'''Tsuruoka''' (____) is a city in Yamagata.
Get in
By plane
The nearest airport is '''Shonai Airport''', from which shuttle buses run to Tsuruoka (30 minutes, ¥740).
By train
Tsuruoka is located on the '''JR Uetsu Line''' which runs along the Sea of Japan.
From Tokyo, Tsuruoka is reachable in as little as four hours by taking a '''Joetsu Shinkansen''' ''Toki'' or ''Max Toki'' service, changing in Niigata to one of several daily '''Inaho''' limited express trains (¥12760).
Taking local trains from Tokyo is '''not advised''', unless you're willing to either leave Tokyo bright and early, or spend the evening somewhere along the 11 to 12 hour journey. For just a few hundred yen more than the cost of taking all local trains, you can take one overnight bus:
By bus
Shonai Kotsu runs an overnight bus, the "Yuhi Express", from Shibuya and Ikebukuro in Tokyo to Tsuruoka. It takes about 8 hours from Shibuya to Tsuruoka at a cost of ¥7540 one way, ¥13570 round trip.
Get around
See
'''Chidokan''' (_v____). Famous school for samurai children. Open Tue-Sun, free entry.
'''Shonai Shrine''', in the central park.
'''Zenpoji Temple''' (_P____), 30 min by bus from Tsuruoka station, [http://www.zenpoji.jp/]. Known for its five-storied pagoda.
Do
Tsurunoyu. __T__. onmachi 2-chome 4-21. ake bus to Minami-Ginza (______), then walk 10 min. o-Tu,Th-Sa 3-9 PM. 00 yen. Movie buffs will want to detour to this little neighborhood ''sento'' (public bath), which was one of the key settings of the Japanese Oscar winner "Departures" (''Okuribito''). They've been operating more or less unchanged since opening in 1941.
Buy
Eat
Tsuruoka's claim to culinary fame is ''dadacha-mame'' (__________), the local variant of the popular snack ''edamame''. The appearance and taste resembled peas in the pod, and many are surprised to find out that this, too, is actually made from soyabeans.
Drink
Sleep
'''Washington Hotel'''. Standard-issue business hotel with cubicle-sized rooms, located right next to the train station. ¥7000.
Get out
Dewa Sanzan — the three holy mountains of Shugendo