If you ever plan to visit Kanazawa, we would recommend you to also consider exploring the Noto Peninsula (能登半島) nearby for its rich nature. The entire peninsula is designated as a national park. The diverse landscape created a unique rural culture that differs from the close-by popular destination, Kanazawa. To get there, you can choose to take the special sightseeing trains or buses departing from JR Kanazawa Station!
Table of Contents
- Sightseeing Train Hanayome Noren (花嫁のれん)
- Noto Satoyama Satoumi-gō (のと里山里海号)
- Tour Buses Running by Hokutetsu
- NOTO Iro Taxi (NOTOいろタクシー)
- Explore the Noto Peninsula With a Guided Tour
Sightseeing Train Hanayome Noren (花嫁のれん)
The Nanao Line Tourist Train – Hanayome Noren is probably one of Japan’s most beautiful sightseeing trains.
The design of the train is inspired by Wajima lacquerware (輪島塗) and Kaga Yūzen (加賀友禅) dyeing techniques, as well as Kanazawa’s famous gold leaf. The interior of the carriages is elegantly decorated by the gorgeous patterns of Kaga Yūzen dyeing that resonates with the beautiful bride (*´ω｀).
Hanayome Noren is a limited express train running between Kanazawa and Wakura Onsen (和倉温泉). As the departure time from Kanazawa is in the late morning, ending your trip with this splendid train may be a better idea.
Tip: If you hold a JR pass covering the Noto Peninsula and Kanazawa, it is free to board.
Important:
☛ Reservation is essential to board the train.
☛ The service only operates from Friday to Sunday and on public holidays.
☛ The meals offered on the train aren’t vegetarian. And the desserts in their confectionery set contain eggs. Also, a reservation is required for all bento boxes sold on the train.
For more information about the train, please refer to JR West’s website HERE.
Noto Satoyama Satoumi-gō (のと里山里海号)
Another sightseeing train in the area is running by Noto Railway (のと鉄道) between Nanao Station (七尾駅) and Anamizu Station (穴水駅). It runs along the west coastline of the Noto Peninsula, which will give you a great view of the surrounding sea and mountains.
The service also makes brief stops at spots with stunning views, giving you just enough time for photos. And if you are bored with the view from the train’s window, walk around the carriage for the art and craftworks on display (^_-)-☆.
At Noto-Nakajima Station (能登中島駅), the train will stop for 10 minutes for you to check out the carriage that has been renovated into a post office. If you send a postcard here, a special stamp will be stamped onto your postcard!
This service is, again, a reserve-only train. For more information and how to reserve, please refer to Noto Railway’s website HERE.
Tip: If you are visiting the peninsula in early to mid-April, make sure you drop by Noto-Kashima Station (能登鹿島駅). The cherry blossom is just beautiful there!
Tour Buses Running by Hokutetsu
Important: Currently, the sightseeing buses run by Hokutetsu doesn’t cover the Noto Peninsula, due to the damages caused by the earthquakes in 2024.
There are also tour buses operated by Hokutetsu, which cover the majority of attractions in Kanazawa and the Noto Peninsula. Whilst a one-day tour is definitely not enough to fully enjoy the peninsula, it can be a great option if you have time constraints and/or don’t want to drive.
For more information, please refer to their pamphlet HERE.
NOTO Iro Taxi (NOTOいろタクシー)
For those who understand Japanese, you can also hire the NOTO Iro Taxi service, where the driver will become your personal guide during your time on the peninsula!
Explore the Noto Peninsula With a Guided Tour
If you prefer a guide to introduce you to the beauty of the Noto Peninsula or a photographer to take professional photos for you, how about joining one of the below tours?
