Mikata Goto Rainbow Line

It is with undisguised joy that we set off at 11 a.m. for the Mikata Goto Rainbow Line. This place, a real gem nestled between the sea and mountains in Fukui Prefecture, has surprises and thrills in store for us.

Prepare to be dazzled by the incredible views of the five Mikata lakes and the Sea of Japan! This scenic route, located about two hours from Kyoto by car, is a real must-see.

It is the perfect place to enjoy nature, breathe in the sea air and admire the landscapes that change with the seasons.

As soon as we arrived, we were immediately amazed by the splendour of the landscape and the surrounding Japanese nature. 🌿

Having grown up seeing the sea every day, finding it here is truly enchanting. It's soothing, almost comforting.

We reached the summit! We bought our tickets, and it was an unforgettable moment! We had two options: the cable car or the chairlift. We chose the latter, which was perfect for enjoying the beautiful weather.

The climb was pure bliss, and the view was simply breathtaking! We were lucky enough to admire a magnificent spectacle, between mountains and sea, which gradually unfolded before us.

And guess what? On one of the chairs, a heart-shaped handle was waiting, as if inviting us to hold on to each other, like the handles found on buses.

Legend has it that touching this heart brings good luck in love... A lovely romantic touch to end this ride suspended above the landscapes of Fukui, a guaranteed escape!

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At the top of Rainbow Line is a small, absolutely incredible shrine called Wagō Jinja (和合神社), literally ‘the shrine of harmony’, a name that says a lot about its serene and welcoming atmosphere. This place is a true haven dedicated to the bonds that unite us all – love, friendship, but also family relationships. It is a magical place where lonely hearts come to find love or strengthen their relationships. Right next door, you can ring the bell of happiness (幸せの鐘), a symbol of good luck in love: it is a special moment that couples like to share while making a wish. 🌸

It is also a ‘Lover's Sanctuary’, an official title awarded to romantic places in Japan.

Imagine yourself at the top of the Rainbow Line, admiring the view of the Sea of Japan and the five Mikata lakes. Breathe in the air; you are safe in this gentle and symbolic atmosphere. It is the perfect moment to feel in love, enchanted, suspended between the sky and the sea.

We then enjoyed a pleasant stroll at the top, crossing the rose gardens, a moment of pure poetry!

Autumn was already well underway, but what a sight! Many flowers were still in full bloom, offering a palette of soft and varied colours.

What a joy to discover that most of these roses came from France! It gave the place an atmosphere that was both elegant and familiar, it was truly incredible!

Under a radiant sun, this walk proved to be a real delight, a moment suspended between nature, fragrance and the sweetness of life.

We then dipped our feet into a free onsen, an experience that was as relaxing as it was unforgettable.

What a view! Sitting facing the sea and surrounded by mountains, we enjoyed a breathtaking panorama. And what a pleasure it was to feel the warmth of the water soothe our legs after the climb!

I highly recommend it! The contrast between the hot water and the sea breeze is simply perfect.

And for those who haven't brought a towel, don't worry! The icing on the cake is that towels are available on site for ¥100, making the experience even more accessible and enjoyable.

We then decided to enjoy the small terrace area, a quiet and sunny little corner of paradise, perfect for relaxing after the walk.

I must admit that I dozed off for a few minutes, lulled by the gentleness of the moment. The air was exquisitely mild, neither too hot nor too cool, and only the slightly strong wind reminded us of the dizzying height of the place.

When I opened my eyes again, I was transported to a world of pure tranquillity. The sun was playing hide-and-seek with the clouds, enveloping the landscape in a soft, changing light. It was a magical moment, suspended between sky, sea and mountains, a moment of absolute happiness.

It's now teatime, and what could be better than a sweet break at the café at the top?

I'm a big fan of matcha, and I fell for a matcha Mont Blanc accompanied by a fragrant green tea! My husband preferred a refreshing iced coffee.

I also had the immense pleasure of savouring a wagashi (和菓子), a marvel of traditional Japanese pastry that goes perfectly with tea! These sweet treats, made from natural ingredients such as red bean paste, glutinous rice and sweet potato, are a real treasure trove of flavours that change with the seasons and regions.

I chose an ingredient that is close to my heart, sweet potato, and I have no regrets! Soft, melt-in-the-mouth and subtly sweet... a real treat for the taste buds, perfect for ending this beautiful day at the summit.

Once we got off, we decided to treat ourselves to a well-deserved break in a small café in Tsuruga, which we had discovered by chance on Instagram: what a wonderful find!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw those pancakes! I couldn't wait to taste them... and I wasn't disappointed: the café is as beautiful as the desserts are delicious.

I chose the house pancakes, which were absolutely divine: soft and light as a cloud, accompanied by matcha whipped cream, green tea ice cream and red bean paste (anko) - a real treat! The flower-shaped presentation was absolutely enchanting, a true masterpiece of Japanese refinement.

My companion opted for dango (团子), small glutinous rice balls served on skewers, a delight! The experience is simply incredible! You can grill them yourself on a mini charcoal grill and then dip them in sauces, each one more delicious than the last.

I recently discovered a gastronomic treasure: sweet soy sauce (mitarashi).

I found THE red bean paste (anko) I had always dreamed of!

And to top it all off, the icing on the cake: kinako powder! Roasted soybeans, no less!

It was a moment of pure sharing and indulgence, and of course, we tasted everything together! Because, let's be honest, it always tastes better when you share!

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We returned to Sabae, and what an incredible evening we had! We seized this incredible opportunity to end the day on an absolute high note.

We headed to karaoke, a classic in Japan, where we sang until we lost track of time! What an incredible way to end our getaway! We were laughing so much, and the impromptu covers and relaxed atmosphere were just perfect.

We then ended the evening with a delicious Japanese barbecue (焼肉), savouring succulent grilled meats. We just had to stop and think back about this incredible day full of amazing discoveries!

What an absolutely incredible day, full of emotions, laughter and magical moments! It ended in an atmosphere of extraordinary warmth and conviviality, making it a truly unforgettable experience. I'm going home feeling absolutely fantastic, totally exhausted but with a light and happy heart.

I really hope your day with us made you happy!

Between the sea, mountains, nature, Japanese delicacies and moments of relaxation, it was a truly charming and emotional getaway.

I'll leave you with a video of the day so you can relive these moments as if you were there!

I'm so excited to go back and discover even more of the wonders of this fascinating country, whether it be nature, culture or the hidden treasures.