Floats, Kombu Tasting, & Shrine
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Port
Tsuruga, Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$310
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Discover the culture and traditions of Tsuruga; from festivals to local delicacies and iconic shrines, there is so much to see.
Your first destination is Minato Tsuruga Yama Kaikan. Check out the floats used at the Kehi Jingu Shrine Annual Festival. There is an exhibition room full of armor, helmets, and Noh masks worn by Samurai dolls typically found on floats from Tsuruga.
The former Owada Bank building is an annex to the museum. It's an Important Cultural Property of Japanese and contains a model of the Kitamaebune merchant ships that were so important to the prosperity of Tsuruga.
Okui Kaiseido has specialized in Kombu seaweed or kelp (umami) since 1870. Taste dashi (soup) made from Kombu with recipes that have evolved over time -- the differences in color, taste and aroma are quite fascinating. In the cellar, dried Kombu is stored at carefully controlled temperatures and humidity for many years, increasing the concentration of umami taste through a process of maturation.
It's no overstatement to say that the iconic Kehi Jingu Shrine is the largest and most important shrine in the Hokuriku region. Founded in AD 702 and mostly destroyed in 1945, it boasts one surviving structure -- a 36-foot-tall red wooden Torii gate, built in 1902 and a registered Important Cultural Property.
Following this fascinating glimpse into the traditions of Tsuruga, you'll return to the pier.
Please note:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Tour sequence may vary. Traffic can be unpredictable; your patience is greatly appreciated if a delay extends the tour duration. Bring local currency, as some vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars. Okui Kaiseido is a workplace not usually open to the public -- standing room is very limited; you may feel a little crowded. Photography is not allowed at Minato Tsuruga Yama Kaikan.