How do I get to Tsuruga Station from major cities in Japan

From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen directly to Tsuruga Station in approximately 3 hours 8 minutes. From Osaka, take the limited express train via the JR Kosei Line, taking about 1 hour 50 minutes. From Kanazawa, the Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Tsuruga in 50 minutes. All routes are covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

What attractions are accessible from Tsuruga Station?

The Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum is 1.5 kilometers from the station, reachable by local bus in 10 minutes. Kehi Shrine, featuring an 11-meter torii gate, is 2 kilometers northeast, accessible by bus or taxi in under 10 minutes. Kehi no Matsubara, a 1.5-kilometer pine grove along Tsuruga Bay, is 15 minutes away by bus.

Are there luggage storage facilities at Tsuruga Station?

Coin lockers are available on the ground floor and near the shinkansen platforms. Small lockers cost 300-400 yen, medium 500-600 yen, and large 700-800 yen per day. The tourist information center offers temporary storage during business hours if lockers are full.

What local food is available at Tsuruga Station?

Station restaurants serve Echizen crab (November to March), sauce katsudon (breaded pork cutlet with Worcestershire sauce), and heshiko (fermented mackerel). These represent Fukui Prefecture's regional specialties.

Can I use Tsuruga Station as a base for regional travel?

Tsuruga Station connects to Kanazawa in 50 minutes by shinkansen, Fukui City in 30 minutes by limited express, and Obama in 40 minutes by local train via the Obama Line. The station provides access to Hokuriku region destinations and Wakasa Bay coastal areas.

Tsuruga Station

3.8 (1009)Train StationTransit StationPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Tsuruga Station serves as the primary railway gateway to Tsuruga City in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. Located on the west coast of Honshu along the Sea of Japan, this station has functioned as a crucial transportation hub since its opening in 1882 as part of the Hokuriku Main Line. The station gained renewed prominence in March 2024 when the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension finally connected it to Tokyo, dramatically reducing travel times and transforming accessibility to the region.

The station's historical significance extends beyond its railway function. Tsuruga has long been recognized as the "Port of Humanity" for its role in accepting Jewish refugees who fled Europe via the Trans-Siberian Railway during World War II, with many passing through this very station. The city also served as a major entry point for Korean refugees after the war. This humanitarian legacy is commemorated at the nearby Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum, located approximately 1.5 kilometers from the station and reachable by local bus in about 10 minutes.

Visitors arriving at Tsuruga Station find themselves ideally positioned to explore both cultural sites and natural attractions. The station provides direct access to Kehi Shrine, one of Hokuriku's most important Shinto shrines, featuring a massive 11-meter tall torii gate that ranks among Japan's tallest. The shrine lies roughly 2 kilometers northeast and can be reached by bus or taxi in under 10 minutes. For coastal scenery, Kehi no Matsubara, a scenic pine grove stretching 1.5 kilometers along the beach, offers walking paths with views of Tsuruga Bay and is accessible within 15 minutes by bus.

The tourist information center on the ground floor provides maps and assistance in English. From Tsuruga Station, travelers can reach Tokyo in approximately 3 hours 8 minutes via the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Osaka in about 1 hour 50 minutes by limited express train, and Kanazawa in roughly 50 minutes by shinkansen. Local buses departing from the station's west exit connect to major attractions throughout the city, with most destinations accessible within 500 to 1,000 yen for round-trip fares. The station itself requires no admission fee and serves as a free starting point for exploring Tsuruga's historical and natural offerings.

What other travelers are saying about Tsuruga Station

During my trip to Kansai earlier this year, I accidentally boarded the wrong train from Kyoto and headed north instead of Osaka. Thankfully, the passengers and train staff were incredibly kind and helpful. With their assistance, I managed to get off at Tsuruga Station. The station staff there patiently explained which train I should take, and I was able to board the correct train to Osaka without any issues. This little mishap turned into one of the most memorable parts of my journey. I was deeply touched by the calmness, warmth, and willingness to help from complete strangers, all with smiles on their faces. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who lent a hand—I truly experienced the kindness and hospitality of the Japanese people.

YinTing Lin

Sep 6, 2025

We made a stopover here on the way to Kyoto to go to the sea. We were able to lock our luggage in the lockers at "Exit West". Just go all the way to the end. From there we travelled to the Matsubara Beach Resort. Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy because the buses don't run that often. It's best to check beforehand :)

Stopped at Tsuruga Station during our trip from Nagano to Osaka. This station is clean, modern, and well-organized with smooth train transfers. The station area has convenient shops, cafés, and souvenir stores featuring local specialties. Easy to navigate and comfortable for a short stop or transit break 👍

The Shinkansen extension station is very nice! Using the Hokuriku Arch Pass, Tsuruga station is where you change from Shinkansen to Limited Express Thunderbird or Shirasagi. ***BECAREFUL*** Once you get off, you have limited time to get Limited Express reserve seats. If there are a few people getting reserve tickets at the machine or in ticketing office, you will miss the Limited Express and you will have to wait until the next available (seems like an hour). One the other hand, Tsuruga area near the station is very nice to explore and enjoy.

Visiting "Tsuruga Station" and Tsuruga City for the first time was quite an experience. The station is quite large, thanks to the extension of the "Hokuriku Shinkansen" to Tsuruga in March 2024. After exiting the west side of the station, I noticed a variety of hotels, local souvenir shops, Starbucks, and even the campus of Fukui University right behind the Starbucks. I saw many visitors from overseas, and I hope they enjoyed their stay in the elegantly modest and beautiful city of Tsuruga as much as I did.