'''Tsu''' (津市 : ''Tsu-shi'') is a medium-sized city in central Mie that is home to about 280,000 people. It recently merged with some towns and villages that are rather far away from the city center so the "city" of Tsu covers quite a large area.

'''Tsu''' (津市, ''Tsu-shi'') is a medium-sized city in central Mie that is home to about 280,000 people. It recently merged with some towns and villages that are rather far away from the city center so the "city" of Tsu covers quite a large area.

It is the capital city of Mie-ken, so many JET meetings are held here. You are likely to visit the city at least a few times during your stay - for meetings and parties! This guide will help you find the places of interest that other JETs before you have discovered and recommend - and those to avoid at all costs.

"Tsu", unlike most city names, isn't just a name but is actually a noun in the Japanese language meaning "a place where ships stop" - basically it's a word that means port. The "Tsu" of "Tsunami" uses the same kanji. Additionally, the popular Chinese dish, Tenshinhan, uses the "Tsu" kanji, albeit pronounced "shin".

Tsu prides itself on having the "shortest name in the world" which is false. The Japanese language, unlike many of the world's languages, is constructed of moras, which are discreet units often formed from a consonant sound and a vowel sound. Tsu's name is a single mora, a claim no other cities in Japan can make, thus making it the shortest city name in Tsu by Japanese phonetic reckoning.

Tsu prides itself on having the "shortest name in the world" which, despite its entry in the Guiness Book Of World Records, is false. The Japanese language, unlike many of the world's languages, is constructed of moras, which are discreet units often formed from a consonant sound and a vowel sound. Tsu's name is a single mora, a claim no other cities in Japan can make, thus making it the shortest city name in Tsu by Japanese phonetic reckoning.

However, rendered into Roman characters, Tsu is spelt either "Tu" or "Tsu". The former qualifies Tsu as one of the shortest city name in the world, but certainly not the shortest, wheras the latter removes it from the running entirely. Additionally, using the Roman alphabet, other ~~contenders even in Japan come into place~~, such as 大江, which, despite being three moras within the Japanese language, is rendered Ōe in ~~oman~~ characters.

However, rendered into Roman characters, Tsu is spelt either "Tu" or "Tsu". The former qualifies Tsu as one of the shortest city name in the world, but certainly not the shortest, wheras the latter removes it from the running entirely. Additionally, using the Roman alphabet, other Japanese cities could qualify, such as 大江, which, despite being three moras within the Japanese language, is rendered Ōe in Roman characters.

Tsu ate far more cities/towns/villages than anywhere else in Mie during the big mergers in the mid 2000's, and has become the largest city by area in Mie for it:

*'''Edobashi''' (江戸橋) Station is for local and express trains. It is one stop north of Tsu Station. It is close to Mie University.

*'''Tsu''' (津) Station(West side). All types of trains stop here including some limited express. This is also the main bus terminal for Tsu.

*'''Tsu''' (津) Station (West side). All types of trains stop here including some limited express. This is also the main bus terminal for Tsu.

*'''Tsu-Shimmachi''' (津新町) Station is a Kintetsu station for local and express trains, one stop south of Tsu station. Get off here for the main post office, City Hall and buses for small nearby towns.

*'''Minamigaoka''' (南が丘) Station is a local stop only, one stop south of Shinmachi. Get off here to access the [[Mie Prefectural Driver's License Center|license center]] and nothing else.

*'''Tsu''' (津) Station (east side). The only JR station in Tsu at which to catch the Mie-go express and the Wideview limited express(try to get the front seat).

*'''Akogi''' (阿漕) Station is a ancient unmanned station near Shinmachi(one stop south of Tsu). More interesting for ~~it's~~ relic status than ~~it is useful~~. Only the "one-man" locals stop here; you will never catch a train here unless you plan ahead.

*'''Akogi''' (阿漕) Station is a ancient unmanned station near Shinmachi (one stop south of Tsu). More interesting for its relic status than its usefulness. Only the "one-man" locals stop here; you will never catch a train here unless you plan ahead.

*'''Takachaya''' (高茶屋) Station is the next local stop after Akogi, though it is much more useful(if you check the timetable) in that you can use this station to access Sun Valley and the surrounding commercial developments.

*'''Takachaya''' (高茶屋) Station is the next local stop after Akogi, though it is much more useful (if you check the timetable) in that you can use this station to access Sun Valley and the surrounding commercial developments.

**:Located on the 3rd floor of the UST building at Tsu Station. One on one sessions. For more information contact your PAs.

**:Hidden back from Route 23, across the street from Mie University Hospital and Yoshinoya. There is a ~~100yen~~ enrollment fee and a ~~500yen~~ textbook fee. These classes ate one-on-one for language study and cultural exchange. For more information contact Nishioka-san at 059-231-2895.

**:Hidden back from Route 23, across the street from Mie University Hospital and Yoshinoya. There is a 100 yen enrollment fee and a 500 yen textbook fee. These classes ate one-on-one for language study and cultural exchange. For more information contact Nishioka-san at 059-231-2895.

**:is a great Japanese tutor who has been teaching Japanese to ALTs for many years. She comes highly recommended. Her phone number is 059-226-1587.

*:The biggest Buddhist temple in Mie. The main worship hall has a 725-tatami mat floor. The Oshichiya ("seven nights") festival is from January 9th - 16th. Jinai-cho neighborhood surrounds the Senjuji temple. This area is still encompassed by a moat and is home to some older houses that give this part of town a flavor very distinct from that of most of Tsu?some of the houses are designated historical properties. To get there, go to the Kintetsu Takadahonzan (高田本山) Station or JR Isshinden (一身田) Station and walk a while to the west until you see some old-style walls or an enormous roof.

*:The biggest Buddhist temple in Mie. The main worship hall has a 725-tatami mat floor. The Oshichiya ("seven nights") festival is from January 9th - 16th. Jinai-cho neighborhood surrounds the Senjuji temple. This area is still encompassed by a moat and is home to some older houses that give this part of town a flavor very distinct from that of most of Tsu: some of the houses are designated historical properties. To get there, go to the Kintetsu Takadahonzan (高田本山) Station or JR Isshinden (一身田) Station and walk a while to the west until you see some old-style walls or an enormous roof.