Spots in Ishikawa Area

  • Kanazawa Castle Park
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    4.0
    2207 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Marunouchi 1-1
    In addition to the peripheral garden Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle Park is a treasure for the people of Ishikawa Prefecture. It is a center of history, and the castle—formerly the home of Kaga’s million-koku strong Maeda clan—is open to the public. There are innumerable sties to see, including Important National Cultural Properties like the Ishikawa Gate, Sanjikken Nagaya, and Tsurumaru Warehouse, as well as the grandeur of recent reconstructions of the Hishiyagura (tower), Gojikken Nagaya (gate), and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura (tower). You can get a strong sense of Kaga’s history and culture by visiting there. Approximately 20 minutes by car via Kanazawa-Morimoto Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway.

    Interesting Castle recently rebuilt to the highest standards. Fascinating to see the skills required to reconstruct this most traditional building. All set in a most beautiful park especially when...

  • Nomura Samurai Residence
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    4.0
    876 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Nagamachi 1-3-32
    A collection of buildings which once served as the residence of the Nomura samurai family during the era of Japan’s feudal domains. This popular tourist destination is located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. Walking the stone paving and earthen walled alleys of the site, you’ll be able to get a taste of the life a samurai and his lady wife lived during the Edo period. The Nomura family served as regional administrators for generations; today, their home is open to the general public, and visitors can view fusuma screen paintings by the Kano school painter Sasaki Senkei, the interiors of buildings with glass and paper screen doors, tea rooms, and the family garden. Visited by great numbers of tourists from overseas as well, the residence is an internationally renowned sightseeing spot.

    We really enjoyed our time here.. lot of history and was such a tranquil place..set aside an hour and make the trip here.. Samurai museum is 1 min up the road..

  • Oyama-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    681 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Oyamamachi 11-1
    You’ll find this shrine in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The founder of the Kaga Clan, Maeda Toshiie, and his lawful wife Matsu are enshrined here. It was constructed in 1873, before which time the spirits were enshrined together in Utasu Hachimangu (the present Utatsu Shrine) at the foot of the Mt. Utatsu. The three-level shrine gate was built in 1875 and combines Japanese, Chinese, and Western styles. It has been designated an Important Cultural Property. Vibrant glass fills the third level, giving it an otherworldly appearance when illuminated at night.

    Within walkable distance from Omicho market. We walked from Omicho market via small backstreets, and entered Oyama Shrine via their side entrance. I like the pond in the shrine grounds... it gives...

  • D.T. Suzuki Museum
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    4.5
    447 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Hondamachi 3-4-20
    The D.T. Suzuki Museum in Kanazawa was opened as a place for people to learn about D.T. Suzuki, a renowned Buddhist scholar who was born in Kanazawa, and also as a place for self-reflection. The Museum consists of three halls (the Vestibule, Exhibition Space and Contemplative Space, which are linked by corridors) and three gardens (the Vestibule Garden, Water Mirror Garden, and Roji Garden). The scene of the Contemplative Space building reflected in the shallow pool of water in the Water Mirror Garden is highly photogenic, and has appeared in many different media.

    I absolutely adored this little out-of-the-way museum. I was fascinated by online photos for a long time and had always wanted to visit, but my time in Kanazawa was always too short for a visit...

  • Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center
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    4.5
    321 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Kinoshimbomachi 1-1JR Kanazawa Station Campus
    The Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center is located directly in front of the Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket gate inside Kanazawa Station. Besides providing tourist information for Kanazawa and other parts of Ishikawa Prefecture, the Center also offers a range of other services; it can help visitors to book hotel accommodation for that evening, arrange to have luggage sent to the hotel, loan umbrellas, wheelchairs, etc., and sell one-day bus passes for Kanazawa city buses, etc. One counter is staff by volunteers who can provide tourist information in English.

    Start your visit to Kanazawa here. Its not just the maps, the English counter will point out where you eat, catch the JR bus (if you have a pass) and what to do rain, snow or shine.

