FIND YOUR ISHIKAWA

There are natural hot springs and charming onsen towns across Ishikawa.

Kaga Onsen is Ishikawa’s largest cluster of hot springs. It is made up of four villages—Yamanaka Onsen, Yamashiro Onsen, Katayamazu Onsen, and Awazu Onsen—each with its own distinct character and sights. Visit Yamashiro Onsen for its beautiful town square, with modern and traditional public baths. Relax in the ancient hot springs at Yamanaka Onsen and visit scenic Kakusenkei Gorge. Kaga Onsen Station, the rail gateway to the area, is just 30 minutes by limited express train from Kanazawa.

Just a short bus ride from Kanazawa is Yuwaku Onsen. Stay at a traditional ryokan to enjoy a leisurely onsen bath, or visit the town's well-appointed public bath, Shirasagi no Yu.

Wakura Onsen is the flagship hot-spring town of the Noto Peninsula. Many of the ryokan feature open air baths with views over the Sea of Japan. There is a grand public bath, Soyu, and a free footbath with views of Nanao Bay. Rent a cycle to explore the town and the bay.

Take a relaxing road trip around Ishikawa for gorgeous sunsets, towering mountains, rugged coastlines, and endless ocean views. The prefecture’s roads are uncrowded, picturesque, and well maintained, making driving a stress-free experience.

Popular road trip stops along the coast of the Noto Peninsula include the towering rock island of Mitsukejima and the 8-kilometer-long sandy beach at Chirihama Nagisa Driveway that allows car traffic. The Shiroyone Senmaida rice terraces stepping down to the sea form a classic Japanese landscape.

The Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road, which connects southwestern Ishikawa with the town of Shirakawa-go, winds through a mountainous national park. It passes waterfalls and the easily hiked Mt. Sanpoiwa, atop which there are panoramic views of the Japan Alps.

Ishikawa’s coastal location creates ample opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. Uchinada Beach, near Kanazawa, is one of the prefecture’s premier summer recreation areas.

In the Kaga area, beaches at Katano, Kurosaki, and Hashitate are popular summer relaxation spots. Katano’s sandy shores and pine forest backdrop create stunning sunset scenery, while Hashitate’s surrounding seafood restaurants and nearby Cape Amagozen draw summer visitors.

Chirihama, in the Noto Peninsula, is not only for cars. Many people park on the beach and wade in the water or relax on the sand during the summer. Stalls sell local seafood and other delicacies.