“Three” Vows by “Sea” and Lake by Watermoon—Make Your Love Promises by the Lakeside of Watermoon Lake with Mountains and Seas as Witnesses to Eternal Happiness!

Text provided by Qidou Travel Network; Photos provided by Xiangsheng Travel

Japan’s “Three” Vows by “Sea” feature the witness of lakes, the pledges of the seas, and the romantic whispers of water and moonflowers. Travel through one of Japan’s Three Views—Amanohashidate, the interconnected boat houses on Ine Bay, and the Shirakawa-go Gassho Village in Miyama Town, Kyoto. The grandeur of mountains and seas is breathtaking, and the beauty of traditional Japanese culture is fully embraced.

Fukui Prefecture in Japan’s Chubu region lies adjacent to the poetic Wakasa Bay, boasts stunning natural scenery. Spanning Miwa and Wakasa towns, the Mikata Five Lakes feature an opening facing the Sea of Japan, shielded on the southeast and west sides, and connected to the seawater, forming a brackish lake system. The five lakes—Mikata Lake, Watermoon Lake, Suga Lake, Hinuma Lake, and Kuze Lake—collectively form the Mikata Five Lakes.

Riding the cable car with your loved one up to Mt. Mezantei Summit Park, you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the entire Mikata Five Lakes, gaze at the layered adjacent lakes and Wakasa Bay of the Sea of Japan, resembling a fairyland on earth. No wonder it’s ranked among Japan’s Top 100 Romantic Spots for Couples. Couples lock their love padlocks at the mountaintop, making eternal and romantic “Three” Vows by “Sea” under the witness of the Mikata Five Lakes and the Sea of Japan!

Don’t rush through your visit to the Mikata Five Lakes—stay at the Watermoon Flower Onsen Hotel by Watermoon Lake to soak in the mountain and water views and experience traditional Japanese bath culture, offering endless romance.

In the afternoon, you can cycle around the lakeside, where sunlight casts different hues across the mountains and lakes, shifting with time. At dawn, board a sightseeing boat from the Watermoon Flower Pier to admire the morning light over Watermoon Lake and Suga Lake in the Mikata Five Lakes while enjoying a delicate Japanese breakfast—it’s a feast for both the eyes and taste buds.

The westernmost part of Fukui Prefecture connects with Kyoto Prefecture. A trip here is incomplete without visiting one of Japan’s Three Views—Amanohashidate. This long sandbar is covered with lush green pine trees, including ancient black pines planted by Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa, offering picturesque scenery everywhere.

The Isoshimizu spring on Amanohashidate’s sandbar is surprisingly not salty at all, with excellent water quality considered a spiritual fountain of longevity. Strolling along the sandbar lets you admire Amanohashidate Shrine, the Japan Three Views Monument, O-Torii (Great Amanohashidate), and the Revolving Bridge. The Kasamatsu Park Observation Deck on the mountainside of Mt. Narabigaoka offers the best 360-degree panoramic view of Amanohashidate. Viewing the sky and sea upside down is a delightfully curious experience. A lucky ring is set on the cliff edge of Kasamatsu Park—legend says tossing a tile through the ring brings good fortune!

Not far from Amanohashidate lies Ine Bay, which not only boasts scenic landscapes but also rich cultural charm. Taking a sightseeing boat is the smartest way to explore Ine Bay. During the sea journey, you can closely observe the unique residential structures—typically, the first floor serves as a garage, but here it functions as a small dock for mooring boats, truly living up to its name as a “boat house.”

Besides the coastal boat houses of Ine Bay in Kyoto Prefecture, this itinerary also takes you to the famous Shirakawa-go Gassho Village in Miyama Town, Nantan City, Kyoto. Nestled in the mountains of Kyoto Prefecture, it’s a tranquil settlement of standalone thatched-roof houses with gassho-style architecture, exuding a distinctly traditional Japanese atmosphere. In late autumn to early winter, the drifting mountain mist adds an even more mysterious and beautiful touch, resembling a fairytale wonderland waiting for you to explore!

More related information
Recommended Itinerary: Five-Day Trip Featuring Mikata Five Lakes, Miyama Town, and Kyoto Charm
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