  • Nata-dera Temple
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    4.5
    221 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Komatsushi Natamachi Yu 122
    This is a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect located in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is said that it was established by Taicho in 717. The ground of the temple is large and the nature is beautiful like a landscape painting. The temple is known as the enchanted land with unusual rocks and the main shrine is connected to a huge, rocky cave. It is the sacred place of “Iwa-ya Tainai Kuguri” where sins are purified and people are reborn. There are many buildings including the main shrine and the three-storied pagoda which are certified as important cultural assets of the country. It is also known as a famous sightseeing spot of leaves changing color in autumn. There are no railings on the roads or stairs in the premises, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended when visiting the site.

    We came here on a beautiful afternoon and was not disappointed with the temple and its surroundings. The map tht comes along with the admission fee is very useful to cover the full ground from...

  • Kenrokuen Garden
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    3.5
    4 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Kenrokumachi 1
    Kenrokuen is a traditional Japanese-style garden in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The garden is said to have been first constructed in the mid-17th century in the outer bailey of Kanazawa Castle as a private garden for the lords of the Kaga Domain; it has been designated as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty, and it ranks alongside the Kairakuen garden in Mito and the Korakuen garden in Okayama as one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan.” Kenrokuen is renowned for its beautiful vistas, which make effective use of how nature changes with the seasons. For example, a special feature of the garden during the winter months is the Yuki-tsuri (ropes attached in a conical array to protect tree branches in a garden during the winter); another seasonal feature is the red and white plum blossom in the plum grove. In 2009 the Kenrokuen garden was awarded three stars (the maximum possible) in the Michelin Green Guide. During the peak tourist season, there is free admission at certain times, and the garden also hosts various special events, such as having the garden illuminated at night, etc.

    七福神山のほぼ真ん中にある石塔です。石材は赤戸室石で、火袋や火口があるので灯籠のようにも見えます。七福神山は福寿山とも称され、七福神に見立てた7つの自然の石が置かれています。

  • Ochaya Shima (National Important Cultural Property )
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    4.0
    315 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Higashiyama 1-13-21
    Kanazawa Higashi-rou Shima was built in 1820 in the Kanazawa Higashi Chaya District, and the building to this day hasn’t been altered and remains as it was during the Edo period. It is highly valuable as cultural heritage and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The guest rooms on the second floor are structured for the purpose of merrymaking: if the guests sit with their backs to the alcove, the front becomes an anteroom, and it is designed that one can enjoy dancing and artistic accompaniment if the fusuma (Japanese sliding screens) are opened. You can have traditional Kanazawa sweets together with green tea in the tearoom, “Kanson-an”.

    Interesting small museum in an good old area. We only spent a short while in the museum but it was interesting to see. You need take your shoes off. If you have the day tourist bus pass you save 50...

  • Shirayama Hime-jinja Shrine
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    4.5
    138 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Hakusanshi Sannomiyamachi D 105-1
    Shirayama Hime-jinja Shrine is located in Sannomiya Town, Hakusan City. It is the head shrine of Hakusan Shrine worshiping the sacred Mt. Hakusan as the objects enshrined and its establishment is said to date back to 91 BC. The homotsukan (treasure house) stores valuable Important Cultural Properties including a short sword named Yoshimitsu which is a National Treasure and can be seen for a fee.

    This shrine was first built 1,300 years ago. Among many big tall trees, there were some zelkova (keyaki) that we were told were over 1,000 years old. It’s a very nice shrine, to be sure, and there...

  • Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art
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    4.0
    169 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Dewamachi 2-1
    This integrated art museum is located in Dewamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It opened in 1959 and was moved to its current location in 1983. The museum collects and displays various works, ranging from the works of artists associated with Ishikawa Prefecture to the antiques associated with the Maeda Family of the Kaga clan, which are its focus, to Japanese-style paintings, oil paintings and sculptures. It also houses a National Treasure, “Iro-e Kiji Koro (Incense burner in the shape of pheasant decorated with overglaze enamels),” by Nonomura Ninsei, and other important cultural properties. There are seven collection exhibition rooms, which are rotated regularly, to display different works. The café created by a patissier Hironobu Tsujiguchi is also very popular.

