It takes only 2 minutes to the top of the mountain by lift and cable car. Mikatagoko Rainbow Line Summit Park is a miraculous panoramic spot where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mikatagoko surrounded by mountains and Wakasa Bay. There are many ways to enjoy the park, such as admiring the spectacular view while enjoying a footbath, or soaking up the sense of openness while lying on a sofa. Why not be healed by Mother Nature and recharge your energy for tomorrow?
We spoke to ......
- 画像
- 画像テキスト
- Isao Izuhara, General Manager, General Affairs Department, Rainbow Line Inc.
- テキスト
- He explained not only the highlights of the Rainbow Line Summit Park, but also the characteristics of the Mikatagoko lakes and the "nenko" (annual manuscripts) created by their exceptional natural environment.
Five lakes below and the Sea of Japan in the distance!
The Mikata Goko (Five Lakes of Mikata) is the collective name for the five lakes that straddle the towns of Mihama and Wakasa in Fukui Prefecture.
- Mikata Lake
- Lake Suigetsu
- Lake Suga
- Lake Kugushi
- Lake Hyuga
The prefectural road Mikatagoko Rainbow Line offers a panoramic view of the Mikatagoko Lakes, which are scattered like five petals on the inside of a cape jutting out into the Sea of Japan. The Rainbow Line Summit Park is located at the midpoint of the line.
Park your car in the parking lot and transfer to the lift or cable car to reach the park in only two minutes. The dynamic view of the five lakes and the Sea of Japan is unforgettably beautiful!
Park your car in the parking lot and transfer to the lift or cable car to reach the park in only two minutes. The dynamic view of the five lakes and the Sea of Japan is unforgettably beautiful!
Chill on the terrace or in the plaza where you can see the reflection.
The Rainbow Line Summit Park, built on the summit of Baijodake , is dotted with cozy terraces, plazas, and cafes. Visitors can stroll around and rest here and there.
The park was renovated around 2020. I feel that the age range of our customers has become younger," says Izumihara.
says Izuhara. The simple colors of the building complement the natural beauty of the main attraction.
The park was renovated around 2020. I feel that the age range of our customers has become younger," says Izumihara.
says Izuhara. The simple colors of the building complement the natural beauty of the main attraction.
Footbath in the sky with a spectacular view, a place of healing recognized around the world.
At the "Footbath with a Superb View of the Sky" on the Mihama Terrace, you can view the Sea of Japan and all three of the Mikata Goko lakes while soaking in the footbath. You will feel like you are in a Jacuzzi on the top floor of a resort hotel! It is a world-renowned healing space that has also won the COOL JAPAN AWARD 2019.
I came here in stockings! Don't worry, there is a vinyl cover that can be worn over your stockings.
I came here in stockings! Don't worry, there is a vinyl cover that can be worn over your stockings.
Forget about time and relax in the sky at the "Five Lakes Terrace
The "Five Lakes Terrace" is a special outdoor seating area with a panoramic view of the Mikata Five Lakes. You can relax on the round sofa with your legs stretched out. The changing clouds and sunlight will make you forget about the time as you enjoy the ever-changing scenery of the lakes and the pleasant breeze!
Swaying in the shade of the trees. A hammock square that brings you back to your childhood.
The hammock plaza near Wakasa Terrace is the only place in the park with natural shade. On days when the sun is strong, you may want to take a break here. There are also large hammocks for two people to relax in.
Central terrace and teahouse terrace with café
The central terrace and teahouse terrace overlooking the dynamic Sea of Japan are home to the summit cafe Nanairo and the Japanese-style cafe Gokoan, respectively. Eating dango (rice dumplings) and soft-serve ice cream while gazing at the sea is a taste of bliss!
The Rainbow Line's famous blue soft serve ice cream (left) has a refreshing slightly salty flavor. The Rainbow Sundae (right) is topped with frozen tropical fruits and rainbow-colored monaka.
