Can you imagine a city that built one of the largest battleships the world had ever seen? We are standing in Kure, a city with a rich naval history. Kure’s secluded location and natural harbor made it the perfect spot for a major naval base, established in 1886. Kure played a pivotal role during World War II. The massive battleship Yamato, one of the largest ever built, was constructed in the shipyards of Kure. Tragically, the city suffered extensive damage from Allied bombing during the war. But, demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit, Kure was rebuilt. Today, the shipyards of Kure continue to be beehives of activity, producing merchant ships and oil tankers that sail across the globe. The city even boasts two impressive naval museums – the JMSDF Kure Museum and the Kure Maritime Museum. These museums offer a glimpse into Kure’s enduring connection to the sea, showcasing the history of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the modern Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
芸州廿日市御本陣旧跡
“A castle built on the plain?” you might ask. “Isn’t that a bit…exposed?” And indeed, the Hiroshima Gokoku Jinja, the