Mizushima Fukui 2027: Japan's 'Hawaii of Hokuriku' Summer Island Guide
2026-10-22 · 8 Min. Lesezeit
A ferry-only summer island with cobalt blue water — Fukui's hidden gem that locals call 'Hokuriku's Hawaii'.
Mizushima is a 500m uninhabited island off Fukui's Tsuruga coast, open only July 15 to August 25 each year. The water is clear enough to see 10m to the bottom — locals have called it 'Hokuriku's Hawaii' since the 1970s. No facilities, no shops, bring your own everything.
💡Last content review: October 2026
Season dates set annually by Tsuruga tourism bureau. Verify dates on Tsuruga Tourism Association website before planning.
⚡⏰ Peak-season rooms go first
Golden Week, Obon, New Year and the sakura and autumn-leaf peaks fill up fast. Once your dates are set, check availability now. Every week you wait, there are fewer rooms to choose from.
Quick facts: Mizushima
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Off Tsuruga Peninsula, Fukui Prefecture |
| Open season | July 15 - August 25 only (~40 days per year) |
| Access | Tourist boat from Tsuruga Marina — 10 min each way |
| Round trip boat fare | ~¥2,500 adult / ~¥1,500 child (2026 rates) |
| Last boat | 15:30 (varies year to year) |
| Facilities on island | Toilets only — NO shops, food, drink, shade |
| Nearest hotel area | Tsuruga station area or Mihama Beach area |
Why Mizushima is special
The island sits at the junction of the Sea of Japan current and Tsuruga Bay — the water is deep (10m right off the beach), clear (visibility often 10m+), and warm in summer. The sand is powder-fine. No permanent structures mean no commercial pollution. The 40-day season protects the ecosystem — this is a conservation-first beach disguised as a resort.
What to bring
- ●Water (3L+ per person) — no drinking water on the island
- ●Food/snacks — bento from Tsuruga station konbini before boarding
- ●Sunshade (pop-up tent) — zero shade, 32-35°C in August
- ●Snorkel + mask — the water is too clear not to swim with gear
- ●Reef shoes — some rocky patches at the water's edge
- ●Trash bag — all trash you bring must leave with you
- ●Cash for boat fare — no credit cards at the marina ticket window
Boat schedule (typical, verify annually)
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| Departure Tsuruga | Return from Mizushima |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | 11:00 |
| 10:00 | 12:00 |
| 11:00 | 13:00 |
| 12:00 | 14:00 |
| 13:00 | 15:00 |
| 14:00 | 15:30 (last) |
How to get to Tsuruga Marina
From Tokyo: Shinkansen to Maibara (2h20min) → JR Hokuriku Line to Tsuruga (25 min). From Osaka: JR Thunderbird Limited Express to Tsuruga (90 min). From Tsuruga station: Taxi to marina (10 min, ¥1,500) or community bus. Driving: Hokuriku Expressway Tsuruga IC exit, 15 min to marina. Parking at marina ¥500-1,000.
Where to stay nearby
Tsuruga station area has business hotels ¥7,000-10,000/night. Mihama has small beachfront ryokans ¥15,000-25,000. For a Hokuriku 2-day trip, pair Mizushima (morning) with Fukui's Dinosaur Museum or Eiheiji Temple (afternoon).
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40-day season = hotels sell out early
- Open July 15 - August 25 only — the entire year's demand compresses into 6 weekends.
- Tsuruga + Mihama have limited hotel inventory (10-15 small properties total).
- Weekend dates in late July + mid-August fill 2 months out; weekdays 2 weeks out.
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FAQ
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- ●Can I visit outside July-August? No, the island is closed and boats don't run.
- ●Is it swimmable for kids? Yes but water deepens fast — life jackets recommended.
- ●English signage Limited. The marina ticket counter has basic English.
- ●Any lifeguards Volunteer lifeguards during peak weekends only.
- ●What if it rains? Boats don't run in bad weather or high waves. Full refund.
- ●Combined with what Dinosaur Museum (Katsuyama, 1.5h) or Eiheiji Zen Temple (45 min). Also Tsuruga has a scenic port with 1920s architecture.
- ●Beach umbrellas available No rental on island. Bring your own pop-up tent.
- ●Reservations needed No, first-come at the marina ticket window.
- ●Fire/BBQ allowed Absolutely not.
- ●Why not more famous? Fukui gets a tiny fraction of Japan's inbound tourism — Mizushima is still mostly known to Hokuriku locals + Osaka weekenders.
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