[1] The Kuma-class vessels were essentially enlarged versions of the Tenryū-class cruisers, with greater speed, range, and weaponry.

[1] With improvements in geared-turbine engine technology, the Kuma-class vessels were capable of the high speed of 36 knots (67 km/h), and a range of 9,000 nmi (17,000 km) at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h).

[2] Kitakami was laid down on 1 September 1919, launched on 3 July 1920 and completed 15 April 1921 at Sasebo Naval Arsenal, Nagasaki.

[4] At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Kitakami was escorting the Combined Fleet's battleships from Hashirajima to the Bonin Islands and back to Japan.

At the time of the Battle of Midway on 29 May 1942, Kitakami and her sister ship Ōi were part of the Aleutian Screening Force, and returned safely to Japan on 17 June 1942.

In November, Kitakami transported troops from Manila to Rabaul, New Britain, and returned to Sasebo by the end of the year.

[4] On 15 March 1943, Kitakami was reassigned to CruDiv 16 of the Southwest Area Fleet as a guard ship based out of Surabaya.

On its return voyage while transiting Malacca Strait, southwest of Penang, Malaya, on 27 January 1944, the Kitakami was hit aft by two torpedoes fired by the submarine HMS Templar.

Her stern was remodeled into an overhanging ramp configuration and the aft turbines were removed as well, and the space used to hold spare parts and repair equipment.

[4] In July 1945, an additional twenty seven single mount Type 96 25-mm AA guns were fitted to Kitakami.

However, on 24 July 1945 about 200 aircraft Task Force 38's Essex, Ticonderoga, Randolph, Hancock, Monterey and Bataan again attacked the Kure area.