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Things To Do

Things To Do

Ishikawa has something for everyone, from historic sites and time-honored traditions to natural hot springs and rural landscapes. Explore the gardens, museums, craft workshops, temples, activities, and more that make Ishikawa special.

MUST-SEE

Kenrokuen Garden

One of Japan’s greatest traditional-style landscape gardens

MUST-SEE

Natadera Temple

Dramatic cliffs tower over unique temple buildings and serene gardens

MUST-SEE

Mt. Hakusan Hiking

Scale the region’s tallest mountain, considered sacred for over a millennium

MUST-SEE

Wakura Onsen

Seaside hot spring resort with rich history and a range of accommodation

MUST-SEE

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Forward-thinking contemporary art museum showcasing artists from Japan and abroad

Heritage & History

Heritage & History

Ishikawa has an abundance of untouched historical sites. The past lives on today through villas, shrines, temples, and artifacts. Immerse yourself in the heritage that continues to shape the area’s culture.

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Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen Garden
One of Japan’s greatest traditional-style landscape gardens
Kanazawa
Myojoji Temple
Myojoji Temple
Head temple of Nichiren Buddhism in the region
Noto Peninsula
Natadera Temple
Natadera Temple
Dramatic cliffs tower over unique temple buildings and serene gardens
Kaga & Hakusan
Nagamachi Samurai District
Nagamachi Samurai District
Samurai culture lives on in this historic neighborhood
Kanazawa
Kanazawa Castle
Kanazawa Castle
Faithfully rebuilt structures, large green spaces, and original stone walls
Kanazawa
Keta Taisha Shrine
Keta Taisha Shrine
Pray for love at one of the most important shrines in Noto
Noto Peninsula
Shirayama Hime-jinja Shrine
Shirayama Hime-jinja Shrine
Purification rituals and ancient trees at a 2,100-year-old shrine
Kaga & Hakusan
Art & Culture

Art & Culture

Art has been part of Ishikawa’s soul for centuries. The prefecture is home to some of Japan’s most talented artisans and treasured traditional crafts. This creative culture flows through and inspires the area’s modern and contemporary art.

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Kutani-yaki Kiln Exhibition Hall
Kutani-yaki Kiln Exhibition Hall
Large, important kiln from 1824, with exhibits and painting experiences
Kaga & Hakusan
D.T. Suzuki Museum
D.T. Suzuki Museum
Contemporary architectural interpretation of D.T. Suzuki’s Buddhist philosophy
Kanazawa
Wajima Kiriko Art Museum
Wajima Kiriko Art Museum
Towering lantern floats from around Noto create a festival atmosphere
Noto Peninsula
Oku-Noto Triennale
Oku-Noto Triennale
Contemporary art in a tranquil, abundant nature
Noto Peninsula
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
Forward-thinking contemporary art museum showcasing artists from Japan and abroad
Kanazawa
Kitamaebune Ship Museum
Kitamaebune Ship Museum
Stately home of a shipping magnate steeped in history
Kaga & Hakusan
Nature

Nature

Ishikawa’s landscapes are defined by the Sea of Japan and towering mountains. Enjoy the scenery and recreation of the area’s nature, from jagged shorelines and snowy slopes to calm fields and sandy beaches.

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Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces
Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces
Terraced rice paddies overlooking the sea form a classic Japanese landscape
Noto Peninsula
Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road
Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road
Picturesque mountain road with waterfalls and hiking
Kaga & Hakusan
Notojima Island
Notojima Island
Sustainable agriculture, friendly locals, and a culture of self-reliance
Noto Peninsula
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway
Go for a drive along 8 kilometers of sandy beach
Noto Peninsula
Hiyo Koke no Sato Moss Garden
Hiyo Koke no Sato Moss Garden
Rural village carpeted by carefully maintained, vibrantly green moss
Kaga & Hakusan
Kakusenkei Gorge
Kakusenkei Gorge
Scenic gorge and walking trail cutting through Yamanaka Onsen
Kaga & Hakusan
Activities

Activities

Experience crafts, cuisine, art, culture, and nature through hands-on activities. Try traditional dyeing methods, learn a local recipe, or climb a mountain to round out your Ishikawa adventure.

