{"id":87126,"date":"2021-12-27T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-27T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=87126"},"modified":"2024-02-27T14:38:29","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T05:38:29","slug":"top-things-to-see-and-do-tsuruoka-nature-hot-springs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/top-things-to-see-and-do-tsuruoka-nature-hot-springs\/","title":{"rendered":"Tsuruoka: A Journey into Nature, Hot Springs, and the Realm of Spirit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Tsuruoka City (\u9db4\u5ca1\u5e02) and its surrounding region are, without a doubt, one of Japan\u2019s most unique, hidden gems for travelers. Full of a long, rich history that touches on Japan\u2019s spiritual roots in Buddhism, a dense and creative culinary tradition, beachside hot springs, and deep forest hiking trails: Tsuruoka has something for every type of traveler, and should not be overlooked when planning an itinerary to Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Located on Japan\u2019s main island of Honshu in the northeast along the western coast, Tsuruoka is a chilly, snowy area blanketed in snow during winter months, and cozy and comfortable in shorts and T-shirts in summer months. A formerly critical location along a major trade route the Kitamaebune (\u5317\u524d\u8239) running from Osaka to its northernmost prefecture Hokkaido, Tsuruoka has soaked up a diverse array of cultures during its history. Locals, too, can find plenty to enjoy, and its location relatively close to its eastern companion city Sendai makes it easy enough to get to by train, plane, or car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The standout feature of Tsuruoka is definitely the three sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan<\/strong> (also known as \u201cthe three mountains of Dewa\u201d), Mt. Haguro<\/strong>, Mt. Gassan<\/strong>, and Mt. Yudono<\/strong>. The region is stunningly beautiful in all seasons, and merits return trips for those who want to absorb all the area has to offer. There\u2019s hiking along short and long trails, waystations for travelers, live-in monks along the way, personal guides if so desired, traditional structures like temples, shrines, and pagodas, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n