[1][2] Kikuzuki was laid down on 15 March 1966 at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works as No.

Launched on 25 March, commissioned on 27 March 1968, and was incorporated into the 1st Escort Corps, which was newly formed under the 1st Escort Corps group on the same day, along with JDS Takatsuki and deployed to Kure.

From 30 June 1970, he participated in the first practicing voyage around the world as a Maritime Self-Defense Force with the training ship JDS Katori.

After the damage accident of the main turbine occurred on 30 October, just before the arrival at Colombo Harbor in Ceylon, he sailed on one axis only on the port side and returned to Japan on 18 November.

Also, from 15 June of the same year, she participated in a practicing voyage around the world.