Location
Eta Jima is an island surrounded by Hiroshima Bay in Hiroshima Prefecture off the south coast of Honshū in Japan. Borders Hiroshima, Kure Harbor and Kure. Also known as Etajima, Eta-jima, Nōmi-jima, Nomijima, Nomi Island or Etajima-Nōmijima or Nishinomi.

Japanese Naval Academy (海軍兵学校)
Site of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy (Kaigun Heigakkō) to train Navy officers. During 1869, the academy was moved from Tsukiji in Tokyo. Previously, the academy was located at Yokohama until 1866 and originally Nagasaki.

Wartime History
During 1943, a separate school for Naval aviation was opened in Iwakuni and in 1944 another Naval Aviation School was established in Maizuru. During 1945, with the threat of an Allied amphibious landing on the island, Eta Jima was fortified with anti-aircraft guns, defensive positions and tunnels while students drilled to oppose any landing force. Postwar, the Naval Academy was abolished.

Today
Eta Jima serves as the Officer Candidate School for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Cadet Residence Hall
Constructed during the Meiji era with bricks imported from England.

Battleship Mutsu Gun Turret
This is one of the gun turrets from Battleship Mutsu that was salvaged, restored and displayed at the academy.

127mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
On display outside the JSDF Base.

Kairyu Submarine
1945 submarine, on display outside the Maritime Self Defence Service School.

Type A Midget Submarine (Midget D)
Sunk December 7, 1941. Displayed outside the Maritime Self-Defence Service School

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Last Updated
October 23, 2019