Tsuruoka: Culinary Tradition and Castle History

Tsuruoka combines UNESCO recognition for gastronomy with the history of Tsurugaoka Castle. In the city’s surroundings, points of interest range from the Sasamaki tradition, which dates back more than 230 years, to moats, stone walls and centuries-old cedars in Tsuruoka Park. There are also route options from the station to the park and a tourist information centre opposite the station. On a trip, gastronomic history, historic landscapes and practical guidance come together.

A long-standing culinary tradition

In 2014, Tsuruoka became the first city in Japan to receive recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. The designation is permanent, while the culinary offering changes over time. One concrete example of tradition is Sasamaki, a traditional sweet with a history of more than 230 years. The designation and the sweet offer different perspectives: one is a city’s gastronomic recognition, the other an individual dish with a centuries-old tradition.

In 2024, a culinary experience took place at Tsuruoka Food Culture Market FOODEVER, in front of JR Tsuruoka Station. This provides a specific example of a culinary experience tied to a particular time, alongside the long history of a sweet.

The history of Tsurugaoka Castle

Tsuruoka Park occupies the site of the main and second baileys, along with the protective moats, of Tsurugaoka Castle. The castle was the former residence of the Sakai family of the Shonai Domain; the family regarded the castle site as its residence for around 250 years. The surviving remains of the grounds include moats, stone walls and centuries-old cedars. The history of the former residence is thus connected with the features that remain from the castle grounds.

From the station to Tsuruoka Park

From Tsuruoka Station, you can reach Tsuruoka Park in seven minutes on the city loop bus; get off at the Chido Museum stop. Travel time may vary. On foot, the route is 1.6 kilometres and takes 23 minutes. The bus is the quicker option in terms of time; the walking route adds a specific distance to the comparison. You can weigh up how to get there based on the time available and your preferred mode of transport.

Other traces of history

Another historical trace is the Black Madonna statue at Tsuruoka Catholic Church. A French convent donated it in 1903, the same year the church was completed. Compared with the castle’s approximately 250-year history as a residence, the statue’s story is tied to a single year.

Information and bicycle rental

The tourist information centre is on the first floor of the FOODEVER building opposite Tsuruoka Station. There, you can get help in English with finding your way around the city. Visitors can borrow bicycles free of charge for one day; bicycle rental is seasonal. Check the latest service and rental details before your trip.

When looking for a holiday rental, you can start by considering the kind of trip you want: are you mainly interested in culinary history, the castle grounds or routes to the park? The bus and walking details provide a specific reference point for planning a visit to the park, while the other topics set the cultural and culinary context for your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Fukura, Sakata, Kaminoyama, Yamagata, Nishimurayama District, Takahata, Higashine, Yonezawa

For the main travel overview: Yamagata Prefecture.