Major city · Japan
Tsuruoka鶴岡
Spend a half‑day in Tsuruoka to see the historic sites and try dadacha‑mame; stay one night if you want a relaxed evening at a city‑center hotel.
Tsuruoka is a small Yamagata city on the Sea of Japan. The main sights cluster near the station and can be visited in 4–5 hours. One night lets you enjoy a local onsen and the evening market without rushing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (check)
- avoid Jan–Feb (snow, check)
- Airport
- SYO
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tsuruoka110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (English, 24 h)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tsuruoka, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyTsuruoka is low‑risk; standard Japanese safety standards apply.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (English, 24 h) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSYO Shonai Airport (Shuttle bus 30 min, ¥740 (≈ US$5)).
- Getting aroundWalk or local bus; shuttle from Shonai Airport runs every hour.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedCapsule or hostel bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness‑hotel double room, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedBusiness‑hotel double room, a night, per room¥35,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥10,000 (≈ US$70) · High ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SYO Shonai Airport (Shuttle bus 30 min, ¥740)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tsuruoka: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or local bus; shuttle from Shonai Airport runs every hour. JR Uetsu Line connects to Sakata (≈30 min) and Niigata (≈2 h).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sakata
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
JR Uetsu Line, about 30 min from Tsuruoka Station
Port city with historic warehouses; good for a short lunch.
Yunohama Onsen
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus from Tsuruoka Station, about 40 min
Hot‑spring resort with ryokan baths.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Apa Hotel Tsuruoka
Next to Tsuruoka Station, ¥7,000 per night
Hotel Alpha‑1
Business hotel near station
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–7,000 (≈ US$35–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥13,000 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Capsule or hostel bed2 × 3 nights × ¥4,500 | ¥27,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × ¥10,000 | ¥60,000 |
| Trip total≈ ¥14,500 per person per day, bed included | ¥87,000≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Watch out
Safety
- Last local bus leaves around 22:00; plan ahead if staying late.Last local bus leaves around 10:00 PM; plan ahead if staying late.
- Some temple openings vary seasonally; check ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (English, 24 h)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Tsuruoka鶴岡
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (English, 24 h)050-3816-2787
Embassy
My embassy: —
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tsuruoka. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct (check) · avoid Jan–Feb (snow, check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel shuttle (SYO → Apa Hotel) for quick arrival.
- Walking cluster around station: Chidokan, Shonai Shrine, Kamo Aquarium.
Sources
Ask about Tsuruoka
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