Rainbow Line Summit Park

The observatory at the Rainbow Line Mountaintop Park offers a spectacular view of all the Mikata Goko (Five Lakes of Mikata) stretching across the town of Mihama. The Sea of Japan and the Five Lakes of Mikata can be seen from any direction, east, west, north, south, and west.

Five terraces have been set up, and visitors can enjoy the view in a variety of styles, including footbaths and sofas.

The Mikatagoko Toll Road, commonly known as the Rainbow Line, allows visitors to enjoy driving while admiring the spectacular scenery of the Five Lakes of Mikata and the Sea of Japan.

You can drive up to the halfway up the mountain and use the lift above the first parking lot. The Rainbow Line Summit Park is located at the end of the lift or cable car ride. Even those with weak legs and backs can safely climb to the top by cable car.

With so much to see and do, one day is not enough!

It is a very large park with many attractions such as an observatory, lift and cable car, rose garden, monument at the Lover’s Sanctuary, pledge key, tile throwing at Tengudo, Wago Shrine, outdoor sculpture, Goki no En, Friendship Bell, Medaka Village, beetle house, safety Jizoson of Baijodake, rest house, and more. In addition, visitors can enjoy meals at restaurants and other facilities.

On the east side of the summit park, there is an observatory with a footbath. The park received the “Cool Japan Award” for promoting Japanese scenic spots overseas.

The summit park is also recognized as a sacred place for lovers, and is popular as a power spot for romance with its Ipposha Ryoho Shrine, Wago Shrine, and Happy Bell.

Free rainbow umbrellas are available for rent in case of strong sunshine or sudden rain, and there are many photo-worthy spots.

Another attraction is the garden, where 600 roses of about 110 varieties bloom beautifully twice a year, in spring and fall. A café in the park offers original lunch boxes and other items that can be taken out and enjoyed along with the scenery.

Terrace in the Sky

Rainbow Line Summit Park has five stylish terraces based on the concept of “terraces in the sky floating on Mikata Goko (five lakes in Mikata)! Here, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the overwhelmingly spectacular scenery that cannot be experienced at any other scenic spot in Japan. Please take your time and enjoy the scenery at your favorite terrace. Furthermore, there is a comfortable building that can shelter you from the wind and rain, so you can spend your time even on bad weather days.

Rainbow Umbrella

Rainbow umbrellas, a specialty of the Rainbow Line, are available free of charge as parasols or umbrellas. It is sure to be an Instagram hit! (We also recommend purchasing one at “Nijiiro” and making it a memento of your trip)

Itsuki no En

Itsuki no En is a stage built to honor local singer, Mr. Hiroshi Itsuki. It is set against the spectacular backdrop of Mikatagoko, and when you touch the record disc, the famous song “Furusato” plays.

Möbius Circle

Donated by a local native and resident of Tokyo, the Möbius Wheel contains a message of hope that their love will last forever. It is shaped like an endless circle.

Wago Shrine & “Bell of Happiness” at the Lover’s Sanctuary

The Rainbow Line bell is associated with “Wago Shrine,” which is unique in Japan. Here, parents and children, couples, lovers, and friends are said to ring the bell together after visiting the shrine for further happiness.

Rose Garden

Due to the harsh weather conditions at the top of Mt. Meijodake, it is considered difficult to cultivate roses, but thanks to the efforts of the staff, approximately 600 roses of about 110 varieties bloom in spring and fall. The best time to see them is in spring and fall. Especially in spring, the collaboration with pink satsuki (azalea) is magnificent.

Resting Place

Located in the rose garden, the Resting Place is a space where visitors can relax amid approximately 600 roses in full bloom. Visitors can relax on comfortable sofas while taking in the view.

Komorebi Terrace

Located near the summit café, Komorebi Terrace is a pleasant and airy place. We recommend bringing your takeout from the café and relaxing while feeling the breeze.

Hammock Square

The only plaza in the summit park with natural shade is the Hammock Plaza, which can be enjoyed by couples and families. Large hammocks, chairs, and tables are set up for visitors to have a wonderful time while enjoying the view of Wakasa Bay.

