"ShinobazunoikenoMadara" is a rare lotus that blooms in two different colors on the same species. Among them, flowers that display two colors of petals on a single bloom are said to be especially rare! You can see such rare lotuses at Hanahasu park in Minami-Echizen Town. https://www.minamiechizen.com/en/spot/19388/...

The white-petaled lotus flower. The lotus comes in charming colors like pink and white and makes a lovely sight. It first blooms in mid-June and reaches its peak from early to mid-July. Some varieties close their petals in the morning, so visiting in the morning is recommended. https://www.minamiechizen.com/en/feature/80061/...

At Hanahasu park, water lilies are blooming beautifully. That said, since the park mainly features lotus blossoms, there are not that many water lilies, but the ones floating on the water look refreshing and charming. To tell water lilies and lotus apart: water lilies bloom close to the surface, while lotus flowers bloom higher above the water compared with water lilies. There are many more subtle differences, so please use this as a reference!

"Railways Across the Sea: Miracles of the Tracks Connecting to the World" The railway linking Nagahama, Tsuruga, and Minami-Echizen Town, along with the railway-related culture, has been registered as a Japan Heritage. List of Japan Heritage cultural properties in Minami-Echizen Town ・Yamanaka Tunnel ・Dead End Tunnel ・Yamanaka Signal Station Remains ・Yamanaka Rock Jet ・Oto Station Remains ・Yuoo Tunnel ・Imajo Soba ・Imajo Station Water Tower and Coal Supply Facility ・Imajo-shuku Post Town What is Japan Heritage? Japan Heritage is a designation by the Agency for Cultural Affairs that recognizes stories conveying Japan's culture and traditions through the historical attractions and distinctive features of a region. (Excerpted from the Japan Heritage portable site)

What are you praying for? Hakusan Shrine in the Seto area of Minami-Echizen Town. It’s a place where you can feel a nostalgic atmosphere.

Have you ever seen the many white flowers you spot around town? They are soba flowers! A field of soba blooms looks charming, a sea of white and green.

Minami-Echizen Town Hot Spring Information ★Imajo 365 Onsen Yasuragi Hours: 11:00 AM–9:30 PM (last admission 8:30 PM) Closed: Tuesday . ★Hanahasu Onsen Somayama Hours: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (last admission 9:00 PM) Closed: Tuesday . ★Kono Seaside Onsen Yubae Hours: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM (last admission 8:00 PM) Closed: Wednesday

Along the coast there are days so warm it feels as if winter has ended. The sea can be so calm that not a single wave stirs. When there are no waves, the deep blue of the Sea of Japan becomes even more striking. I love the contrast between this intense blue and the paler, greenish-blue. Even the Kitamaebune captains' ships look more lively.

Winter has finally arrived. This photo shows the snowy scenery at Hirono Dam. Heavy snow can be troublesome, but seeing a snowy landscape always makes me feel, “Ah—this season has come.”

We’ve decorated the tanks with Christmas trees again this year 🎄 Keeping adding more Is it just me, or do they seem more and more gorgeous each year?! 🧑‍🎄On weekends and holidays through December 25, Santa will appear between 12:00 and 12:30🧑‍🎄 Also, on December 24 and 25 at 12:00 there will be an “Underwater Santa Raffle”🐟 You can get a good deal with a digital ticket♪ *Before normal admission, buy the “Sightseeing Digital Ticket” and let’s go🙌 📍Echizen Matsushima Aquarium ◾ Address: 74-2-3 Saki, Mikuni Town, Sakai City ◾ Phone: 0776-81-2700 ◾ Hours: 9:00–16:30 (winter season)

“Zatsu Tabi - That's Journey -” (author: Kenta Ishizaka) episode “Journey 46” takes place in Fukui Prefecture, exploring the Reinan region. In Mihama Town, the visit includes overnight stays and stops at major attractions such as the Rainbow Line, Roadside Station, and the Lake Center. It is currently available for a limited time on Kadokomi (ComicWalker), so please take a look when you have time. https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_002635_S/episodes/KC_0026350009500011_E?episodeType=latest...

