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TSURUOKA CITY

Welcome to Tsuruoka Tourism Bureau's Official Website.

Tsuruoka City, located in the western part of Yamagata Prefecture, alongside the Sea of Japan, is the only UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in Japan since 2014 and boasts three "Japan Heritages" which are: Dewa Sanzan's Journey of Rebirth, the Samurai Silk and the Kitamaebune Maritime Road.

Its 1400 years old sacred mountains: Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Haguro, its beautiful forests, the Kamo Aquarium with its jellyfish display (the biggest in the world), and its unique culinary culture made it a valued Tohoku destination across the country.

LATEST NEWS

DEATH OF DR. SUGIMURA TAKASHI

Tsuruoka's honorary citizen Dr. Sugimura Takashi, leader researcher in Japan's cancer studies, died on September 6th. Dr. Sugimura proved the carcinogenic effect of charred food.

2020/09/06

WIKIPEDIA

YAMABUSHI FESTIVALS CANCELLED FOR 2020

According the measures to prevent the pread of COVID-19, Yamabushi rituals that were opened to the public are now cancelled for the year 2020 and first half of 2021.

2020/09/05

KAMO'S BABY SEALS GOT THEIR NAMES DECIDED!

The three seal babies that were born in March in Kamo Aquarium finally received their names! They are called Botan, Himawari and Kome!

2020/09/05

KAMO'S PAGE

What's to see in Tsuruoka?

MOUNTAINS

DEWA SANZAN

The three sacred mountains of Dewa: Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan, and Mt. Yudono can be found in Tsuruoka City.

Dewa Sanzan is known for being one of the Three Main Shugendo Sites in Japan, that is existing for more than 1400 years.

DISCOVER

Discover the Three Sacred Mountains of Dewa, one of the Three Main Shugendo Sites in Japan with a 1400 years long history.

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GASTRONOMY

UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

DISCOVER

Tsuruoka has been designated as the only UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in Japan in 2014. This title rewards the efforts of our farmers to preserve the culinary traditions and to preserve environment-friendly culture techniques.

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Tsuruoka is the first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in Japan since 2014. Discover why.

JELLYFISH

KAMO AQUARIUM

DISCOVER

Kamo Aquarium, on Tsuruoka's coasts, displays the largest collection of jellyfish in the world. The director aims to use the aquarium to spread awareness about local sea life, sea pollution, and global warming.

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Kamo Aquarium is the aquarium that displays the biggest collection of jellyfish in the world. See them all!

HIKING

HIKING TRAILS

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There are many hiking trails available for adventurers in Tsuruoka. Discover hidden shrines and temples, lost steles, sacred trees, and many more treasures along the way.

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Many hiking trails await the explorers in Tsuruoka. Put on your hiking boots and walk them all!

FORESTS

FOREST BATHS

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Forest baths, or "shinrin'yoku" in Japanese, refers to the practice of meditation in the woods. There are many peaceful holy forests in Tsuruoka.

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Find some peace in one of our shrines and forests, and experience the Japanese art of "bathing in forests"

MUMMIES

SOKUSHINBUTSU

DISCOVER

Very few have heard of the Japanese mummies called sokushinbutsu, but they are unique, for they have been mummified by nobody else but themselves! Discover how Mt. Yudono is related to those extraordinary mummies.

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Very few know it, but Japan, too, has its mummies. In fact, most of them are linked to Mt. Yudono.

HOT SPRINGS

ONSENS

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There are four main hot spring villages in Tsuruoka: Atsumi, Yura, Yunohama, and Yutagawa. Because they are all located in different environments, each of them offers a different experience. Find the perfect onsen for you.

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Have a relaxing time after your journey to the Dewa Sanzan in one of our hot spring villages.

HISTORY

MUSEUMS

Traveling is learning. Learn about Tsuruoka and Dewa Sanzan's history in one of our museums

No travel shall be complete without learning. Learn about history, culture, and religion in one of our museums.

EVENTS

FESTIVALS

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Planning to come to Tsuruoka? Discover if there is not a festival planned during your trip.

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There are many festivals in Tsuruoka; check if there is one ongoing during your intended period of travel!

ARTS

CRAFTS

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See the savoir-faire of our local artisans and artists, and bring a piece of Tohoku with you back home.

SPORTS

SKI & ELSE

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What would Tohoku be without its deep snow and its winter sports activities? See where to ski in Tsuruoka and learn about the other ways of enjoying the snow in the area.