Getting to Tsuruoka

Tsuruoka, located approximately 350 km north of Tokyo, is a historic city nestled along the Japan Sea coast. It is easily accessible by air, with a direct flight from Haneda Tokyo International Airport (HND) to Shonai Airport (SYO) that takes about one hour. From Shonai Airport, a convenient bus service connects directly to Tsuruoka Train Station, with a stop at “Tsuruoka Science Park,” the venue for the conference.

Although Tokyo has two international airports, only Haneda (HND) offers direct domestic flights to Shonai. For those traveling directly to Tsuruoka, this route is highly recommended for its convenience.

Japan travel essentials. 

Timetable of airport bus from Shonai Airport to Tsuruoka Station.

Accommodation

In Tsuruoka Science Park, there is a premium hotel Suiden Terrasse within the campus right beside the venue, Lecture Hall, Tsuruoka Metabolome Campus, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University. Designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winner Shigeru Ban, SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE is a hotel that floats in the rice paddies, where you can enjoy resort life with a hot spring, fitness center, restaurant, bar, library, and store. 

Please use the special reservation link (click here) for the participants of our Symposium to make reservation at the special price. Note that the number of rooms is limited, so please reserve at your earliest convenience.

  

SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE

Other recommended hotels close to the venue:

1. SUPER HOTEL

About 15 min walk, an affordable business hotel with a natural hot spring.

2. HOTEL ROUTE-INN TSURUOKA EKIMAE

About 20 min walk, an affordable business hotel with a natural hot spring, close to the train station. (Note that there are two ROUTE-INN hotels in Tsuruoka. Make sure to look for “TSURUOKA EKIMAE” for the one closer to the venue)

3. TOKYO Dai-ichi Hotel Tsuruoka

About 20 min walk, more traditional business hotel with a natural hot spring, close to the train station.

 

Below is the link to general accommodation website (Jalan) for around the Venue, 6 nights from 22nd June, one adult. 

Tsuruoka

Nestled in the picturesque countryside of northern Japan, Tsuruoka City offers a harmonious blend of rich history, spiritual heritage, and culinary excellence. As a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Tsuruoka invites you to embark on a gastronomic journey like no other. The city’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and time-honored culinary traditions showcases the very best of Japanese cuisine. From fresh seafood sourced from the nearby Sea of Japan to locally grown rice and heirloom vegetables, every dish tells a story of the land and its people.

Tsuruoka holds the distinction of harboring three “Japan Heritage” sites—the most among all cities in the country. This accolade reflects its profound historical and cultural significance. At the heart of Tsuruoka’s heritage are the sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan—Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. For over 1,400 years, these peaks have been revered as pilgrimage destinations, drawing monks and visitors seeking spiritual enlightenment. The mountains offer serene trails through ancient cedar forests, leading to shrines that embody the essence of Japan’s spiritual traditions.

We invite you to discover Tsuruoka—a place where nature’s beauty, culinary artistry, and historical depth converge to create an unforgettable experience.