Kantai Collection -KanColle- Kyoto Prefecture

Kantai Collection -KanColle- Kyoto Prefecture Complete Pilgrimage Guide: A Journey Through Sites Associated with Maizuru Naval District

Introduction: The Deep Connection Between KanColle and Kyoto Prefecture

“Kantai Collection -KanColle-” began service in 2013 as a browser game where players nurture and collect characters called “ship girls” (kanmusu) – anthropomorphized vessels of the former Imperial Japanese Navy – and continues to be loved by many admirals (players) today. The game features bases called “naval districts” (chinjufu), and one of the actual former Imperial Japanese Navy naval districts that served as a setting is the “Maizuru Naval District” in Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Kyoto Prefecture, particularly Maizuru City, has become an important pilgrimage site for KanColle fans, gaining popularity as a place where visitors can deepen their understanding of the game’s worldview by visiting actual naval ruins and historic structures. This article provides detailed information on the sacred sites that KanColle fans should visit in Kyoto Prefecture.

About Maizuru City: The Only Former Naval District on the Sea of Japan Side

Maizuru City is a port city facing the Sea of Japan, located in northern Kyoto Prefecture. In 1901 (Meiji 34), the only naval district on the Sea of Japan side was established here, and the city has developed as a naval stronghold ever since. Even today, a Maritime Self-Defense Force base is stationed here, and the city strongly retains the history of the Navy and Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Maizuru Naval District was one of the four major naval districts alongside Yokosuka, Kure, and Sasebo, and holds an important position in the game as the “Naval District Waters.” There is historical fact that many ship girls were constructed and deployed in Maizuru, making it a place with special meaning for fans.

Must-See! Major Pilgrimage Spots in Maizuru

Maizuru Red Brick Park

Maizuru Red Brick Park is the most important spot for KanColle pilgrimage. A collection of red brick buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods, including former Navy torpedo warehouses, are preserved and utilized here, with 8 of the 12 red brick warehouses designated as National Important Cultural Properties.

The imposing appearance of the red brick warehouses embodies the worldview of KanColle itself, and many admirals visit for photography. The scenery from Buildings No. 1 to No. 5 is particularly spectacular, allowing visitors to experience the high level of naval architectural technology from the Meiji era.

Facility Information:

  • Address: 1039-2 Kitasui, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (varies by facility)
  • Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays (varies by facility)
  • Admission: Varies by facility (some free)
  • Access: About 10 minutes by Kyoto Kotsu bus from JR Higashi-Maizuru Station, get off at “Red Brick Park Mae”

Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum

The Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum is a facility that conveys the history of Maizuru Port, which received repatriates from overseas after World War II. It exhibits materials related to “Return to Maizuru” registered as UNESCO Memory of the World, and is a place that makes visitors deeply consider war and peace.

While its direct connection to KanColle is limited, visitors can learn about the fate many ship girls met after the war and what role Maizuru played. The repatriation ship models and period photographs convey the weight of history.

Facility Information:

  • Address: 1584 Hira, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)
  • Closed: Third Thursday of each month (following day if national holiday), year-end and New Year holidays
  • Admission: Adults 400 yen, Students 150 yen, Elementary school students and under free
  • Access: About 30 minutes by Kyoto Kotsu bus from JR Higashi-Maizuru Station, get off at “Hikiage Kinenkan Mae”

Maritime Self-Defense Force Maizuru District Headquarters

At the Maizuru District Headquarters, which remains an important Maritime Self-Defense Force base, destroyers are open to the public at Kitasui Pier every Saturday and Sunday (check official website for schedule). This is a precious opportunity to see up close destroyers that could be called modern “ship girls.”

Many KanColle fans look forward to touring descendant ships or ships with the same names as the in-game ship girls. The impressive sight of destroyers will further deepen your understanding of KanColle.

Facility Information:

  • Address: 1190 Amabe-shimo, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • Public Viewing: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (may be canceled depending on vessel operations)
  • Admission: Free
  • Access: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Higashi-Maizuru Station
  • Note: Please check the official website in advance for viewing schedules

Maizuru City Government Memorial Hall (Former Maizuru Naval District Headquarters)

The Maizuru City Government Memorial Hall is a facility utilizing the former Maizuru Naval District Headquarters built in 1902 (Meiji 35). The imposing red brick building conveys the dignity of the Navy of that era to the present day.

Materials on Maizuru’s history and the Navy are exhibited inside, making it a precious place for KanColle fans to feel the atmosphere of the naval district firsthand. The building itself has Important Cultural Property-level value, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of Meiji-era Western architecture.

Facility Information:

  • Address: 1039-2 Kitasui, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture (within Red Brick Park)
  • Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00
  • Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays
  • Admission: Free
  • Access: Same as Red Brick Park

Togo Residence (Admiral Togo Heihachiro Residence)

The Togo Residence, where Admiral Togo Heihachiro, hero of the Russo-Japanese War, lived during his time as Commander of Maizuru Naval District, is another unmissable spot. It currently operates as a restaurant, but exterior viewing is possible (interior viewing requires reservation and confirmation).

