[Notice] Taramaru Square 2025 is now open! First phase: April 26–27, April 29 Second phase: May 3–5 At the Roadside Station event plaza See the image for vendor information ↓

The season for fireflies has arrived again. Kikuchi City is a famous firefly spot known as “Japan’s number one firefly home.” You can see them along the Nikakiga River and the Watase River in the Asahi-shi area of Kikuchi City. The places where you can see fireflies in Japan are decreasing year by year. Fireflies do not only thrive where the water is pristine. They prefer places with gentle water flow, sandy or gravelly riverbeds, low ambient light, quiet surroundings, and the presence of freshwater snails such as kawanina. They favor these limited types of habitat. As global environmental issues worsen, the habitats where fireflies can live are also shrinking. Even so, you can still see many fireflies in Kikuchi City. Fireflies spend their larval stage growing in the water for about a year while storing food. They then pupate and emerge as adults. As adults, they live for about two weeks. In other words, out of the 365 days of the year, the period when you can enjoy fireflies is only about two weeks. Also, adult fireflies do not eat. They spend their adult lives without feeding. The fireflies we watch are living through a life that ends in a flash. Each year we can see them because, despite that short life, they reliably pass their life on to the next generation. We are very happy that fireflies can be viewed in Kikuchi City again this year. Please come and visit Kikuchi City to enjoy firefly viewing. □ Best viewing times ・Nikakiga River: mid-May ・Watase River: mid-May to late May □ Viewing areas ・Kikuchi City, Asahi-shi Obara (Obara district) ・Kikuchi City, Asahi-shi Fumoto (Takayanagi district) □ Parking…parking available in each district ・Obara district parking (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays only, 200 yen) (May 11–early June) ・Takayanagi district parking (free) (May 17–early June) □ Viewing etiquette ・Do not shine flashlights or lights at the fireflies → Fireflies dislike strong light. Shining phone lights or using a flash can cause them to hide. It also disturbs other viewers. ・Do not make loud noises or cause disturbances → Loud noise will scare the fireflies and bother nearby residents. Please be considerate as viewing takes place at night. ・Do not catch or take them home → Adult fireflies can fly for only one to two weeks. Enjoy watching them living in the wild. ・Take your trash home with you → Fireflies live in clean environments. Let’s all protect the beautiful natural environment. ・Follow traffic rules → Viewing takes place at night. Please watch for people stepping onto roads. Road restrictions may be in place around viewing areas during the viewing season. Please cooperate to help keep viewers safe.

[Notice] Night Cherry Blossom Light-Up 🌸 From Iwanai Tourism Association The night cherry blossom light-up originally scheduled from 4/21 will begin tomorrow, Thursday, April 24, depending on the bloom status of the cherry trees. 🌸 This year we have extended the light-up section! Check the details below ✅ ・Period: Thursday, April 24 to Sunday, May 18 ※Subject to change depending on the condition of the cherry blossoms ・Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM ・Light-up section From in front of Iwanai Town Hall, First Torii — up to the area around Iwanai Shrine Street and Gansuien ・Parking In front of Iwanai Town Hall building Please use the temporary town hall parking lot ⚠️ Please refrain from parking on the road ⚠️ Requests and precautions 🙇🏻‍♀️ Do not touch the lighting equipment. Do not look directly at the lights. We look forward to welcoming you 🌸 ・Rengeji Temple: April 26–May 5, 7:00 PM–10:00 PM ・Gansuien: May 3–May 6, 6:00 PM–8:30 PM These facilities will also be lit up as part of the spring light-up program. 💡

From today (April 21), we are also open on Mondays❕ We will remain open every day until October 31. We look forward to welcoming you☺️ We have also installed benches and chairs in the plaza in front of the Roadside Station, so please feel free to rest there♪ *There are no trash bins.

