Beginning on 24 October 1934, "Hyūga" was drydocked at Kure Naval Arsenal and underwent an extensive reconstruction and modernisation that lasted until 7September 1936. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the ship ferried two battalions of the 3rd Sasebo Special Naval Landing Force to Port Arthur, China, on 19 August 1937. She began the first of her patrols off the southern Chinese coast on 15 September that lasted until early 1941. On 30 June 1940 "Hyūga" served as the flagship for the Emperor of Manchuoko, Henry Pu-yi, during his state visit to Japan. Together with "Ise", the ship was transferred to the 2nd Battleship Division of the 1st Fleet on 15 November. Captain Noboru Ishizaki assumed command on 1September 1941.