Leisure / Hobbies 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • Kanazawa FORUS
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    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...

  • Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum
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    4.0
    144 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Higashiyama 1-3-10
    "A five minute walk from the ""Hashiba-cho"" bus station on the Hokuriku Railroad Bus and JR Bus lines from Kanazawa Station. This museum is dedicated to gold leafing, a traditional industry in Kanazawa. The museum was started by Takaki Yasue, a gold leaf artisan who collected gold leaf artwork and tools and built a hall to display them in Kitayasue. Due to the aging of this facility, the museum was moved from the hall to its current location in Higashiyama in 2010. The museum building was modeled after a traditional Japanese townhouse and is accented with gold leaf. The domed ceiling in the museum's hall, decorated with no. 3 pure yellow gold, in particular is a must-see. The museum contains exhibits and video displays which show how gold leaf is made and applied, as well as gold leaf works of art, and visitors can learn about the history of gold leaf production and view dazzling examples of the craft."

    Great antique houses with shoos and business mixed. A community showcasing their products. Gold leaf workshops as their champion. Whats more, it is free admission, too.

  • Cosmo Isle Hakui
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    4.5
    90 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Hakuishi Tsurutamachi Menda 25
    This museum is located in MendaTsurutamachi, Hakui City. Displayed here are artifacts such as a space capsule that was returned from space, actual materials used in the space program, and research on UFOs. In the adjoining CosmoTheater, a program about space and science is aired on a planetarium dome type screen.

    This is a really fun thing to do if you are in the Hakui area. It is not expensive with an 800JPY entrance fee. No guided tour but a walk through to see actual historical Soviet aerospace items along...

  • Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History
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    4.0
    91 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Dewamachi 3-1
    A history museum located a three minute walk from the Kenrokuen Garden easily identifiable by its eye-catching red brick structure. This building was once used as an armory by the imperial army as well as a facility for the Kanazawa College of Art and has been designated a National Important Cultural Property. As its name indicates, the museum contains exhibits presenting the history and culture of Ishikawa Prefecture, and visitors can trace the eras of the area, from a reconstruction of a Jomon period dog based on excavated bones, to a recreation of a Showa period Japanese living room. The museum also actively engages in a variety of activities, including holding several planned and special exhibitions throughout the year as well as seminars and lectures by curators. In addition, the museum hosts tours of nearby historical sites and temples.

    重要文化財に指定されている金澤陸軍兵器支廠の兵器庫を活用した歴史博物館である。外観こそ往年の古い赤レンガの佇まいを彷彿させるが、館内は新しく整備されている。とは言え館内の全てが現代風に刷新されているわけではなく、往年の洋館の雰囲気を随所に漂わせている。博物館の展示資料だけでなく、建物自体を探検するのも興味深い。 博物館は1階が常設展示室となっており、2階が特別展示室となっている。常設展示と特別展示...

  • Ishikawa Zoo
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    4.0
    69 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Nomishi Tokusanmachi 600
    Located in the Tokusan Town of Nomi City, Ishikawa Zoo occupies a 23-hectare site which makes effective use of the natural topography to enable the animals to live in an environment that resembles their natural environment as closely as possible. There is also a Japanese Crested Ibis Breeding Center within the Zoo, which is implementing a breeding program for this bird species. The Center itself is not open to the public, but visitors can view a live video food of the Ibises in the Animal Learning Center. Ishikawa Zoo also holds a variety of special events, including the Spring and Autumn Fureai Matsuri (friendship festivals) and Night Zoo activities on summer evenings, etc.

    Meh. A very mixed bag--love the animals, hate the zoo. It is very clean and perhaps nice for the humans. They are the worst--not all of them, but enough of them are the most horrid, disgusting...

  • Kanazawa Phonograph Museum
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    4.5
    95 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Owarichou 2-11-21
    This museum located in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture is dedicated to the subject of phonographs. The museum houses approximately 600 phonographs and 30,000 78 rpm records collected since the mid 1970s-mid 1980s, making it one of the largest museums of its kind in Japan. Three times a day, records are played on different phonographs selected from the collection so that visitors can hear the difference in the sound each produces. The phonographs used range from the wax cylinder phonograph invented by Thomas Edison to a Credenza, which is sometimes called the king of phonographs. The museum's beautiful exterior evokes romanticism for the Taisho era.