The mountain climbing season has arrived. Kuranodake, located in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, offers trails for beginners through advanced hikers. It is a mountain that even small children can enjoy. From the summit you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama, and a big appeal is that you can easily challenge yourself starting from the 9th station. The elevation is 1,118 m. It was selected as one of the Top 100 Walking Trails in Japan. It sits at the western end of the Aso outer rim, and the name comes from its saddle-like shape. Following the northeast ridge of Kuranodake leads to peaks such as Mount Tsumushi (1,064 m), and some hikers aim for them from Kuranodake’s summit. The mountain hosts many alpine plants and bird species. There are several routes up Kuranodake; for intermediate and advanced hikers there are the Forest Course and the Panorama Course. Beginners can drive up to the 9th station and start from the East Trailhead Course. With routes of varying difficulty, many families hike together. From the summit you can see the Kuju Mountain Range, the Five Peaks of Aso, Mt. Kimpō, and Unzen. Many people bring a packed lunch or coffee to enjoy on the hike. Before hiking, pick up maps and information at Shiki no Sato in Asahishi-Fumoto, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, located at the trail entrance, and why not give it a try?

Cherry Blossom Report: Ontakesan Sakura Road as of April 3, 2025 The cherry trees along the road on Mt. Ontake in Kiyokawamachi, Bungo Ono City, Oita Prefecture are at their best. They seem to be at their peak now, with some petals starting to fall in the wind. The views are excellent, making it a great drive. Location: Kiyokawamachi, Bungo Ono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■ Access to central Bungo Ono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Kyushu, Bungo Ono City, Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungo Ono City ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250403spot-kiyokawa/...

Notice about parking The snow has melted and spring is finally arriving🌸 Here is a notice about parking at Roadside Station Iwanai Please take note🚗 Parking at Roadside Station Iwanai is divided into several areas 1. Parking in front of the Kida Kanjirou Art Museum 2. Taramaru Market parking lot 3. Parking in front of the police box 4. Parking behind the Roadside Station Please be aware that the event plaza in front of the station is a no-parking zone Each year some visitors mistakenly park there We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation <(_ _)>

As of March 26, the cherry blossoms at Kikuchi Park are about 40% in bloom, and pale pink flowers have begun to color the whole park. The softly spreading cherry blossoms lift the spirits. Why not enjoy a spring moment as the trees grow more beautiful each day toward full bloom? Relaxed hanami awaits in the peaceful atmosphere of Kikuchi Park. At Kikuchi Park, the cherry trees are illuminated by paper lanterns from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM during the period from Sunday, March 16 through Saturday, April 5, letting visitors enjoy the night blossoms. On Sunday, March 30, the Kikuchi Sakura Marche will take place, with about 45 stalls expected to gather. For details, see https://x.gd/KbzJC...

Shinshu High Yamazakura Festival Takayama Village is dotted with Shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossoms) that are over 100 years old. Led by the 600-year-old Tsuboi Shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossoms), Water the Shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossoms) of Mizunaka, the Shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossoms) of Akawa Kannon, the Shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossoms) of Nakashio, and the Edohigan cherry blossoms of Kurobe are called the Shinshu Five Great Cherry Blossoms of Takayama, and Events such as Cherry Blossom Trek Tour are Held in in conjunction with the good cherry blossom season. Please take a look at the single cherry blossom that blooms quietly in the mountain village. For more information on cherry blossom Information and Events, please check the Home page.

[Scenic Views within a 10-Minute Walk from Shinano-Ōmachi Station 🏔] Today, February 27th, Omachi City enjoys clear skies ☀️ The Omachi City Tourist Association is located inside JR Ōito Line’s Shinano-Ōmachi Station 😌 So sometimes visitors ask for spots where they can see the Northern Alps during the wait for their next train. Here are the spots we guide people to🏔✨ The first is from the pedestrian walkway over the small overpass ahead after turning left at the “Asahi-cho” intersection on National Route 147 🏔 The second is from the “Asahi-cho” pedestrian bridge 🏔 When you stop by Omachi City, why not take a short walk around Shinano-Ōmachi Station? 😊 ⭐️Explore Omachi City⭐️ https://www.kanko-omachi.gr.jp//

