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JMSDF Kure Regional Commissioner Department Building One (海上自衛隊呉地方総監部第一庁舎)

Commonly dubbed the “Kure Naval District (呉鎮守府),” the JMSDF Kure Regional Commissioner Department Building One is a tourist site situated just fifteen minutes on foot from JR Kure Station. Built from red bricks at the turn of the 20th century, it was used as Kure’s naval district government office building for the Imperial Japanese Navy prior to World War II and continues to serve that role for the JMSDF even now in the 21st century. In the anime “Kantai Collection (a.k.a. KanColle)” that debuted in 2015, this place served as a backdrop for the story, so it has become a “holy site” that a lot of anime fans visit.

Moment of Joy

The JMSDF Kure Regional Commissioner Department Building One is one of few red-brick buildings still standing in Japan. While using British architectural methods, it sports an exterior incorporating sakura (cherry blossom) engravings on stone pillars and imposing pine trees that rise by the entrance, infusing ample Japanese flair. On every first and third Sunday of the month (excluding New Year’s Day), this building is open to the public for touring (reservations required on the JMSDF official website) so visitors can view the structure up close.