Tsuyama

The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

Okayama Airport (岡山空港 OKJ ^IATA), Okayama. The nearest airport is some distance away. If you don't have a car, you can get a Share-Ride Taxi (☏ +81 86-822-1234) for ¥2,500. Departure times vary by month. Reservations required. (updated Jul 2020)

Most train travelers take the Sanyo Line to Okayama Station. From there, you can take the Tsuyama Line directly to Tsuyama Station, the terminus, in about an hour for ¥1140. Alternatively, the Kishin Line connects Himeji to Tsuyama with a couple transfers. This can be a better option when using local trains with the Seishun 18 Ticket for travelers coming from Kansai. The Kishin Line also connects to Tsuyama with Niimi (¥1,320) to the west, but trains are infrequent.

If you are coming from the north, the JR Inbi Line connects Tottori to Tsuyama. Trains are less frequent, and it takes about 3 hours (¥1,490) to reach Tsuyama due to the lack of alignment with connections in Chizu. If you're waiting an hour or longer for a transfer, there is enough time to explore Chizu's historic district.

The Chugoku Expressway (中国自動車道) running from Nishinomiya in the east all the way to Shimonoseki in the west passes through Tsuyama. Route 53 connects Okayama and Tottori to Tsuyama. From the expressway or Route 53, take the exit at the Tsuyama Interchange. From Fukuchiyama, travel on Route 429 to reach Tsuyama. From Yonago, travel south on Route 181.

Ryobi Bus operates direct buses all the way from Shinagawa in Tokyo to Tsuyama for ¥9930 one way.

The JR Highway Bus and JR Shinki Bus have buses in Kyoto and Osaka bound for Tsuyama departing daily. The bus from Kyoto boards at Kyoto Station and costs ¥3000. There are two different boarding points in Osaka. The first stop is at Osaka Station (¥2670) from the Sakurabashi Exit. The other option is at Shin-Osaka Station. Buses departing from Osaka are much more frequent than those departing from Kyoto, so it is often easier to reserve seats or buy bus tickets upon arrival in Osaka. The bus that arrives at Shin-Osaka Station is the same bus that departs from Osaka Station, so those who wish to choose their seat or sit with a group should consider boarding at Osaka Station.

The Tsuyama City bus is the Gongo Bus, named after the city's mascot. Each ride costs ¥200. From Tsuyama Station, buses travel to places around central Tsuyama, including Joto Street, along with buses to the Kume area. Buses to the northern regions can be accessed from stops closer to Higashi-Tsuyama Station.

Upon exiting the station, there are car rentals available.

Taxis are available at Tsuyama Station.

Bike rentals are a great way to explore Tsuyama. You can rent bikes at the Tourist Information Center to the right of Tsuyama Station. Two-hour rentals cost ¥400 or ¥1000 for the entire day. Motorized bikes cost ¥600 for two hours or ¥2000 for the day. When renting bikes, pay the daily fee upfront and when you return, depending on how long you were out, you will get money back.

Although some of the sites are too far to reach on foot, the sites in and around Joto Street are all within walking distance of Tsuyama Station. For a map of the area, visit the information center just to the right of Tsuyama Station. Kakuzan Park takes 15-20 minutes to reach from the station on foot. Even some of the sites off Joto Street, such as Shurakuen Garden can be reached on foot.

Joto Street (城東) is Tsuyama's historic district. During the Edo Period, Tsuyama was an important stop along the pilgrimage route to Izumo Shrine. Joto Street was where the pilgrims would pass through and stay. The old houses have been preserved so that today visitors can get a feel for what the city was like back in its heyday as a castle town.

