Ishikawa

Day Trips

Begin your journey at Kanazawa Station’s stunning glass dome and settle into a traditional ryokan. Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed green tea as you admire the minimalist design of your room. Feel the gentle bustle of local commuters and travelers converging on this modern gateway to Ishikawa.

Stroll through Omicho Market, sampling fresh sushi, grilled crab legs, and seasonal fruits from cheerful vendors. Watch sushi chefs skillfully craft nigiri at tiny stalls and feel the market’s warm, communal energy. Browse artisanal pickles and locally made sweets that capture Ishikawa’s coastal flavors.

Wander the atmospheric streets of Higashi Chaya District as lantern light dances on wooden facades. Step into a traditional teahouse for a geisha performance accompanied by shamisen melodies. End the night with a serene riverside walk along the Asanogawa, breathing in the crisp air.

Explore the embroidered paths of Kenrokuen Garden, where mossy stones and ancient pines evoke timeless tranquility. Pause at the Kasumigaike Pond and reflect on the garden’s harmonious design. Snap photos of the iconic Kotojitoro lantern framed by blossoming camellias.

Wander into Kanazawa Castle Park and wander beneath imposing stone walls and vermillion gates. Learn about feudal lords and samurai at the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art, housed in a modernist building. Enjoy a bento lunch in the castle’s spacious grounds, shaded by centuries-old trees.

Dine at a local izakaya, savoring seasonal kaiseki dishes that showcase Ishikawa’s bounty. Sample regional sake paired with pickled mountain vegetables and marinated seafood. Conclude the evening with a leisurely walk under the softly lit turrets of Kanazawa Castle.

Drive north to the rugged Noto Peninsula, stopping at quaint fishing villages along the way. Visit a coastal fish market to sample just-caught squid and amberjack sashimi. Listen to fishermen mend nets as gulls wheel overhead in the salt-tinged breeze.

Take part in a washi paper workshop in Wajima, learning ancient techniques passed down through generations. Craft your own postcard or lantern from local mulberry fibers, guided by a master artisan. Admire the texture and translucence of each sheet as it dries in the sun.

Settle into a seaside minshuku for dinner of grilled shellfish and steaming bowls of nori seaweed soup. Watch the sunset sink into the Sea of Japan as cicadas hum in nearby trees. Fall asleep to the rhythmic sound of gentle waves lapping the shore.

Rise before dawn to wander Wajima’s vibrant morning market, selling lacquerware, fresh seafood, and handmade crafts. Shake hands with friendly locals and try daikon pickles served with steaming rice cakes. Marvel at the stalls lining the waterfront, alive with early-day chatter.

Hike along the scenic Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, where you can drive or walk on a pristine sandy beach. Feel the wind off the open sea and watch fishing boats bob on the horizon. Picnic on crunchy rice crackers and freshly sliced persimmons picked from roadside stands.

Return to Wajima for a traditional Noto cuisine dinner featuring grilled abalone and mountain vegetables. Enjoy an intimate performance of Noh theater in a century-old wooden hall. Savor the drama of mask and chant under flickering lantern light.

Travel south to Kaga Onsen, a famed hot spring region dotted with four charming towns. Check into a historic ryokan with private rotenburo (open-air baths). Immerse yourself in mineral-rich waters, breathing in the scent of cedar wood.

Stroll the willow-lined paths of Yamanaka Onsen, where artisan workshops produce Kutani porcelain and lacquerware. Try painting your own teacup under the guidance of a local craftsman. Browse shops brimming with glossy ceramics in deep blues and reds.

Return to your ryokan for a multi-course kaiseki dinner, each dish presented like a work of art. Toast to the day with chilled local sake as lanterns glow around the bathing halls. Unwind in your room’s tatami nook, lulled by the soft hush of nighttime rain on paper screens.

Head to Kutani village for an immersive pottery workshop at a centuries-old studio. Shape vibrant bowls and plates under the tutelage of a master potter, learning the signature bold colors of Kutani ware. Feel the cool clay yield beneath your fingers as you form delicate edges.

Watch skilled artisans hand-paint intricate designs using mineral-based pigments. Tour their kiln rooms, warmed by slowly glowing bricks, and hear tales of technique passed through generations. Sample a light lunch of mountain vegetable tempura and sweet rice dumplings prepared onboard traditional low tables.

Attend a sake tasting event featuring local brews paired with grilled river fish. Engage in lively conversation with brewers eager to share their craft. Return to your accommodation with a fresh sense of appreciation for Ishikawa’s artistic heritage.

Journey inland to the UNESCO-listed villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, nestled among lush mountain slopes. Admire gassho-zukuri farmhouses with their steeply pitched thatched roofs. Breathe in the cool forest air and snap photos of mist drifting over rice paddies.

Explore an open-air museum showcasing traditional homes, each room furnished with rustic hearths and handcrafted tools. Sip barley tea brewed over a wood fire in a living museum house. Hike a nearby trail for panoramic views of the valley and villages below.

Spend the night in a restored farmhouse inn, joining your hosts for a communal dinner of local river trout, mountain vegetables, and taro. Gather around the irori hearth as stories of harvest rituals and folklore fill the air. Fall asleep to the crackle of embers and the whisper of bamboo outside your window.

Set out early for Mount Hakusan, one of Japan’s three sacred peaks, traveling through winding forest roads. Hike scenic trails carpeted with wildflowers and mossy boulders. Pause at a mountain spring to refill your bottle with crisp, ice-cold water.

Climb higher to alpine meadows adorned with blooming lilies-of-the-valley and blue gentians. Enjoy a picnic lunch beside a clear mountain tarn, listening to birdcalls echoing in the valley. Learn about local flora from a guide who points out rare alpine plants and medicinal herbs.

Descend to a nearby mountain lodge where a hearty nabe hotpot awaits, brimming with fresh mushrooms and tender vegetables. Share the meal with fellow hikers under the glow of oil lamps. Rest in a cozy tatami room, lulled by the distant roar of mountain streams.

Drive to Nanao, a castle town steeped in samurai history, and explore its well-preserved streets. Visit Nanao Castle ruins and enjoy sweeping views over Nanao Bay. Sample local rice crackers wrapped in plump ume plums at a family-run shop.

Continue to Wakura Onsen, soaking in seaside hot springs overlooking the bay. Recline in sheltered baths as fishing boats drift lazily below. Indulge in a seaside lunch of fresh oysters and fried clams at a humble seaside shack.

Dine at a traditional ryokan in Wakura, feasting on exquisitely plated sashimi, simmered crab, and seasonal vegetables. Wander the lantern-lined promenade after dinner, breathing in salty sea air. Return to your bath for a final soak before sleep.

Return to Kanazawa for a leisurely morning visit to the D.T. Suzuki Museum, reflecting on Zen-inspired landscaping and architecture. Sit by a tranquil water garden and meditate on the space’s simplicity. Appreciate the interplay of light and shadow in every stone placement.

Late lunch at a hidden noodle shop: slurp warm bowl of hearty tsukemen topped with local mushrooms. Pick up last-minute souvenirs such as hand-dyed textiles and lacquered chopsticks. Wander through the modern 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art for a final cultural infusion.

Conclude your Ishikawa adventure with a farewell dinner at a Michelin-recommended kaiseki restaurant. Savor the season’s final offerings—snow crab if in season or mountain yam dishes if autumn. Stroll back to the station, carrying memories of each shimmering lantern, serene temple, and savory bite you’ve discovered.