Things to Do in Tsuru (都留市), Yamanashi: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Tsuru (都留市) in Yamanashi Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Saihō Ji (9.7 km), Mishōtai Zan (7.6 km), Mitsutōge Mountain (8.0 km) and served by Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km) via the regional hub at Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line). Set at 596 m elevation (35.5515°N, 138.9054°E), Tsuru offers travelers a base for sampling regional Hoto (flat wheat noodles simmered in miso pumpkin broth), Koshu white wine & Kofu tori-motsuni (鳥もつ煮, glazed chicken offal), Yoshida udon (firm noodles near Mt. Fuji) cuisine and exploring neighboring Nishikatsura (西桂町) (6.7 km), Ōtsuki (大月市) (7.3 km), Dōshi (道志村) (11 km), Oshino (忍野村) (11.2 km).

Tsuru is located in southeastern Yamanashi Prefecture, in the foothills of Mount Fuji. It is bordered on the south by the Tanzawa Mountains. The area around Tsuru has been continuously inhabited since the Japanese Paleolithic period, and numerous artifacts from the Jōmon period and Kofun period have been found within its borders. The area has been part of ancient Tsuru County of Kai Province since the Nara period. Within Yamanashi Prefecture, Tsuru (都留市) serves as a city in Yamanashi Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1954-04-29) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Northern slopes of Mount Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako), Chureito Pagoda (Fujiyoshida), Koshu wine-country vineyards, and Shosenkyo Gorge.

What to See & Do in Tsuru (都留市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Tsuru (都留市) from Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km) at 596 m elevation (35.5515°N, 138.9054°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Tsuru):

• Saihō Ji (9.7 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tsuru (都留市).
• Mishōtai Zan (7.6 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tsuru (都留市).
• Mitsutōge Mountain (8.0 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tsuru (都留市).
• Fukugen Ji (10.8 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tsuru (都留市).
• Mount Fuji — local sightseeing landmark near Tsuru (都留市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Tsuru: Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km) (connecting to Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Tsuru

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Tsuru (都留市) and Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Yamanashi Prefecture and Chubu:

• Nishikatsura (西桂町) — 6.7 km from Tsuru (Yamanashi Prefecture)
• Ōtsuki (大月市) — 7.3 km from Tsuru (Yamanashi Prefecture)
• Dōshi (道志村) — 11 km from Tsuru (Yamanashi Prefecture)
• Oshino (忍野村) — 11.2 km from Tsuru (Yamanashi Prefecture)
• Fujiyoshida (富士吉田市) — 11.4 km from Tsuru (Yamanashi Prefecture)

Getting to Tsuru & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Tsuru (都留市) via Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km): 1h 30m from Tokyo Shinjuku Station to Kofu on the JR Limited Express Azusa/Kaiji, or 1h 55m to Kawaguchiko via the Fuji Excursion train or highway bus. From Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km) to reach central Tsuru (35.5515°N, 138.9054°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Kofu with Tsuru (都留市) and neighboring Nishikatsura, Ōtsuki, Dōshi. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Tsuru, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Tsuru and continuing toward Nishikatsura can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Tsuru: While Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km) anchors public transit for Tsuru, picking up a rental car at Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line) makes it easy to link Saihō Ji (9.7 km) and Mishōtai Zan (7.6 km) with nearby Nishikatsura (西桂町) (6.7 km), Ōtsuki (大月市) (7.3 km), Dōshi (道志村) (11 km), Oshino (忍野村) (11.2 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Tsuru (都留市) & Yamanashi

Dining near Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km) and across Tsuru (都留市) highlights the regional food culture of Yamanashi Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Tsuru:

• Local specialty & terroir of Tsuru (都留市): regional agriculture, seasonal produce, and traditional local craftsmanship.
• Hoto (flat wheat noodles simmered in miso pumpkin broth) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tsuru (都留市) and Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Koshu white wine & Kofu tori-motsuni (鳥もつ煮, glazed chicken offal) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tsuru (都留市) and Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Yoshida udon (firm noodles near Mt. Fuji) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tsuru (都留市) and Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Shine Muscat grapes & peaches — regional specialty enjoyed across Tsuru (都留市) and Yamanashi Prefecture.

If you are dining in Tsuru (都留市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km).

Where to Stay in Tsuru (都留市)

Visitors staying overnight in Tsuru (都留市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km), or base at major rail hubs in Kofu (Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line)) or neighboring Nishikatsura, Ōtsuki, Dōshi for quick train access into Tsuru. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Tsuru & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Tsuru (都留市, 596 m elevation at 35.5515°N, 138.9054°E): Mid-April for Chureito Pagoda cherry blossoms with Mt. Fuji; July–September for grape/peach orchards; November for Lake Kawaguchiko Maple Corridor & crisp clear Fuji views.

Wider sightseeing across Yamanashi Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Saihō Ji (9.7 km) in Tsuru (都留市) includes: Northern slopes of Mount Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako), Chureito Pagoda (Fujiyoshida), Koshu wine-country vineyards, and Shosenkyo Gorge.

Practical Travel Tips for Tsuru (都留市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Tsuru: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Kofu Station & Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line / Fujikyuko Line) or Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km) for local bus schedules to Saihō Ji (9.7 km) and walking maps of Tsuru (都留市).
• Cash & ATMs in Tsuru: Convenience stores and major hotels around Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Saihō Ji (9.7 km) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Tsuru accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Tsuru: Around Yamuramachi Station (谷村町駅) (0.1 km) and neighboring Nishikatsura, Ōtsuki, Dōshi, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.