Yamato Museum

In short

The Yamato Museum, whose formal name is the "Kure Maritime Museum," is a museum that opened near the Port of Kure in 2005. It introduces the history of manufacturing in Kure, which supported Japan's modernization from the Meiji era onward, along with the science and technology that developed there and continues to be passed down today. After a renovation of just over a year, it reopened in its new form on April 23, 2026.

• ​1/10 Scale Model of the Battleship *Yamato​​*: Located in the "Yamato Plaza" on the first floor, this massive model measures 26.3 meters in total length and is also the origin of the museum's name
• ​Kure's History and Large Authentic Artifacts​​: There are exhibits tracing Kure's journey from a small village to a naval port city, through the war, and into postwar reconstruction, as well as an exhibition room featuring large authentic artifacts
• ​Yamato Wharf​​: A park right next to the museum, whose wooden-decked plaza recreates part of the forward deck of the battleship Yamato at actual scale

History and Highlights

The ​Yamato Museum​​, officially named the Kure Maritime Museum, is a museum that opened near the Port of Kure in 2005. It introduces the history of manufacturing in Kure, which supported Japan's modernization from the Meiji era onward, along with the science and technology that developed there and continues to be passed down today, showcasing the efforts and daily lives of the people of that time. Kure developed as a naval base and was a city where warship-building technologies converged. The battleship Yamato, completed in 1941, was also built at the Kure Naval Arsenal.

Due to receiving far more visitors than anticipated since its opening, the museum closed for a major renovation for just over a year starting in February 2025, reopening in its new form on April 23, 2026. The renovation also placed great emphasis on conveying how the technologies of the naval arsenal were carried over into postwar manufacturing, and the museum shop was moved to a separate building outside.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​1/10 Scale Model of the Battleship *Yamato​​*: Located in the "Yamato Plaza" on the first floor, this is a massive model measuring 26.3 meters in total length. Serving as the origin of the museum's name, it is the face of the facility. Along with the renovation, fine details were refined based on undersea surveys conducted by Kure City and recent research findings.
• ​Kure's History and Large Authentic Artifacts​​: On the first floor, there are exhibits tracing Kure's journey from a small village to a naval port city, through the war, and into postwar reconstruction, as well as an exhibition room featuring large authentic artifacts. These provide an opportunity to reflect on the reality of war and the importance of peace.
• ​Yamato Wharf​​: A seaside park situated right next to the museum. Its wooden-decked plaza recreates part of the forward deck of the battleship Yamato at actual scale, allowing visitors to physically sense its immense size.

Tips for Exploring

Across the street is the JMSDF Kure Museum, where an actual submarine is displayed; visiting both offers a connected view of Kure's maritime history. It is also recommended to extend your trip to Rekishi-no-Mieru-Oka Hill, which looks down on the site where the Yamato was built, and the Kure Naval Cemetery. Please check the official information, as exhibition content and visiting rules may have changed following the renovation.