Intro to Ishikawa—Japan’s Golden Prefecture
Kanazawa may be well-known to international visitors, but there is so much more to Ishikawa Prefecture than just the cultural hub of Kanazawa.
In this email—the first of three monthly installments—we will introduce you to the three very distinct regions that form Ishikawa Prefecture: Kanazawa, Noto Peninsula, and Kaga & Hakusan.
Kanazawa
Kanazawa is a destination packed with culture and history with no shortage of things to do. It would be easy to spend many days in Kanazawa and not see everything, so we figured we would share some of our favorites. One of the ‘must-see’ things is Kanazawa's own Geisha district, Higashi Chaya; its ambience retains a rich historical feel as many of the buildings were constructed over 200 years ago. Along with geiko teahouses, visitors can also stop by craft shops like Gold Leaf Workshop, a signature craft of Kanazawa, where visitors can try applying real gold leaf to plates, chopsticks and jewelry boxes. Nearby in the Nagamachi Samurai District, Samurai culture lives on today in what was once the residential district for the city’s samurai. Old meets new with the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art where Ishikawa's creative culture flows through into the present day and is just a few steps from Kenrokuen Garden. Referred to as the greatest landscape garden of Japan, visitors can appreciate the charm of every season. At the Kanazawa Castle Park, the spectacular structures and stone walls show the Kaga Domain's massive wealth and the park provides wonderful cherry blossom viewing in the spring.
Learn more at the official Visit Kanazawa website.
Noto Peninsula
At the northern tip of Ishikawa lies the Noto Peninsula, home to a stunning array of natural wonders. The remote region extends nearly 65 miles into the Sea of Japan and its secluded location and rustic charm make it an ideal escape from Japan’s bustling cities. Noto Peninsula’s most well known attraction is the Senmaida Rice Terraces where the terraces stretch on the hillside along the coast, creating a breathtaking ocean view. Other regional highlights include the Koke no Sato Moss Garden in Hiyo—the entire rural village rests on a giant, verdant moss garden that has been cultivated for generations. For a different kind of picturesque experience, visit the Wajima Morning Market where locals have been doing their daily grocery shopping for over 1,000 years!
Learn more here.
Kaga & Hakusan
The southern part of Ishikawa is defined by geothermal hot springs, majestic mountains, and the Sea of Japan. The ultimate hot springs experience takes place in Kaga Onsen which encompasses four hot spring villages: Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Katayamazu, and Awazu. Each has its own distinct character and various accommodation options. Nearby the, 2,700-meter-high Mt. Hakusan has been a destination for ascetic worship since ancient times and is open to climbers during the summer. In winter, Hakusan becomes a destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other snow sports. While at the Natadera Temple, a temple for the worship of nature, dramatic cliffs tower over unique temple buildings and serene gardens.
Learn more here.
Getting There
Ishikawa is incredibly easy to access. The prefecture is serviced by two airports, Komatsu Airport & Noto Satoyama Airport; but the easiest way is to travel by shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Ishikawa’s main gateway, Kanazawa. In addition to the shinkansen, Kanazawa is accessible by JR limited express trains from Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya. Each of these rail options take less than 3 hours!
Here is an easy-to-follow guide on how to access Ishikawa.
KAI President Dave Kartagener will be traveling to Ishikawa to check out each of the above regions, and so much more. He will be writing about his trip upon his return, and also hosting a session of Sundowners with KAI about his travels to Japan. Watch your inbox for his trip report and click the button below if you’d like to register for the recap session on the 25th of January.
If you have any questions, or would like additional info about Ishikawa email us!