Mihama: Coastal Rituals, Rice Terraces, and Lemon Cuisine

Sea and mountains shape Sugahama, a nature-rich area on the western side of the Tsuruga Peninsula. Here, a distinctive coastal tradition, extensive rice terraces, and lemon cultivation come together. For your trip to Mihama, Sugahama offers a range of points of interest: you might be drawn to its landscapes and regional cuisine, or want to explore an experience involving traditional craftsmanship.

A coastal ritual on August 15

Every year on August 15, Sugahama holds the “精霊船送り.” In the evening, a boat about 8 meters long is pulled from the coast out to sea. It is made of miscanthus, wheat straw, and bamboo, fitted with a sail, and then set adrift. The ritual is designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Fukui Prefecture. A specific date and clearly defined sequence of events come together with materials that make the description of the boat especially vivid.

If you want to plan your trip around this tradition, August 15 is an important date to bear in mind. The “精霊船送り” is a distinctive cultural feature of Sugahama; its name and designation as a folk cultural property give it a different character from the area’s landscapes and food experiences.

Rice terraces and lemon cultivation

Sugahama’s rice terraces cover about 266,000 m². In 2022, they were recognized as “つなぐ棚田遺産～ふるさとの誇りを未来へ～.” Their scale makes the terraces a striking feature for anyone interested in agricultural landscapes. Together with their location between sea and mountains, they reveal another side of Sugahama, clearly distinct from the coastal ritual and culinary experiences.

Lemons are also part of the area’s character: they are grown in the Sugahama district at “はーぶ＆れもん園.” Next to the “Herb & Lemon Garden” is a treehouse with hammocks and swings. From above, you can look out over the lemon field. This offers a chance to experience lemon cultivation not only as a source of ingredients for cooking, but also as part of the landscape. If you’re traveling with children, you can explore these specific features together without having to make the outing about just one thing.

Charcoal-making experiences and regional pizza

The Sugahama WakuWaku Cooperative offers charcoal-making experiences. This adds a hands-on activity to the landscape: rather than focusing only on food cultivation, you can also include an experience centered on making charcoal in your plans.

Sugahama lemon pizza is part of the local cuisine, and its sauce is made from whole locally grown lemons. At “菅浜わくわくかん,” Pizzeria&Cafe WAKUWAKU serves wood-fired pizza made with regional ingredients, including organic lemons from Sugahama. In this dish, lemon is more than a decorative garnish—it is part of the sauce. This gives you a chance to encounter local produce in a distinctive regional dish.

When looking for a holiday rental in Mihama, you can choose where to stay based on the places you plan to visit.

For the broader travel overview: Mikata District.