Mamiya was originally meant to be an oil transporter but was instead outfitted to be a food supply ship. The Imperial Japanese Navy sent her to the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Yard where she was fitted with facilities for carrying enough food for 18,000 men over three weeks, and kitchens to produce large quantities of food including yōkan, manjū, tofu, and konyaku. A number of chefs and pastry chefs were employed aboard and she became part of the Combined Fleet.
Already old by the outbreak of war, she continued to be part of the navy's supply operations in the Pacific. On 12 October 1943, she was damaged by the US Navy submarine near Chichi-jima, and on 6 May 1944, was again damaged by in the East China Sea. In both cases she was repaired and returned to service. The food supply ship was torpedoed and damaged in the South China Sea (17.8°N 123°W) by . She was torpedoed again and sunk (17.8°N 123°W) on 21 December by Sealion.