The power plant was a double expansion reciprocating steam engine with four cylindrical boilers driving twin screws.

The ship had a number of technical innovations, including a hydraulic steering system and electrical incandescent light fixtures.

The ship's main armament were two breech-loading 10-inch Armstrong cannons, one on the bow and one on the stern, mounted in stationary gun shields.

Tsukushi did not see combat in the First Sino-Japanese War, but was used for patrolling between Korea, Dairen and Weihaiwei in a reserve capacity in the Western Fleet.

During the Russo-Japanese War, Tsukushi served as a guard ship patrolling the Tsushima Straits between Korea and Kyūshū, and as an escort vessel covering the transport of Japanese troops to the Korean Peninsula.