• 🌍 Kakuzan Park (鶴山公園 Kakuzan koen), 135 Yamashita, ☏ +81 86-822-4572. 08:40-17:00. This park contains the ruins of Tsuyama Castle (津山城), once considered to be the most spectacular Japanese castle. Since the castle was decommissioned during the Meiji Period, all that remains today are the castle walls however, they are truly well-preserved, and a walk around the castle grounds offers many great views of the city and a feel for the castle's former grandeur. The small turret, the only castle structure in the park, was reconstructed in 2004 out of wood to stay true to the original to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Tsuyama Castle. The park has gained fame as not only being the best place in Okayama but also as the best place in the entire Chugoku region for viewing cherry blossoms due to its 1,000 cherry blossom trees, scenic ruins, and festive atmosphere. It is also a great place to view the changing leaves in the fall. There is a heart-shaped stone in the walls of the former honmaru that is a popular photo-op, particularly among women. It is even featured on some of the souvenirs. ¥300. 
• 🌍 Former Residence of Mitsukuri Genpo (箕作阮甫旧宅 Mitsukuri genpo kyuutaku), 6 Nishishinmachi. 09:00-16:00. Mitsukuri Genpo was an important figure during the time when Japan first encountered the West. He translated many Western texts into Japanese and helped create policies in dealing with the Western powers. His former residence is on Joto Street — look for the prominent signs. Free. 
• 🌍 Tsuyama Archives of Western Learning (津山洋学資料館 Tsuyama yogaku shiryokan), 5 Nishishinmachi, ☏ +81 86-823-3324. Tu-Su 09:00-16:30. A museum with information and artifacts relating the Japan's first contact with the West. It also gives information about the important role the city of Tsuyama played in interacting with the West. ¥150. 
• 🌍 Tsuyama Folk Museum (津山郷土博物館), 92 Yamashita, ☏ +81 86-822-4567. Daily 09:00-17:00. As Tsuyama has been the center of Mimasaka culture since the province was established, the museum displays artifacts and information from the founding of Mimasaka to the present, including a replica of the original Tsuyama Castle. ¥210. 
• 🌍 Tsuyama Museum of Science Education (つやま自然ふしぎ館 Tsuyama shizen fushigikan), 98-1 Yamashita, ☏ +81 86-822-3518. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. Also, known as Tsuyama Wonder Museum, it's a great destination for those traveling with children. The science museum features a variety of exhibits, from body organs to wildlife displays. ¥800. 

• 🌍 Joto Old Town House (城東むかし町家), 40 Higashi-Shinmachi, ☏ +81 86 822-5791. 09:00-17:00, closed Tu. Located in the former Kajimura House (梶村家), a wealthy merchant family. The main house was built in the Edo Period and the houses behind were built in the Taisho and Showa Periods. Visitors can enter the house and other buildings and enjoy its lovely garden. Free. (updated Jun 2019)
• 🌍 Port Art & DesignTsuyama (ポート アート＆デザイン津山), 823 Kawasaki. 10:00-18:00, closed Tu. A local gallery featuring rotating exhibits. The building is arguably as interesting if not moreso than the art. It is architecturally built like a temple but was not a religious structure. It was actually built in 1920 as a local bank and was used as a bank until 1975. This becomes evident upon entering as the interior is well-preserved with the receptionist counters still intact. Free. (updated Jun 2020)