Iwanai Onsen 50th Anniversary♨️ With heartfelt thanks to the local community “Iwanai Onsen Yu-matsuri” Celebration♨️ About the Iwanai Onsen Yu-matsuri⤵︎ Event period: Saturday, March 1, 2025 to Monday, March 31, 2025 🟡Benefit 1: Limited-time discounts (bathing and accommodation) Special discounts are available at participating Iwanai Onsen facilities *Present the flyer to receive the benefits❗️ *For accommodation, offers are limited to residents of the Shiriuchi area and require telephone reservations 🟡Benefit 2: Onsen stamp rally A chance to win luxurious prizes by lottery!!! Prizes 1st prize: Pair accommodation voucher for Takashima Ryokan♨️ (1 group) 2nd prize: Set of 3 craft beers🍺 (1 person) 3rd prize: IWANAI RESORT 1-day lift ticket⛷️ (3 people) Flyer distribution locations⤵︎ ・Iwanai Onsen bathing facilities and venues ・Iwanai Town Hall ・Roadside Station Iwanai ・Other distribution spots around town ⭐︎How to participate⭐︎ Bring the flyer and use discounts at participating facilities! Collect stamps at two onsen locations and enter the lottery Iwanai Onsen won in the “Onsen General Election 2024” Ranked 3rd nationwide and 1st in Hokkaido in the Beautiful Skin category👏🏻 Takashima Ryokan also defended its national No.1 spot in the Solo Traveler category❗️ Take this opportunity to visit Iwanai Onsen♨️

Rent a car within Taiki Town You want to sightsee around Taiki Town but don’t have a car, or you’d like to take a short trip during a long stay in Taiki Town… If so, you can rent a car from Hotel Kashiwa in town!

Kikuchi’s new landmark featuring the country’s largest dragon deity! Dragon tour and bell-ringing experience at Kogenji Temple Details below https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/taikenplan...

Akindo City♪ Today (the 21st) and tomorrow (the 22nd) for two days Roadside Station Iwanai marks the Hina Festival with a special offer Beniko plush normally ¥2,100 is now ¥1,800! Beniko pudding (Fujita Confectionery Shop) Normally ¥200, now ¥180!! This pudding was recently enjoyed by Ichiyamamoto Seki on HBC’s Taku⭐︎Aki Bura Research We look forward to seeing you 😊

Would you like to try some craft beer? 🍺 From IWANAI BREWERY & HOTEL their craft beer “Malty” has a best-before date of March 20, so it’s available at a lower price than usual. 🙏 Why not take this chance to try some craft beer? 🍺 It’s on sale at the Roadside Station shop. 🙏🙏 Thank you!

[Notice] New product♪ Shop information at Roadside Station Iwanai! From Sasaya Shokudo 100% deep sea water — flat-pan method — Pure Salt JUN-EN now in stock!! Including tax, it is 450 yen. "Winter vegetables" grown in a snowhouse in Kyowa Town have arrived 👏 These winter vegetables were raised slowly without heating in the cold winter! How about some fresh-picked produce?

[Notice] Year-end and New Year business hours for Roadside Station Iwanai Dec 28 (Sat) 9:00–17:00 Dec 29 (Sun) 9:00–17:00 Dec 30 (Mon) Closed Dec 31 (Tue)–Jan 3 (Fri) Closed for the Year-end and New Year holidays Jan 4 (Sat) 9:00–17:00 That is the schedule 😊 Thank you. Also, Jan 6 (Mon) will be a closed day. Please be careful not to mistake the dates.

On Tuesday, December 17, we held in the "Ubuyama Village Winter Lunch Party". Village, about 20 participants from outside the Village were able to enjoy cooking and eating deliciously while learning about the master's commitment. Speaking of Kumamoto and Aso, "soup" soup is also eaten in Oita Prefecture, but the taste and shape of the soup are different depending on the region and each family. This time, we asked a mother from Ubuyama Village to be a teacher and teach us how to cook. We used vegetables that were painstakingly made by farmers in the Village, and we enjoyed the soup with new Rice and Akitaka cabbage. It is a small Village with about 1,400 Village residents, but the people who live there are very powerful. Ubuyama Village is located in the hinterland of Aso. There are many roads that are difficult to pass with a large car, and you can feel a different charm from popular sightseeing spots. I would be happy if you could learn about Satoyama life in the Ubuyama village where the deep part of Aso remains strongly through this article.

