[Fukui Prefecture] Spectacular views of Wakasa Bay! Enjoy the great outdoors on a Sotomon cruise
![[Fukui Prefecture] Spectacular views of Wakasa Bay! Enjoy the great outdoors on a Sotomon cruise](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/02/26-226048.webp)
The "Sotomon Tour Cruise" departs from Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf in Obama Obama City Fukui Prefecture , and offers spectacular views of the Sea of Nihon Sea. From the cruise ship, you can enjoy the art of the sea, such as strange rocks, caves, and caverns, created by the rough waves of the Sea of Nihon Sea.
- 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.
![[Fukui Prefecture] Spectacular views of Wakasa Bay! Enjoy the great outdoors on a Sotomon cruise](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/02/26-226050.webp)
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.
![[Fukui Prefecture] Spectacular views of Wakasa Bay! Enjoy the great outdoors on a Sotomon cruise](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/02/26-226055.webp)
●Meoto Kameiwa Rocks
It got its name from the fact that it looks like two similar sized turtles are being carried on its back.
![[Fukui Prefecture] Spectacular views of Wakasa Bay! Enjoy the great outdoors on a Sotomon cruise](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/02/26-226056.webp)
● 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.
![[Fukui Prefecture] Spectacular views of Wakasa Bay! Enjoy the great outdoors on a Sotomon cruise](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/02/26-226059.webp)
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.
![[Fukui Prefecture] Spectacular views of Wakasa Bay! Enjoy the great outdoors on a Sotomon cruise](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/02/26-226060.webp)
How to get to the Sotomo Sightseeing Boat Tour
The Sotomo sightseeing boat departs from Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf.
![[Fukui Prefecture] Spectacular views of Wakasa Bay! Enjoy the great outdoors on a Sotomon cruise](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/02/26-226057.webp)
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.
We are a voluntary tourism organization that promotes the attractions of the northern part of Kinki, including Tamba, Tajima, Tango, and Wakasa. The flavors of Northern Kinki are not limited to crab, a representative winter sea delicacy, but also include oysters, yellowtail, and pufferfish, as well as cockles, rock oysters, and white squid in the summer, and mountain flavors such as Tamba chestnuts, Tamba black beans, and the summer fruit, sand dune melon. This is an area where you can enjoy gourmet food all year round. I would be delighted to visit the vast northern Kinki region many times and provide information on railway journeys.
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