    Visited to soak in the local art and was pleasantly surprised by the high quality exhibits. The incense burners are particularly lovely in person, as are some of the other historic exhibits. The...

  • Wajima Kiriko Art Museum
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    4.0
    180 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Wajimashi Marintown 6-1
    A museum located inside Marine Town in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture which presents traditional kiriko votive lanterns from the Noto area. During festivals in summer and fall, shrine parishioners in every town in the area carry kiriko lanterns; the largest can rival four story buildings in size. Some 30 giant kiriko lanterns stand within the hall; traditional festival music plays inside the museum, and lighting is used to recreate the atmospheres of festivals being held during the day, at dusk, and in the evening. The viewing deck on the third floor gives a sweeping view of Wajima Port. The museum also has a shop selling original merchandise.

    This museum is off the beaten path, but it is well worth finding it and investing an hour or so wandering through the amazing lanterns. The price is affordable, about JPY600/person, and colors and...

  • Roadside Station Noto Shokusai Ichiba
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    3.5
    201 Reviews
    Transportation
    Ishikawa Pref. Nanaoshi Fuchumachi Outside 13-1
    With a fish theme, the Roadside Station Noto Shokusai Ichiba is located in Noto’s biggest fishing port—Nanao Port—and it is a wharf building packed with the charms of Noto including tourism guidance and restaurants, focusing particularly on the sale of specialty items from Noto and fresh fish from the morning’s catch. Right next to the ocean, you get a wide view of the peaceful waves in Nanao Bay. Approximately 18 minutes by car via Tatsuruhama Interchange on the Noto Satoyama Kaido.

    We decided to do the barbecue. We ordered one set with crab, shellfish, fish, etc, and could barely finish it between the two of us. We had fun grilling. Also we saw a live deep-sea fish that was for...

  • Seisonkaku
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    4.0
    205 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Kenrokumachi 1-2
    Seisonkaku is a retreat which Nariyasu Maeda, the 13th lord of Kaga Province, built for his mother, Shinryuin, in 1863. It is located next to Kenroku-en Garden, a famous tourist place in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The building has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property and its garden as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. The two-storey building with a shingle roof features the Shoin-zukuri architectural style on the first floor and the Sukiya-zukuri architectural style on the second floor. The luxurious interior decorations, such as the Shoin-no-ma with its impressive purple walls and pastel ultramarine ceiling, as well as the drawing room with a beautiful colored ranma openwork screen are particular must sees.

    We really enjoyed walking round this house. If you have the day bus pass for tourists you can save 100 yen. They have lockers for your shoes and umbrellas.

  • Kaikaro Cafe
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    4.0
    163 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Kanazawa-shi Higashiyama 1-14-8

    Its a small area, but its also quite mysterious with so much history. Everything is well kept.. from restaurants to cafes to souvenir shops etc.. I went there twice..

  • Ishikawa Aviation Plaza
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    4.0
    146 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Komatsushi Atakashinmachi Hei 92 (Komatsu airport front)
    A museum dedicated to aviation located on the north side of Komatsu Airport in Ishikawa Prefecture. Aircraft such as helicopters, Air Self-Defense Force fighters, and paragliders are on permanent display outside the museum and on the first floor. The cockpits of some of the craft can also be entered and inspected. The museum also has a real YS-11 simulator as well as simplified simulators for an F-15 fighter and Cessna plane (charge: 100-500 yen). In 2012, the museum erected the Bunbun World playground, one of the largest aircraft-themed playlands in the country. Here parents and children can have fun year round and regardless of the weather.

