2025 Tsuruoka Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

During the snowy season, explore the sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan in Yamagata Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. These mountains symbolize blessings for the present, past, and future, making them renowned pilgrimage sites. The route spans 1.7 kilometers and takes about an hour one way. Starting from the Suijin Gate, the snow-covered surroundings create a pure and dreamlike atmosphere. Crossing the vermilion Sacred Bridge, you'll encounter towering cedar trees and the National Treasure Five-Story Pagoda, followed by the 2,446-step stone stairway divided into three sections. If you feel tired climbing the steps, you can take a break at a teahouse near the second section. After a bit more climbing and passing through a torii gate, you'll reach the summit, where the Dewa Sanzan Shrine awaits. Despite the challenges of walking in the snow, the breathtaking scenery makes it all worthwhile.

When I learned that it is one of the 'Three Mountains of Dewa' and a sacred mountain in the hearts of the Japanese, I decided to visit. This pilgrimage path has over 2,000 steps, but it is not particularly steep. Along the way, you can see thousand-year-old cedar trees, a black five-story pagoda, small bridges, and flowing streams. Out of respect, visitors do not make loud noises, allowing for a moment of tranquility. 📍Address: Haguromachi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture 🚗 Transportation: Get off at JR Tsuruoka Station and take a bus to Mount Haguro, getting off at Suginomori Gate.

[Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium] "Kamo-sui" for short Amazing variety of jellyfish! 💡 Interesting tanks continue one after another, including jellyfish with a yellow color that I've never seen before and jellyfish with countless thread-like antennae♪ The exhibition room with a large tank called "Kuranetarium" is fantastic, and it feels like you're with jellyfish in the sea👏 They also focus on breeding jellyfish, and you can look at baby jellyfish under a microscope. There are also fish exhibits, so even adults can enjoy it♪ Jellyfish ramen and jellyfish ice cream are on the menu at the restaurant with a view of the sea😊 Because it's a municipal aquarium, the low prices are also attractive⭐️ Adults 1500 yen, elementary and junior high school students 500 yen. Wow! Annual pass is 3000 yen for adults and 1250 yen for elementary and junior high school students! If you live nearby, this is a wonderful aquarium you'll want to visit regularly❤️ 📍Address: 657-1 Imaizumi Okubo, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture 🕰️Opening hours: 9am - 5pm #Tsuruoka #Yamagata #Yamagata trip #0 yen trip November

I went to Yamagata~☻ This time, I've put together 7 great spots that I've actually visited on my trips to Yamagata so far! 🥰 I hope this will be helpful for your trip to Yamagata♪ ① Suiden Terrace A hotel floating in the middle of a rice field! The sauna is also popular🧖♀️ ② Hirata Farm ③ Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium The largest variety of jellyfish on display in Japan🪼 Take a photo in front of the giant jellyfish tank♪ ④ Bunshokan A location used in the movie "Rurouni Kenshin"! ⑤ Yamagata Museum of Art ⑥ Ginzan Onsen ⑦ Nogawa Tofu-ya If you're going for a foodie stroll in Ginzan Onsen, this is the place to go! #Yamagata #YamagataTrip #YamagataTourism #YamagataGourmet #TravelWithMe

From small to large tanks, we will introduce you to spots where you can feel relaxed by watching jellyfish swaying back and forth! Today, we will introduce "Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium" in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. The large round tank with many jellyfish swimming in it, as shown in the top picture, became famous overnight for its beautiful appearance, and recently it has become a spot that you cannot miss at the aquarium😍 Of course, the jellyfish tank is a must-see here🪼About 80 kinds of jellyfish are permanently exhibited in a cylindrical tank through a round window🎐 The main attraction, the large round tank, is a world-class 50mm diameter tank. The 200m aquarium is called the "Jellyfish Dream Theater" and has about 10,000 moon jellyfish floating in it 🤩 My personal recommendation is the jellyfish in the 6th picture that glows like illumination, "Ecochiru" even has a cute name 🥰 The other glowing jellyfish are truly mystical 🧙♀️ [Things you should definitely try ✅] Of course, there are other exhibits besides jellyfish, but what I would like to recommend at this aquarium is the "Backyard Tour" which is held three times a day and can be experienced for only 300 yen 😍 However, it is limited to the first 10 people, so it is quite a high hurdle, but I hope you will try it somehow! Event times: 10:30, 13:30, 14:30 [Recommended access ✈️] The best way to get to Kamo Aquarium is from Shonai Airport! Only 15 minutes by car✨By the way, if you try to go by Shinkansen, it takes more than 5 hours at the shortest and the cheapest is the same price as an airplane, but it only takes 1 hour from Haneda to Shonai! So it's definitely better to go by plane‼ ️If you want to go sightseeing from the western to northern parts of Yamagata, you should definitely go by plane✈️ It's hard to go sightseeing in Yamagata without a car, so if you can't drive, invite someone who can! 〜〜〜〜〜Information〜〜〜〜〜〜📍Tsuruoka City Kamo AquariumAddress: 657-1 Okubo, Imaizumi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata PrefectureOpening hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00)Cost: Adults 1,000 yen, elementary and junior high school students 500 yenRecommended: Backyard tour experienceCaution: It's hard to get a spot in front of the large aquarium〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜 #Sakura2024 #Domestic travel #Japan's greatest views #Yamagata sightseeing