It is also recommended to eat at the Komorebi Terrace, where the breeze passing through the shade of the trees is pleasant.
Improve your luck at the spots for good fortune!
There is also a spot in the summit park that attracts luck. The great nature of Mikatagoko is likely to accept your wishes.
Wago Shrine is a god of marriage
The Wago Shrine overlooking the sea is unique in that it is a "one-sha, two-sha" shrine, which means that you can visit the shrine from the opposite side as well. If you and the person you are interested in come to the shrine together, it is said that it will bring you good luck if you visit the shrine facing each other!
Attract good luck! Kawarake Throwing" toward the spectacular view
Purchase a Kawarake (100 yen per piece) on the first floor of Wakasa Terrace. After writing down your wish, throw the karawake toward the ocean*.
Kawarake are made of materials that can be returned to nature.
Kawarake are made of materials that can be returned to nature.
There are no rules, such as "where to enter to make your wish come true." Declare your wish to the world, and Mother Nature will accept it. This is an open-ended Kawarake-throwing event that will make you feel that way.
Wakasa Terrace, where you can throw kawarake, is a two-story building. Both Mikata Goko (Five Lakes of Mikata) and Wakasa Bay can be viewed from the terrace. If the weather is good, the Tango Peninsula can be seen clearly! From the terrace on the second floor, you can see the whole park clearly, so you can think about the order in which you go around the park, like "Let's go there next! It is also good to think about the order in which you go around the park.
Wakasa Terrace, where you can throw kawarake, is a two-story building. Both Mikata Goko (Five Lakes of Mikata) and Wakasa Bay can be viewed from the terrace. If the weather is good, the Tango Peninsula can be seen clearly! From the terrace on the second floor, you can see the whole park clearly, so you can think about the order in which you go around the park, like "Let's go there next! It is also good to think about the order in which you go around the park.
Enjoy Mikatagoko more! What is the charm of spring, summer, fall, and winter?
The beauty of the scenery changes with the seasons in this mountaintop park. It has a charm that will make you want to visit not just once, but twice or even three times.
Rose garden for spring and fall enjoyment
The rose garden grows 600 roses of 110 varieties, which bloom in spring and fall. In spring, they bloom all at once, giving a gorgeous impression. In fall, there are many varieties in bloom, so visitors can enjoy appreciating the differences. (Izuhara)
We hope to visit during the season when roses, satsuki (Japanese azalea), cherry blossoms, and other flowers that color the season are in competition with each other.
Autumn leaves and snowy winters are also a treat.
Autumn foliage is nice, but what I recommend is winter. On a sunny day after a snowfall, it is beautiful. The summit park is located within the Rainbow Line, so it is open as long as the Rainbow Line is not closed. Please feel free to visit. (Izuhara)
Rainbow color representing an exceptional natural environment
At the summit park, "rainbow umbrellas" for both sunny and rainy weather are available for rent to avoid strong sunlight and sudden rain. Come to think of it, why is it called "Mikatagoko Rainbow Line Summit Park"?
Each of the Mikata Goko (Five Lakes) has a slightly different blue color due to differences in water quality and depth. Rainbow" means a place where visitors can enjoy the five colors of the five lakes and the blue of the sky and the sea, a total of seven different shades of blue. (Izuhara)
Mikatagoko, with five lakes inhabited by different species of fish, was registered as a Ramsar Convention wetland*1 in 2009. In addition, the geological formation at the bottom of Lake Suigetsu is displayed as a 45-meter-long nenkou (annual stripe) at the Fukui Prefecture Nenkou Museum.
What are annual stripes?
Nenzima is a striped sediment deposited on the bottom of lakes and marshes. The characteristic stripe pattern is created over a long period of time by sediments that form one layer per year. Because different sediments are deposited at different times of the year, whitish and blackish layers are formed alternately, resulting in the striped pattern.
