[Mihama Town] Suishohama Beach at sunset and Katsumiya Inn, a Wakasa gourmet inn

2026.11.12

Suishohama Beach, a representative beach of Wakasa Bay, is a popular swimming spot boasting white sand and exceptionally clear waters. The sunsets and nighttime illuminations are also captivating. At the nearby Katsumiya Inn, you can enjoy fresh seafood, Wakasa beef, and local sake, allowing you to fully experience the charm of Wakasa Bay, filled with stunning seaside scenery and delicious food.

Wakasa Bay is a representative bay of the Nihon Sea , stretching from Cape Echizen Misaki in Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture , to Cape Kyogamisaki in Kyōtango City Kyoto Prefecture . Characterized by its ria coastline, the area contains several subsidiary bays, including Tsuruga Bay Bay, Maizuru Obama , Maizuru Bay, and Miyazu. The bay, formed by its complex coastline, has calm waves, and the Tsuruga and Wakasa areas boast numerous beautiful beaches suitable for swimming and snorkeling.

Suishohama Beach, selected as one of Japan's 88 best swimming beaches.

During the summer swimming season, the area attracts many beachgoers not only from the local area but also from other prefectures. Therefore, there are various accommodations in the area, including guesthouses, and even outside of the summer season, they offer gourmet food centered around seafood from Wakasa Bay Bay to welcome many travelers.

This time, we visited Suishohama Beach in Mihama Town, renowned for its beauty within the area, and sought out the tranquil twilight scenery after the peak season. Afterwards, we stayed at Ryokan Katsumiya, just a short drive away. A luxurious dinner, truly representative of Wakasa cuisine, awaited us.

Suishohama Beach

Suishohama Beach is characterized by its fine, sparkling white sand. The water is exceptionally clear, and the coastline is shallow for a long distance. In 2001, it was selected as one of the "88 Best Beaches in Japan" by the Ministry of the Environment. In Fukui Takahama Town , also in the Reinan area.

The period during which you can enjoy swimming in the sea is two months, from July to August (in 2026, it was from July 1st to August 30th). Swimming hours are from 8:00 to 17:00.

The forecast for the day of the interview was rain from the morning. In the evening, a faint patch of sunshine peeked through.

The sunset views at Suishohama Beach are also magnificent, which is another reason for its popularity. If you want to enjoy the sunset, it's best to stay at a nearby inn and enjoy a relaxed trip.

The day of the interview also happened to be the final day of the "NIGHT WAVE ~ Light Wave Project in Suishohama" event (held for three days from October 17th (Sat) to 19th (Mon), 2026), which illuminates Suishohama beach. The shoreline was lit up with blue lights, creating an extraordinary and fantastical scene from dusk until after sunset. This time, the torii gate near the beach was also lit up, and food trucks and dining areas were set up.

As dusk deepens, the blue glow intensifies.

A fantastical landscape awaits after sunset.

At the venue, the first 300 attendees received a discount voucher for accommodations in Mihama Town(2,000 yen per person), which was a welcome perk for travelers. This is definitely a program that we hope will continue next year.

For information regarding next year and beyond, please check the Mihama Town Tourism Association's website and Instagram for updates and use them as a reference when planning your trip.

Mihama Town accommodation discount coupons were distributed to the first 300 people at the venue.

Enjoy a gourmet feast at Ryokan Katsumiya, a Wakasa inn.

Exterior view of Ryokan Katsumiya

In mid-October, we had heard that sunset at Suishohama Beach was around 5:20 PM, so we aimed to arrive at the venue a little before 5:00 PM. Actually, the weather forecast for that day was rain. There was a risk of the event being cancelled, but the weather held out somehow. The sky above was mostly covered with clouds, but even so, the changes from dusk to sunset were beautiful, and we were able to enjoy a special sight along with the repeating sound of the waves. We left Suishohama Beach at 6:00 PM to make it back in time for dinner at our accommodation, but there was no need to rush; the timing was just right.

Ryokan Katsumiya is located on the coast of Nyu, Mihama Town, on the western side of the Tsuruga Peninsula. It is about a 25-minute taxi ride from Tsuruga Station. A harbor scene with small boats docked unfolds before you, and you are enveloped in a tranquil atmosphere far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. The guest rooms, which were renovated in 2024, consist of eight rooms in six types, including Western-style rooms, Japanese-Western style rooms, and modern Japanese-style rooms. One of its distinguishing features is its sophisticated design.

The image shows Room 203, a twin room with an ocean view. The sophisticated design is very pleasant.

View of Wakasa Bay from the bath

Another highlight is the inn's renowned seafood cuisine. Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes that focus on "the best of Wakasa." The fish are caught by local fishermen, and the innkeeper's family runs a fish wholesale business at the Tsuruga market, and the seafood is sourced through their connections. These dishes are then prepared by the head chef, who possesses solid skills in Japanese cuisine.

