View Japan & Asia on the mapA calm provincial city with two faces: East Maizuru, which developed as a naval port, and West Maizuru, which retains the look of a castle town. It is not overrun with tourists, so you can quietly enjoy the history and local seafood.

Maizuru

Maizuru · Japan · 35.48, 135.38

A natural harbor in northern Kyoto Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, with a history as a former naval base. Red-brick warehouses and facilities preserving memories of repatriation form part of the city's character.

Port highlights

A port city of about 80,000 people

Population

A Sea of Japan-side climate, with humid, hot summers and more cloudy or snowy days in winter. Snow can accumulate in January and February, and the heat becomes severe in July and August.

Climate

Japanese (English signage is limited to major facilities)

Language

Japanese yen (JPY). Cards and transit IC cards are accepted at major shops.

Currency

May to June, when the fresh greenery and the sea are beautiful, or November to March, when crab season opens.

Best time to visit

Local food

Standard fare includes Maizuru kamaboko (fish cake), winter Matsuba snow crab and kan-buri (winter yellowtail), rock oysters, and niku-jaga (meat and potato stew) with a navy connection.

Sights

Maizuru Red Brick ParkMaizuru Repatriation Memorial MuseumView of the ria coast from Goro Sky TowerViewing Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships (Kitasui Pier)Side trip to Amanohashidate

Monthly average high / low temperatures

8°

1°Jan

9°

1°Feb

13°

3°Mar

19°

7°Apr

24°

13°May

27°

18°Jun

31°

22°Jul

32°

23°Aug

28°

19°Sep

22°

13°Oct

16°

8°Nov

10°

3°Dec

Unit: °C · Adapted from Japan Meteorological Agency climate normals · Period: 1991–2020 · Station: Maizuru · about 6.6 km from port · Last checked: Oct 3, 2026 · A guide for choosing your travel month.

Local prices for travelers

Similar to Tokyo

Compared with Tokyo, Japan (median of items)97 (Tokyo = 100)

Compared with Tokyo, meals are somewhat cheaper; water, coffee, beer and a Big Mac cost about the same.

¥108

Water 370 ml

¥485

Coffee

¥730

Inexpensive meal

¥650

Local beer

¥500

Big Mac

Prices from nearby Osaka (about 91 km away) · Amounts in the recorded local currency. No currency conversion applied. · Last checked: Oct 2026 · Sources: Shop and menu prices · The Economist, Big Mac Index (CC BY 4.0)