Those who choose Tsu for a culture-focused trip will find several distinct points of interest: a castle site with surviving remains, temples with their own histories, and the long-standing Tsu Matsuri. The castle park combines historic remains with a peaceful stroll; Shitennoji and Tsu Kannon represent different temple histories. When planning your visit, it is worth treating these stops as distinct experiences and choosing according to your interests, rather than viewing them all as similar sightseeing destinations.

Castle Park: Ruins and a Stroll

The ruins of Tsu Castle are in the city center. Parts of the Honmaru, Nishinomaru and inner moat remain, and the site has been laid out as a castle park. You can enjoy a peaceful walk by the moat and through the gardens. The castle’s construction history also gives the site its own character: Oda Nobukane founded the castle, and the experienced castle builder Tōdō Takatora extensively remodeled it. Its founding and subsequent remodeling link the history of the site with the surviving areas, which are now laid out as a park.

Temples with Their Own Histories

Shitennoji is considered the oldest temple in Tsu. Its surviving features include a gate from the early Edo period and old roof tiles dating from the time of Prince Shōtoku. These details point to different historical connections and offer specific points of reference for the temple’s history.

Tsu Kannon, officially known as Ebijisan Kannonji, is also in central Tsu. Along with Asakusa Kannon in Tokyo and Osu Kannon in Nagoya, it is counted among Japan’s three great Kannon temples. Its founding tradition dates back to 709: a fisherman is said to have caught the principal image in his net off Akogiura. The temple’s history thus connects its traditional founding story with a named location and a specific year.

Tsu Kannon has around 600 valuable cultural artifacts. Some are displayed regularly or as needed at the Tsu Kannon Museum. If you are interested in these collections, check the current exhibition details before your visit.

Plan for Tradition and Participation

The Tsu Matsuri is a long-standing event. If you would like to include the festival in your trip, check the dates for your stay. The Anotsu Yosakoi dance emerged from the Tsu Matsuri in 1998. Anyone can participate in the event, regardless of age or gender; check the latest program details before your trip.

Zazen sessions are offered at Shitennoji by reservation. They last 1.5 to 2 hours and cost 5,000 yen per person; participation is not possible on some days. Plan your visit around the specific date and check availability in advance. This lets you set aside a fixed amount of time for this activity, while focusing your visit to the castle park on a stroll by the moat and through the gardens.

Discover more destinations: Kumano, Shima, Ise, Nabari, Kameyama, Suzuka, Toba, Owase

Return to the main travel guide: Mie Prefecture.