Japan Heritage MONTH 2026 in Kure City: Events and Access Guide
日本語の記事: 日本遺産MONTH 2026とは？呉市のイベント情報
Japan Heritage MONTH 2026 (日本遺産MONTH 2026) is held in Kure City (呉市), Hiroshima Prefecture. The event period runs from Wednesday, October 28, 2026, to Saturday, December 12, 2026. During this period, various special events related to Japan Heritage take place across the area. These include public openings of cultural properties, a special exhibition, a guided tour, a symposium, and a bus tour. The event titled Hiroshima Tatemono Gatari Festa 2026 (ひろしまたてものがたりフェスタ2026) is held concurrently.
This article is written based on official information published on the Kure tourism website, Kure Trip (くれとりっぷ). All information was retrieved on October 19, 2026.
What it is
Japan Heritage MONTH 2026 includes several specific programs organized across different locations in Kure City. Details of each program are listed below based on official publications.
- Special Public Openings of Japan Heritage Cultural Properties (日本遺産構成文化財 期間限定特別公開): Cultural properties that are usually not open to the public are opened for a limited period. Advance application is required.
- Special Exhibition "Japan Heritage City Kure" (「日本遺産のまち呉」特別展): Features panel displays of Japan Heritage cultural properties and a diorama model of the Kamegakubi Firing Range Site (亀ヶ首発射場跡). The navy established this test range in 1900 at the eastern end of Kurahashi Island (倉橋島). Testing for 46 cm guns used on the Battleship Yamato (戦艦大和) took place at this location.
- Kamegakubi Firing Range Site Tour (「亀ヶ首発射場跡」見学): A guided tour to the site accompanied by a guide from the Kurahashi Tourist Volunteer Guide (くらはし観光ボランティアガイド).
- Symposium "Characteristics of Our Town's History and Culture, and Future Regional Cooperation" (シンポジウム「我がまちの歴史文化の特徴と、これからの広域連携」): A symposium discussing regional promotion and cooperation using historical assets. Guest speakers include Tomoko Nishizaki (西崎智子) from Visual Industry Promotion Organization, Koji Kitamura (北村浩司), Chairman of RCC Broadcasting Co., Ltd., and Daiki Tsutsumi (堤大樹), Representative Director of Eat,Play,Sleep Inc.
- Kure and Etajima Bus Tour (呉・江田島バスツアー): A tour visiting modernization heritage sites in Kure and Etajima (江田島) on a retro bonnet bus. The tour is guided by Akira Chono (丁野朗), an advisor to Kure City and tourism planner.
When and where
The event runs from October 28 to December 12, 2026. Specific dates and venues for each program are as follows:
- Special Public Openings: Held on designated dates between October 28 and December 12. Locations vary by property.
- Special Exhibition: Held from Wednesday, October 28 to Monday/Holiday, November 23. Located in the Guidance Room on the 1st floor of the Yamato Museum (大和ミュージアム).
- Kamegakubi Firing Range Site Tour: Scheduled for Sunday, November 22, from 9:00 to 13:00 (planned). Meeting point is on the 1st floor of Kure Central Pier (呉中央桟橋).
- Symposium: Scheduled for Saturday, November 7, from 13:00 to 16:00. Located on the 4th floor of the Yamato Museum.
- Kure and Etajima Bus Tour: Scheduled for Saturday, December 12. Meeting point is in front of the Yamato Museum.
Getting there
To reach Kure City, the following transportation options are listed on the official access page:
- From Hiroshima Station (広島駅): Take the JR Kure Line (JR呉線) to Kure Station (呉駅). It takes about 32 minutes by rapid train.
- From Hiroshima Airport (広島空港): Take the Airport Bus Kure Hiroshima Airport Line (エアポートバス呉広島空港線) to Kure Station Front (呉駅前). It takes about 1 hour.
Opening hours and prices
Prices and application details for each program are listed below:
- Special Public Openings: Free admission. Capacity is 30 people per session on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance registration via QR code is open from October 20 to October 28.
- Special Exhibition: Free admission. No advance application required.
- Kamegakubi Firing Range Site Tour: 1,000 yen (guide fee). Capacity is 40 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration via QR code is open from October 20 to November 13.
- Symposium: Free admission. Capacity is 200 people. Advance registration via QR code required.
- Kure and Etajima Bus Tour: 5,000 yen (lunch included). Capacity is 15 people. Advance registration via QR code starts on November 20.
- Opening hours of specific facilities: Not published on the official page as of 2026-10-19.
Tips for visitors
Advance application via QR code is required for most events, except for the Special Exhibition at the Yamato Museum. Programs with capacity limits are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. For the concurrent Hiroshima Tatemono Gatari Festa 2026, applications open on October 16 at around 22:00 via its official website. Applications by phone are not accepted.
What we could not verify
- The official organizer of the overall event series (not explicitly stated in the source text).
- The exact daily opening hours for each cultural property during the special openings.
- The full list of specific cultural properties included in the special public openings.
- The direct distance from Kure Station to each event venue.
Sources
- Kure Trip: Japan Heritage MONTH (Retrieved 2026-10-19)
- Kure Trip: Access (Retrieved 2026-10-19)