Welcome to the Five Lakes of Mikata Nature Cruise,
a journey through 200,000 years of timeless history
The Five Lakes of Mikata, spanning Mihama Town and Wakasa Town in Fukui Prefecture, are a scenic destination where five lakes weave together a landscape of remarkable beauty.
Designated as a Ramsar Wetland and recognized as a Japan Agricultural Heritage site, this area can be explored aboard Japan’s first battery-powered sightseeing boat. As you glide gently across the lake surface, enjoy a 50-minute cruise discovering the wisdom, traditions, and history of the people who have lived in harmony with nature.
Cruise Route
The Five Lakes of Mikata Loop Course
This approximately 50-minute course departs from Lake Kugushi, passes through the Urami River, and cruises around Lake Suigetsu.
Due to weather and tidal conditions, the Urami River may occasionally be inaccessible. In that case, the cruise will follow the Lake Kugushi Course (approx. 30 minutes).
Highlight1
Urami River
Flowing through a tranquil corridor of green, the Urami River is a place where history lives on.
Linking Lake Kugushi and Lake Suigetsu, it stands as the largest man-made canal of the Five Lakes of Mikata.
During the Edo period, in an effort to save the region from recurring floods, Namekata Kyūbei of the Obama Domain undertook this monumental work. Over nearly two years, and with the labor of some 220,000 people, the hillside was cut through to create the Urami River.
Urami River in 20 Seconds
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Lake Suigetsu
A miraculous lake home to 70,000 years of varved sediments, recognized worldwide.
Lake Suigetsu, the largest of the Five Lakes of Mikata, holds a hidden wonder beneath its depths—varves acknowledged by scientists around the world as a global standard for measuring time.
Layer by layer, about 1 mm each year, sediments have settled undisturbed for 70,000 years, preserving a continuous record of the Earth’s history.
Step aboard and immerse yourself in the 70,000-year story of this miraculous lake.
Lake Suigetsu in 20 Seconds
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Lake Kugushi
A lake where people and nature quietly resonate together—an ecosystem full of life.
Lake Kugushi is a brackish lake where seawater and freshwater mingle. In winter, countless wild birds gather here to rest their wings.
Because the boat is powered by a quiet electric motor, you can observe these birds without disturbing them, gently witnessing their natural way of life.
Urami River in 20 Seconds
Cruise Feature1
360°Observation Deck
An open, 360°panorama — experience the Five Lakes of Mikata with all your senses.
Take a step onto the deck and find yourself surrounded by sweeping panoramic views in every direction.
Aboard the silent, battery-powered boat, the only sounds that reach you are birds calling and the soft rhythm of the waves.
A unique moment, experienced only from the water.
Discover the Observation
Deck in Just 20 Seconds
Cruise Feature2
Japan’s first battery-powered sightseeing boat
Japan’s first battery-powered sightseeing boat powered by renewable energy
Developed through a joint research project between Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology and Mihama Town, this is Japan’s first battery-powered sightseeing boat.
Since beginning operation in April 2023, it has delivered clean, zero-CO₂-emission cruising and exceptional quietness—helping to protect the natural environment of the Five Lakes of Mikata while embodying sustainable tourism.
Cruise Feature3
Cruise Guide
Make Your Cruise Even More Enjoyable
A Dedicated Guide to Enrich Your Journey
A dedicated guide from Mihama Town accompanies every cruise, sharing easy-to-understand insights into the history and culture of the Five Lakes of Mikata—often sprinkled with local dialect for an authentic touch.
“The guide was wonderful”—this is the most common feedback we receive from our guests, and one of the highlights of the Five Lakes of Mikata Nature Cruise.
Cruise Information
Cruise Schedule
- 1st Departure
- 9：30 〜 10：20
- 2st Departure
- 10：45 〜 11：35
- 3st Departure
- 13：00 〜 13：50
- 4st Departure
- 14：15 〜 15：05
- 5st Departure
- 15：30 〜 16：20
Important Information
- Boarding begins 10 minutes before departure. Please arrive in time for your scheduled departure.
- Cruise routes may be changed or services may be canceled due to weather and tidal conditions.
Fares
- Adult (Junior High School Students and older)
- 1,980 (tax included)
- Children (Elementary School Students)
- 990 (tax included)
- Preschoolers
- Free
Business hours
- 9：00 〜 17：00
*Opening hours may change during events, etc.
Closed Days
-
Wednesday
(if Wednesday is a public holiday,
the following day)
New Year's Holidays
(December 29th-January 3rd)
Parking Capacity
- Parking Capacity: 37 cars and 10 buses
Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:00
Access
- Location
- Mihama Town Lake Center
24-4-1 Hayase, Mihama-cho,
Mikata-gun
Fukui 919-1124
Japan
- Contact
- Tel: +81-770-47-5961
Fax: +81-770-47-5961
MAIL：Contact us
Access by car
Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway
15 minutes from Wakasa Mihama IC
10 minutes from Wakasa Mikata Interchange
Access by train
10 minutes by car from JR Mihama Station
10 minutes by car from JR Kiyama Station
Access via the local ‘Gokoichi Bus.’
Access via the local ‘Gokoichi Bus.’ For operating periods, routes, schedules, fares, and unlimited ride passes, please refer to the flyer.
Operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only.”
Gokoichi Bus Flyer for Fiscal Year 2025 [PDF]
*Cruise operations for the 2025 season have now ended.