Ōminato Guard District
In 1943 and early 1944, "Ashigara" performed guard and troop transport duties and saw no action. She returned to Yokosuka for a month in April, and a Type 21 radar was installed. In February 1944, she was reassigned to the IJN 5th Fleet for operations in northern waters. A Type 22 surface-search radar was installed in March, and she was based out of the Ōminato Guard District, together with the cruiser until the end of July. She was refitted at Kure Naval Arsenal in September, with additional Type 96 AA guns installed.