Since KanColle features many vessels from the Combined Fleet commanded by Admiral Togo, visiting this related site is deeply moving.

Facility Information:

  • Address: Amabe-shimo, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • Exterior Viewing: Free (interior is operating restaurant)
  • Access: Walking distance from JR Higashi-Maizuru Station

Ship Girls Associated with Maizuru

Many vessels were constructed and deployed at Maizuru Naval District, and many appear in KanColle as ship girls. Here are some representative ship girls.

Major Ship Girls Built in Maizuru

Destroyers:

  • Yukikaze: Known as a lucky ship, highly popular in KanColle
  • Shimakaze: Famous as the fastest destroyer
  • Hatsuyuki, Miyuki, Murakumo and many other Fubuki-class destroyers
  • Amatsukaze, Tokitsukaze and other Kagero-class destroyers

Cruisers:

  • Aoba: Heavy cruiser, built at Maizuru Naval Arsenal
  • Kinugasa: Heavy cruiser

Others:

  • Chitose, Chiyoda: Seaplane tenders

Visiting Maizuru, the birthplace of these ship girls, will deepen your affection for them even further.

Model Pilgrimage Courses

Day Trip Course (approximately 6 hours)

9:00 Arrive at JR Higashi-Maizuru Station
↓ 10 minutes by bus
9:30-12:00 Tour Maizuru Red Brick Park

  • Red Brick Museum
  • Maizuru Chiezo
  • Maizuru City Government Memorial Hall

↓ Lunch (around Red Brick Park)
13:00-14:00 Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer tour (weekends only)
↓ Walk
14:30-15:30 Explore around Togo Residence
↓ 30 minutes by bus
16:00-17:00 Tour Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum
↓ 30 minutes by bus
17:30 Return to JR Higashi-Maizuru Station

Leisurely 2-Day 1-Night Course

Day 1:

  • Morning: Leisurely tour of Red Brick Park area
  • Afternoon: Maritime Self-Defense Force facility tour, city historic site tour
  • Evening: Maizuru Bay cruise (operates seasonally)
  • Night: Enjoy Maizuru seafood (Maizuru kamaboko, seafood cuisine, etc.)

Day 2:

  • Morning: Tour Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum
  • Afternoon: Panoramic view of Maizuru Bay from Goro Sky Tower
  • Return journey: Stop by surrounding tourist sites like Amanohashidate

Access Methods

Access by Train

From Osaka/Kyoto:

  • About 1 hour 40 minutes from JR Kyoto Station on Limited Express “Maizuru,” get off at Higashi-Maizuru Station
  • About 2 hours 30 minutes from JR Osaka Station via Fukuchiyama

From Nagoya:

  • About 3 hours 30 minutes from JR Nagoya Station via Maibara and Kyoto

Access by Car

From Osaka/Kyoto:

  • About 15 minutes from “Maizuru-Oe IC” on Kyoto Jukan Expressway
  • About 10 minutes from “Maizuru-Higashi IC” on Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway

Parking:
Red Brick Park has free parking (approximately 100 spaces)

Pilgrimage Preparation and Etiquette

Packing Checklist

  • Camera/Smartphone: Photography is essential
  • KanColle Goods: Itabags, can badges, etc., as conversation starters with fellow fans
  • Stamp book: Enjoy stamp rallies at various facilities
  • Comfortable shoes: Lots of travel between facilities
  • Rain gear: Weather on the Sea of Japan side changes frequently
  • Notepad: Record observations and impressions

Etiquette and Precautions

  1. Photography Etiquette: Photograph only in permitted areas within facilities. Note photography-prohibited areas at Maritime Self-Defense Force facilities
  2. Quietness: Don’t make noise in solemn places like the Repatriation Memorial Museum
  3. Take trash home: To keep sacred sites beautiful
  4. Consideration for locals: Avoid loud voices and nighttime noise in residential areas
  5. Don’t enter private property without permission: Be considerate of operating facilities like Togo Residence

Maizuru Gourmet and Souvenirs

Maizuru Gourmet

Maizuru Kamaboko:
Maizuru specialty product. Can be enjoyed at “Akarenga café JAZZ” and other locations within Red Brick Park.

Seafood Cuisine:
Abundant dishes using fresh Sea of Japan seafood. Winter crab is especially exquisite.

Navy Curry:
Befitting a Navy-related location, multiple establishments serve Navy curry.

Maizuru Nikujaga:
Maizuru is considered the birthplace of nikujaga. Menu items relate to Togo Heihachiro.

Recommended Souvenirs

KanColle Collaboration Goods:
KanColle collaboration events are held regularly in Maizuru, with limited goods sold. Check shops at Red Brick Park.

Maizuru Kamaboko:
Long shelf life makes it ideal as a souvenir.

Navy Goods:
Retort Navy curry, Navy-motif miscellaneous goods, etc.

Red Brick Goods:
Cookies and mugs designed with red bricks, etc.

KanColle Events and Maizuru

Maizuru City regularly hosts collaboration events with KanColle. Past events have included the following.

