[Obama City] Enjoy a refreshing cruise to admire the breathtaking beauty of the cliffs: "sotomo Cruise"

2026.07.27

Hi, I'm Yamada , a writer promoting the charms of the Tsuruga and Wakasa area. This time, I'd like to introduce Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf, a facility that shines brightest in the summer as a base for sightseeing in sotomo, where Obama boats for the Sotomon Islands depart and arrive, and where you can find seafood gourmet food and souvenirs.

A thorough introduction to Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf!

Hi, I'm Yamada , a writer promoting the charms of the Tsuruga and Wakasa area. I've finally experienced my first summer since moving to Obama . Currently, the highest temperature is around 37℃. The hot days continue, but there's one tourist attraction I've been looking forward to covering, especially on a sunny summer day. That's Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf in Kawasaki, Obama City . This facility is the departure and arrival point for the "Soso Cave Tomoe Cruise," where you can enjoy the beauty of the cliffs created by the rough waves of the Sea of ​​Nihon Sea. You can also enjoy shopping for souvenirs from Obama and Fukui Prefecture. There are also take-out and eat-in options for sushi and sashimi, and a restaurant with a wide selection of fresh seafood dishes. It's no exaggeration to say that this facility is a representative attraction of Obama tourism, and I will report on it in detail this time as well.

The sotomo cruise is a scenic cruise lasting approximately 60 minutes.

The Uchiumi Peninsula is located east of Obama. To its north lies a magnificent landscape of granite rocks sculpted by the rough waves and winds of the Sea of ​​Nihon Sea, stretching for approximately 6 kilometers. The sotomo sightseeing cruise allows you to view this varied ria coastline from the sea. "Wakasa sotomo" is a representative scenic spot of the Wakasa Bay National Park and was designated a national scenic spot in 1934. The main highlights of the sotomo cruise are six places: ① "Kama no Koshi" ( Showa ), ② "Tosenjima" (Chinese Ship Island), ③ "Amikake-iwa" (Net-Hanging Rock), ④ "Meoto Kame-iwa" (Married Couple Turtle Rock), ⑤ "Shiraito-no-taki" (White Thread Waterfall), and ⑥ "Daimon/Komon" (Great Gate/Small Gate). The origin of the names will be explained in the onboard announcements, so be sure to compare the images that come to mind from the names with the actual scenery.

The cruise lasts approximately 60 minutes. There are five departures per day at 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, and 15:30. Tickets are sold until 5 minutes before departure. Depending on sea conditions, the course may be changed to the " Obama Tour" which explores the history of Obama , or the cruise may be canceled. There are two types of cruise ships: the Nochise (40 seats, maximum capacity 80 people) and the Miyabi (60 seats, maximum capacity 95 people), but you cannot specify which ship you will be on.

There's a cafe near the ticket office where you can enjoy coffee, soft serve ice cream, and other treats while you wait or after your cruise. "Sotomo Blue Soft Serve" is an original cafe-exclusive item inspired by the color of the Wakasa Bay Bay sea. Enjoy it before boarding to build anticipation for the cruise, or after disembarking to savor the lingering memories of the experience.

There's a cafe space in front of the ticket office. How about some blue soft serve ice cream before boarding?

Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf also boasts a wide selection of souvenirs. You'll find specialty products from the Wakasa area and Fukui Prefecture, including processed seafood, fresh fish, local sweets, and handicrafts. Among the processed seafood products, you might want to check out "Kodai Sasazuke" and "Heshiko." "Kodai Sasazuke" is made by filleting small sea bream (Renkodai) into three pieces, pickling them in a light salt and vinegar mixture, adding bamboo leaves, and packing them into a small cedar barrel. It's a traditional food from Obama. "Heshiko" is a local dish that has been enjoyed in Fukui Prefecture for a long time. It's made by salting mackerel and then pickling it in rice bran, and is generally aged for about a year. It goes well with rice and sake.