    Even of you only have a passing interest in the history of recorded music, the warmth and enthusiasm of the staff will draw you in to this amazing collection of photographs from the creation by...

  • 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Hirosaka 1-2-1
    The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa is housed in an imposing circular, glass-walled building, located in the center of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The Museum is divided into an Exhibition Zone, for which there is an admission charge, and a Public Zone, with free admission. There are a wide variety of art installations and artworks everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. One particularly popular exhibit is Leandro Erlich’s “The Swimming Pool” (popularly known as “Leandro’s Pool”). From ground-level, it looks as though the people underneath are underwater; this experiential work creates opportunities for fascinating encounters between the people above and the people down below.
  • Le Musée de H Museum of Tsujiguchi Hironobu
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    3.5
    94 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Nanaoshi Wakuramachi Part 65-1
    This is an art museum produced by a world famous pastry chef called Hironobu Tsujiguchi who is from Nanao City in Wakura Town, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The facility has three sections: an exhibition of sugar artworks by Mr. Tsujiguchi, a “Café” that provides original sweets and a shop called the “Patisserie Boutique” that sells take-out items such as cakes and baked goods. Not only can visitors enjoy the fusion of sweets and art, but original sweets available only in Wakura are also popular.

    和倉温泉は特に観光するところが無かったので辻口さんの美術館に寄ってみました。美術館というにはちょっと無理があります。チョコレートや飴細工の大きな作品が数点飾ってある1室があるのみ。わざわざ見に行くほどでもなかったです。無料でした。 隣のカフェは夕方に行ったので閉店間近で店内で食べれずホテルに持ち帰りました。 人気のお菓子はどれですか?人気のケーキはどれですか?の私の問いに案内もなく商品名をボソッと...

  • Kanazawa Noh Museum
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    4.0
    77 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Hirosaka 1-2-25
    The Kanazawa Noh Museum is located adjacent to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, on Prefectural Route 10 in 1 Chome, Hirosaka, Kanazawa City. The Museum collects and exhibits masks and costumes from the “Kaga Hosho” tradition (a style of Noh drama that developed in the Kaga Domain), which has been designated an Intangible Cultural Asset by Kanazawa City Government. The Hirosaka district, where the Museum is situated, has a strong association with Noh drama, as this is the district where the old Kanagawa Noh Theatre was located.

    The museum is on the main road and is not in the fine arts museum. We enjoyed taking pictures dressed in the noh outfit. Not much to buy. Super glad we found the place. It near the Kenrokuen. Exit on...

  • Kutaniyaki Art Museum
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    4.0
    54 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kagashi Daishoujijikatamachi 1 -10-13
    Kutaniyaki Art Museum is a museum in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture that is dedicated to Kutani-ware porcelain. The first floor of the Museum has exhibition rooms with masterpieces of Kutani-ware on display; the second floor has a tearoom and a multi-function event space that can be used for lectures, concerts, formal tea parties, etc. As the Museum is located within Ko-kutani-no-mori Oyamizu Park, it is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful flowers and greenery of the park, which change with the seasons.

    周囲はきれいな公園で、理想的な環境にあります。 九谷焼の歴史や成り立ちを勉強したくて訪れましたが、期待した以上の展示があり、おおいに満足しました。 作品の展示も見やすいように、あらゆるところに配慮が見られ、ゆっくりと詳細に作品鑑賞ができました。

  • Nakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice
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    4.5
    71 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kagashi Ushiodumachi A) 106
    Founded in 1994, the Nakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2014; the Museum is focused on the multi-faceted achievements of Dr. Ukichiro Nakaya, the first scientist in the world to successfully create artificial snow crystals. Using experiments and observational displays, the Museum shows, in an easy-to-understand way, how the study of snow and ice has developed since Dr. Nakaya’s breakthrough. The Museum also holds a variety of special events, including lectures and photography exhibitions, etc. The Museum is located around five minutes’ drive from the Katayamazu Interchange of the Hokuriku Expressway.