#AccommodationReview I took a whirlwind solo trip to Shonai, Yamagata Prefecture for the first time in a while🌾 I stayed at SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE, which I often see in magazines' hotel features🙌 This hotel is a hot topic because it was designed by architect Shigeru Ban☺️💗 The renovated sauna is popular among sauna lovers!! You can do self-loyly, and bathing in the open air feels great✨ I highly recommend it for sauna lovers🥺❤️ The library also had an excellent selection and was well-stocked! You can bring books to your room, so it was nice to be able to read lots of books🥰 The food was also delicious, mainly using ingredients from Shonai🍽 It's a really nice hotel, so I recommend dropping in when you feel like going somewhere for a bit! I think this is a hotel that can be used as a travel destination😊 I also recommend it for solo travelers🫶 🏨 Hotel informationHotel name: SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSEAddress: 23-1 Shimotorinosu, Pekinda, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture #trip_sauna #solotravel #hocance #hotelstay #yamagata #hotspring

If you want to escape from your daily routine and refresh yourself for 1 night and 2 days, we'd like to introduce you to a recommended travel plan💓 [Plan Features🌟] A plan to spend time in Shonai, Yamagata Prefecture, soothing with hot springs, saunas, spectacular views, and delicious food✨ It's a plan that can be enjoyed by girls' trips and couples, but the hotel we recommend here has a rich library, so it's highly recommended for solo travelers🥰❤️ Schedule━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━【Day1】11:00~ Depart from Haneda Airport✈️12:00~ Arrive at Shonai Airport12:10~ Take the Shonai Airport shuttle bus to Tsuruoka Station🚎 (about 30 minutes)13:03~ Take the bus from Tsuruoka Station to Kamo Aquarium🚎 (about 40 minutes)13:44~ Kamo Aquarium 🐠15:30~ Take a taxi to SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE🚕18:00~ Dinner at MOON TERRASSE in the hotel 🍷20:00~ Take a bath in the hot spring or sauna, or read a book♨️📖 【Day2】6:30~ Morning hot spring and sauna🧖♀️8:00 ~ Breakfast 🌾10:30~ Take a taxi to Tsuruoka Station🚕10:50~ Arrive Tsuruoka Station. Leave your luggage in a locker and check out the brochure at the tourist information center11:43~ Take a bus to Haguro Zuishinmon Gate🚎(about 36 minutes)12:40~ Haguro Mountain Zuishinmon Gate ⛩12:50~ Head to the National Treasure Haguro Mountain Five-Story Pagoda13:10~ Take a break at Ninozaka Chaya🍵14:00~ Sanshingosaiden ⛩. 14:25~ Travel by bus from the top of Mt. Haguro to Tsuruoka Station🚎(about 50 minutes)15:20~ Cafe time at Fruit Shop Aomoriya🍰16:17~ Take the airport shuttle bus from Tsuruoka Station to Shonai Airport🚎(about 30 minutes)17:45~ From Shonai Airport to Haneda Airport✈️18:50~ Arrival at Haneda AirportSpot information━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━📍 Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium🗺Address: 657-1 Okubo, Imaizumi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture🚗Car: About 30 minutes from JR Tsuruoka Station, about 20 minutes from Shonai Airport🚌Route bus: [Tsuruoka Station - Kamo - via Kamo Aquarium Go to Yunohama Onsen and get off at Kamo Aquarium】✅Recommended point: Cranialium ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆📍SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE🗺Address: 23-1 Shimotorinosu, Beijing, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆📍MOON TERRASSE🗺Address: 23-1 Shimotorinosu, Beijing, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture Suiden Terrace 2nd floor✅ Recommended menu: Non-alcoholic drinks ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆📍MOON TERRASSE/FARMER’S DINING IRODORI - Moon Terrace/Irodori🗺Address: Suiden Terrace 2nd floor, 23-1 Pekin Tashita Torinosu, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture✍️Notes: Only one type of breakfast is available! ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆📍 Mt. Haguro🗺Address: Temmuke, Haguro-cho, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata🚗How to get there: 53 minutes by bus from JR Tsuruoka Station (to the summit) 38 minutes by bus from JR Tsuruoka Station (get off at "Zuishinmon") 50 minutes on foot from Zuishinmon (to the summit)✅Recommended point: A sacred place that has existed since ancient times ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆📍 Haguro Mountain Five-Story Pagoda🗺Address: Haguro Mountain, Temmuke, Haguro-cho, Tsuruoka City🚗How to get there: Take the bus bound for "Haguro Mountain Summit", "Gassan 8th Station" or "Zuishinmon" from bus stop No. 2 in front of Tsuruoka Station for 35 minutes and get off at Zuishinmon and walk for about 10 minutes✅Recommended point: National treasure ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆📍Ninosaka Chaya🗺Address: 33 Haguro Mountain, Temmuke, Haguro-cho, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture✅Recommended menu: The specialty is Chikara-mochi ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆📍 Sanshingosaiden🗺Address: 7, Temukai, Temukai, Haguro-cho, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata🚗Directions: Walk up the approach from the bottom or take a bus to the top✅Recommended point: Power spot ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆📍Fruit Shop Aomori-ya🗺Address: 7-24, Suehiro-cho, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata✅Recommended menu: Caramel fig banana tart cake ⭕️Recommended points of this trip━━━━━━━━━━━✅A hotel perfect for staying in with a sauna, hot springs, and a library✅Seeing jellyfish at the world's best jellyfish aquarium is soothing✅As long as you can reserve your flight and hotel, you can enjoy it on a whirlwind trip the day before! ✅Perfect time to read, climb Mt. Haguro, and reflect on yourself ❌Things to note about this trip━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⚠️There aren't many buses, so be sure to check the timetable! ⚠️It's only one night, so it's recommended to pack your luggage compactly. You don't have to check your luggage every time, so a bag is easier than a carry-on! Light is the best! If you have any recommended solo travel spots, please let me know in the comments🤗❤️ #besttrip2023 #domestictravel #solotravel #shonai #yamagatatrip #mthaguro #hotelstay

