Tsuruga City敦賀市

With both land and sea routes, an important transportation center from the olden days. Historical scenes and beautiful nature, and its gourmet foods as well are quite popular.

The city of Tsuruga is a port city that faces Tsuruga Bay, and is situated in southern Fukui Prefecture in the Hokuriku region. With land routes as well, from olden times the area prospered as a strategic transportation center. It is still an important center for transportation along the Sea of Japan today, with established regular ferry routes and container ship routes.

As a prosperous port city, there is much history in the old urban area. There are many romantic sights to be seen: Among them are Kehi-jingu Shrine with its huge 'torii' gate, the Shibata-shi-teien Garden (the garden of Shibata Family), red brick storehouses built for storing 'konbu (edible kelp)' about 100 years ago, and Mt. Ohara-yama and its Saifuku-ji Temple with its beautiful scenery of red leaves in autumn. At Kehi-no-Matsubara on Tsuruga Bay, the contrast between the white sand beach and luscious green pine trees is simply gorgeous, and the area bustles with excitement during the summer season. Tsuruga Tunnel-onsen Hot Spring, which bubbled up during the digging of the Hokuriku Tunnel, is another popular spot. It sits at a high elevation allowing you to enjoy a luxurious bath while taking in the view of Kehi-no-Matsubara, the urban area, and the port.

There are numerous walking courses that trace the area's history, including the old Fukasaka Road that is highly recommended. Murasaki Shikibu, or Lady Murasaki as she is sometimes known in English, is said to have walked this road. She is best known as the author of "The Tale of Genji" written in about the year 1000, which is one of the earliest novels in human history.

Delicious food is also abundant there. Because Tsuruga is one of the eminent fishing ports along the Sea of Japan, you can enjoy freshly caught seafood at local markets, sushi shops and restaurants. There is always plenty of delectable seasonal seafood to enjoy, such as Echizen crab, 'amaebi (sweet shrimp),' and Tsuruga 'fugu (pufferfish)'.