[Notice] IWANAI RESORT Open ⛷️ This Saturday, December 21, IWANAI RESORT, a ski area in Iwanai-cho, Hokkaido, is scheduled to open for the season!

Light Fantasy KIKUCHI Held from 30/Nov/2024 to 12/Dec/2024 @ Kikuchi City Furusato Sosei Citizen's Square, Kumamoto Prefecture

Shop: Christmas items🎄 Wreaths, patchwork pieces, postcards and more We have an expanding selection of cute items♪ About one month until Christmas🎄 Children are surely waiting for Santa Claus with excited hearts and eager anticipation🎅✨ At Roadside Station Iwanai, Taramaru and Beniko are dressed as Santa! Please take your time browsing the shop when you stop by

[Notice] Akindo Market♪ Today (15th) and tomorrow (16th) — two days only!! At Roadside Station Iwanai, Japan Asparagus Co., Ltd.'s new products: two vegetable powders ★ Pumpkin powder ★ Burdock powder Both are 1,080 yen (tax included)! Manufactured using superheated steam. They concentrate the natural flavors of the ingredients and deliver the full umami of the vegetables! Additive-free and safe! They can also be used for baby food, which is usually time-consuming to prepare #👶 Plus, they are great for baking and soups — many uses♪ We hope you'll give them a try🙏 *Please note: Ramen Houryu listed on the flyer is closed unexpectedly due to store circumstances.* It's a once-a-month event where you can shop for bargains at stores throughout Iwanai-cho〜

[Notice] From November, Roadside Station Iwanai will switch to winter hours! Winter period: November 1 (Friday) through April 20 of the following year Business hours are 9:00–17:00. The facility will be closed every Monday. *If Monday is a public holiday, the following Tuesday will be closed. Please note that the stamp rally stamps will follow the same hours and closed days described above. We look forward to welcoming you throughout the winter season 😊 Roadside Station Iwanai🐟

Autumn leaves have begun! Matsukawa Valleys in Takayama Village is a large area of Autumn leaves with plenty of attractions, from Kasadake at Elevation 2,000 meters to Yamada Hot Spring at Elevation 900 meters Autumn leaves front descends from high elevation to low Best time to visit forecast Near Mt. Kasa and Manza Pass (approx. 2,000m) October 18　 Near Yamada Ranch (about 1,500m) October 18 Near Shichimi Hot Spring and Goshiki Hot Spring (approx. 1,200m) October 21 Near Thunder Falls and Hachitaki (approx. 1,100m) October 23 Near Yamada Hot Spring (Takaibashi) (about 900m) October 25 As of 10/21, the area around Yamada Ranch is in Best time to visit Now it's time for the real work Please take a look at the colorful Autumn leaves

It is a Roadside station Shiomizaka in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture. There is a a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, and Shirasu bowl, eel bowl, and raw rice bowl are Famous. Outsides available the Footbath will Healing your tired legs.

Yamada Ranch Ezo Hydrangea Ezo hydrangeas, which grow naturally in the snowy mountains on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido and Honshu, are also Best time to visit at Yamada Ranch at Elevation 1500m. Ezo hydrangeas are not as flashy as ornamental hydrangeas, but their appearance in clusters in a grove is full of a refreshing feeling that makes you forget about the summer heat. It's been unusually hot this summer, but it's Squid to visit Yamada Ranch in search of Ezo hydrangeas.

"Shinshu Venus Line Drive Stamp Rally" ★Collect smartphone stamps at sightseeing spots and earn rewards! The Venus Line is a 75.2 km scenic road stretching from Chino to Ueda in Nagano Prefecture. It winds through the highland area of Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park, located near the geographic center of Honshu, and ranks among Japan’s premier driving routes. The average elevation is about 1,400 meters, and the highest point, the Utsukushigahara Highlands, reaches about 2,000 meters. Would you like to take your time enjoying this beautiful drive, stopping at various spots along the way? There are hot springs, delicious local dishes, Shinshu souvenirs, and breathtaking scenery!!! We look forward to seeing you! ■ Period From Thursday, August 1, 2024, to Thursday, October 31, 2024 ■ Area Chino, Suwa, Shimosuwa, Tateshina, Nagawa, Ueda ● Stamp spots: 30 locations 【Tateshina Area】2 spots 【Suwa Area】9 spots 【Kirigamine, Yashima, Kurumayama Area】3 spots 【Shirakaba Lake, Megami Lake Area】7 spots 【Wada, Takayama Area】4 spots 【Ueda, Takeshi Area】5 spots For details → Search for "Shinshu Venus Line Drive Stamp Rally"!

