facility as the Main Pillar

To prepare for the impact of the closure, the city is placing its hopes on the new satellite facility. It is located within Viewport Kure.

The main attraction is a full-scale model of the Zero Observation Plane. Measuring 9.5 meters long, 11 meters wide, and 4 meters high, the aircraft was developed for artillery spotting and was installed aboard the Yamato. A 1:100 scale model of the battleship has also been moved here for display. Digital panels introduce other vessels constructed at the Kure Naval Arsenal, such as the Nagato and Akagi.

Opening Day Lines

"The Zero Observation Plane was a vital component of the Yamato's gunnery system," says Kazushige Todaka, director of the Yamato Museum. The Yamato had a firing range of over 40,000 meters. But range alone wasn't enough — accuracy was everything. And that depended on the information gathered by the observation planes.

On the day the satellite facility opened, a line of visitors had already formed before it opened its doors. Todaka noted, "It's rare to see one displayed as if floating on water." Pre-opening publicity may have helped the strong turnout.

Other Attractions Holding the Fort

The Houhaikan, a tourist facility that opened in 2018, is housed in a brick warehouse built by the Navy during the late Meiji era. It stands across from a city park where visitors can view submarines up close. During the Yamato Museum's closure, the Houhaikan is serving as a temporary exhibition space. It features a 1:50 scale model of the Yamato's 46-cm main gun turret and a 1:10 model of a machine gun.

Other must-see sites include the Irifuneyama Memorial Museum, built around the former Kure Naval District Commander's Residence (designated an Important Cultural Property in 1998), and the JMSDF Kure Museum. The latter features Japan's first submarine to be displayed on land. With vivid exhibits and displays on mine-clearing missions, it remains popular — on par with the Yamato Museum. Admission is free.

"I was able to explore the inside of the submarine Akishio in detail," said one visitor during the closure. A city official added, "This closure is painful, but we want to turn Kure tourism's pinch into an opportunity."

About Kure City

Kure is a core city in Hiroshima Prefecture. It lies near the center of the Seto Inland Sea and boasts a naturally deep and well-protected harbor. In 1889 (Meiji 22), it became home to the Kure Naval District of the former Imperial Navy.

At its peak in 1943, during World War II, the city's population exceeded 400,000. Today, it is home to around 210,000 people. Along with Yokosuka (Kanagawa), Maizuru (Kyoto), and Sasebo (Nagasaki), Kure is one of the "Four Former Naval Port Cities." In 2016, these cities were recognized as a Japan Heritage site for offering "a living experience of Japan's modernization."

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Author: Koki Yata, The Sankei Shimbun

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