♨️Wenhai Hot Spring Bankuoya♨️ We stayed in a room with an open-air bath that flowed directly from the source. From the moment you enter the hotel you will feel like you are in a luxury hotel. Although it is not a new hotel, it does not feel old. The abalone for dinner was very satisfying. Also the Yamagata beef shabu shabu was delicious and after filling up on rice I was full. The sea bream rice for breakfast was also delicious. Address－Japan 〒999-7204 Yamagata, Tsuruoka, Yuatsumi, Tei−１ Environment/Facilities - Three large public baths and open-air hot springs Price per person: HKD 3,000 per night including breakfast and dinner for two Rating - 💜💜💜💜💜 #hotspringhotel #goodplaceforkids #Yamagata #foodie #travelinjapan

Italian cuisine made with ingredients such as native crops, meat, and fish from the Shonai area of ​​Yamagata Prefecture. The owner and chef is Masayuki Okuda. There are three lunch courses to choose from: 4,400 yen, 7,700 yen, and 15,000 yen. This was my first time here, so I chose the most affordable 4,400 yen course. I was full after eating five dishes: appetizer, risotto, main dish, pasta, dessert, and coffee! Everything was well seasoned, so I was able to finish it all even though I was full. The staff were very polite and explained each dish to me. It's a little far from Tsuruoka Station, so it's best to go by car or taxi. I walked an hour each way as a walk lol If you're going to Tsuruoka, be sure to visit! The course starts at a set time, so make a reservation on the official website! Al Checcano Main Store 43 Ongahara Inari, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, 997-0806 #Yamagata Prefecture #Tsuruoka City #Tsuruoka Lunch #Al Checcano #Italian Restaurant

A five-story pagoda, a national treasure, stands among the cedar trees along the approach to Mt. Haguro, one of the three mountains of Dewa. The current pagoda is said to have been rebuilt about 600 years ago. Further walking, you can enjoy the refreshing view of Suganotaki waterfall. It is a sacred place that is believed to have miraculous powers and is a sobering experience. A spot worth visiting in the hot summer👍 #QuintessaCampaign

A hotel built on water. The rooms are compactly designed, with even the air conditioner hidden inside the walls. Outside the window you can see the water, with fine waves swaying in the breeze. The hotel built on top of that is just fantastic. Furthermore, the interior of the hotel is like a library, with many books lined up. The food is gentle and made with local ingredients. This is a hotel that everyone should know about. #breathtakingview#hotspringtrip

1. Address: 657-1 Imaizumi Okubo, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture Recommended point: 5-meter jellyfish dome theater Rating: 5 A must-see for jellyfish lovers. The world's largest variety of exhibits, and at the jellyfish cultivation center, you can see the growth process of jellyfish from newborns. It's a small aquarium, but it's very satisfying!

