The Blessing of the Sea of Japan:: Kyoto & Fukui

In the treasure trove of the Sea of Japan, an ancient and refined Japanese culture has flourished, and coastal fishing villages still exude a gentle and understated cultural charm. We’ve come to Kyoto and Fukui by the Sea of Japan to explore the past and present of the Kansai region.

The Japanese are a people who love to eat fish. To make eating fish easier, Japanese chopsticks usually have pointed tips for removing bones. Often, just a bowl of rice, a fish, and a bowl of miso soup make up a delicious Japanese meal. This time, we’ve come to Kyoto and Fukui around Wakasa Bay, where every harbor offers the freshest seafood from the Sea of Japan. The tranquil bay scenery paints the most gentle picture of seaside villages. Only by being here can you truly understand how inseparable the relationship between the ocean and Japan really is.

• The Exceptional Beauty of the Bay

In the Ine Bay area of Kyotango, Kyoto, there’s an old fishing village that’s the perfect example of coexistence with the sea. Nestled between mountains and sea with limited flat land, the area developed “boat houses” built right on the water. The first floor of these boat houses connects directly to the sea, serving as a small dock for boats and storage for fishing gear, while the second floor is where the fishermen live their daily lives. The village gradually formed during the Edo period (1600s), and within a 5-kilometer stretch along Ine Bay, over 230 boat houses remain preserved to this day. The buildings have maintained their appearance from over 300 years ago, standing quietly and peacefully amid the green mountains and clear waters.

We boarded a sightseeing boat to circle Ine Bay. The seawater is as blue and clear as in island resorts—so clear you feel you could jump in and swim at any moment. Unlike the usual messiness of fishing villages, there’s no lingering debris or oil stains on the surface. The black-tiled houses, scattered at varying heights, look even more quaint and charming against the backdrop of mountains and water. Fishing boats are moored outside the houses, and clothes and bedding are drying on balconies. This isn’t just a tourist spot for passersby—it’s been home to villagers for two or three hundred years. I couldn’t help but wonder: with the boat houses so close to the sea, wouldn’t homes flood during high tide? And in rough weather, wouldn’t the houses be swept away? The boat captain pointed to a small island in the middle of the bay not far away and told us it’s called Aoshima. Aoshima blocks the rolling waves from the open sea, so the waters here are calm, with no noticeable tides or monstrous waves. Looking out at the serene sea, life in the fishing village seems worry-free, making one envious of Ine Bay’s exceptional blessing.

When talking about Kyotango in Kyoto, besides the boat houses of Ine Bay, one cannot miss Amanohashidate. Alongside Matsushima and Miyajima, Amanohashidate is one of Japan’s Three Views. Its 3.6-kilometer white sandy beach stretches across Miyazu Bay, dotted with over 8,000 pine trees. A beautiful legend surrounds Amanohashidate: it’s said that the Heavenly Gods built it as a ladder to freely travel to the realm of the goddesses. One day, the god accidentally dropped the ladder, and what fell became Amanohashidate, thus the bridge connecting heaven and earth disappeared. Listening to the romantic tale while walking along the white sand and through the lush pines, with the blue sea just steps away, it’s no wonder Amanohashidate lives up to its fame as one of Japan’s Three Views.

However, a walk in Amanohashidate Park only offers glimpses of its beauty. To see the full view, you must take the ropeway at Kasamatsu Park and look down from above. Normally, w??ǘi is used for tourists to view the scenery from a distance, but here it’s different—you must ride the ropeway up the mountain. From this vantage point, you can see the layered beauty of the landscape. Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. Suddenly, the world seemed upside down, the sea and sky blending into one indistinguishable expanse. That stretch of white sand and pine trees instantly transformed into the legendary bridge fallen across the horizon—absolutely breathtaking.

Half-believing, I followed the advice, and in an instant, it felt as if the world had turned upside down, the sea and sky merging into one seamless blue. That path of white sand and pine trees suddenly became the legendary bridge fallen from the heavens—an incredible sight.

• The Maritime Charm of Fukui

Leaving Kyoto, we arrive at the Sanshuu Five Lakes in Fukui Prefecture, also located along Wakasa Bay. This is Fukui’s premier natural attraction. The best way to enjoy the lake is by taking a ropeway up to Mt. Mezantei Natural Park, where you can gaze at the Five Lakes on one side and the Sea of Japan on the other. Additionally, it’s known as a “lover’s destination.” At the mountaintop, there’s a fun “love lock” area where couples can attach a padlock to a chain after making a wish, or write their wishes on ceramic pieces at the Tengu Hall and toss them down the mountain—the farther they fly, the more likely the wish will come true.

Since we’re here, we must try the local seafood. Kinpa Toro-bako-tei, located at the foot of the mountains near the Sanshuu Five Lakes, serves seafood grilled over charcoal, highlighting its freshest and richest flavors. The charcoal fire is blazing on the table, and the waitress deftly prepares shrimp, crab, shellfish, and more. With over ten years of experience, she knows exactly when the ingredients are perfectly cooked. The owner says the ideal dining time here is two hours. Indeed, it’s a real treat to watch her amazing skills, chat, and enjoy the peaceful fishing village scenery all around.

Continuing north, we reach “Tōjinbō” on the Echizen-Kaga Coast, where nature’s artistry is on full display. This unique landscape was formed by volcanic activity about 1,300 years ago. Massive andesite cliffs, eroded over centuries by towering waves and snow, stretch for a kilometer—a majestic sight that commands awe. Yet many brave souls lie on the cliff edge to peer down, watching the crashing waves up close yet distant, feeling the thrilling intensity of Tōjinbō’s cliffs. Aside from walking along the cliffside trails, taking a sightseeing boat to view the cliffs from the sea offers yet another perspective.