Mikata Five Lakes


Mikata Five Lakes, also called the Five Lakes of Mikata, are a series of brackish and freshwater lakes located in Mihama and Wakasa, Fukui, Japan, which are close to the coast of Wakasa Bay. They consist of Lakes Mikata, Suigetsu, Suga, Kugushi and Hiruga. These five lakes are all located in Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Park. In 2005 the lakes were designated as a Ramsar site. The Lake Suigetsu is famous for its varves, which were adopted as a global standard for dating geological and historical relics in 2012.

Geography

Mikata Five Lakes refers to Lakes Maikata, Suigetsu, Suga, Kugushi and Hiruga. Lakes Mikata, Suigetsu and Suga, which are located in the southern part, are connected with each other via natural straits. In addition, Urami Canal built in 1664 connects Lake Kugushi with Suigetsu, and Saga Tunnel built in 1934 connects Lake Hiruga with Suigetsu.
NameSalinitySurface areaElevationMax depthShore length
Lake MikataFresh water0 m5.8 m
Lake SuigetsuBrackish water0 m34 m
Lake SugaBrackish water0 m13.0 m
Lake KugushiBrackish water0 m2.5 m
Lake HirugaSaline water0 m38.5 m