[Fukui Prefecture] Spectacular views of Wakasa Bay! Enjoy the great outdoors on a Sotomon cruise

• Table of Contents
• What is Sotomo, the spectacular view of Wakasa Bay?
• Sightseeing boat tour around Sotomo
• Information
• You can also eat and shop!
• How to get to the Sotomo Sightseeing Boat Tour

What is Sotomo, the spectacular view of Wakasa Bay?

The Uchitomi Peninsula, located in the northeast of Obama Obama City , Fukui Prefecture , is designated as part of the Wakasa Bay National Park, where you can enjoy the natural beauty created by the rough waves of the Sea of ​​Nihon Sea. Sotomo, a sea cave on the northern coast of the Uchitomi Peninsula, is one of the most scenic spots in the Wakasa Bay Bay Quasi-National Park.

The beautiful cliffs stretch for about 6km in length, formed by granite being worn down by the waves of the Sea of ​​Nihon Sea. Caves, waterfalls, cliffs and more can be seen in the area, and it was designated a national place of scenic beauty in 1934. Obama Port has been a representative port on the Nihon Sea side since the Middle Ages, with many trading ships and foreign ships calling at the port. Those sailors would have looked forward to the view of "Sotomo." Pictorial maps drawn in the late 18th century also show the strange caves, caves and waterfalls that still exist today, and the area has long been loved as a place of magnificent scenery.

It is not clear why it is called "Sotomo," but it is thought to have been so named because it faces the outside of Obama, and means "outside" in Japanese.

Sightseeing boat tour around Sotomo

If you want to see the spectacular Sotomo of Wakasa Bay, board a pleasure boat that departs from Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf! The Sotomo Tour Pleasure Boat is a 60-minute cruise where you can enjoy the dynamic scenery created by the rough waves of the Sea of ​​Nihon Sea. You can get a close-up look at the cliffs of Sotomo, which stretch for about 6 km.

Main Attractions

● Main gate and small gate

The gate on the right is called "Daimon" and the gate on the left is called "Komon", and even the height of the "Komon" is more than three times the height of an adult. It is also the most interesting part of the tour of Sotomo.

●Meoto Kameiwa Rocks

It got its name from the fact that it looks like two similar sized turtles are being carried on its back.

● Shiraito Falls

This is a beautiful waterfall whose flow never stops all year round.

●Amikake Rock

The rock has a network of cracks that look like a net, hence it is called Net Rock.

Information

Operation period and hours

March to November / Departure times: 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30

*Depending on ocean conditions, the route may be changed or the trip may be canceled.

Fee

Adults: 2,500 yen, elementary school students: 1,200 yen, kindergarteners and younger: free

* Group discounts available for groups of 15 or more. Reservations are required for groups of 15 or more.

You can also eat and shop!

At Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf, where the sightseeing boat dock is located, you can enjoy dining and shopping. At the restaurant overlooking the sea, you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes caught in the local Wakasa Bay. "Saba sushi" is a local specialty dish that you should definitely try. At the cafe, you can enjoy a seasonal sweet menu.

At the souvenir shop, we recommend the "Wakasa Lacquer Chopsticks," a designated traditional craft. The unique texture is created by polishing the lacquer that has been applied with multiple layers of abalone shells and gold leaf. Find your favorite chopsticks. You can also buy Fukui Prefecture's local dishes such as "Heshiko" and "Small Sea Bream Sasazuke." We boast one of the best selections in the Wakasa region.

How to get to the Sotomo Sightseeing Boat Tour

The Sotomo sightseeing boat departs from Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf.

Take the train to Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf

●From Kyoto Station

From JR Kyoto Station, take the Thunderbird Express to JR Tsuruga Station. Transfer to the Obama at JR Tsuruga Station and get off at JR Obama Station. It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Kyoto Station. It is about a 20-minute walk from JR Obama Station to the sightseeing boat dock.

●From Tokyo Station

From JR Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to JR Maibara Station. From Maibara Station, transfer to the Shirasagi Express and arrive at JR Tsuruga Station. From JR Tsuruga Station, transfer to the Obama and get off at JR Obama Station. It takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes from JR Tokyo Station. It is about a 20-minute walk from JR Obama Station to the sightseeing boat dock.

Drive to Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf

From Kyoto , take National Route 367 to Takashima City , Shiga Prefecture . From Shiga Prefecture Takashima City, take National Route 303 to Obama City , Fukui Prefecture . It takes about 2 hours from Kyoto Station.

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