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Located in the heart of Japan’s Fukui Prefecture, Tsuruga Station is so much more than just a transportation hub — it’s also an excellent place to get acquainted with the local culture.
While Tsuruga is most famous for its port (it provided the easiest connection from Kyoto to the Sea of Japan back in the day), the city is also making headlines for another reason: it is the latest extension city on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line!
If you’re lucky enough to have a transfer here (or just want to visit on a day trip), there are many interesting attractions both in and around Tsuruga Station.
From historical landmarks to interesting museums, delicious food, and traditional Japanese temples, here’s a guide to what to see near Tsuruga Station.
Doctor Dinosaur
From the moment you step off the train, you’ll be greeted by a very interesting and unusual attraction — a statue of a dinosaur dressed up as a doctor!
Sitting carefree on a bench with an open book in one hand and a skull in the other, “Doctor Dinosaur” is actually an advertisement for the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. Located in the prefecture’s capital (about a two-hour train ride from Tsuruga), the Dinosaur Museum is one of the most important dinosaur museums in Asia and is known for its extensive collection of fossils. Why not add it to your Fukui itinerary as well and meet Dr. Dinosaur’s friends?
Kehi Jingu Shrine
Kehi Jingu Shrine (also known as Kehi Shrine) is the main shrine of the Hokuriku region and the biggest attraction in Tsuruga.
This place is revered as holy (‘ichinomiya’); for thousands of years, people have come here to pray to the gods. The temple area is quite large and has many shrines and statues of deities and spirits.
One of the most famous features of the temple is a statue of a turtle and a shell from which water flows from a spring called Chomeisui, which translates to ‘water of long life.’ According to legend, the water from the spring is blessed and brings health and longevity.
The temple also hosts a variety of festivals, including the Rice Planting Festival and the Spring Festival. The Tsuruga Festiva is considered one of the most significant events in the region and is held annually on September 4.
Historic Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouses
The red brick warehouses of Tsuruga are a newer attraction compared to the ancient Kehi Jingu temple, but no less interesting. The warehouses were built in the early 20th century to store petroleum oil, but over time became an entertainment complex for locals and tourists.
Visitors have access to two buildings. In the first, you’ll find restaurants and cafes that offer Japanese and European cuisine, as well as cute souvenir shops. In the second building, there is a beautiful diorama of the city as it was at the beginning of the 20th century.
If you’re interested in railway history, the Tsuruga Railway Museum is just a short walk away. The museum is filled with exhibits that talk about the history of Tsuruga’s railway and is located inside the reconstructed building of the former Tsuruga Harbor Station from which travelers departed toward Europe in the 20th century.
Kanegasaki Park
Not far from the red brick warehouses is the most picturesque place in the city, Kanegasaki Park. In the park, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the port from the observation deck located along the embankment, rent a bicycle and ride along the bike paths, or just relax on the benches and admire the views.
In addition, there is the Port of Humanity Museum next to the park, which tells the story of how the city’s residents helped save Polish Jewish refugees from the Holocaust during World War II.
Kami-Warabe Museum
A pleasant 20-minute walk from Tsuruga Station is a small but very interesting art museum called Kami-Warabe. The museum is located in a quaint traditional Japanese house and the interior is decorated with colorful paper decorations (origami) that tell the stories of folk tales in the form of miniature scenes.
This is a great little museum that should definitely not be missed on your Japan itinerary!
Try Local Food
Since Tsuruga is a coastal city famous for its seafood cuisine and offers the freshest seafood delicacies. You can enjoy a variety of seasonal dishes such as snow crab, sweet shrimp, and even the infamous fugu fish!
There is a seafood restaurant right near Tsuruga station called Marusanya, which has a large selection of traditional raw fish (sashimi) and cooked tempura fish to suit every taste.
It’s also worth going for tea at Cafe Chaya Kamu, a traditional Japanese cafe that has been around for over a hundred years and serves delicious desserts, ice cream, and, of course, a large selection of tea and coffee.
Author Bio
Susan Noel is an experienced content writer. She is associated with many renowned travel blogs as a guest author where she shares her valuable travel tips with the audience.