Ume no Sato Tsukigase Onsen Welcome Ume no Sato Tsukigase Onsen is a nature-rich hot spring retreat in Tsukigase, Nara City, located in the northeastern part of Nara Prefecture on the borders with Kyoto Prefecture and Mie Prefecture. In spring, the rows of plum trees create a beautiful landscape in Tsukigase, which was designated the nation’s first scenic spot in 1922. This simple mountain hot spring offers a relaxed time with an open-air panoramic bath, indoor baths, a sauna, and dining while you enjoy the seasonal scenery. The facility reopened on February 1, 2014, with a new open-air panoramic bath. Enjoy the tranquil natural setting and time at Ume no Sato Tsukigase Onsen. Opening Hours and Admission Fees ・Onsen 10:30–20:30 20:00 last admission ・Ume Kokoro (dining) 11:00–20:30 20:00 last order ・Fureai Market 9:00–17:00 ※Please purchase a bathing ticket from the ticket machine beside the reception when using the baths. If you have a discount coupon or voucher, present it with your bathing ticket at the reception. The discount amount will be refunded. Adults (junior high school and older) .. ¥700 Children (elementary school) .. ¥350 Children under elementary school age .. Free Senior (65 and over) .. ¥100 discount (ID required) Persons with disabilities (adult) .. ¥250 discount (ID required) Persons with disabilities (child) .. ¥100 discount (ID required) ※Discounts are refunded only to those who present proof at the reception. ※No discount without presentation of proof. ※Discounts cannot be processed after bathing. ※For details, please inquire here. Value Coupon Books Adults (12 tickets) .. ¥7,000 Children (12 tickets) .. ¥3,500 Bath towel .. ¥110 (for sale) Bath sheet .. ¥350 (for sale) ※Towels are sold items and may be taken home. Razor .. ¥150 Toothbrush .. ¥50 Hairbrush .. ¥100 Hair cap .. ¥50 Shampoo, rinse, and body soap provided (free) ・We strictly refuse bathing to persons with tattoos※ ※This applies to tattoos, body art, stickers, or paint, regardless of type. ・Please refrain from bringing food or drinks anywhere inside the facility. ・Persons under the influence of alcohol will be denied use. ・Please take responsibility for your personal belongings. ・Follow staff instructions when using the facility. ・We appreciate your cooperation so all guests can enjoy a pleasant visit. Footbath facility: We apologize but it is currently closed. Ume no Sato Tsukigase Onsen Gift Cards Available! Available for use at Tsukigase Onsen and the Fureai Market. Sold at ¥600 per card. Please use for gifts and special occasions. Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Thank you for always using Ume no Sato Tsukigase Onsen. We are implementing the following measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ask for your understanding and cooperation. Enhanced cleaning with alcohol disinfectant throughout the facility We regularly disinfect and wipe shared areas used by many guests with alcohol disinfectant. Staff Measures ・For customer safety and hygiene, staff wear masks while on duty. ・Before opening, we monitor staff health and conduct checks. ・Staff wash hands and disinfect hands frequently during service. ・Cash handling is done using a tray. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Nice to meet you all and welcome to COOL JAPAN VIDEOS! This is the Shinshu Tateshina Tourist Association. Tateshina Town, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Tateshina Town, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture is an area with spectacular Nature landscapes such as Mt. Mount Tateshina, Hot Spring, and ski resorts. During the summer season, many people visit it as a summer resort, and you can enjoy sports such as tennis, Putting golf, archery, and fishing in the Highlands area around Lake Megami. In addition, there are three ski resorts and the Tateshina Town, and in the winter season, you can enjoy a wide range of Winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, from families to advanced skiers. Throughout the year, we will introduce the charm of Tateshina Town in various ways, so please look forward to it. 