[Tsuruga/ Wakasa Area] A view overlooking the end of summer

2026.09.11

The Wakasa Bay area is dotted with healing spots where you can experience nature with all your senses, such as the Hibiki Rice Terraces, Wakamiya Beach, Angel Line, and the Mikata Five Lakes. The air, scents, wind, and sounds that cannot be captured in photographs will deepen the comfort of your trip, and we hope that visitors will find their own healing landscape.

Find a healing space on a trip that feels like living there.

I'm Yamada , a writer promoting the charms of the Tsuruga and Wakasa area. The summer of 2026 was my first summer since moving to Fukui Prefecture. The Tsuruga and Wakasa area, in particular, has many beaches, and seeing tourists from both within and outside the prefecture has made me truly feel like I've moved to a tourist destination.

While traveling around an area for reporting, I often encounter unexpectedly beautiful scenery. Although I usually gather some information online beforehand, I frequently find that the reality is even more wonderful when I actually visit. Images often lack elements like air, scent, wind, and sound, and I realize these are also extremely important. By experiencing everything holistically, I believe we can fully enjoy the healing effects of nature.

Having lived in urban areas for a long time, this feeling is very refreshing to me. I hope that travelers will also experience this feeling and find a space that feels comfortable for them. The Tsuruga and Wakasa area is full of such spots.

[Takahama Town] □Hibiki Rice Terraces

The terraced rice fields of Hibiki, which have been designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields.

A landscape of the Hiki district in Takahama Town. Approximately 200 rice paddies line the inlet of Uchiura Bay . The blue of the sea and the green of the rice paddies create a magnificent contrast, adding color to the region.

In 1999, the terraced rice fields of Hibiki were designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields.

Address: Hibiki , Takahama Town , Fukui Prefecture Prefecture Access: 45 minutes by car from Maizuru Wakasa IC on the Maizuru Takahama Expressway

[Takahama Town] □ Wakamiya Beach

Facing Aobayama, the town's symbol.

If you change direction, Takashima Taka Island, with its lush evergreen trees, takes on a prominent presence.

This is the birthplace of Takahama's swimming beaches. Recently redeveloped, it has a very clean and pleasant appearance. It's conveniently located for leisure activities, with the UMIKARA (a market featuring seafood) and Wakasa Takahama Sea Fishing Park nearby. The sea views overlooking Taka Island and Aobayama Mountain are particularly impressive.

Address: Wakamiya (Shiozuchi), Takahama Town cho Access: ■ 10-minute walk from JR Wakasa Takahama Station ■ 90-minute drive from Tsuruga IC on the Hokuriku Expressway ■ 20-minute drive from Maizuru Wakasa IC on the Maizuru Takahama Expressway

[Oi Town] □ Akaguri Garden

From the observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Wakasa Bay.

You can reach the island where the Akagashizaki Lighthouse is located by bridge.

This park is adjacent to the Akagashizaki Auto Campground. It features a bouncy dome that children will love and a large grassy area. From the 13-meter-high observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Wakasa Bay . You can also look down on the island where the Akagashizaki Lighthouse is located, and enjoy a picturesque view.

Address: 27-7-1 Oshima , Oi Town, Fukui Prefecture Access: ■10-minute walk from "Shiohama Beach" bus stop on the Fukutetsu Bus bound for Oshima from JR Wakasa Wakasa ■20 minutes from Maizuru -Nishi IC on the Obama-Wakasa Expressway, 30 minutes from Oi Takahama IC Operating Hours: 9:00-17:00 (until 21:00 from July 20th to August 31st) Winter Closure: December-March Cleaning Cooperation Fee: 100 yen

[Obama City] □ Angel Line

View from Suyagatake Observatory

The Oogami Rock, which resembles a wolf depending on the angle.

This approximately 10km-long scenic drive offers stunning views of Wakasa Bay. Along the way, you'll find the giant rock formation, Oogami-iwa (Wolf Rock), said to resemble a wolf. From the Kusuyagatake observation deck at the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view overlooking Wakasa Bay. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Cape Echizen Misaki and the Tango Peninsula.