Major Event Examples

Maizuru Naval District Opening Commemoration Events:
Events are sometimes held around July, coinciding with the anniversary of Maizuru Naval District’s opening.

KanColle × Maizuru Collaboration:
Irregularly held collaboration events. Limited goods sales, stamp rallies, life-size panel displays, etc. are conducted.

Red Brick Festa:
Large-scale Red Brick Park event held in autumn. Sometimes includes KanColle-related exhibits.

Event information is announced on the official website of Maizuru City Tourism Association and the official KanColle Twitter, so checking before your visit is recommended.

Nearby Tourist Spots

Here are surrounding spots worth visiting alongside your pilgrimage.

Amanohashidate

One of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, “Amanohashidate” is about 40 minutes by car or 50 minutes by train from Maizuru. Definitely worth a stop since you’ve come to northern Kyoto Prefecture.

Ine Funaya

Ine Town, known for its traditional funaya boat houses built facing the sea. About 1 hour by car from Maizuru. Enjoy Japan’s original scenery.

Goro Sky Tower

Observation tower at the summit of Mt. Goro in Maizuru City. Overlooks Maizuru Bay, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the rias coastline. A superb scenic spot where you can survey the topography of Maizuru, the setting of KanColle.

Accommodation Information

Hotels in Maizuru City

Hotel Alstein:
5 minutes on foot from JR Higashi-Maizuru Station. Business hotel but clean and comfortable.

Maizuru Grand Hotel:
Long-established hotel overlooking Maizuru Bay. Prides itself on cuisine using seafood.

Hotel Mare Takata:
Near Nishi-Maizuru Station. Reasonable pricing.

Guesthouses/Minshuku

For those wanting to enjoy interaction with locals, guesthouses and minshuku are also recommended. Attractive for cuisine using fresh seafood.

Best Seasons Throughout the Year

Spring (March-May)

Cherry blossom season. Cherry blossoms around Red Brick Park are beautiful, ideal for photography. Mild climate makes this an easy time for sightseeing.

Summer (June-August)

Events are often held around the Maizuru Naval District Opening Anniversary (July). However, rain countermeasures are necessary during the rainy season.

Autumn (September-November)

The most comfortable season. Many events including Red Brick Festa, and autumn foliage can be enjoyed. Could be called the best season for pilgrimage.

Winter (December-February)

Sometimes severe weather typical of the Sea of Japan side. However, this is the season to enjoy winter delicacies (crab, etc.). Red brick warehouses in snow scenery are fantastic.

Recording Your Pilgrimage on SNS

Here are points for sharing your pilgrimage memories on SNS.

Recommended Hashtags

  • #艦これ
  • #艦これ聖地巡礼
  • #舞鶴
  • #舞鶴鎮守府
  • #赤レンガパーク
  • #艦隊これくしょん

Photography Spots

Red Brick Warehouse Row:
Classic but unmissable shot. Evening photography also recommended.

Maritime Self-Defense Force Destroyers:
Collaboration photos of ship girls and modern vessels are popular.

Maizuru Bay:
View from Goro Sky Tower is spectacular.

Collaboration with KanColle Goods:
Photographing itabags and can badges at sacred sites creates more immersive photos.

Trivia to Deepen Your Pilgrimage

History of Maizuru Naval District

Maizuru Naval District opened on October 1, 1901 (Meiji 34). Initially developed as a naval port, it played an important role in the Russo-Japanese War. It was temporarily reduced during the Taisho period, but expanded again in early Showa, with many vessels deployed during the Pacific War.

After the war, it received over 660,000 repatriates as a repatriation port, becoming a place symbolizing the transition to peace. Currently, as a Maritime Self-Defense Force base, it bears responsibility for Japan’s defense.

Connections Between KanColle and Historical Facts

One of KanColle’s great appeals is character settings and dialogue based on historical facts. By visiting Maizuru, you can experience historical facts such as:

  • Pride of Construction Site: Ship girls built in Maizuru often have dialogue referencing Maizuru
  • Repatriation History: Many vessels engaged in repatriation transport after the war; this history can be learned at the Repatriation Memorial Museum
  • Naval District Atmosphere: The atmosphere of the in-game “naval district” draws inspiration from the actual red brick architecture

Conclusion: Deepen the World of KanColle Through Pilgrimage

A KanColle pilgrimage centered on Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, is a precious opportunity to experience the game’s worldview in reality. The imposing architecture of Red Brick Park, the historical exhibits at the Repatriation Memorial Museum, and active Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers. By actually seeing, touching, and feeling these things, your understanding and affection for the ship girls will deepen further.

Maizuru is by no means a major city, but it is a precious town that strongly retains naval history. The beautiful scenery of Maizuru Bay, delicious seafood, and warm interactions with locals are also among the pleasures of pilgrimage.

KanColle fans, please visit Maizuru at least once and feel the atmosphere of the “naval district” firsthand. It will surely become an unforgettable memory. And through pilgrimage, I hope it becomes an opportunity to also consider the preciousness of peace and the weight of history.

Admirals, let’s meet in Maizuru!