The dining area is a calm and relaxing space.

Now, let's get to the much-anticipated dinner report. This time, I chose the "Wakasa Full Enjoyment Course," which includes a boat-shaped platter of sashimi in addition to the standard course.

The appetizers included nanbanzuke (marinated fried fish), whelk, mozuku seaweed, temari sushi, and Wakasa beef roast beef. These were all things I personally love, and I was already satisfied just by having these. I had been focusing on the seafood, but the presence of the roast beef was a pleasant surprise. The quality of the Wakasa beef and the deliciousness of the sauce left a lasting impression, and I was tempted to eat a whole lot of it as a main course rather than just an appetizer.

Appetizer

The magnificent boat-shaped platter, which truly makes you think, "I'm so glad I chose this," is like a huge fishing boat carrying the bounty of Wakasa Bay Bay's sea. I couldn't hide my excitement at the sight of the gigantic gurnard sashimi, which I had never seen before. There were also Spanish mackerel, amberjack, horse mackerel, marlin, and sweet shrimp, and even bigfin reef squid appeared on a separate plate. The undeniable freshness made me want to keep eating, and my mood rose, yearning for a night of sake. On a trip, let's pair the food with local sake. The "Fukui Local Sake Tasting Set" features a lineup including Hayaseura from Mihama Mihama Town, Bon from Sabae City, and Hakuryu from Eiheiji Town. I'll be sure to engrave these in my personal sake stamp book.

A magnificent boat-shaped sashimi platter symbolizing the sea of ​​Wakasa.

Left) Autumn delicacy: Bigfin reef squid sashimi Right) Fukui local sake tasting set

Next up is seafood chawanmushi (steamed egg custard). The generous amount of seafood, including crab, is delightful, and the dish boasts an elegant and refined flavor. For the grilled dish, we have sea bream marinated in yuzu sauce. This, too, pairs perfectly with sake.

Left) Seafood Chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) Right) Grilled sea bream with yuzu sauce

The simmered yellowtail and daikon radish dish was a masterful creation that retained the delicious flavor of the yellowtail while also exuding elegance. The deep-fried pufferfish stood out for the texture of its thin batter, the elasticity of the flesh, and its rich flavor.

Left) Braised yellowtail with daikon radish Right) Deep-fried pufferfish

After eating and drinking with gusto, the octopus rice arrived as the final dish, accompanied by pickled komatsuna and fish soup. The meal was a delightful combination from start to finish, leaving us completely full, but don't forget the tempting desserts. The double main course of coffee jelly and gateau chocolat will have you utterly delighted.

Enticing desserts that you can also enjoy on the cafe menu

While dinner is certainly noteworthy, breakfast is also exceptionally original. Served in a cafe space overlooking the sea, breakfast is described as "a meal that nourishes your body in the morning." Featuring seasonal fish from Wakasa, a salad with homemade enzyme dressing, grilled heshiko (fermented mackerel), yogurt with apple enzyme syrup, and a vegetable smoothie, it combines health benefits with deliciousness, supporting the continuation of your enjoyable trip.

Breakfast is "a meal that your body will love in the morning."

Left) Salad with homemade enzyme dressing Right) Yogurt with apple enzyme syrup

This cafe space operates as "Cafe Agreable" during the day, and even non-guests can enjoy lunch and cafe menu items.

A cafe space right in front of you by the sea

Left) Example of lunch menu Right) Example of cafe menu

Even after the swimming season ends, Ryokan Katsumiya offers a variety of gourmet plans, including Echizen crab from Echizen November and Wakasa pufferfish, a winter delicacy. According to the proprietress, the "winter yellowtail feast," available for a short period from early December, is also highly recommended. The "full course of yellowtail drowning," using "Hiruga winter yellowtail" landed at Mihama Town Hinata fishing port, is an unknown territory that I would love to immerse myself in. Wakasa's gourmet food is so Oku that it seems impossible to fully experience it all in one visit.

[Katsumiya Inn]

49-2 Nyu, Mihama Town , Fukui Prefecture 919-1201 , Fukui Prefecture TEL: 0770-39-1045 FAX: 0770-39-1846

Official website : https://katumiya.co.jp

【Cafe Agreable】

49-2 Nyu, Mihama Town, Fukui Prefecture 919-1201, Fukui Prefecture TEL 0770-39-1045 Business Hours: 11:00 - 15:00 Closed: Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeagreable

[ Mihama Town Tourism Association]

Official website : https://wakasa-mihama.jp/

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wakasamihama

*The information provided is current as of October 19, 2026.

*Please check the hotel's official website for details and the latest information.

*Please note that the menu may vary depending on the availability of ingredients on the day, even if you have the same accommodation plan.

[Interview date: October 19, 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