• 🌍 Shurakuen Garden (衆楽園 Shūraku-en), 628 Yamakita, ☏ +81 86-823-6507. 07:00-20:00. Constructed in 1657 by Mori Nagatsugu, one of Tsuyama's feudal lords, Shurakuen is a strolling garden used as a place to entertain guests. While the current garden is sizable, the original was actually three times larger. The garden is considered worthwhile in every season with cherry blossoms in the spring, lillies in the summer, autumn leaves in the fall, and snow in the winter (if you're lucky). Free. 
• 🌍 Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum (津山まなびの鉄道館), ☏ +81 86-835-3343. Tu-Su 09:00-16:00. A museum about trains and rail travel in Okayama with models, dioramas, and memorabilia. The highlight is its train turntable with 13 cars around it. ¥300. (updated Feb 2018)
• 🌍 Sakura Shrine (作楽神社 Sakura jinja), 433 Jingo, ☏ +81 868-28-0719. The shrine was built where Mimasaka Province's head office was located. It honors Emperor Daigo and Kojima Takanori. It is said that upon failing to capture Emperor Godaigo, Kojima Takanori carved a phrase expressing his shame on a cherry tree near the shrine. 
• 🌍 Choboji Temple (長法寺 Chōbō-ji) (A fifteen minute walk from JR Tsuyamaguchi Station), ☏ +81 86-822-6436. A Tendai Buddhist temple constructed during the Heian Period. Today, it is famous for the 4000 hydrangea bushes planted throughout the temple grounds that typically peak in mid-to-late June. 
• 🌍 Yayoi no Sato (弥生の里), ☏ +81 86-824-8413. 09:00-17:00. People have been living in Tsuyama and the surrounding area since ancient times. Yayoi no Sato has a museum (the Yayoi Culture Center) containing artifacts and displays about the villages that existed here during the Yayoi Period. Across the street from the center the Yayoi no Sato is a park area containing life-size replicas of Yayoi Period houses and other structures. Free. (updated May 2020)
• 🌍 Yokono Falls (横野滝), ☏ +81 86-827-2644. A scenic waterfall made up of three falls; a small one at the top leading to a 7-meter fall that finally flows down a 16-meter waterfall. It's a popular place among locals to get away and enjoy the nature as well as a nice place to see colorful leaves in the fall. In the summer months there is a restaurant by the waterfall serving nagashi-sōmen (流しそうめん), noodles flowing down bamboo chutes that you catch on your chopsticks to eat. 
• 🌍 Nakayama Shrine (中山神社 Nakayama jinja), 695 Ichimiya, ☏ +81 86-827-0051. A shrine built in 707 dedicated to the god of cattle and horses, the current shrine dates back to 1559. Free. 
• 🌍 M&Y Museum of Art (M&Y記念館), 13-8 Higashi Ichinomiya. 10:00-17:00. This art museum showcases the works of Munakata Shiko (M) and Yanai Michihiro (Y). Yanai Michihiro was a poet from Kagamino, neighboring city of Tsuyama. Munakata Shiko was born in Aomori but visited Tsuyama many times and said it was among his favorite places. He is known throughout Japan for his paintings and woodblock prints. Many works by Munakata are on display. ¥500. 
• 🌍 Umenosato Park (梅の里公園 Ume no sato kouen), 606-1 Kojiro, ☏ +81 86-857-2075. 24h. For those in the area in February or March, just prior to the cherry blossoms, this park makes a great location to see Japan's other famous flowers; plum blossoms. With 3800 plum trees, it's extremely beautiful, not to mention fragrant, to see them all in bloom. Free. 
• 🌍 Tokumori Shrine (徳守神社, Tokumori-jinja), 5 Miyawaki-machi, ☏ +81 86-822-9532. Dating back to 1664, this shrine was built by Tsuyama's first daimyo, Mori Tadamasa. The shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu and it houses one of Japan's Three Great Mikoshi (portable shrines). 
• 🌍 Kibune Shrine (貴布禰神社 Kibune jinja), ☏ +81 86-832-7014. The shrine is believed to have come from Kurama's Kifune Shrine sometime during the reign of Emperor Sujin. Free. 
• 🌍 Sōja Shrine (美作総社宮, mimasaka-sōja-gū), 425 Soja, ☏ +81 868-22-4390. One of the top three shrines of the Mimasaka area. The current shrine dates back to 1562. Free. 
• 🌍 Fukurikikō Shrine (福力荒神社), 130 Fukuriki (10 min walk from Mimasaka-Osaki Station), ☏ +81 86-826-3305. It was built by the former rulers of Mimasaka Province to pray for a safe and healthy childbirth for the daimyo's daughter. The shrine is also said to protect people from viper bites. 
• 🌍 Yaide Tenmangu Shrine (八出天満宮). Sugawara no Michizane stopped here for eight days, and so it was dedicated to him as the God of Learning, when he was posthumously deified. 
• 🌍 Kamo History and Folk Museum (加茂町歴史民俗資料館). M-F 09:00-17:00, closed holidays. Located in the Kamo Town Welfare Center, the museum features locally excavated artifacts with information about them. (updated Jun 2020)
• 🌍 Kume History and Folk Museum (久米歴史民俗資料館), 1271 Nakakitashimo. M-F 09:00-17:00, closed holidays.. The museum features a variety of locally excavated artifacts from abandoned temples and the Nasuyama ruins. Free. (updated Jun 2020)

• Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival, Kakuzan Park. Early-mid Apr. Tsuyama is known in Okayama prefecture as the best place to view cherry blossoms in the spring. The Cherry Blossom Festival features an impressive 5,000 cherry trees. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful flowers among the ancient castle ruins. There is also a Daimyo Procession parade. (updated Jul 2020)
• Gongo Festival. First Sa-Sun in Aug. In honor of Gongo (a kappa, one of Japan's mythical creatures), the Gongo Festival is a lively celebration with parades in the daytime and fireworks at night. The festival is held alongside the Yoshii River and on the opposite side are various vendors and foodstands. Lanterns are hung from above and the fireworks are shot over the river. (updated Jul 2020)
• Tsuyama Matsuri, Tokumori Shrine. Mid-Oct. The highlight of this festival is the Daimyo Procession, in which they carry a portable shrine (mikoshi) from the shrine down through the Tamachi District. (updated Jul 2020)
• Izumo Street Festival, Joto Street. First Su in Nov. This festival features a parade of individuals dressed in traditional Japanese clothing to remind everyone of the city's history as a part of the ancient pilgrimage to Izumo Shrine. Various other performances and events, such as tea ceremonies, are also held. (updated Jul 2020)