WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour
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Quick answer
Is WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour worth booking?
WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour is a 6-hour experience in Hiroshima, Japan, from $299 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $299 per person
Trace the timeline from Japan’s wartime past to Hiroshima’s devastation, and uncover why this city became the site of the world’s first atomic bombing. This private comfortable door‑to‑door car tour for up to three gues
What you get
About this experience
Trace the timeline from Japan’s wartime past to Hiroshima’s devastation, and uncover why this city became the site of the world’s first atomic bombing. This private comfortable door‑to‑door car tour for up to three guests takes you to Kure, a historic port city that served as a major base of the former Imperial Navy. At the Yamato Museum, recently reopened after renewal, you will explore how Japan moved toward war and how ordinary people were drawn into it—through engineering, industry, and personal stories. The 1/10‑scale Yamato, the largest battleship ever built, and the authentic Zero fighter bring this history vividly to life. With my private car, you can visit the hill overlooking the Yamato shipyard and enjoy the rare chance to see active submarines up close at Karasu Alley Kojima. Your Guide: I am a U.S. university graduate and a Hiroshima‑licensed guide who has led more than 200 tours. I will drive and guide you throughout the day. I look forward to seeing you soon.
What's included
Included
- Licensed local English‑speaking guide and complimentary private vehicle
- Admission fees
Not included
- Lunch
- Booster seat
- Suitcase loading is not included. If we meet at Hiroshima Station, lockers are available.
What you'll see and do
*Pick‑up: Your preferred location within Hiroshima City. From there, we will drive for approximately 40 minutes to Kure City *Ideal sea excursion for cruise passengers docking at Ujina Cruise Port — a perfect location to access Kure City and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Pickup from Itsukaichi Port is not available due to the long distance from Kure.
40 minutes here
Yamato Museum
The spaceship in the anime Space Battleship Yamato (also known as Star Blazers) is inspired by and modeled after the real battleship Yamato. At the Yamato Museum, you can learn about the history of Kure, Japan’s former naval base, and see the impressive 1/10‑scale model of the battleship Yamato along with many historical exhibits.
100 minutes here · Admission included
JMSDF Kure Museum (Submarine Museum) Explore the Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force Museum, known for the retired submarine Akishio displayed outside. You can enter the submarine and see its interior up close, gaining a rare look inside a real vessel that once served in the JMSDF. You can learn about the missions of the Japan Self‑Defense Forces, a globally rare organization with a unique structure and role.
40 minutes here
Kure
Enjoy lunch with your choice of the JMSDF Curry—famous for its tradition of being served every Friday in Japan’s Maritime Self‑Defense Force—or Kure’s local specialties. Depending on the tour’s starting time, lunch options can be adjusted. Depending on the tour’s starting time, lunch may not be needed and can be skipped.
50 minutes here
Arei‑karasukojima is a waterfront promenade in Kure where you can see real submarines of the Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force up close. From the harbor, you can view real, active JMSDF submarines at very short range. Being able to observe operational submarines this near is extremely rare, even by global standards. The area offers excellent photo opportunities with a clear view of the berthing facilities right in front of you.
40 minutes here
Hiroshima
Return to Hiroshima City
40 minutes here
Hiroshima
Tour Ends I will drop you off at your preferred location in Hiroshima City.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- A guided tour of Kumano Town, Hiroshima/calligraphy and cosmetic brushes
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $299 to $90000
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by A guided tour of Kumano Town, Hiroshima/calligraphy and cosmetic brushes, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.6.
See everything A guided tour of Kumano Town, Hiroshima/calligraphy and cosmetic brushes runsWhy this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Hiroshima.
How much does WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour cost?
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Prices start at $299 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Hiroshima usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Hiroshima is not rushed.
Is WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Hiroshima, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Hiroshima can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Hiroshima and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does WWII Naval History: Yamato Museum & Kure Submarines – Car Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Hiroshima within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Hiroshima?
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On Outty we rank every Hiroshima experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Peaceful Hiroshima & Miyajima UNESCO 1 Day Bus Tour, Hiroshima Peace (Heiwa) Walking Tour at World Heritage Sites, Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip with Itsukushima Shrine & Ferry. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Hiroshima?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Hiroshima?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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