From Wikitravel

Tsuruoka (鶴岡) is a city in Yamagata.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The nearest airport is Shonai Airport, from which shuttle buses run to Tsuruoka (30 minutes, ¥740).

[edit] By train

Tsuruoka is located on the JR Uetsu Line which runs along the Sea of Japan.

From Tokyo, Tsuruoka is reachable in as little as four hours by taking a Joetsu Shinkansen Toki or Max Toki service, changing in Niigata to one of several daily Inaho limited express trains (¥12760).

Taking local trains from Tokyo is not advised, unless you're willing to either leave Tokyo bright and early, or spend the evening somewhere along the 11 to 12 hour journey. For just a few hundred yen more than the cost of taking all local trains, you can take one overnight bus:

[edit] By bus

Shonai Kotsu runs an overnight bus, the "Yuhi Express", from Shibuya and Ikebukuro in Tokyo to Tsuruoka. It takes about 8 hours from Shibuya to Tsuruoka at a cost of ¥7540 one way, ¥13570 round trip.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

• Chidokan (致道館). Famous school for samurai children. Open Tue-Sun, free entry.
• Shonai Shrine, in the central park.
• Zenpoji Temple (善宝寺), 30 min by bus from Tsuruoka station, [1]. Known for its five-storied pagoda.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

Tsuruoka's claim to culinary fame is dadacha-mame (だだちゃ豆), the local variant of the popular snack edamame. The appearance and taste resembled peas in the pod, and many are surprised to find out that this, too, is actually made from soyabeans.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Washington Hotel. Standard-issue business hotel with cubicle-sized rooms, located right next to the train station. ¥7000.

[edit] Get out

• Dewa Sanzan — the three holy mountains of Shugendo

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