During a visit to Tsingtao in 1932, "Yakumo" and "Izumo" had to land marines on 13 January to quell a riot by Japanese residents there. The following year, the ship was reclassified as a training ship. On 6 November 1936, between the islands of Saipan and Truk, an accidental explosion in her front magazine killed four crewmen and flooded her front food locker. Repairs were made underway and "Yakumo" arrived home two weeks later. A month after her return, in December 1936, Captain Matome Ugaki assumed command of "Yakumo" until he took command of the battleship the next year. Her last training cruise ended on 20 November 1939.