BASE TRAVEL TSURUGA

Slow down. Go farther.

Most trips through Japan mean changing hotels every few days. Pack, check out, drag your bag to the station, check in again.

There's another way. Tsuruga sits between Kyoto, Kanazawa and the Sea of Japan, with direct trains in every direction. Keep one base. Go out and come back.

Kehi Jingu, the mountains behind the town, and the road in front of it

Where you can go

All direct from Tsuruga. The last column is the last train that brings you back the same night.

Last train back
Fukui20 min23:10
Kyoto55 min21:21
Kanazawaunder 1 hr22:34
Toyama80 min22:10
Osaka85 min20:54
Nagoya100 min19:48
Tokyo3¼ hrs20:00

None of these needs a change of train.

A week from one room

One example. You don't have to follow it — that's the point.

The approach to the shrine after dark
DAY 1

Arrive

Get in, drop your bag, find somewhere to eat. That's the whole day.

A street in Kyoto in the morning
DAY 2

Kyoto

Leave at 07:05, be there by 08:02. The last direct train back leaves at 21:21 — stay for dinner.

07:05 → 08:02  ·  back 21:21
The harbour at Tsuruga, with the mountains behind
DAY 3

Stay in Tsuruga

You don't have to go somewhere every day. Walk down to the harbour and sit for a while. The mountains are right behind the town, and the sea is on the other side.

A tea house street in Kanazawa
DAY 4

Kanazawa

Under an hour north. Walk the old tea house streets, then come back whenever you like.

under 1 hr  ·  back 22:34
The sign at Tokyo Station
DAY 5

Tokyo

Three hours ten minutes, one train, no change.

07:27 → 10:37

COME BACK TONIGHT

20:00 Tokyo

23:16 Tsuruga

OR STAY TWO NIGHTS

Take a small bag.

Your suitcase stays in Tsuruga.

Kehi Jingu on an ordinary afternoon
DAY 6 & 7

Up to you

Go back to a city you liked. Try one you skipped. Or stay in town and do nothing.

Tsuruga, lately.

Photos of life in Tsuruga, shared by the people who see it.

Food stalls on a festival day
Sake manjū at the counter
Tense Sakamanju
A beach house and a bicycle
A lit doorway after dark
The town and the mountains
From Kanegasaki
Hanging decorations outside a wooden house

Before you book

Two things worth checking: how far you can actually get in a day, and whether a rail pass fits the way you want to travel.

Day trips from TsurugaRail passes

Train times verified September 2026. Regular daily services only.