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Kure, Hiroshima

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Kure is a significant city located in the Hiroshima Prefecture of Japan.

Port of Kure seen from Yasumi-yama
Port of Kure seen from Yasumi-yama

The city sits southeast of Hiroshima city and faces the Seto Inland Sea. To the north, the landscape is defined by steep hillsides. Mount Yasumi bisects the two major commercial and industrial centers of the city. Kure is positioned next to the Setonaikai National Park. The city's geography includes both dense urban areas and sparsely inhabited outlying islands. These islands include Kurahashi-jima, Shimo-kamagari, Kami-kamagari, and Toyoshima.

The climate in Kure is classified as humid subtropical. This means the region experiences hot summers and cool winters. Precipitation occurs throughout the year, but it is heaviest during the summer months. The city's population was estimated at 208,024 people across 106,616 households. This resulted in a population density of 590 persons per square kilometer. Recent census data shows that the population of Kure has been declining for 40 years.

Kure has a deep history rooted in maritime importance. The area was once part of the ancient Aki Province. During the Edo period, the port served as an important seaport for the Hiroshima Domain. A major turning point occurred on July 1, 1889, when the Kure Naval District was established. This led to the creation of the Kure Naval Arsenal. The city saw rapid growth in steel production and shipbuilding because of these developments. On October 1, 1902, the city was formally incorporated through the merger of several towns and villages.

The city's dockyards were famous for major engineering achievements. In 1905, the shipyard launched the first major domestically built capital ship, a battlecruiser. Later, in 1940, the docks launched the largest battleship ever built, the Yamato. During the Pacific War, Kure served as the single-largest naval base and arsenal for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Most of the local workforce was employed by naval installations and munitions factories. However, the city suffered during the later stages of the conflict. Kure faced sustained aerial bombardment in June and July of 1945.

JMU Kure shipyard
JMU Kure shipyard

Following the war, Kure played a role in the postwar occupation of Japan. From February 1946 until 1952, military establishments in Kure served as the operational headquarters for the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. Since the founding of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in 1954, the city has remained a vital maritime hub. It currently hosts the dockyards of Japan Marine United. The city also supports numerous shore-based facilities for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. These include training centers and a major hospital.

Kure Naval Base JMSDF
Kure Naval Base JMSDF

Today, Kure is a major center for both defense and tourism. The city serves as the home port for an Escort Flotilla of destroyers. It also hosts a submarine flotilla and the Training Squadron of the Regional Kure District.

For visitors, the Yamato Museum is a primary attraction. It features a 1:10 scale model of the Yamato ship. A waterfront museum of Japanese naval history is also located nearby. This museum allows visitors to see a Yūshio-class submarine.

Yamato Museum Exterior
Yamato Museum Exterior

The city's infrastructure supports its industrial and residential needs. Kure Station provides important railway connections.

The city is also connected by the Higashihiroshima-Kure Expressway and the Hiroshima-Kure Road. Kure's government follows a mayor-council form. The mayor is directly elected, and there is a unicameral city council with 31 members. Through various mergers, the city has grown to include many surrounding towns. In 2016, Kure officially became a Core city, which granted it increased local autonomy.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Kure City Hall 2021-03 ac (2).jpg
Kure City Hall 2021-03 ac (2).jpg
File:Port of Kure seen from Yasumi-yama.jpg
Port of Kure seen from Yasumi-yama.jpg
File:JMU Kure shipyard.jpg
JMU Kure shipyard.jpg
File:Kure Naval Base JMSDF.jpg
Kure Naval Base JMSDF.jpg
File:Yamato Museum Exterior.jpg
Yamato Museum Exterior.jpg
File:Kure train station.JPG
Kure train station.JPG
File:JR logo (west).svg
JR logo (west).svg
File:JP Expressway E75.svg
JP Expressway E75.svg
File:JP Expressway E31.svg
JP Expressway E31.svg
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