Special exhibition until Sunday, December 14th "Mago Nagasaka Exhibition" Mago Nagasaka’s solo show, his first museum exhibition in the Hokuriku region. From paintings to three-dimensional works, this rare opportunity presents the trajectory of Nagasaka’s creative practice on an unprecedented scale that uses the natural setting of Kanazu Forest of Creation. To support Nagasaka’s global efforts driven by his strong belief that art exists to save people and promote world peace, the museum will attempt artwork sales second only to the Ueno Royal Museum. Through this exhibition, we aim to convey the future roles and possibilities of art and foster a sustainable cultural environment. 📌Hours 10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) 📌Venue Kanazu Forest of Creation Museum Artcore and open-air museum 57-2-19 Miyanoyatsu, Awara City, Fukui Prefecture 919-0806 📌Admission General 300 yen (200 yen), 65 and over / people with disabilities 150 yen, Free for high school students and younger, and one caregiver per visitor with a disability Prices in parentheses apply to groups of 20 or more ★Part of the admission fees will be used to support activities in Ghana.

[Now accepting applications!] 📸 December 7 Mihama Photowalk in Hayase Let’s find views worth keeping secret. Join a photowalk through Hayase, a small lakeside community, as we explore the town on foot. You’ll discover places that rarely appear in travel guides and spots you usually pass without a second thought. Each participant may encounter a scene that feels uniquely theirs that day. While sensing the deeper atmosphere of alleyways and the village, let’s search together for those views you’ll want to keep to yourself. A great part of the photowalk is sharing perspectives and discoveries with other participants. Bring whatever camera you like and hunt for those little secret scenes. On the day, photographer Tsutomu Ogino, who handles Mihama Town photography, will accompany the group. As winter’s presence begins to show, let’s enjoy a pleasant time together. We warmly look forward to your applications. ■ Date and time: Sunday, December 7, 2025, 1:00 PM–4:30 PM ■ Meeting place: Hayase Tourist Information Center (10-1 Hayase, Mihama Town, Mikata-gun, Fukui Prefecture) ■ Participation fee: Free (reservation required) ■ Capacity: About 10 people (first-come, first-served) ■ Application deadline: Closes when capacity is reached ■ How to apply Applications are accepted via Google Forms. Submitting the form completes your registration. https://forms.gle/TZht18Bmn31oRNPA7... * Smartphones are fine for cameras. * Please wear comfortable, warm clothing for walking. * Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. * Photos taken by participants may be featured on official social media accounts or the website. #viewmihama #Mihama Town #Wakasa Mihama #Wakasa Mihama #Photowalk #photowalk

Hina dolls are displayed for the Doll Festival (Hinamatsuri) at the Ukon residence, the house of a Kitamae shipowner. You might be able to see them if you visit the Ukon residence around March 3rd.

The Western-style building was built as a villa for the Ukon family. You can see it inside the Ukon House, the former residence of a Kitamae shipowner. The building has a modern feel, and the view is spectacular!

The Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum is hosting a Night Museum again this year! From Saturday, November 22 to Sunday, November 30, the museum will be open from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM with the autumn leaves illuminated. The nighttime view of the illuminated leaves from Kyū-Tanabe Handaifu-ke Zashiki is spectacular. A commemorative castle seal for the event will be sold during the period (300 yen). Please join us. Please note the illumination continues after the Night Museum until December 25, so enjoy an evening stroll. Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum Night Museum Period: Saturday, November 22, 2025 – Sunday, November 30, 2025 ※Closed on Monday, November 25 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM ※Last admission by 7:30 PM Admission: Free The historic site and garden illumination runs until Thursday, December 25. Feel free to explore. Location: Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum 25-2 Sagaki, Mihama Town, Mikata-gun, Fukui Prefecture Tel: 0770-32-0050

As November brings a gradual chill, the Imajo hung persimmon season arrives! Each Imajo hung persimmon is made entirely by hand. These hung persimmons from Minami-Echizen Town are distinct because they are smoked. The added smoky aroma gives them a unique flavor that pairs beautifully with alcohol.

How about a drive to the Echizen Coast with everyone? 🚙 I especially recommend the sunset viewed from the coastal road. It’s nice to share summer memories while watching the sunset.

Why not try Koubai-eki (紅梅液) during the hot season? Takano Shoten (高野商店), which produces Koubai-eki, is a long-established store in the Imajo district dating back to the Edo period. It's the syrup that forms during the production of their popular sweet-syrup ume paste, and amazingly the only ingredients are plums and sugar! Ume is known to help relieve tiredness and guard against summer heat fatigue, making it a good choice in hot weather.

In Kono in Minami-Echizen Town, a summer fireworks festival is held every year. The dynamic sound that reverberates off the mountains is breathtaking!

