Maizuru

Maizuru (舞鶴) surrounds an inlet of the Sea of Japan, along the northeastern coast of Kyoto Prefecture. Maizuru in Japanese means 'dancing crane'.

Understand
One of the main port cities in Kyoto Prefecture. Ferries to Niigata and on to Tomakomai in Hokkaido leave from here. Maizuru consists of two parts: Nishi-Maizuru (West-: old commericial port district), and Higashi-Maizuru (East-: military port district developed in the 20th century). Maizuru is a key district headquarters for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force today.

Tourist Information Site
[http://www.city.maizuru.kyoto.jp/ Zuruii! Maizuru] (ヅルいい！舞鶴) is the city's official Japanese-only guide site.

By train
Higashi-Maizuru Station (東舞鶴) is served by eight limited express trains daily from Kyoto Station under the name Maizuru. Fares for the 96-minute journey range from &yen;3,250 for an unreserved seat to &yen;3,960 for a reserved seat in peak season. It is also possible to use local trains when traveling from Kyoto station for &yen;1,890. The journey takes around 2 hours and you need to change trains at Sonobe and Ayabe.

By car
A trip by car takes around 1 hour 10-20 min from Kobe-Sando. The ride from Itami airport takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. It takes 1 hour 30 minutes to get to Maizuru from Kyoto city.

By bus
The bus company Kyoto Kotsu has buses running from Kyoto Station to Higashi-Maizuru Station for ¥2,300. The journey takes around 2 hours. The same bus company has buses going to Maizuru from Kobe and Osaka.

By boat
Shin-Nihonkai Ferry (新日本海フェリー) This company has lines connecting daily to Otaru port at Hokkaido (21 h).

Get around
The city occupies a vast territory but loop buses running between Nishi-Maizuru and Higashi-Maizuru Stations provide convenient connections to the city's most popular attractions, including those in the Naka-Maizuru area that are not near any train stations. The price of the loop bus starts at ¥150 and caps off at ¥300 for the longest distances. It is also possible to arrange a taxi tour for around ¥5,000. Inquire about arranging a tour at the Maizuru Tourist Information Center at Higashi-Maizuru Station.

See
There is a nice view of the Maizuru bay from the quay which is a 10-15 minutes walk from Higashi-Maizuru train station.

Maizuru has many buildings made of red brick around town. Some of them used to be military buildings, others warehouses, tunnels and even temples. Maizuru also has a museum of red bricks.



Do
Visit Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force base, Navy Memorial Building including Admiral Togo museum, Repatriation Museum and Brick Museum.

Buy
The main shopping place in Maizuru is LaPort (らぽーる) shopping complex which is behind Higashi-Maizuru train station.

Drink
There is a very good yakitori close to train station Higashi-Maizuru on Sanjo-dori owned by an ex-self-defense sailor Daikichi who speaks some English.

Go next
Maizuru Port offers ferry services along the Sea of Japan up to Hokkaido.
 * Amanohashidate in Miyazu
 * Ine
 * Kyotango
 * Yosano
 * Fukuchiyama
 * Ayabe
 * Takahama
 * Oi
 * Obama