    Its a fairly small place and I cant imagine spending more than an hour here. It is pretty interesting though - the snowflake photos were beautiful (more exciting than it sounds...) The highlight...

  • Notojima Glass Art Museum
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    3.5
    65 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Nanao-shi Notojima Koda Machi 125-10
    Located on a hill near Roadside Station Notojima, this art museum dedicated to glass art has an exterior appearance resembling a space station. Inside, the museum primarily displays glass art, including sculptures based on designs by Picasso and Chagall, Chinese Qing dynasty glasswork, and pieces by modern artists. The museum also holds special exhibitions which introduce all kinds of glass art. In the museum's garden, visitors can take in glass art as well as seasonal scenery and the sea off of Noto.

    As you can see, the building is very unique. They also have shop building which remind you of spacecraft but unfortunately the shop is closed by now. I think it would be better if they have shop or...

  • Tedori Fish Land
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    4.0
    36 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Nomishi Aomachi Tsu 58
    A compound facility along Prefectural Route 157 in Aomachi Town, Nomi City. Naturally the amusement park has roller coasters, a Ferris wheel and other attractions. There’s a “Ultraman Stadium” with a show stage, an exhibition corner, and an official shop, as well as a fishing pond for carp, goldfish, and freshwater fish. Also, there is a pet shop and game corner which are never closed.

    This is a great little theme park, with a lot to do. It is free to enter, with the caveat that it costs money to do anything. For the rides, you can buy 33 tickets for 3300 yen. Often they’ll give...

  • Yamanakaza
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    4.0
    57 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Kagashi Yamanakaonsenyakushimachi 1
    A performing arts theater adjoining the Kiku no Yu (women’s bath) bathhouse in the center of the Yamanaka Onsen hot spring resort area in Kaga, Ishikawa. Seating 180, the hall is equipped with a Japanese cypress stage, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, traditional entertainments such as the Yamanaka-bushi are performed by geisha. The gorgeous accoutrements of the building itself are also a must-see, including pillars lacquered with silver and gold in the tradition of Yamanaka-lacquer, and the lattice door-style walls. The facility also has a tourist information center, coin lockers, and shop, making it a great place to stop by while exploring the area as well.

    For foreigners who doesn’t understand the language, don’t worry. You can still enjoy the mesmerising music and the beautiful dance. Just come and enjoy the Geisha/Maiko dancing away to the Japanese...

  • Wajima Museum of Urushi Art (lacquer art museum)
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    4.0
    41 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Pref. Wajimashi Mitomorimachi Shijugari 11
    The Wajima Museum of Urushi Art was established in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture as a base for spreading awareness of the region’s outstanding lacquerware-making tradition. The external appearance of the Museum is reminiscent of the Azekura-zukuri (ancient architectural style using interlocking logs with a triangular section) architecture of the Shoso-in treasure house in Nara. Inside the spacious Museum, lacquer is everywhere. Besides displays introducing the historic Wajima lacquer-making tradition, there are also many lacquerware masterpieces made by Living National Treasures and Members of the Japan Art Academy on display. In the adjoining “Urushi no Sato Square”, visitors can view examples of several tree species, including trees that produce lacquer, and other trees the wood of which has lacquer applied to it to make lacquerware.

    思った以上に素晴らしい。漆を芸術まで高める、それも日常の道具ですでにそうなのだから、流石なのだと思う。しかしそれが今の日常ではないのが残念だ。

  • Kutani Ware Kaburaki Kanazawa Kutani Museum
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    4.0
    41 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ishikawa Kanazawa-shi Nagamachi 1-3-16
    The traditional Japanese architecture evokes the Nagamachi Samurai manor scenery, and it holds a Kutani ware sales space, a tearoom, counter looking on an inner garden, and and a museum holding the Kaburaki Collection room. It displays unique pieces collected by the owners of the Kaburaki shop through its history from the first owner through the current, eight generation.

    This is a lovely shop selling Kutani Porcelains. The family have been doing so for generations and there is some beautiful pieces of work on display and for sale. Very friendly people, very...

Ishikawa Areas

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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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