The Whale of Iron: Inside the JMSDF Akishio submarine and the Kure Maritime Museum - CNET

Most museum submarines are either in the water or adjacent to the water in a drydock. The Akishio is one of the few on supports well above the waterline, and set back from the shore.

It allows a great look at the underbelly of the boat, something that's a bit challenging when the sub's in the water.

The Maritime Museum, of which the Akishio is a part, is an interesting look at the history of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the roles they've filled in the six decades they've been in service. Much of it is mine clearing, something they've gotten so good at, they've assisted other navies (including the US) around the world.

The Akishio itself is a fairly small sub, smaller than even the Oberon-class, and nowhere near the displacement of something like the Redoutable, and makes for a short tour. An entrance cut in the starboard side gets you into the crew quarters, then you work your way forward through the galley, mess, and eventually the bridge. It was fascinating, though, not least for seeing all the labels in Japanese. On the bridge, a docent played alarm klaxons over the loudspeakers, I think just because he thought I'd find it cool (he was correct).

'Yamoto' Museum

Across the street, the Kure Maritime Museum has the nickname "Yamato Museum" after the most famous part of its collection. I've toured the Iowa and Missouri, both huge ships, and the Yamoto was even bigger. Behind the museum there's jetty that is a 1:1 scale of the forward portion of the Yamoto to give an even more realistic sense of scale.