Yūgumo was laid down at Sumitomo Heavy Industries Uraga Shipyard on 4 February 1976 and launched on 21 May 1977.

On January 31, 1990, the 23rd Escort Corps was reorganized under the control of the Ominato District Force.

Engaged in disaster dispatch activities due to the Hokkaido Nansei-oki Earthquake that occurred on July 12, 1993.

Engaged in disaster relief due to the eruption of Mount Usu that occurred on March 31, 2000.

The total cruising range was about 652,372 nautical miles (about 30 laps of the earth).