    実物の飛行機見学や子供用遊具の使用が全て無料で楽しめます。 自衛隊好きには売店もおススメです。小松基地に関するTシャツやカレーなども販売してます。 You can visit the airplanes and use the childrens playground equipment, all free of charge. For Self-Defense Forces...

  • Tsukiusaginosato
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    4.0
    148 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kagashi Nagaimachi 43-41
    This rabbit theme park is located in Nagaimachi Town, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The area maintains the legend of the “moon rabbit” who saves the village from torrential rains as reward for saving it first. Rabbits are said to bring good fortune. Every day, there are more than 50 rabbits playing about in the square. You can touch them, give them food, or join in “holding time” held two to three times per day. There are also restaurants and shops selling many rabbit goods.

    Our tour group visited this park on a sunny afternoon after leaving Osaka and arrived late afternoon. Basically a petting rabbit garden with about 50 hoppers onsite, they seem to be well-fed...

  • Keta Taisha Shrine
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    4.0
    137 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ishikawa Pref. Hakuishi Jikemachi Cook 1-1
    The Keta Taisha Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Jike Town, Hakui City. The Shrine, which is dedicated to the worship of the Shinto deity Okuninushi-no-mikoto, is said to have been built around 2,000 years ago. The sacred grove in which the Inner Shrine is situated is known as the “Forbidden Forest,” and has been designated as a National Natural Monument (note that there is no admission to the Forest).

    A lot of shrines have forested areas, but they’re often quite manicured. Keta Shrine was like it was made with the forest in mind. Some parts were downright Ghibli-ish, especially the torii that led...

  • Yamashiro Onsen Kosoyu
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    4.5
    89 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Ishikawa Kaga-shi Yamashiro Onsen 18-128
    "This public bathhouse, located in Yamashiro Onsen, is a remodeled ""soyu"" (a public bathhouse which only uses water direct from a source spring) dating to the Meiji period. The rest area on the second floor as well as the Kutani war tiles used to cover the floors and walls of the bathing rooms have been restored to their original glory, and guests can enjoy hot spring bathing while also experiencing the history of Yamashiro Onsen. In addition to its exterior and interior, another point worthy of note is the bathhouse' recreation of the ""yuami"" style of bathing used at the time."

    We stayed here because it is quieter than Yamanaka. However, you can visit the temple, public bath houses, some souvenirs shop. Ate teshoku dinner here on the Main Street and it was authentic and...

  • Kanazawa FORUS
    rating-image
    4.0
    109 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Horikawashinmachi 3-1
    Kanazawa FORUS is a shopping center located adjacent to Kanazawa Station. There is a wide range of shops, selling high-fashion clothing, confectionery, sundry goods, music, books etc. The sixth floor has a variety of different restaurants, and there is a nine-screen cinema complex on the seventh floor.

    Forus is a spacious and huge shopping mall that is conveniently located right outside the east exit of JR Kanazawa Station. It has 7 storey with many boutique shops of fashion, books, music, cinema...

  • Omicho Market
    Shopping
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Kamioumichou 50
    Omicho Market in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture has been nicknamed “Kanazawa’s Kitchen.” The Market has rows of retail shops selling food products (mainly fresh foods) and miscellaneous daily necessaries; it has underpinned Kanazawa’s gastronomic culture for nearly 300 years, since the Edo period. Fruit juices in which the straw is stuck straight into the fruit, and Kaisen Don (a bowl of rice topped with seafood) with plenty of delicious, fresh seafood toppings are particularly popular with tourists. Omicho Market is around 15 minutes’ walk from Kanazawa Station.

Ishikawa Areas

around-area-map

Long, thin Ishikawa prefecture runs along the Sea of Japan up into Noto Peninsula. Highlights of the seaside towns lining the west coast include Kanazawa, often described as a "Little Kyoto" thanks to its old wooden tea houses and geisha culture as well as its picturesque Japanese garden, Kenroku-en.

Ishikawa Photo Album

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