The shop offers a variety of processed seafood products, including heshiko (fermented mackerel) and pickled small sea bream.

Fresh fish is available at the "Toretore Sushi" corner. You'll find sashimi and sushi prepared while the fish is still fresh. There's also an eat-in space in the corner, so you can enjoy your purchases right there.

At "Toretore Sushi," you can purchase fresh sashimi and sushi.

At the heart of this famous confectionery is Habutae Mochi. This sweet is made to resemble "Habutae-ori," a high-quality silk fabric that is a specialty of Fukui Prefecture. It is made by kneading glutinous rice flour with sugar and starch syrup. Its smooth texture and subtle sweetness are its charm. There are many varieties of Habutae Mochi available, so you might have trouble choosing.

Fukui's famous confection, "Habutae Mochi," comes in a wide variety of products.

While there are several craft products available, the one that really stands out is "Wakasa lacquered chopsticks."Obama is said to account for 80% of the national share of chopsticks, and Wakasa lacquered chopsticks are designated as a traditional craft. Their defining characteristic is their unique pattern. This is created by layering lacquer and other coatings onto a base of bamboo or other wood, changing the color of the coatings, adding eggshells or seashells along the way, and finally polishing the surface.

Wakasa lacquered chopsticks, a traditional craft of Obama .

In addition, you can buy most souvenirs here, including the abundant mackerel cans that are synonymous with Obama, and local sake from Fukui. The live demonstration and sale of tororo kombu (shredded kelp) is also a popular attraction. Families will enjoy the dinosaur-themed goods and merchandise featuring Obama City's mascot, "Saba Tora Nana-chan."

Wakasa is a major production area for shredded kelp. They also offer live demonstrations and sales.

[Restaurant: Kaisouen]

Inside the Kaisouen seafood restaurant. The sea stretches out from the window.

On the second floor of the facility is Kaisōen, a seafood restaurant where you can enjoy a meal while overlooking the sea. With a capacity of about 100 seats at tables, it can accommodate not only individuals but also groups and organizations for lunch (groups of 10 or more, reservations required). Kaisōen offers a Wakasa of dishes that showcase the culinary charms of Wakasa Obama, including seafood bowls such as the " Obama Don" and "Fukui Salmon Don," which feature fresh seafood delivered directly from the port, as well as the famous "Hamayaki Saba Teishoku" (grilled Obama set meal). Mackerel sushi is also a specialty of the restaurant. Following Obama's history, it uses mackerel from the Sea of ​​Nihon Sea as an ingredient. The sushi rice is cooked with kelp from Rishiri , and it is wrapped in traditional bamboo leaves. This makes a great souvenir.

The most popular item is the " Obama Donburi." The ingredients vary depending on the season and availability.

As someone who used to handle group arrangements at a travel agency, I can say that Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf is an extremely convenient facility. It can accommodate both individuals and groups. There aren't many facilities in the Reinan area that can accommodate groups, so knowing about it will be helpful when planning your travel itinerary. The parking lot is also spacious, accommodating up to 150 cars and 9 buses. Right next to Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf is the factory and direct sales store of Wakahiro Co., Ltd., famous for its grilled mackerel sushi, and across the road is the Wakasa Obama Fish Center. There is also the Mikuni Wakasa Wakasa Food Culture Museum nearby, where you can learn about Wakasa 's food culture and which also has a hot spring facility. Be sure to stop by when you visit Obama.

*Images and information are from the day of the interview. Please check the official website for the latest information.

Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf

Official website : https://www.wakasa-fishermans.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wakasafishermanswharf

[Interview Date: July 8, 2026] Yamada Yamada, Writer promoting the charms of the Tsuruga and Wakasa areas , Fukui Prefecture Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team

We also share the charm of the area on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/tsurugawakasa_writer

I share glimpses of my life as a member of the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team and behind-the-scenes stories from my interviews on note : https://note.com/reinan_writer53