Tsuruga, Obama, Wakasa Travel Guides

The Tsuruga, Obama, and Wakasa areas offer tourist attractions such as Kokubunji Temple, Okazaki, and Nakayama Temple; sightseeing events such as the Gion Festival, Jizo Bon Festival, and Sumo Jinku; and local delicacies such as fried bean curd, heshiko, and hajimochi (rice cake).

The Tsuruga, Obama, and Wakasa areas are all seaside areas, and can be traveled along National Route 162. Going south on Route 162, you will pass through mountainous areas and reach Kyoto City. Going east, it connects to the Hokuriku Expressway, which goes north to Kaga and south to Shiga, and connects to the Meishin Expressway.

National Route 162 has gentle ups and downs that are pleasant, and the ocean can be seen throughout the area, making it a comfortable driving course with no traffic congestion.

Tsuruga is an area where many of the residents are warm and hospitable, perhaps due to the generous welfare program.

Tsuruga is famous for its seafood, and the "Nihonkai Sakana Machi" (Sea of Japan Fish Market) is a place where you can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood, including "grilled horse mackerel," "seiko crab," and "snow crab," the king of domestic crabs, which are shipped in fresh from the port.

You will be overwhelmed by the number of fish shops, where you can enjoy fresh seafood on the spot, such as "Kaisendon" and "Sashimi Set Meal," as well as "Nodoguro" and "Mambo" sushi, which you cannot eat anywhere else. Take-out service is also available, so you will definitely regret not visiting the restaurant at least once.

As you continue west from Tsuruga, you will come to a junction of the national highway and the Mikata-Goko (Five Lakes of Mikata), and we recommend that you stop at the "Mikata-Goko Toll Road," or "Rainbow Road.

If you drive along this toll road, especially in the evening when the sun is setting, you will be able to see the sun setting into the sea and witness a very beautiful and fantastic scenery. You may also consider taking some pickled plums, a specialty of this area, as a souvenir along the way.

After joining Route 27 and driving further west along the coast, you will arrive at Obama, a town of fishermen. Although Obama is notable for its marine products, it is actually an area with a surprisingly large number of scenic spots, historical sites, and historic ruins.

The area is home to a great number of cultural assets, including Kuinji Temple, a family temple of the Kyogoku clan; Myotsuji Temple, which is said to have been founded by "Take no Sakanoue Tamuramaro," along with "Bun no Sugawara no Michizane"; and Tada Temple, one of the three major Yakushiji temples in Japan.

Needless to say, the seafood served at the seafood restaurants is always fresh, making it a gourmet area. If possible, it would be nice to visit in winter for the crab.