【 Specialty products and gourmet food of Tateshina Town 】 In Tateshina Town, the clear underground water stream from Mount Tateshina grows delicious crops. Specialty products such as "Koshihikari rice produced in Tateshina" and "Tateshina apples" have been well received by many people. In addition, "Tateshina beef" raised on a highlands at an elevation of 800 meters in Tateshina Town is a brand beef that Shinshu is proud of with plenty of umami. Specialty products created by the Blessed natural environment of the region are also lined up at "Roadside Station Goddess Village Tateshina NokimuraMegami no sato". How do you like it? as a Souvenirs of sightseeing in Tateshina Town? 【 Sightseeing spot full of charm of Tateshina Town 】 『 Mount Tateshina 』 "Mount Tateshina" is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan towering on the border between Tateshina Town and Nagano Prefecture Chino City. Elevation 2,531 meters. Restrooms available is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, but it is a popular mountain where even beginners can enjoy climbing. It takes about 4 hours round trip, so it is also recommended as an introduction to Introduction to Yatsugatake. Lake Megami The Lake Megami in the birch Highlands of the foothills of Mount Tateshina is also Restrooms available in the photo Spot, which is popular for its reflections that beautifully reflect the Mount Tateshina on the surface of the lake. Activities such as boating and canoeing are also available. "Lake Shirakaba" It is a lake with a circumference of 4 kilometers at an elevation of 1400m, and it is a spot where you can enjoy various ways throughout the year, such as fresh greenery in Spring, summer getaways in Summer getaway, Autumn leaves in autumn, and snow in winter. The area around the lake is well maintained with a promenade surrounded by pure white birch trees, so you can enjoy walking. 『 Gosensui Nature Park 』 From Tateshina Ranch, you can take the gondola Lift and get there in about 5 minutes. Elevation 1,830 Meters, you can see about 300 kinds of alpine plants and many wild birds. 『 Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum 』 There are 11,000 teddy bears on display from all over the world, which can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages. The exhibition is divided into 18 themes from 15 countries around the world. "Venus Line Onna no Kami Observatory" Driving route in Yatsugatake Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. Since it runs in the Highlands, it is recommended for summer driving and touring. Located Elevation 1700 Meters, the Onna no Kami Observatory overlooks the Yatsugatake and Southern Alps mountains. "Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Family Land and Ikenotaira Hotel" Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Family Land is an amusement park where you can enjoy merry-go-rounds and Roller coaster, and there are also Putting Golf, horseback riding, and Athletic. The 2024 season will open on Saturday, April 20, 2024. It is also recommended as a base for sightseeing at the Ikenotaira Hotel Tateshina, which is attached to Ikenotaira Family Land. 『 Roadside Station Goddess Village Tateshina Nokimura（Megami no sato） 』 At the sales office "Nongi Village" in the Roadside Station, there are many products recommended for Tateshina Products Fresh Agricultural Products and Souvenirs. It is a recommended Spot where you can take a break while looking at the superb view of Mt. Asama. A trip to enjoy the Nature, culture, and gourmet food of Tateshina Town will be a special time for everyone. Enjoy the experience that can only be experienced in Tateshina Town. We will send out Recommendations for Tateshina Town, so please follow us!

