The Tsuruga, Obama, and Wakasa areas offer tourist attractions such as Kokubunji Temple, Okazaki, and Nakayama Temple; sightseeing events such as the Gion Festival, Jizo Bon Festival, and Sumo Jinku; and local delicacies such as fried bean curd, heshiko, and hajimochi (rice cake).
The Tsuruga, Obama, and Wakasa areas are all seaside areas, and can be traveled along National Route 162. Going south on Route 162, you will pass through mountainous areas and reach Kyoto City. Going east, it connects to the Hokuriku Expressway, which goes north to Kaga and south to Shiga, and connects to the Meishin Expressway.
National Route 162 has gentle ups and downs that are pleasant, and the ocean can be seen throughout the area, making it a comfortable driving course with no traffic congestion.
Tsuruga is an area where many of the residents are warm and hospitable, perhaps due to the generous welfare program.
Tsuruga is famous for its seafood, and the "Nihonkai Sakana Machi" (Sea of Japan Fish Market) is a place where you can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood, including "grilled horse mackerel," "seiko crab," and "snow crab," the king of domestic crabs, which are shipped in fresh from the port.
You will be overwhelmed by the number of fish shops, where you can enjoy fresh seafood on the spot, such as "Kaisendon" and "Sashimi Set Meal," as well as "Nodoguro" and "Mambo" sushi, which you cannot eat anywhere else. Take-out service is also available, so you will definitely regret not visiting the restaurant at least once.
As you continue west from Tsuruga, you will come to a junction of the national highway and the Mikata-Goko (Five Lakes of Mikata), and we recommend that you stop at the "Mikata-Goko Toll Road," or "Rainbow Road.
If you drive along this toll road, especially in the evening when the sun is setting, you will be able to see the sun setting into the sea and witness a very beautiful and fantastic scenery. You may also consider taking some pickled plums, a specialty of this area, as a souvenir along the way.
After joining Route 27 and driving further west along the coast, you will arrive at Obama, a town of fishermen. Although Obama is notable for its marine products, it is actually an area with a surprisingly large number of scenic spots, historical sites, and historic ruins.
The area is home to a great number of cultural assets, including Kuinji Temple, a family temple of the Kyogoku clan; Myotsuji Temple, which is said to have been founded by "Take no Sakanoue Tamuramaro," along with "Bun no Sugawara no Michizane"; and Tada Temple, one of the three major Yakushiji temples in Japan.
Needless to say, the seafood served at the seafood restaurants is always fresh, making it a gourmet area. If possible, it would be nice to visit in winter for the crab.
Mizushima is a small uninhabited island off the coast of Shikigahama near the tip of Tsuruga Peninsula. Two small islands connected by a sandbar stretch out into the crystal clear sea. Mizushima is uninhabited for only about two months, and during the bathing season from mid-July to the end of August, visitors can cross to the island daily by ferry. An additional fee is required for the ferry. D...»
The observatory at the Rainbow Line Mountaintop Park offers a spectacular view of all the Mikata Goko (Five Lakes of Mikata) stretching across the town of Mihama. The Sea of Japan and the Five Lakes of Mikata can be seen from any direction, east, west, north, south, and west. Five terraces have been set up, and visitors can enjoy the view in a variety of styles, including footbaths and sofas. Th...»
The Mikatagoko Rainbow Line, also known as the Mikatagoko Toll Road, opened in 1968. This scenic road spans Mihama Town and Wakasa Town and offers a panoramic view of the rias coast, a famous landmark of Wakasa Bay National Park, and the five lakes: Lake Kyuko, Lake Hyuga, Lake Mikata, Lake Suigetsu, and Lake Suga. All of these lakes are connected, and each lake has a different mixture of fresh ...»
Mikata Goko (Five Lakes of Mikata), which straddle the towns of Mihama and Wakasa in Fukui Prefecture, consists of five lakes: Mikata, Suigetsu, Suga, Kyuko, and Hyuga, and is a representative scenic spot of Wakasa Bay National Park. The lakes have long been mentioned in the Manyoshu (Anthology of Myriad Leaves) and are widely known for their seasonal beauty. It is designated as a national sceni...»
Uriwari Waterfall, located in the back of Tentokuji Temple, is a waterfall created from a clear spring that gushes from the mountains. The cold water from the cedar and cypress forests on the temple grounds flows down like a waterfall, and when the trees sway in the wind, the water glistens and spreads out into the forest creating a fantastic sight. The air is moist, the sound of rushing water e...»