Townapedia
Ondono-seto Bridge and Watashibune Hiroshima
Ondono-seto Bridge and Watashibune Hiroshima · Hashi photo, CC BY 3.0
IHI shipyard, Kure
IHI shipyard, Kure · jkyZjdjNjN, CC BY 3.0
Stern of JS Kaga(DDH-184) left rear view at JMSDF Kure Naval Base May 6, 2019 02
Stern of JS Kaga(DDH-184) left rear view at JMSDF Kure Naval Base May 6, 2019 02 · Hunini, CC BY-SA 4.0
JS Kaga(DDH-184) right side view at JMSDF Kure Naval Base May 6, 2019
JS Kaga(DDH-184) right side view at JMSDF Kure Naval Base May 6, 2019 · Hunini, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mk.15 Mod.31 SeaRAM mounted on ahead of JS Kaga(DDH-184) right rear view at JMSDF Kure Naval Base May 6, 2019
Mk.15 Mod.31 SeaRAM mounted on ahead of JS Kaga(DDH-184) right rear view at JMSDF Kure Naval Base May 6, 2019 · Hunini, CC BY-SA 4.0
JS Kaga(DDH-184) left rear view at JMSDF Kure Naval Base May 6, 2019 02
JS Kaga(DDH-184) left rear view at JMSDF Kure Naval Base May 6, 2019 02 · Hunini, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kure, Japan

呉市

Kure is a town of 214,592 people in Hiroshima, Japan, founded in October 1, 1902.

Loading the weather...
Population214,592 GeoNames
Local name呉市
RegionHiroshima
Elevation102 m 335 ft
FoundedOctober 1, 1902
Time zoneAsia/Tokyo
Land area353.3 km²
Nearest airportIwakuni Kintaikyo Airport (IWK) 31 km

Why visit Kure

Townapedia lists 23 museums and landmarks, 58 parks and trails, 225 places to eat, 18 places to stay and 15 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include Akinada Bridge, Hiroshima International University, JMSDF Kure Museum and Yamato Museum.

About Kure

Kure (呉市, Kure-shi; Japanese pronunciation: [kɯ̈́.ɾè̞, kɯ̈̀.ɾé̞.ɕì], locally [kɯ̈̀.ɾé̞]) is a city in the Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 April 2023, the city had an estimated population of 208,024 in 106,616 households and a population density of 590 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 352.80 square kilometres (136.22 sq mi). With a strong industrial and naval heritage, Kure hosts the second-oldest naval dockyard in Japan and remains an important base for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

From the Wikipedia article Kure, Hiroshima (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Travel tips from other travellers: Kure on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Things to do15

Akinada Bridge

Bridge · 10.8 km

Suspension bridge

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Hiroshima International University

School · 14.3 km

Private university in East Hiroshima, Japan

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Kure University

School · 9.0 km

Higher education institution in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Ondo Bridge

Bridge · 4.9 km

Bridge in Japan

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Prefectural University of Hiroshima

School · 17.4 km

Higher education institution in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Mitsumine-yama

Scenic view · 1.3 km

Open in Google Maps

Yasumi-yama

Scenic view · 1.0 km

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

灰ヶ峰

Scenic view · 4.9 km

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Panoramic Site of Old Navy Atsenals

Scenic view

Open in Google Maps

ポポロ

Cinema and theater · 1.5 km

Open in Google Maps

呉市文化ホール

Cinema and theater · 1.7 km

Open in Google Maps

荘山田展望台

Scenic view · 4.5 km

Open in Google Maps

3 more on the map.

Museums and landmarks23

JMSDF Kure Museum

Museum · 1.5 km

Japanese military museum located in Kure, Hiroshima

Mo-Tu,Th-Su 10:00-18:00 "last admission is 17:30"; We off

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Yamato Museum

Museum · 1.4 km

Maritime museum

Mo-Tu,Th-Su 09:00-18:00; We off

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

JDS Akishio

Monument and historic site · 1.5 km

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Kure City Natural Monument

Monument and historic site · 4.5 km

Open in Google Maps

Shinkai

Monument and historic site · 1.5 km

Open in Google Maps

ツツジの植栽

Monument and historic site · 4.9 km

Open in Google Maps

中渡道夫先生顕彰記念碑

Monument and historic site · 1.5 km

Open in Google Maps

九嶺画廊

Museum · 1.6 km

Open in Google Maps

呉~小用

Monument and historic site · 5.4 km

Open in Google Maps

呉海軍工廠記念塔

Monument and historic site

Open in Google Maps

11 more on the map.