In September 2018, Fukui Prefecture developed the Fukui Prefecture Annual Stripe Museum to exhibit these 70,000 years of annual stripes and to spread awareness of their magnificence.
The annual stripe of Lake Suigetsu is for a whopping 70,000 years!
There are only three annual stripes like this in the world. Since there are no rivers flowing directly into Lake Suigetsu, the lake bottom is not disturbed. In addition, there are no living organisms living on the lake bottom, and the lake bottom keeps sinking so that it does not fill up, which combined with the environment creates the beautiful annual stripes that we are proud of in the world. (Izuhara)
The Mikata-Goko region was also recognized as an agricultural heritage site*2 in 2019 for its agricultural system titled "Mikata-Goko brackish water lake group fishery system". Through region-wide efforts, such as traditional fishing methods and the negotiation of catch and fishing seasons, a variety of biodiversity is being preserved.
We all want to protect this beautiful environment of Mikatagoko forever. （Izuhara)
Enjoy Mikatagoko from the ground and on the lake.
The summit park is truly a place where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the Mikatagoko Lakes with "God's Eye". After relaxing in the great outdoors, we recommend taking a lake cruise on a sightseeing boat or stopping by the Fukui Prefecture Toshima Museum. We invite you to enjoy the Mikatagoko Lakes both on the lake and on the ground.
Wakasa Bay National Park Mikatagoko Rainbow Line Summit Park
| Address | Mihama Town, Wakasa Town, Fukui Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Hours of Use | Mountain-top park hours】】 April 1 - November 30, March 1 - March 31 9:00 - 17:00 December 1 - February 28: 9:00 - 16:30 The last ride up will be 30 minutes before the park closes. Prefectural Road Mikatagoko Rainbow Line Route Hours】 【Traffic Hours 8:00-18:00 *Please enter the park 30 minutes before closing. *Bicycles and foot traffic are not allowed. |
| Days closed | Open year-round (except December 31-January 2) *The museum may be closed for maintenance inspections. |
| Parking lot capacity | 200 cars |
| Access | Approximately 20 minutes by car from the Wakasa Mikata IC on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway. |
| Admission fee to the summit park | Adults (junior high school students and older): 1,000 yen Children (elementary school students): 500 yen Including lift and cable fees |
| Parking fees for the first and second parking spaces | Standard car: 500 yen Microbus 1,000 yen Large buses 2,000 yen Motorcycles (excluding mopeds) 500 yen |
| For inquiries, please contact | Rainbow Line Co. Phone: 0770-47-1170 |
| URL | http://www.mikatagoko.com/ |
*1 Ramsar Convention Wetlands
The importance of a wetland as a wetland meets the criteria for international registration as "a wetland supporting a significant proportion of endemic fish species or families" (international criterion 7) and "an important food source for fish, or a spawning or nursery ground for young fish" (international criterion 8).
https://www.pref.fukui.lg.jp/doc/shizen/mikata-goko/ramsar-mikata-goko.html
The importance of a wetland as a wetland meets the criteria for international registration as "a wetland supporting a significant proportion of endemic fish species or families" (international criterion 7) and "an important food source for fish, or a spawning or nursery ground for young fish" (international criterion 8).
https://www.pref.fukui.lg.jp/doc/shizen/mikata-goko/ramsar-mikata-goko.html
*2 Recognized as a Japan Agricultural Heritage
Abundant biodiversity is conserved in five lakes with different salinities through traditional fishing methods such as taki-net fishing, which has a history of over 400 years, and through mutual monitoring and agreement on catch levels and fishing seasons.
https://www.maff.go.jp/j/nousin/kantai/giahs_3_181.html
Abundant biodiversity is conserved in five lakes with different salinities through traditional fishing methods such as taki-net fishing, which has a history of over 400 years, and through mutual monitoring and agreement on catch levels and fishing seasons.
https://www.maff.go.jp/j/nousin/kantai/giahs_3_181.html
