Tsuruga Museum Street

Tsuruga City sits in central Fukui Prefecture. Take a walk through the heart of town and you’ll find “Museum Street,” where history and culture still feel close at hand. Back when this area flourished as Tsuruga’s economic center, the street buzzed with activity, lined with banks and post offices.

The street’s symbol is the “Tsuruga Municipal Museum,” a renovated former main building of the Owada Bank head office. The stately, stone-built look of the building speaks to the prosperity of the era. Inside, you’ll find valuable materials that tell the story of Tsuruga’s history as a sea gateway to continental Europe from the Meiji era through the early Showa period, along with works by local artists—plenty to see.

Nearby, you’ll spot cafes and general stores renovated from older buildings. Enjoy seafood rice bowls made with fresh seafood caught in Tsuruga Bay, or natural, health-focused dishes featuring carefully brewed coffee and organically grown, pesticide-free vegetables. It also sounds like a great place to take a lunch break during your walk.

Old streetscapes remain along the way, and a relaxed walk while admiring historic buildings will likely leave you feeling refreshed and at ease.