With Emperor Kammu's order, Tanetsugu visited Nagaoka along with FUJIWARA no Oguromaro, SAEKI no Imaemishi, KI no Funamori, ONAKATOMI no Kooyu, SAKANOUE no Karitamaro and in the same year he was appointed the Zogushi (Palace construction officer) in Nagaokakyo (the ancient capital of Nagaoka).
桓武の命をうけ藤原小黒麻呂・佐伯今毛人・紀船守・大中臣子老・坂上苅田麻呂らとともに長岡を視察し、同年長岡京の造宮使に任命される。