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580 kilometers of
varying coastline
Famous for its delicious seafood
Ishikawa is located at the center of Honshu facing the Sea of
Japan. It is divided into the Noto and Kaga districts. The northern
part is the Noto-hanto Peninsula that juts out into the Sea of Japan.
Its coastline is 580km long. Since Ishikawa stretches long and narrow
from north to south, the topographies of the Noto and the southern
Kaga are significantly different. In Noto, you can enjoy contrasting
coastlines. The northern coast is severely eroded by rough waves of
the Sea of Japan, whilst the southern coast that hems the bay is mild.
Kaga is characterized by the mountains that surround the highest peak
Mt. Hakusan. Rivers flowing down from the mountains formed plains
where cities flourish. Kanazawa is the center of the administration,
economy and culture of the prefecture. It is renowned for its unique
dyed silk called Kaga-yuzen, gilded crafts known as Kanazawa-haku,
Kutaniyaki pottery and many other traditional crafts and local
specialties. It is also famous for delicious seafood with fine texture
as they are buffeted by rough waves of the Sea of Japan. Crabs in
winter, in particular, are the specialty of Ishikawa.
Getting there
1 hour from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport. Take JR
Jyoetsu Shinkansen Line for 1 hour and 35 minutes from Tokyo Station
to Echigo-Yuzawa Station. Take JR Hokuetsu Kyuko Line Limited Express
for 2 hours and 25 minutes from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Kanazawa
Station. Take a Limited Express on JR Hokuriku Main Line for 2 hours
and 30 minutes from Osaka Station to Kanazawa Station.
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Central and southern areas of Noto-hanto Peninsula
Exposed bay dotted with sheer cliffs and unusual rock formations
eroded by high seas
Dynamic coastal views attract over 5.5 million visitors to the
region every year
The whole of the Noto-hanto Peninsula in the northern part of
Ishikawa, the largest peninsula on the Japan Sea, has been
designated a national park - the Noto-hanto Peninsula National Park.
The Noto-hanto Peninsula extending north and south has two coastal
areas: one an exposed bay eroded by high seas, and a calmer area
facing Nanao Bay. Dynamic coastal views attract over 5.5 million
visitors to the region every year.
Noto-kongo on the more exposed side is the general name given to the
coastline extending about 30 kilometers from Fukuura Port to
Sekino-han. The beautiful seashore dotted with sheer cliffs and
unusual rock formations is considered the highlight of any visit to
Noto. Chiri-hama, leading to the Coastal Highway where cars can be
driven along the beach, is always popular with visitors for its
beautifully formed sand hills.
The interesting and picturesque coastline on the more sheltered side
of the peninsula offers ideal spots for sightseeing and fishing. The
coast has a bathing beach and campsite, both of which are well
maintained. The base for Noto sightseeing is the Wakura-onsen Hot
Spring to the northeast of Nanao City, which has a constant and
abundant supply of salt water at 94 degrees Celsius.
Getting there
Approximately 1 Hour to Komatsu Airport from Tokyo Haneda
Airport, and 1 Hour from Komatsu Airport to Kanazawa Station.
Approximately 1 Hour 35 Minutes to Echigo-Yuzawa Station from Tokyo
Station by the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line, and around 2 Hours 25
Minutes from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Kanazawa Station by the JR
Hokuetsu Line super express. Around 2 Hours 45 Minutes to Kanazawa
Station from Osaka Station by the JR Hokuriku-honsen Line super
express, and 1 Hour 5 Minutes from Kanazawa Station to Wakura-onsen
Station by JR Nanao Line super express.
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Kaga Onsen-go hot spring district
A lagoon, which changes its color 7 times a day
1,300 year old hot springs
The Kaga-onsen-go hot spring district is located at the southern
hem of the Kanazawa Plain that surrounds Kaga in southern Ishikawa.
This district has 4 hot spring sites, Yamashiro, Awazu, Yamanaka and
Katayamazu, and is called the inner parlor of the Kansai Region.
Yamashiro hot spring is believed to have been discovered 1,300 years
ago. It is noted for the quarter named Yu-no-kuruwa where
long-established inns characterized with red latticework are
gathered around a gorgeous public bathhouse Soyu Yokuden. Another
old hot spring Awazu is a popular sightseeing spot with its Yunokuni
Mori or a forest of hot springs, where visitors can enjoy Kutaniyaki
pottery, Wajima Japanese craft ware, Kaga Yuzen printed silk, gilded
crafts and many other traditional arts and crafts of Ishikawa.
Yamanaka hot spring is encircled by the Mizunashi-gawa River, Mt.
Yakusi and Mt. Higashi. Katayamazu hot spring stretches along the
Shibayama-gata Lagoon, which changes its color 7 times a day, and
offers a panoramic view of the Hakusan mountain range on fine days.
Both hot springs receive a ceaseless flow of visitors who seek these
wonderful scenic sites. Yamanaga is also known for Yamanaka Japanese
craft ware and its unique culture.
Getting there
An hour from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport. Take JR
Joetsu Shinkansen Line for 1 hour and 35 minutes from Tokyo Station
to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, then take a limited express on JR Hokuetsu
Kyuko Line for 2 hours and 25 minutes to Kanazawa Station. Take a
limited express on JR Hokuriku Main Line for 30 minutes to
Kaga-onsen Station. If you are coming from Osaka Station, take a
limited express on JR Hokuriku Main Line for 2 hours and 20 minutes
from Osaka Station to Kaga-onsen.