#springitinerary It is the oldest of the six statues in the Shonai region, the Honmei Kaijin is enshrined here, and is said to have the benefit of curing eye diseases. It's secluded at the end of a small road, near farms. Mush or the area has been overgrown with moss, but that adds to the beauty and wonder of the area. Please make a reservation and visit. Please note that an admission fee is required.

#springitinerary Good place to visit if you are familiar with Japanese tele dramas and movies. House used for world famous tele drama Oshin is still remaining with some used household items. Location is amazing, full of nature with sound of the river, birds and wind through the mountains. There is a food court inside the facility, so you can eat. Movie-related souvenirs are also sold. [Free parking] Large [Toilets] Portable toilets

#springitinerary Tsuruoka city nature learning center, they offer information on local area, binoculars rental, hiking information. Also they offer a lot educational courses for handicrafts, dry fruits, fishing, birdwatching and many other activities. A place created by the Ramsar Convention The area around the upper and lower ponds is simply a wetland. It also serves as the trailhead to Mt. Takadate. Many wild birds including migratory birds. We are passionately working to exterminate alien species, mainly bullfrogs and crayfish. We were welcomed by kind staff in a building with a very warm atmosphere, and we had a great time.

#springitinerary It's a large park and I think it's fun when the cherry blossoms bloom. This is a natural park built on the ruins of Onoura Castle. Taking advantage of the topography of the mountain castle, it is suitable for walking, including easy walking paths, Shimoike and Kamiike, and climbing Mt. Takadate (274m). There are restrooms, benches, and guide maps here and there, so you can enjoy the changes. Shimoike is protected by the Ramsar Convention. There are famous cherry blossom viewing spots and even a children's park, all of which are beautifully maintained. There is also play equipment near the parking lot, so you can bring your children along.

#springitinerary This is a large park managed by the Tsuruoka City Urban Planning Division. On the opposite side of the bypass from the Shonai Tourism and Products Center. It's a shortcut if you pass under the guard. It's a spacious park with lots of play equipment, a basketball goal, and a ball game field, so it's a nice park that can be used by a wide range of age groups. The baseball field is often booked by locals early in the morning, and there are athletic facilities for children, vending machines on the benches, and restrooms. You are lucky enough to witness this beautiful flower in spring season💛

#springitinerary A fairly interesting museum of local culture, architecture, and the like. Very well organised place with super interesting buildings preserved from the Meiji era and an excellent collection of everyday life of people in Yamagata/Shonai area from Meiji until early Showa era. It is a large museum located in lenakashinmachi, Tsuruoka City. Located in the city center, there is ample parking available. The entrance fee is 1,000 yen, but I felt it was a great value considering the content.

#springitinerary It is a place where you can feel the strength of our ancestors who replaced their swords with hoes and survived the great changes after the Meiji Restoration. The museum charges an admission fee of 300 yen, and the main hall charges an admission fee of 100 yen. A stylish handmade traditional amusement park. You are lucky if you go there in spring season because the cherry blossoms are so beautiful that you can feel the atmosphere of the Shonai samurai.

#springitinerary Marvellous hike up to the temple in mid Spring. It’s a big shrine and place to worship the Dewa Sanzan. Due to Mt Gassan and Mt Yudono only opened for a few months, you can worship them here at Mt Haguro. When we went, most was covered in construction. We climbed all the way from the bottom (2447 steps) and took us about 45-50mins arriving at the top at around 9am. There are many parking lots around the office. The toilet is also located in front of the office.

