DESTINATIONS
Kaga & Hakusan
Rejuvenating hot springs and seafaring history backdropped by mountains
The southern part of Ishikawa is defined by geothermal hot springs, majestic mountains, and the Sea of Japan. Kaga Onsen encompasses four distinct hot-spring villages, while the 2,700-meter-high Mt. Hakusan has been a destination for ascetic worship since ancient times. Visit this scenic area of Ishikawa to experience fresh Japanese seafood, unparalleled onsen bathing, luxurious Japanese ryokan, unspoiled nature, crafts such as Kutani ware porcelain, and serene temples and shrines.
Rejuvenating hot springs
Kaga Onsen is a collection of four unique hot-spring villages: Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Katayamazu, and Awazu. Each has accommodation options ranging from modest, family-run inns to luxurious ryokan. Ichirino Onsen is located at the foot of Mt. Hakusan and is a base for the adjacent ski area.
Outdoor adventures
Hakusan National Park has a wealth of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Mt. Hakusan itself is open to climbers during the summer. In winter, Hakusan becomes a destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other snow sports. The Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road passes waterfalls, observation points, and hiking trails on the way to Shirakawa-go.
Deep-rooted history
Natadera Temple has been a sacred site for centuries and today combines Buddhist, Shinto, and local nature worship. Its cliffs and traditional-style gardens create a majestic scene. Crafts such as Yamanaka lacquerware and Kutani porcelain ware continue to flourish in the area. Kitamaebune merchant ships were integral to the development of modern Japan, and their legacy lives on at the Kitamaebune Ship Museum and the surrounding Hashitate district.
Must-see spots
Getting here
The Hokuriku Shinkansen provides a direct link between Tokyo and Kaga Onsen. JR limited express trains operate from Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya, stopping at Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture for onward shinkansen connections to Kaga Onsen Station.
Komatsu Airport serves domestic flights from Tokyo, Sapporo, Sendai, Fukuoka, and Okinawa, and international flights from Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei.
Getting around
Canbus operates two loop buses around Kaga Onsen with economical one- and two-day pass options. The loops connect Kaga Onsen Station with onsen villages and sightseeing spots, and a branch line runs to Komatsu Airport. Hokutetsu bus operates local routes directly to Yamanaka Onsen, Yamashiro Onsen, and Katayamazu Onsen from Kaga Onsen Station. Some accommodations offer private pickup services from Kaga Onsen Station.
Renting a car allows more flexibility, particularly when exploring Hakusan. Agencies are located at Kaga Onsen Station and Komatsu Airport.