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Kanazawa
Center of the economy, commerce and culture for the Hokuriku Region
A castle town with proud prosperity for over 300 years
Kanazawa, the seat of the prefectural office, is made up of
three hills, the Kodatsuno plateau that stretches southeast between
the Asano-gawa and Sai-kawa Rivers, and Mt. Utatsu and Teramachidai
that spread on both sides. It is the center of economy, commerce and
culture in the Hokuriku Region. It has prospered for some 300 years
since a feudal lord Maeda Toshiie built a castle here in late 16th
century.
At the center of the city lies the Kenrokuen Garden, famous for the
Yukitsuri, ropes stretched from the top of a tree to the lower
branches like an umbrella to protect it from snow damage in winter.
It is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, along the
Kairakuen Garden in Mito, and Korakuen Garden in Okayama. Kanazawa
has Tera-machi where 70 temples are gathered together, Owari-cho
lined with stores of long standing, and many other historical
districts, which happily blend with the modern, fashionable town of
Korinbo. It offers a variety of attractions. There are many shops
that carry Kaga-yuzen, dyed silk designated as an important
intangible cultural asset, Kutaniyaki pottery characterized by
placid patterns and vivid colors, gilded crafts called Kanazawa-haku
and other traditional arts and crafts.
Getting there
An hour from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport. Take JR
Joetsu Shinkansen Line for 1 hour and 35 minutes from Tokyo Station
to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, and take an express on JR Hokuetsu Line
for 2 hours and 25 minutes from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to Kanazawa
Station. If you are coming from Osaka, take an express on JR
Hokuriku Main Line for 2 hours and 30 minutes to Kanazawa Station.
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Northern Noto
Varying coastline with rows of oddly shaped rocks
Morning market crowded with residents and sightseers
The Noto-hanto Peninsula in the north of Ishikawa is the largest
peninsula on the Sea of Japan side. The entire peninsula is
designated as the Noto-hanto Quasi-National Park. The northern part
of the peninsula is called Oku-Noto. Its center is Wajima, noted for
its production of a traditional Japanese handicraft, Wajima-nuri. In
Oku-Noto, there is Rokkosaki Lighthouse at the Rokkosaki Point at
the tip of the Noto-hanto Peninsula, Nie Coast where odd,
monstrously shaped rocks stretch in a row around a broad reef named
Senjo-jiki, Fukugaana, a cave mouth where a 357 meter high precipice
stands against the sea, the Sosogi Coast dotted with the Tarumi-daki
Falls and many other scenic sightseeing spots. Other attractive
spots include the Koiji Beach, or romance beach, drawing many
couples who wish for everlasting love, and the Agehama Salt Field
where you can experience salt making.
Wajima is located on the northern shore of the peninsula. It is
blessed with a fine harbor protected against strong south and west
winds and fishery is thriving. The morning market for freshly caught
seafood is crowded with residents and sightseers.
Getting there
An hour from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport. Take JR
Joetsu Shinkansen Line for 1 hour and 35 minutes from Tokyo Station
to Echigo-Yuzawa Station; take an express train on JR Hokuetsu Kyuko
Line for 2 hours and 25 minutes from Echigo-Yuzawa Station to
Kanazawa. Then, take an express bus on Hokutetsu Express Bus for 2
hours 10 minutes.
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The base of Mt. Haku-san
The main peak of Mt. Haku-san
commands stunning views of the volcanic landscape
A sea of virgin beech forest with attractive woodland paths
Mt. Haku-san stands on the boundary
between Ishikawa and Gifu, in Haku-san National Park. The main peak
of Mt. Haku-san was formed by volcanic activity and has seven alpine
lakes and numerous snowy valleys along with famous waterfalls such
as the Uba-ga-taki Falls, alpine plants, and beech forests. The
mountain commands stunning views of the extensive volcanic
landscape.
Mt.
Haku-san, also renowned as a mountain climbed in a form of Shinto
worship, is one of the three most famous peaks in Japan, and a
popular destination for trekking. At its base is a hot springs
village, consisting of five hot springs including Nakamiya and Iwama,
and other springs dotted around the area available for the climbers
of Mt. Haku-san.
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attractive woodland path on Mt. Haku-san connects Ishikawa to Gifu
and has a total length of 33.3 kilometers. Along this path are the
magnificent Fukube-no-otaki Falls or "Large Fukube Falls", estimated
to be 86 meters in height, and the spray from the Falls often covers
the path. The path also takes in a vast virgin beech forest and
lookout platform 1,300 meters above sea level, commanding a
wonderful view of the top of Mt. Haku-san in the distance. All of
these features combine to draw visitors to the area.
Getting there
Approximately 2 Hours 20 Minutes to Maibara Station from Tokyo
Station by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line; 2 Hours to Nishi-Kanazawa
Station from Maibara Station by JR Hokuriku-Honsen Line Limited
Express, and 3 Hours to Nishi-Kanazawa Station from Osaka Station by
JR Hokuriku-Honsen Line Limited Express. 25 Minutes to Tsurugi
Station from Shin-Nishikanazawa Station by Hokuriku-tetsudo Line.
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Chubu
Information
provided by Japan National Tourist Organization.