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Farmhouse Stays
Farmhouse Stays
Immerse yourself in rural Japan with a traditional farmhouse stay
Noto Peninsula
Gold Leaf Experience
Gold Leaf Experience
Decorate your own souvenirs with Kanazawa’s famous gold leaf
Kanazawa
Kutani Porcelain Experience
Kutani Porcelain Experience
Paint your own porcelain in the Ishikawa’s local style
Kanazawa
Cooking Classes
Cooking Classes
Learn to make Ishikawa delicacies with local instructors and quality ingredients
Kanazawa
Temple Stays
Temple Stays
Experience meditation, monastic life, and vegetarian Buddhist cuisine
Noto Peninsula
Hakusan Cycling
Hakusan Cycling
Cycle through serene rice fields to shrines, waterfalls, and canyons
Kaga & Hakusan
Eat & Drink

Eat & Drink

Ishikawa is renowned throughout Japan for its cuisine. Hallmark ingredients like snow crab, Noto beef, and Kaga vegetables are expressions of the prefecture’s location, surrounded by mountains and the sea. Expert chefs with an artisan spirit craft dishes for all tastes and budgets around the prefecture.

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Omicho Market
Omicho Market
Experience local culinary culture at Kanazawa’s largest fresh food market
Kanazawa
Noto Shokusai Market
Noto Shokusai Market
Seaside fresh food market with self-grilling stations
Noto Peninsula
Chuo Mishokugai
Chuo Mishokugai
Nostalgic collection of tiny bars and eateries
Kanazawa
Katamachi-Korinbo Area
Katamachi-Korinbo Area
Kanazawa’s lively, modern shopping and nightlife centers
Kanazawa
Noto Winery
Noto Winery
Noto Peninsula
Local Products

Local Products

Bring your Ishikawa memories home with you. Shop for elegant crafts, traditional sweets, and moreish snacks only available here.

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Wajima Morning Market
Wajima Morning Market
Large, energetic daily market in operation for over 1,000 years
Noto Peninsula
Yamanaka Urushi-za
Yamanaka Urushi-za
Museum, gallery, and shop featuring Yamanaka lacquerware
Kaga & Hakusan
Ishikawa Local Products Center
Ishikawa Local Products Center
Local foods and souvenirs for sale, with cooking and crafting experiences
Kanazawa
Kanazawa Hyakubangai
Kanazawa Hyakubangai
Kanazawa
Wajima Lacquerware Museum
Wajima Lacquerware Museum
See fine Wajima lacquerware and learn about its production
Noto Peninsula
Hot Springs

Hot Springs

Ishikawa is dotted with natural hot-spring towns. Facilities range from simple bathhouses and public baths to luxurious ryokan inns. Step back in time while relaxing in one of the area’s onsen.

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Yamanaka Onsen
Yamanaka Onsen
Hot spring village with moutainous scenery, geisha culture, and local lacquerware
Kaga & Hakusan
Yamashiro Onsen
Yamashiro Onsen
Majestic onsen village with high-end ryokan and a historic public bath
Kaga & Hakusan
Wakura Onsen
Wakura Onsen
Seaside hot spring resort with rich history and a range of accommodation
Noto Peninsula
Yuwaku Onsen
Yuwaku Onsen
Charming hot spring town within easy reach from Kanazawa
Kanazawa
Katayamazu Onsen
Katayamazu Onsen
Hot spring village with a picturesque lakeside setting
Kaga & Hakusan
Awazu Onsen
Awazu Onsen
Natural hot springs with over 1,000 years of history
Kaga & Hakusan
Festivals & Events

Festivals & Events

Ishikawa’s vibrant spirit and warm hospitality are on full display at its festivals. These events mark the passing seasons and serve as a link to long-standing traditions. There are festivals and events throughout the year, so there is bound to be something on during your stay.

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Seihakusai Festival
Seihakusai Festival
Help pull massive floats through the streets of Nanao
Noto Peninsula
Hyakumangoku Festival
Hyakumangoku Festival
Massive yearly festival celebrating the riches of Kanazawa and Ishikawa
Kanazawa
Wajima Taisai Festival
Wajima Taisai Festival
Multi-day celebration with towering floats, huge torches, and local smiles
Noto Peninsula
Otabi Festival
Otabi Festival
Parades of traditional floats and children performing kabuki plays
Kaga & Hakusan
Lake Shibayama Fireworks
Lake Shibayama Fireworks
Fireworks displays over the hot springs of Katayamazu Onsen
Kaga & Hakusan
Yamashiro Daidengaku Festival
Yamashiro Daidengaku Festival
See a centuries-old style of dance performed in a festive atmosphere
Kaga & Hakusan
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