Are you considering visiting Japan and want an itinerary with a nice mix of mountainous and coastal destinations? You might want to consider a trip to Ishikawa Prefecture. Located on the Sea of Japan, the prefecture is filled with mountain resorts, beaches, national parks, and plenty of cultural elements.
Read on for a list of the best attractions in Ishikawa Prefecture that you won’t want to miss out on!
- Kenrokuen Garden (兼六園)
- Kanazawa (金沢)
- Noto Peninsula (能登半島)
- Hakusan Shirakawa-gō White Road (白山白川郷ホワイトロード)
- Yunokuni no Mori Traditional Handicrafts Village (加賀伝統工芸村 ゆのくにの森)
- Natadera Temple (那谷寺)
- Mt. Hakusan (白山)
- Tsukiusagi no Sato (月うさぎの里)
- Yamashiro Onsen (山代温泉)
- Yamanaka Onsen (山中温泉)
Kenrokuen Garden (兼六園)
Kenrokuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, is the landmark of Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. The garden that is famed for having every single important garden characteristic was given a Michelin Three-Star in 2009.
The vibe of Kenrokuen changes throughout the year. So even if you have visited it previously, you might want to check it out again if you plan to head to the Hokuriku region on your next Japan trip.
For more information, please refer to our Kenrokuen article.
Kanazawa (金沢)
Kanazawa City is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. The city is filled with numerous famous attractions, including one of Japan’s best contemporary art museums, a Samurai residence district, three tea house districts for you to meet the elegant Geishas and Maikos, a temple full of ninja tricks, and a lot more!
For more information, please refer to our Kanazawa City article.
Noto Peninsula (能登半島)
The Noto Peninsula has abundant nature, and the entire peninsula is designated a national park. Be sure to stop by Chirimaha Beach Driveway, an 8km coastline where you can drive any type of vehicle on the sandy beach shore (including bicycles).
North of Chirihama Beach is an area of about 30 kilometers of amazing cliffs and interesting rock formations that you won’t want to miss out on.
The Wajima town in the northeast of the peninsula is the perfect place to stop by for lacquerware and get a vibe of the famous Kiriko Festival. If you spend a night there, get up early for the Wajima Morning Market with more than 200 stalls.
From Wajima town, you will want to keep traveling north to Rokkosaki Lighthouse and Cape Suzu for some extremely stunning ocean views. If you can, stay at Lamp no Yado Ryokan, one of the best ryokans in Japan!
For more information, please refer to our Noto Peninsula article.
Hakusan Shirakawa-gō White Road (白山白川郷ホワイトロード)
Thinking about a visit to the World Heritage, Shirakawa-gō? Instead of the ordinary hallway, why not take the scenic toll road through the mountains?
With forests and waterfalls, this motor road is absolutely stunning. One thing to note is the road is closed in colder months. So refer to our article on Hakusan Shirakawa-gō White Road to plan!
Yunokuni no Mori Traditional Handicrafts Village (加賀伝統工芸村 ゆのくにの森)
Yunokuni no Mori Traditional Handicrafts Village in Komatsu City is the one-stop attraction for purchasing ten different types of handicrafts in the area. The village sits on a beautiful hill and has thatched-roof houses built in the Edo and the Meiji period that were relocated here.
Each of the 11 traditional houses has a different theme revolving around a particular craft, such as Kutani-ware, gold leaf, and Nakayama lacquerware.
The attraction will be a fun side trip for those who love traditional Japanese culture and art.
For more information, please refer to our article on Kaga Onsen.
Natadera Temple (那谷寺)
Another great side trip in Kaga City is Natadara Temple. The scenery in the precinct is stunning and has earned the temple a Michelin Green Guide star.
Because of the beautiful rocky cliff to one side of the temple, Natadera was designated as a National Place of Scenery Beauty in Japan.
There are several halls around the temple grounds with cultural significance where you can light candles and incense. The observation deck at the other end of the Kaedetsuki Bridge offers the most spectacular view of the entire temple.
For more information, please refer to our article on Kaga Onsen.
Mt. Hakusan (白山)
If you love hiking and want to take in the magnificent view from a tall mountain, your visit to Ishikawa Prefecture would not be complete without a trip to Mt. Hakusan.
There are several hiking trails in Mt. Hakuzen for all levels of hikers. The visitors center in Ichinose can suggest the best route that suits your interest and experience level.
For more information, please refer to our Mt. Hakusan article.
Tsukiusagi no Sato (月うさぎの里)
Are you an animal lover who finds rabbits’ cuteness extremely irresistible? Visit the Tsukiusagi no Sato, an animal park focusing on rabbits in Kaga City.
Based on a local legend, a rabbit saved the town from a flood. This is why rabbits are highly regarded in the area where a park is formed!
When you visit Tsukiusagi no Sato, more than 50 rabbits will hop around for you to feed and even hug!
For more information, please refer to our article on Kaga Onsen.
Yamashiro Onsen (山代温泉)
Yamashiro Onsen is a popular hot spring destination in Ishikawa Prefecture. With facilities providing different types of onsen, tourists usually visit several hot spring pools in the town in a single day.
In addition to hot spring facilities, there are galleries that specialize in pottery, temples, shrines, and museums that await your visit.
For more information, please refer to our Yamashiro Onsen article.
Yamanaka Onsen (山中温泉)
Last but not least on the list is Yamanaka Onsen, another renowned hot spring town buried deep in the mountains. Compared to Yamashiro Onsen, Yamanaka Onsen has a more breathtaking nature for you to adore.
The area is also known for Yamanaka lacquerware and has a museum with pieces on exhibit.
For more information, please refer to our article on Yamanaka Onsen.
So Where to Go for Fall Foliage Hunting in Ishikawa Prefecture?
If you decide to visit Kanazawa or Ishikawa Prefecture in autumn instead of spring, then check out our article on The Top 12 Fall Foliage Spots in Ishikawa Prefecture. We are certain that there are a few spots that you weren’t aware of or heard of before (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
And Where to Head to Adore Cherry Blossom?
If you decided to visit Kanazawa or Ishikawa Prefecture in spring instead of autumn, then check out our article on The Top 10 Cherry Blossom Spots in Ishikawa Prefecture.
We are certain that you will discover a few spots that you weren’t aware of or heard of before (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
