Where you're staying.
A port first. The railway came later.
The town sits at the head of Tsuruga Bay, with mountains on three sides and the bay opening north to the Sea of Japan.
Kelp came south from Hokkaido by ship, was processed here, and went on to Kyoto and Osaka through Lake Biwa. Tsuruga still produces about 85% of Japan's oboro kombu — kelp shaved into paper-thin sheets.
Kagura
The covered shopping street in front of the shrine. Confectioners, a kelp shop, a bedding store.
Kehi Jingu
One of the three great wooden torii gates in Japan. It sits on an ordinary intersection, with the mountains right behind it.
Honmachi
Where the bars are. Pufferfish is in season from October to March. Some places stay open until three in the morning.
Kanegasaki
The hill above the port, looking back over the town and the mountains behind it.
Kehi no Matsubara
One of the three great pine groves in Japan, and a designated national scenic site. It runs along the head of Tsuruga Bay, a kilometre of sand backed by pines.
The city's own map
127 spots, in Japanese, English and Chinese. Made by Tsuruga City.