1-19 Kanegasakichō, Tsuruga, Fukui 914-0072, Japan
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One of the oldest railway buildings
I visited this building in early August 2024 while exploring Tsuruga.
The information board reads:
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Former Tsuruga Port Station Lamp Shed
(Kanegasaki Station Lamp Shed)
This building was completed in November 1882, the year the Tsuruga-Nagahama railway line was laid, and, along with the former Nagahama Station building, it is one of the oldest railway buildings in Japan.
The Japan Freight Railway Company donated the building to Tsuruga City on February 5, 2014, and restoration work, including restoring the tiled roof and repairing the joints, was carried out in 2014 and 2015.
The building contains two rooms, one displaying panels related to the lamp shed and the other a restored interior of the lamp shed as it was when the railway first opened.
Opening Hours:
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed Wednesdays and over the New Year holidays
Admission Fee:
Free
*Opening may be canceled during inclement weather.
March 1, 2023
Tsuruga City Board of Education
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The well-maintained building evokes a sense of the past, and the information boards, including the use of lamps, helped me gain a deeper understanding.
It's rare to find a lamp shed that you can enter inside. It's unmanned and open during the day, free of charge. You can open the door and enter freely. It has two doors and two compartments, one of which depicts a realistic lamp shed from the time, and the other an exhibition space. Apparently, in the early days, railway lights were all oil-fired, not electric like they are today. It certainly makes sense, considering electricity wasn't widely available during the Meiji period. Looking closely, the lamplight is unique, flickering like a candle. Since I happened to be alone, I lost track of time for a while, admiring the charming lights.
The adjacent exhibition space has an explanation of the lamp shed, as well as old drawings and photographs. The lamp shed is clearly visible in the photo, which is interesting.
By the way, although this is a railway-related facility in Tsuruga, it's a little far from the Tsuruga Railway Museum. It's located around the back of the Red Brick Warehouse, a prominent tourist attraction in the area. Or, it's Kanegasaki Park No. 2 Parking Lot. In other words, it's located at the foot of the trail to Kanegasaki Castle. If you mainly walk around the port area, it may be a little far away and difficult to find, but it is a historically interesting spot so it is worth stopping by on your stroll.
Just for your reference.
Visited in January 2023. Before the widespread use of electricity, oil-fueled lamps were used to indicate train movements and other information using color patterns. Apparently, lamp sheds were found all over the place at the time. Only a handful remain, and while they have great historical value, they're rather plain and not the kind of thing that would excite children. However, for older guys like me, they have a certain appeal. If I ever visit Tsuruga again, I'd like to stop by.
I didn't even notice it was right in front of me!
I never imagined it would be so cute (and small).
The brickwork gives it a lovely atmosphere.
My father worked for the Japanese National Railways, so I'm very curious about it.
I was a little excited.♥
More about Former Tsuruga Port Station Lamp Hut from our blog
