Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse: A Port City Relic

The Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse is composed of two distinguished brick buildings located in the Port of Tsuruga. Constructed in 1905 by Standard Oil of New York, the warehouses were originally used for petroleum storage, reflecting Tsuruga's role as a vital international port connecting Japan to Europe via Russia during the Meiji and early Showa periods. In 2009, the north and south wings of the building, along with their surrounding brick walls, were designated as registered tangible cultural properties of Japan. The warehouses were renovated in 2015, transforming them into a tourist attraction that combines historical preservation with entertainment. Today, the south wing serves as a restaurant hall, offering local cuisine, while the north wing houses a diorama exhibition. The diorama hall features a large HO scale model railroad diorama that recreates the townscape of Tsuruga from the late Meiji period to the early Showa period. The diorama meticulously depicts the streets of Tsuruga, showcasing the city's railway and port. In addition to the main attractions, a Kiha 28 Series diesel train is displayed on the north side of the warehouse, further highlighting the city's railway heritage.