Address: Outer Sea Obama City Access: ■Approximately 20 minutes by car from JR Obama Station ■Approximately 25 minutes by car from Obama IC on the Maizuru Wakasa Expressway Opening Hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Winter Closure: December - March

[ Wakasa Town] □ Fukui Prefecture Satoyama Satoumi Lake Research Institute, Mikata Five Lakes Nature Observation Building

The shores of Lake Mikata offer not only beautiful scenery but also enjoyable birdwatching.

View from the second-floor terrace of the nature observation building.

Located on the shores of Lake Mikata, adjacent to the "Michi-no-Eki Mikata Goko" (roadside station), this lodge-style building offers stunning lakeside views from its indoor facilities and terrace on the second floor, accessible via a staircase. It's also ideal for birdwatching.

Address: 122-31-1 Torihama, Wakasa Town Wakasa Smart IC on the Maizuru -Wakasa Expressway ■ Approximately 5 minutes by taxi or 10 minutes by rental bicycle (approximately 2.3 km) from JR Mikata Station Opening hours: 9:30 - 16:30 Closed: Every Tuesday (If Tuesday is a public holiday, the following day), New Year holidays

[ Mihama Town] □ The single cherry tree at Zuijinji Temple

A view of the seaside town from a small hill.

Zuirinji Temple is an ancient temple founded in 1430. It is famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot and was once used as a filming location for movies. From the small hill where a single cherry tree stands, you can see the Nihon Sea and Lake Kugushi, and the scenery during the cherry blossom season is very impressive. And the lush green cherry blossoms in summer also convey the beauty of the Japanese landscape.

Address: 20-24 Hayase , Mihama Town, Fukui Prefecture Access: By car: Approximately 20 minutes from Wakasa Mihama IC

[Mihama Town ] □ Suishohama Beach

The sea is crystal clear, making it a popular beach.

It is characterized by its fine, sparkling white sand.

Many beachgoers visit from both within and outside the prefecture. It is popular for its fine-grained, sparkling white sand and high water clarity. In 2001, it was selected as one of the "88 Best Beaches in Japan" by the Ministry of the Environment.

Address: Mihama Town, Fukui Prefecture Access: ■Approximately 30 minutes by taxi from JR Tsuruga Station ■Approximately 30 minutes by car from Maizuru Mihama IC on the Wakasa - Wakasa Expressway

[ Tsuruga City] □ Kehi no Matsubara

Kehi no Matsubara, one of Japan's three great Matsubara .

With a vast Matsubara as a backdrop, you can enjoy swimming in the sea during the summer.

This vast Matsubara stretches for approximately 1 km and covers an area of ​​about 340,000 m². Its beautiful arrangement of white sand and green pines makes it a nationally designated scenic spot. It is one of Japan's three great Matsubara , alongside Matsubara(Shizuoka Prefecture) and Niji no Matsubara(Saga Prefecture ). In summer, it opens as a swimming beach, attracting many beachgoers from the Kansai and Chubu regions.

Address: Matsushima-cho, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture Access: ■ Approximately 15 minutes by car from Tsuruga IC on the Tsuruga Expressway ■ Approximately 12-18 minutes by community bus "Matsubara Line" from JR Tsuruga Station, get off at "Kehi no Matsubara " bus stop ■ Approximately 15 minutes by "Gurutto Tsuruga Loop Bus" from JR Tsuruga Station, get off at " Matsubara Kaigan" bus stop

The Tsuruga and Wakasa area boasts a complete array of natural beauty, including the sea, lakes, rivers, countryside, and mountains. All of this is conveniently located within easy reach of the city and town centers, making it easy to enjoy the pleasures of a slow-paced lifestyle. Stay in the area and enjoy a leisurely, immersive trip. You're sure to encounter scenery that will soothe your soul.

*The information provided is current as of August 26, 2026. Please check the latest information on the websites of each city and town's tourism association before you go out.

[Interview date: August 21, 22, 24, 2026]

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