You should definitely see the flowers on rainy days at Seumo Park! It is the droplets that have gathered on the lotus leaves. Lotus leaves are highly water-repellent, so they collect water neatly. The rainwater floating on the lotus leaves sparkles like a work of art.

From Saturday, October 18, the Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum presents Castle Collection 2025 – Autumn: Colors of the Castle. Across Japan, surviving tenshu (main keeps) and reconstructed tenshu serve as castle symbols. At castles without a tenshu, yagura (watchtowers) and gates mark their identity. Enjoy various “castle forms” from papercraft and plastic models to figures and confectionery boxes. Castle Collection 2025 – Autumn: Colors of the Castle Exhibition period: Saturday, October 18, 2025 – Thursday, December 26, 2025 Note: November 15 and 16 are Kansai Culture Days, when admission is free. Venue: Learning Room and Entrance Hall, Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum Opening hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (through the end of November) 10:00 AM–4:30 PM (December onward) Closed: Every Monday (if a public holiday, closed the following day) 25-2 Sakaki, Mihama Town, Mikata District, Fukui Prefecture Phone: 0770-32-0050 Admission: Adults 100 yen, children 50 yen (junior high school age and younger) Group discount applies for groups of 20 or more.

The pink lotus in the second photo and the white lotus in the third photo are actually the same lotus! This variety is called kosanshoku, and its buds and early blooms look pink as in the first photo, but by the third to fourth day they change from pink to white! https://www.minamiechizen.com/en/spot/19388/...

Yashagaike sits on the border between Minami-Echizen, Fukui Prefecture and Ibigawa, Gifu Prefecture. From a little higher up, doesn’t it look like some kind of shape? 💕 The view of Yashagaike from a short climb above the pond gives you a slightly special feeling. https://www.minamiechizen.com/en/spot/19456/...

“Kogane no Ume” is one of Minami-Echizen Town’s specialties. Because “Kogane no Ume” ripens later than other plums, it takes about one more month before it is ready to harvest. The green fruit turns yellow and fills the air with a sweet, fruity scent that makes you want to take a deep breath. They are sold at the Roadside Station Minami Echizen Sankairi during the harvest season.

Commemorative photo of a solo traveler A scene from Ono City, Fukui Prefecture, at Kuzuryuko Station on the JR Etsumi Kita Line. I am traveling alone using the Blue Spring 18 ticket, and as a commemoration of coming here, I took a selfie using the mirror on the platform.

A child who is scared when his favorite dinosaur becomes life-size! Even so, it was 😂 very cool to see them have the courage to stand up to it

My child likes dinosaurs, so I Outbound a trip to Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Fukui Prefecture. I was scared that my favorite dinosaur would become life-size! I took a picture 📷 of them running frantically from the dinosaurs

Cherry blossom-lined streets can be found everywhere in Minami-Echizen! We also offer bicycle rentals, so why not take a relaxed ride along the country roads? We look forward to welcoming you around April.

The “Kaiko Fest 2025” digital stamp rally campaign runs from Wednesday, October 1, 2025, through Sunday, November 30, 2025. Collect digital stamps by visiting sightseeing spots and attractions around the Mikata Goko area for a chance to win accommodation vouchers and local specialties from Mihama Town and Wakasa Town in a drawing! Brochures for the stamp rally are available at the participating sightseeing spots and attractions where digital stamps are placed, so please join us. “Kaiko Fest 2025” Digital Stamp Rally Campaign ■ Event period: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 – Sunday, November 30, 2025 ■ Prizes Five winners will be drawn to receive a 20,000-yen pair accommodation subsidy voucher for Wakasa and Mihama accommodations (eligible to apply after collecting five or more stamps). Ten winners will be drawn to receive a 10,000-yen accommodation subsidy voucher for Wakasa and Mihama accommodations (eligible to apply after collecting five or more stamps). Fifty winners will be drawn to receive a 2,000-yen Wakasa and Mihama shopping voucher (eligible to apply after collecting three or more stamps). Fifty winners will be drawn to receive a 3,000-yen assortment of Wakasa and Mihama local specialties (eligible to apply after collecting three or more stamps). ■ Inquiries: Mikata Goko Regional Tourism Council (Wakasa Town Tourism and Community Development Division) TEL (0770) 32-45-9111 https://platinumaps.jp/d/wakasa-mikatagoko?sr=1390...