Mikawa Bay三河湾

A seaside resort enjoyed all year around. Take-shima Island is covered with spectacular evergreen woods.

Surrounded by the Chita-hanto Peninsula and the Atsumi-hanto Peninsula, Mikawa Bay is an inland sea that has Irago Point and Hazu Point at the mouth of the bay. It is part of Mikawa Bay Quasi-national Park. There are things to do throughout the year, from sea bathing, seashell digging, and fishing to beach seining. 'Matcha' (a type of green tea produced from grinding tea leaves)-producing districts and hot spring villages such as Nishio, Gamagori, Kira-cho, Nishiura, Mitani, and Katahara lie on the coast.

As for Take-shima Island, the island itself is covered with an evergreen forest and has been designated a state natural treasure. The offshore island of Gamagori is accessible via Takeshima-bashi Bridge, and there you can visit Yaotomi-jinja Shrine, where Takeshima Benten is worshipped (one of the seven famous Benten gods in Japan), and the Takeshima Aquarium.

Kira-cho's Kezo-ji Temple was built in 1600 and is known for its 'karesansui' garden, created in the 19th century, where hills and water are represented by stones and white sand. Lively fish markets in the fishing ports along Mikawa Bay and the seafood restaurants that serve fresh local seafood in the surrounding area will appease one's appetite, too.