Guided Kayak Tour of the Miraculous Five Mikata Lakes: Learn About Their 70,000 Years of History

【STORY】

Gather at the parking lot of the Fukui Prefectural Varve Museum. Move to the pier. The guide will provide a brief lecture on the formation of Lake Mikata and the annual rings.
Practice boarding before setting out. Enjoy a leisurely stroll on the lake with the guide's assistance.

※ The course may be flexibly adjusted based on wind conditions and customer preferences.

- Beginner-friendly kayaking on Lake Mikata, offering a casual and enjoyable experience.
- Experience the vast natural scenery with minimal man-made structures at Lake Sugako, one of the Mikata Five Lakes.
- Get a glimpse of lakeside living around Lake Mikata from the water at Lake Suigetsuko.

Arrive at the pier. Disband.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Explore the Enigma:
  Visit the special topographical environment of Mikatagoko (the five lakes of Mikata) on-site and understand what a miraculous lake Suigetsu is. 
• Nature Immersion:
  Our guided tour at the Varve Museum and a visit to the shores of Lake Mikata Goko will teach you of the 70,000 years of history that the varves reveal. 
• Cultural Lifestyle:
  Witness the local fishermen using traditional methods of fishing that have a history of over 400 years. With your knowledgeable local guide, learn the insight of the region and the lives of the locals around the five Mikata Lakes.   

【SCHEDULE】

Choose from two start times, 10:00 or 14:00. 

[10:00/14:00] Gather at the parking lot of the Fukui Prefectural Varve Museum. Walk to the Banso-sha office (5 minutes) The guide will provide a brief lecture on the formation of Lake Mikata and the annual rings.

[10:30/14:30] Practice boarding before setting out. Departing from the Hasu River, we will go out to Mikata Lake. The guide will take you around the view from the lake and the traditional fishing traps set up in Mikata Lake. Enjoy a leisurely stroll on the lake with the guide's assistance.

※ The course may be flexibly adjusted based on wind conditions and customer preferences.

・Beginner-friendly kayaking on Lake Mikata, offering a casual and enjoyable experience.
・Experience the vast natural scenery with minimal man-made structures at Lake Sugako, one of the Mikata Five Lakes.
・Get a glimpse of lakeside living around Lake Mikata from the water at Lake Suigetsuko.

[12:00/16:00]　Arrive at the Banso-sha office. Disband.

*It is possible to have an interpreter (English) accompany you after the prior arrangement.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Time：2 hours
• Meeting point：The parking lot of the Fukui Prefectural Varve Museum　[MAP]
  122-12-1, Torihama, Wakasa, Mikatakaminaka District, Fukui 919-1331
  
• Access：
  ・5 min from the Lake Mikatagoko Smart IC on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway.
  ・35 min drive by rental car from JR Tsuruga Station.
• Language support：Japanese, English (optional)
• Included：
  ・Guide fee
  ・Kayak rental
  ・Life jacket rental
  ・Waterproof bag for valuables rental
  ・Insurance fee
• Excluded：
  ・Interpreter Guide Fee (optional)
  ・Guide for Nearby Facilities (optional)
  
• Items to bring：Change of clothes
• Clothes：
  ・Due to the structure of the canoe, your bottom and other parts of your body may get wet. Please wear clothes that can get wet. Also, please bring a change of clothes.
  　You may use the showers and changing rooms at the office.
  ・The wind can be chilly, in October and November, so a removable jacket is required.
• Participation requirements：
  Group inquiries are also welcome.
  If you wish to participate with 9 people or more, please make an inquiry.
• Free WI-FI：No
• Toilet：Yes (Western-style)
• Other things to note：The decision regarding the operation based on weather conditions will be communicated via email by 3:00 PM on the previous day.
  

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

Until 72 hours before the experience start time: 0%
From 72 hours before the experience start time to start time: 100%
Cancellation after the experience has started or cancellation without contact: 100%