Tsuruoka, a City of Flowers, Birds, Wind, and Moon — A Journey to Experience the Essence of Japanese Aesthetics.

Have you ever heard the Japanese expression “Kachōfūgetsu” (花鳥風月)?
Flowers, birds, wind, and the moon.
These four characters express the Japanese appreciation of nature—a sensibility cultivated over more than a thousand years.

In this article, I'll introduce this beautiful idea — and Tsuruoka, a town where you can experience all four elements throughout the year 😊

Kachōfūgetsu is the Japanese way of appreciating nature.

Kachofugetsu (花鳥風月, literally "flower, bird, wind, moon") is a traditional Japanese aesthetic: these four elements stand for all the seasonal beauty of nature, and for centuries people have celebrated them in poetry, painting, and everyday life.

What matters is not simply “looking” at nature, but seeing your own feelings reflected in the changing seasons. Watching cherry blossoms fall may make you think about the fleeting nature of life, while the calls of migratory birds can signal the coming of winter. This way of experiencing nature is the essence of Kachōfūgetsu.

From the court poetry of the Heian period (794–1185) to haiku, garden design, and even the patterns on ceramics — this sensibility is said to run through the very roots of Japanese culture.

Tsuruoka: A Town With All Four

Tsuruoka has the sea, the mountains, and a wide rice-growing plain, all within one city. That's why you can experience every element of kachofugetsu here, in every season. Let me show you, one by one 😊

Flowers ▶ Cherry blossoms at Tsuruoka Park and alpine plants on Mount Gassan.

In spring, Tsuruoka Park is one of Japan's official "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots," with blossoms reflected in the old castle moat. In summer, the slopes of Mt. Gassan turn into natural gardens of alpine wildflowers. I find myself going back every single year.

Birds ▶ Migratory birds gathering in the Ramsar Convention wetlands.

The Oyama Kamiike and Shimoike ponds are wetlands registered under the Ramsar Convention, and in winter they fill with swans and wild ducks that fly in from Siberia. Standing by the misty pond at dawn, listening to their calls, it's hard to believe the town is just minutes away.

Wind ▶ The wind sweeping across the Shonai Plain

In summer, the wind rolls like waves across a sea of green rice plants. Salt breezes blow in from the Sea of Japan. Even the harsh winter wind has shaped the local food culture — like kandara (winter cod dishes) and cold-weather fermentation. In Tsuruoka, even the wind is a blessing!

Moon ▶ Mount Gassan, whose very name means “Mountain of the Moon.”

Tsuruoka is home to a mountain named after the moon: Mount Gassan, literally “Moon Mountain.” At its summit stands Gassan Shrine, dedicated to Tsukuyomi, the deity of the moon in Japanese mythology. Just imagine—a city watched over by a sacred mountain devoted to the moon. There’s something truly special about that, don’t you think?

 

The Town Where "I'll Come Back" Becomes "I Want to Live Here"

Travelers who visit Tsuruoka say, again and again, "I'll come back." And many do even more than that — people keep moving here, from all over Japan and beyond.

What newcomers often tell me is: "I love the people of this town." Honestly, nothing makes me happier than hearing that 😊

Kachōfūgetsu is not complete with scenery alone. Its beauty becomes truly memorable when there is someone to share it with. To me, Tsuruoka is that kind of place.

Before you go

Flower, bird, wind, moon. The four beauties at the heart of Japanese culture — Tsuruoka offers them all, in every season of the year.

For your next trip to Japan, come to Tsuruoka, where the beauty of the seasons and the warmth of the people are both waiting for you 😊

Guesthouse Watausagi is the perfect base for your journey. It's more than a place to stay — it's a guesthouse where you can get to know this region more deeply, and enjoy real connections with local people and fellow guests. Come and experience Tsuruoka's kachofugetsu with us! 😊

We also share the charms of our home region — Yamagata, Tsuruoka, and the Shonai area.

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