Kure Bay Battleship Tour (Hiroshima)

An exceptional experience, especially since the submarine was hosting a special celebration this time with many new models docked, which was truly a sight to behold. There are many visitors, so you need to book in advance.

Redemption was easy; I just went to the site to exchange for a physical ticket. It was a rare and wonderful experience to see the Japan Self-Defense Forces ships up close.

absolutely worth it if you’re into navy vessel, how often do you get to cruise around in service Izumo-class carrier, Mogami-class frigate and submarines.

It was great to see the Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel at work and to view the ships and submarines. It's definitely best to sit on the left side. If the sun is strong, sunglasses and sunscreen are a must! However, as a Korean, I did feel a bit uncomfortable due to the presence of the Rising Sun Flag. The Shine Muscat yogurt inside the building was delicious.

The tour is entirely in Japanese, but we were aware of that. There were many ships to see, and it was very interesting. Although we accidentally booked for a different time, we were still able to use the voucher for a later slot. Thank you again for that.

The overall experience was fantastic, and the seating was very comfortable. Everyone was seated on the upper deck, providing plenty of space to view the warship. Throughout the journey, we were also able to see many different warships, as well as a submarine.

We recommend visiting on a day without rain, choosing the first 10 AM tour with the fewest visitors, or the sunset cruise which requires a reservation. The tour boat will take you within five meters of the warships, allowing you to admire them, and naval personnel will greet you. This unique experience is definitely worth trying!

We originally booked for 1:00 PM, but since we couldn't make it in time for check-in, we asked the front desk if we could change our time to the last session at 4:55 PM. Fortunately, we also happened to catch the Maritime Self-Defense Force flag-lowering ceremony, which seems to coincide with the daily sunset time—for us, it was around 5:20 PM. Everyone should check in advance to see if you might catch it too.

The Kure Bay Ship Cruise is a very special and worthwhile experience. What appealed to me most was being able to see many warships up close. These large vessels, which I usually only see on TV or in pictures, could now be observed at such close range from the sea, which felt both impressive and novel. It's especially suitable for those who enjoy photography or have an interest in ships, but please note that the commentary is only in Japanese.

The Kure Port Warship Cruise is definitely worth it! We highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance to secure your seats and avoid long lines at the site. During the cruise, you'll get an incredibly close-up view of the magnificent Japanese Self-Defense Force warships and submarines. It's a unique experience that military enthusiasts and tourists absolutely shouldn't miss!