Parks, trails and playgrounds58

Niko Park

Park · 2.5 km

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

アレイからすこじま

Park · 1.8 km

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

串山公園

Park · 1.5 km

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

入船山公園

Park · 0.8 km

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

呉市二河野球場

Sports field and stadium · 2.6 km

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

歴史の見える丘

Park

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

二河川公園

Park · 2.0 km

Open in Google Maps

中央公園

Park · 1.8 km

Open in Google Maps

Hoei Park

Playground · 3.0 km

Open in Google Maps

かもめ公園

Park · 1.9 km

Open in Google Maps

ひばりヶ丘第2公園

Park · 5.4 km

Open in Google Maps

ひばりヶ丘第3公園

Park · 5.3 km

Open in Google Maps

46 more on the map.

Advertisement

Restaurants and cafes225

Saizeriya

Restaurant · Italian · 5.1 km

26, 呉市

11:00-01:00

Open in Google Maps · +81 823 76 2251

三河屋珈琲呉中通店

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.6 km

2, 呉市

08:30-20:00

Open in Google Maps · +81 823-25-7007

中華そばモリス

Restaurant · Ramen · 1.5 km

7, 呉市

10:30-15:00

Open in Google Maps · +81 823-22-1297

Subaru Coffee

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.4 km

3, 呉市

09:00-17:00

Open in Google Maps

Tully's Coffee

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.4 km

Mo-Su 09:00-22:00

Open in Google Maps · +81-823-321866

くろきカフェ

Cafe · 1.7 km

4, 呉市

08:00-14:00

Open in Google Maps · +81 823-25-5061

だし道楽

Restaurant · Noodle · 3.1 km

1, 呉市

10:30-14:30

Open in Google Maps

大衆肉酒場ほんで

Restaurant · 1.4 km

16, 呉市

11:30-23:00

Open in Google Maps · +81 823-23-0772

酒狸

Bar and pub · 1.1 km

28, 呉市

17:00-23:00

Open in Google Maps · +81 823-24-3238

長崎ちゃんめん

Restaurant · 2.3 km

25, 呉市

11:00-22:00

Open in Google Maps · +81 823-32-2471

CAFE&LUNCHレスト

Cafe · 1.5 km

3, 呉市

07:30-22:00

Open in Google Maps

City plaza Sugiya

Restaurant · 1.8 km

18, 呉市

11:00-17:00

Open in Google Maps

213 more on the map.

History

The area of Kure is part of ancient Aki Province, and the port of Kure was an important seaport for Hiroshima Domain in the Edo period.

The Kure Naval District was first established in 1889, leading to the construction of the Kure Naval Arsenal and the rapid growth of steel production and shipbuilding in the city. Kure was formally incorporated on October 1, 1902. From 1889 until the end of the Pacific War, the city served as the headquarters of the Kure Naval District.

Kure dockyards recorded a number of significant engineering firsts including the launching of the first major domestically built capital ship, the battlecruiser Tsukuba (1905) and the launching of the largest battleship ever built, the Yamato (1940).

During the Pacific War, Kure acted as the Imperial Japanese Navy's single-largest naval base and arsenal. Most of the city's industry and workforce were employed in the service of the naval installations, munitions factories and associated support functions. In the later stages of the conflict Kure came under sustained aerial bombardment culminating in the bombing of Kure in June and July 1945.

From February 1946 until the end of Japan's postwar occupation in 1952, military establishments in Kure served as the operational headquarters for the British Commonwealth Occupation Force.

From the History section of Kure, Hiroshima on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay18

Churches and places of worship83

Advertisement

Shopping26

Gas and EV charging11

Schools, colleges and libraries49

Advertisement

Healthcare48

Map of Kure

250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Getting there and nearby towns

Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport (IWK) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 31 km away.

  • Etajima 8 km west, about 8 min by car
  • Kumano 11 km north, about 11 min by car
  • Saka 12 km north, about 12 min by car
  • Kaitaichi 15 km north, about 15 min by car
  • Fuchū 18 km north, about 18 min by car
  • Hiroshima 22 km northwest, about 22 min by car
  • Gion 24 km north, about 24 min by car
  • Higashihiroshima 25 km northeast, about 25 min by car
  • Hatsukaichi 25 km northwest, about 25 min by car
  • Niihama 74 km southeast, about 1 h 15 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

Loading what members have shared...

Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built November 4, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.