Hello! This is the Wakasa Mihama Tourism Association. We will share recommended sightseeing information about Mihama Town, Mikata-gun, Fukui Prefecture on Cool Japan Video, and we appreciate your support! ◆What is Mihama Town, Fukui Prefecture?◆ Mihama Town in Fukui Prefecture faces the Sea of Japan and, true to its name, boasts beautiful beaches. The population is about 8,600 people (as of 2024). The town’s grand natural scenery and many local specialties found only in Mihama attract visiting tourists. With the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to neighboring Tsuruga City, access from the Kanto region has become very smooth. ◆The appeal of Mikata Five Lakes, Mihama Town’s top sightseeing spot◆ The most popular sightseeing spot in Mihama Town is Mikata Five Lakes, a wetland registered under the Ramsar Convention and recognized as part of the Japan Agricultural Heritage. “Mikata Five Lakes” is the collective name for five lakes spanning Mihama Town and Wakasa Town in Fukui Prefecture. Lake Kugushi Lake Hiruga Lake Mikata Lake Suigetsu Lake Suga The Mihama Town Lake Center is recommended as a base for fully enjoying Mikata Five Lakes tourism. The facility includes a stylish cafe, food outlets such as hot dogs made with venison franks, and an outdoor terrace where you can relax while gazing at the lakes. For those who want to enjoy Mikata Five Lakes from the water, sightseeing boats are recommended. These lake vessels are battery-powered sightseeing boats driven by renewable energy stored from solar panels. They are the first in Japan to operate solely on renewable energy. You can enjoy a guided round-trip cruise of about 50 minutes. Mihama Station rental bicycles are recommended for those who want to enjoy the lakeshore and Mikata Five Lakes. The full five-lake loop, called Goko-ichu, is a cycling course of about 33 kilometers that takes roughly four hours to complete. Feel the breeze of Mikata Five Lakes and savor the different scenery each lake offers. For those who want to enjoy Mikata Five Lakes from the sky, the Mikata Goko Rainbow Line offers spectacular aerial views of all five lakes. This roughly 11-kilometer drive course leads to Rainbow Line Summit Park, which you can reach by lift or cable car. At the summit you can enjoy five different sky terraces featuring panoramic 360-degree views of Mikata Five Lakes and the Sea of Japan, including footbaths and sofa terraces, and you can enjoy sweets and special lunch boxes. You can fully savor Mikata Five Lakes from different perspectives: from the sky (Rainbow Line), from the lake surface (battery-powered sightseeing boat), and around the lakes (cycling)! ◆Introduction to Mihama Town’s sightseeing spots◆ • Shoishohama Beach Mihama Town has seven beaches, and one of the most popular is Shoishohama Beach, selected as one of Japan’s 88 Best Beaches. Its shoreline of fine, shining white sand and emerald-green shallow waters make it a beautiful beach, attracting more than 150,000 beachgoers each year. • Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum This museum lets you learn about the mountain fortress of the Sengoku period, Kuniyoshi Castle Ruins, and the castle town that once surrounded it. A terrain model around Kuniyoshi Castle Ruins introduces the historical townscape. • Roadside Station Wakasa Mihama Hamabiyori Opened in 2023, this roadside station is packed with fresh vegetables, fruits, and local gourmet items from Mihama Town in Fukui Prefecture that can only be enjoyed here. It also serves as a tourist information center and a rest stop, making it ideal for a break during your travels. ◆Local specialties of Mihama Town, Fukui Prefecture◆ • Heshiko Heshiko is a traditional fermented local food of Fukui, made by pickling mackerel in rice bran for one year. Its rich flavor is beloved at local dining tables and makes an excellent souvenir. • Seafood Yellowtail, crab, and fugu dishes are recommended winter specialties of Mihama Town. Freshly landed seafood delights many visitors’ palates. Mihama Town has many ryokan and minshuku accommodations where you can enjoy these seasonal fresh seafood for dinner. ◆Events in Mihama Town, Fukui Prefecture◆ • Hinata Underwater Tug-of-War Held every January, the underwater tug-of-war is a nationally selected Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property with a history of nearly 400 years. A massive rope 30 cm thick and 40 meters long is stretched across the canal connecting Lake Hiruga and the Sea of Japan. Men wearing headbands pull the rope with great force, praying for a bountiful catch and maritime safety for the year. • Munakata Shrine Benten Festival Held every July, the Munakata Shrine Benten Festival features boats with vivid banners carrying portable shrines; on those boats young men wrestle and roughly toss each other into the sea. ◆We will share recommended sightseeing information for Mihama Town, Fukui Prefecture◆ Mihama Town in Fukui Prefecture is a town blessed with rich nature and history. We will continue to share useful recommendations so you can fully enjoy sightseeing in Mihama Town, Fukui Prefecture. Thank you for your support!