Mihama Terrace

This is the most popular and spectacular view point on the summit, where you can see the Sea of Japan and all of the Mikata Goko lakes at once. A footbath in the sky and a counter terrace are also set up, where you can relax while enjoying the spectacular view of the mysterious lakes and the Sea of Japan.

Information House

From the all-weather Information House, visitors can also enjoy spectacular views of Mikatagoko and the Sea of Japan. The house also provides information on facilities around the Rainbow Line and information videos.

Central Terrace

Located in the center of the summit, this spot offers a magnificent view of the Sea of Japan from Cape Echizen to the Tsuruga and Tsunegami Peninsulas, with the Sea of Japan nearby. At the summit cafe “Nanairo,” you can enjoy delicious coffee, original drinks, and sweets while admiring the spectacular view. You can also enjoy drinks and sweets while enjoying the view on the adjacent wood deck terrace as well.

Five Lakes Terrace

Located in the center of the summit, this stylish terrace offers a view of the Mikata Five Lakes and the towns of Wakasa and Mihama. On the round sofa terrace, you can enjoy the view in a relaxed atmosphere. The counter terrace also offers a luxurious place to enjoy a drink or food taken out from the cafe.

Wakasa Terrace

Featuring a powerful view of Lake Mikata, Lake Suigetsu, Lake Suga, and the Tango Peninsula and beautiful Wakasa Bay in the distance below, the counter terrace on the second floor offers a spectacular view that differs from the eastern viewing platform (Mihama Terrace) from its precipitous location. Visitors can also experience “Kawarake-throwing” here. It is believed that your wish will come true if you write your wish on a “Kawarake” and throw it in the direction of the lake.

Teahouse Terrace

Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the topography of Wakasa Bay at a glance, from Cape Kyogamisaki on the Tango Peninsula in the distance to Cape Echizen in Fukui Prefecture. At the Japanese-style cafe Goko-an, visitors can enjoy the famous baked dango dumplings and green tea in spring and fall at the observation deck surrounded by roses and satsuki (Japanese azalea) trees. The wood deck terrace also offers a magnificent panoramic view from the Tsunegami and Tango Peninsulas to Cape Echizen.

Lift and Cable Car

Lift: 1 person (every 8 seconds)
You can enjoy the wonderful view while feeling the wind! The one-way trip to the summit park takes about 2 minutes.

Cable car: 30-seater (also accommodates 3 wheelchairs)
It is all-weather type, and you can enjoy the view through the spacious window. Even those who are not comfortable with lifts can use the cable car.

There is also a walking trail (admission fee applies). It is an approximate 15-minute one-way walk.

Mikatagoko Rainbow Line

The Mikatagoko Rainbow Line, also known as the Mikatagoko Toll Road, opened in 1968 and offers a magnificent view of the Mikatagoko Lakes and the Sea of Japan.

This scenic road spans Mihama Town and Wakasa Town and offers a panoramic view of the rias coast, a famous landmark of Wakasa Bay National Park, and the five lakes: Lake Kyuko, Lake Hyuga, Lake Mikata, Lake Suigetsu, and Lake Suga.

All of these lakes are connected, and each lake has a different mixture of fresh and salt water, resulting in a slightly different blue color on the lake surface.

The road passes through mountainous areas, with a series of steep inclines and curves. On the way up the beautiful green hills, the road leads to the foot of Meijangdake (Mt. Meijang), from where the observatory on Meijangdake offers a magnificent view.

From Parking Lot 1, a cableway leads up to the summit park. You can also take a lift or cable car to the summit of Mt.

From there, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Wakasa Bay and the Mikata Goko lakes. This road is known as one of the most scenic spots in Wakasa Bay.

It is 15 kilometers long and ranges in width from 6.9 meters to 108.6 meters.

The nearest IC is the Wakasa Mikata IC on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway, and the distance to the first parking lot is about 10 kilometers.

It used to be a toll road, officially named Mikatagoko Toll Road. However, in 2022, the Fukui Prefecture Road Public Corporation was dissolved and the management of the road was transferred to Fukui Prefecture.

Currently, the road is open to the public free of charge as Fukui Prefectural Road No. 273 Mikatagoko Rainbow Line. However, some sections are closed to bicycles and pedestrians and closed at night.