Spend your days at this 370-year-old inn. Orange House is a cozy hotel located in a peaceful valley and surrounded by lush greenery. Relax and immerse yourself in the tranquility of Wenhai Hot Springs Long considered one of the best Japanese onsen The foot bathing area by the stream allows people to better integrate into the atmosphere of this century-old hot spring ♨️

#0 yen trip Fruit Shop Aomoriya is located in front of Tsuruoka Station in Yamagata Prefecture ✨ You can buy fruits, as well as takeaway cakes from the attached cafe 🥰 The cafe is cute with a pale white interior 💗 There is a wide variety of drinks, such as tea and fresh juice, which is great ☺️ The cake was so delicious that I took some home as takeaway...! Recommended for fruit lovers ✨ ⚠️By the way, you will definitely have to queue to get the cakes for takeaway! It's better to make sure you have plenty of time to queue! 🍽 Shop information ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Store name: Fruit Shop Aomoriya Address: 7-24 Suehirocho, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture Recommended menu: Caramel fig banana tart cake

#aprilblooms Located in Tsuruoka Park with beautiful cherry blossom trees along the moat, the Shonai Shrine was founded in the ruins of the former Honmaru of Tsurugaoka Castle by the people of Shonai who adored the former lord of the domain in Meiji 10 (1877) after the Meiji Restoration. The four successive lords of the Shonai Domain are enshrined as enshrined deities, and it is familiar to the people of the Shonai area from its founding to today by the nickname "Shinja Han". "Hanachozu" has been a hot topic in recent years. Just looking at the seasonal flowers floating in the water seems to be healing. In addition, there is also a "water lottery" where the results will emerge if you float a fortune in the water, so be sure to try fortune-telling when you visit.

An excellent sushi restaurant in Shonai The tuna, sea urchin, and salmon roe are especially delicious The chef makes the sushi by himself, so it can take a while depending on the situation, so it's not suitable for people who can't wait, but it's fun to talk to the chef over the counter, so it's a good idea to tell him you want to sit at the counter when making a reservation The budget is about 7,000 to 8,000 yen for sashimi, special (including nigiri and the specialty negitoro), and alcohol such as sake 🏖️Atmosphere/Facilities: A sushi restaurant in the city 📍Location: 10 minutes by taxi from Tsuruoka Station 💰Price per person: 5,000 to 10,000 yen #Spring 0 yen trip##Shonai trip

#springwander A mountain with an altitude of 414 metres located northwest of Mt. Tsuki, the main peak of the Three Mountains of Dewa. A few minutes on the mountain road from the Suijinmon gate where the bus stop is located, a 29-metre-high five-story pagoda stands tall as if it blends in with the cedar tree. It is said that it was founded by Taira Masakado in the year of Tenkei (938), and it is one of the few Buddhist buildings that remain in Mt. Haguro, which was in the form of a combination of Shinto and Buddhism. It was designated as a national treasure in 1966. There are a whopping 2,446 stone steps from the five-storied pagoda to the top of the mountain. There are difficulties along the way, so I want to be careful when choosing shoes. When you reach the top of the mountain, the Sanjinai Festival Hall, which has one of the largest thatched roofs in Japan, is enshrined. The current Goseiden was built in Bunsei (1818) with a large amount of money of 5,275 ryo (more than 500 million yen in modern times). It is characterised by a bright vermilion-coloured shrine, and fine carvings are applied everywhere. On the way back, you can also use a bus to and from the top of the mountain.

Address: 23-1, Tonosu, Tanashimo, Beijing, 997-0053 Atmosphere/Facilities: A hotel surrounded by books, just like a library. There is also a library for guests to relax in. Recommended points: At night, there is a bar and an automatic sake and wine machine, so you can enjoy Yamagata's alcohol at a reasonable price. Average price: 10,000 yen per night with breakfast, 500 yen per glass of sake and wine Budget per person: 12,000 yen and up if you want to enjoy alcohol as well Rating: 4.5 stars

Later, when I researched online about places to visit in Yamagata Prefecture, I came across Mt. Haguro, one of the sacred mountains in the eyes of the Japanese. Walking along the shrine trail, you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and fresh air along the way. The black five-story pagoda has been repaired, so be sure to come and see it if you have the chance. #Japan #JapaneseAttractions #Yamagata #Mt.Haguro #MarchDestinations2025

#2月好地方2025 Japan's historic mountain training grounds: Dewa Sanzan One of them is the one we visited today: Mt. Haguro. 💞Recommendation reason: Mt. Haguro covered with snow is still solemn and elegant. It takes about 30 minutes to walk slowly from the very beginning of the Shinmon Torii to the five-story pagoda, of course, this includes the time for taking photos📷. Finally we arrived at the famous tourist attraction **Haguro Mountain Five-Storied Pagoda** and it was snowing heavily. It was really super romantic and beautiful. ⚠️Please note: The trails are slippery during the snow season, so you should wear crampons or go to the center next door to change into rain boots and trekking poles to avoid slipping and getting injured! #Japan #snow #Mt. Haguro #Mt. Haguro Five-Storied Pagoda