Mizushima Fukui 2027: Japan's 'Hawaii of Hokuriku' Summer Island Guide

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.

Quick facts: Mizushima

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^PR window

Boat schedule (typical, verify annually)

How to get to Tsuruga Marina

From Tokyo^PR: 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).

FAQ

• ●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^PR 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^PR 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^PR weekenders.