As part of the "Four Former Naval Port Cities Japan Heritage Month," a joint promotion initiative by four cities that were once home to naval ports, a special exhibition of cultural properties will be held in Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, in November. On November 10th there will be a tour of the Maizuru Fortress and Kissaka Fort Battery Ruins, which straddle Takahama Town and Maizuru in Fukui Prefecture, and on November 16th there will be a special exhibition of the former naval arsenal facilities on the grounds of Japan Marine United's Maizuru facility.
Maizuru Fortress was an army facility that protected the naval port, and is made up of gun batteries, including the Kissaka Fort Battery, and ammunition depots. As it is located in the mountains, many remains remain, and visitors will be guided by curators from Takahama Town to tour the site.
The former naval arsenal is a group of factories that manufactured and repaired naval vessels and weapons. After the war, it was converted for civilian use, and has been used to build and repair civilian ships and Self-Defense Force vessels. The special opening will allow visitors to tour the dock and red-brick factory and warehouse, which are normally not open to the public as they are located on private factory grounds.
Reservations for the Maizuru Fortress tour can be made on the city's website, with the deadline being 5pm on October 31st. Reservations for the special opening of the Former Naval Arsenal can be made on the Maizuru Tourism Association website, with the deadline being 5pm on October 30th. Each has a capacity of 20 people, and if there are many applicants a lottery will be held. For inquiries, contact Maizuru City Tourism Promotion Division on 0773 (66) 1024.
