Wakasa Wan

Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Park protects the scenic coastline and inland areas surrounding Wakasa Bay, located along the Sea of Japan coast of Fukui Prefecture in the Kinki and Hokuriku regions of Honshu. The park covers approximately 46,700 hectares and encompasses a deeply indented ria coastline of peninsulas, rocky headlands, sheltered inlets, small islands, and sandy beaches. Wakasa Bay is one of Japan's most biologically productive bays, supporting important fisheries for crab, squid, sea bream, and other marine species, as well as maintaining significant coastal ecosystems including kelp beds and rocky intertidal communities. The park's inland areas include forested hills and river valleys that form the backdrop to the coast. The region is also notable for its concentration of historic religious sites, reflecting the ancient pilgrimage routes that connected coastal communities to inland sacred mountains.