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    Tsuruga—our first stop was Tsuruga Station! The station has a very modern feel, and as soon as you step outside, you can sense the city’s distinctive atmosphere. The most eye-catching part is all the Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Harlock elements around the area, which are really interesting for anime fans.

    As you walk around near the station, you can see quite a few statues of anime characters. Strolling and taking photos feels like going on a little anime pilgrimage. Each statue has a different pose and scene, making it hard not to photograph every single one.

    Tsuruga Station is also an important transportation hub for traveling to Fukui, Kanazawa, and other parts of the Hokuriku region. Transportation has become even more convenient since the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended here. This was only a brief stop, but I already felt that Tsuruga had more character than I expected.

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    It feels very clean and comfortable, with a pretty modern design while still keeping some local character. The station isn’t big, and the layout is very easy to follow, so it’s hard to get lost.

    There’s a bus stop and taxi area right outside, which makes getting around really convenient. There are also a few restaurants and souvenir shops nearby where you can buy local dried seafood or sweets.

    If you come in winter, you’ll see lots of travelers transferring here on their way to go skiing or visit hot springs, and the overall atmosphere feels very relaxed. If you’re heading to Fukui or the Lake Biwa area, this is a great stopover point.

Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa