She was equipped with two large cargo holds which could embark the turrets, and required more ballast than comparable ships to provide stability when she was not carrying these heavy loads.

[3] The ship made her first voyage from Kure to Nagasaki in October transporting one of Musashi's turrets and a gun.

[3] While Japan had originally intended to build at least three Yamato-class battleships, it was decided in June 1942 to complete the third ship, Shinano, as an aircraft carrier.

As no other battleships were under construction, the Navy did not need a ship capable of carrying gun turrets, and so Kashino was converted to an ammunition transport by covering her holds.

[3] When this work was completed she was used to transport ammunition and other supplies until 4 September 1942, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the submarine USS Growler north-east of Formosa (Taiwan) at 25°45′N 122°42′E / 25.750°N 122.700°E / 25.750; 122.700.