Introduction to Ishikawa Prefecture
Currently, Ishikawa Prefecture is devastated by the January 1, 2024 earthquake and tsunami, especially in the Noto Peninsula, so please try to acquire other information when traveling. We pray for the souls of those who lost their lives in the earthquake. For those who have been forced to live as evacuees due to the earthquake, we pray for their earliest possible recovery.Ishikawa Prefecture is located in the Hokuriku region, facing the Sea of Japan. It covers an area of approximately 4,186 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 1.14 million. The prefectural capital is Kanazawa City. Ishikawa is a tourist destination rich in natural and historical attractions. Visitors can enjoy nature in each of the four seasons, as well as local cuisine and local specialties.
Geographic location
Ishikawa Prefecture is located in the center of the Hokuriku region. The prefecture faces the Sea of Japan and is bordered by Toyama Prefecture to the north, Fukui Prefecture to the east, Gifu Prefecture to the south, and Fukui Prefecture to the west.
History
Ishikawa Prefecture is a very precious land where remains from the Jomon period (about 3,000 years ago) still remain. In the Edo period (1603-1867), the town flourished as a castle town, and traces of the old days still remain.
Castle town of the Kaga Clan
Kanazawa prospered as the castle town of the Maeda family of the Kaga Domain, and has retained its atmospheric townscape with traditional crafts such as Kutani ware, gold leaf crafts, and Kaga Yuzen, as well as traditional performing arts such as Noh theater.
Mawaki Ruins Park
Ruins of ancient history remain on the Noto Peninsula. There is the Manawaki Ruins Park, which is a Jomon-era ruin turned into a park.
Culture
Ishikawa Prefecture is a historic city that prospered as a castle town and has many traditional crafts and arts.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
Opened in 2004, the museum was designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando. The museum exhibits contemporary artworks from Japan and abroad. Particularly famous works include Yayoi Kusama’s “Dome with Yellow Polka Dots” and James Turrell’s “Mirror in the Sky.
Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen Garden is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, located in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It was built by Tsunanori Maeda, the 10th lord of the Kaga Domain (today’s governor of the province), and completed in 1676. The park has a pond, teahouse, and garden, and visitors can enjoy nature in all four seasons. The park is especially famous for its autumn foliage, which attracts many tourists every year.
Gold leaf
Kanazawa foil is a craft in which gold or silver leaf is applied to a base material such as paper or cloth. Kanazawa is a region where gold leaf production is flourishing, and Kanazawa foil is one of the most representative traditional crafts in Japan. Kanazawa foil is highly regarded throughout the world for its beauty and technical excellence.
Tourist attraction
Ishikawa Prefecture is home to a variety of tourist attractions. Here are some of the most famous spots.
Kanazawa Castle
This beautiful castle is located in Kanazawa City and features a Japanese garden and stunning architecture. It is designated as a special national historic site.
Kenrokuen Garden
One of the three most famous gardens in Japan, this beautiful garden is located in Kanazawa City.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
The roof of the museum is a huge pavilion made of glass and steel frames, which offers a panoramic view of the Kanazawa cityscape through the glass.
Higashi Chaya-gai
It is a representative tourist spot of Kanazawa, where the streets where the samurai and merchants of the Kaga Clan lived still remain.
The following information is for the Noto Peninsula, which may be inaccessible due to the effects of the earthquake that occurred on January 1, 2024. There is also a possibility of danger to yourself.
Please check the disaster situation and recovery information carefully. Recovery efforts will be urgent for some time, so please consider your actions so as not to inconvenience the local people.
Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation.Noto Vajra
It is a scenic spot with precipitous cliffs jutting out into the Sea of Japan. There are sightseeing boats available, and viewing the scenery from the sea is recommended. I once took the Noto Kongo sightseeing boat!
Shirayone Senmaida
The terraced rice fields are spread out right next to the beach, and onlookers can look down on them from above. It is a very mysterious sight: the sea and rice paddies. Because of the small size and intricate nature of the fields, agricultural machinery is not allowed, and rice is still planted by hand. Keeping the old tradition, Shirayone-Senmaida is one of the spots where you can feel the Japanese spirit.
Wajima morning market
The town of Wajima Asaichi was completely destroyed by fire caused by the Noto Peninsula earthquake on January 1, 2024. Currently, sightseeing is not available.
Wajima Asaichi is a morning market located in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is one of the three major morning markets in Japan, and visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and mountain products. The Wajima Morning Market is open every morning from 5:00 to 10:00. From early in the morning, the market is crowded with locals and tourists. About 200 stores line the streets of the morning market. A wide variety of products were on sale, including fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, prepared foods, and souvenirs.
The Wajima morning market was held on May 4, 2024.
Cape Suzu
It is currently open for business.
Cape Suzu is a cape at the tip of the Noto Peninsula in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is known for its scenic cliffs jutting out into the Sea of Japan and is one of the three major power spots in Japan. Cape Suzu is also home to the “Power Hole,” a famous power spot. The Power Hole is a circular hole, approximately 2 meters in diameter, in the rock face of the precipitous cliff. It is said that power gushes out of this hole. The world-famous luxury hotel “Lamp no Yado” is also located right next to this powerful power spot, so be sure to check it out as well. The Lamp no Yado miraculously survived the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the city of Suzu. Perhaps it is thanks to this power spot after all.
Food culture
Ishikawa Prefecture’s food culture is known for its fresh seafood, mountain produce, and traditional cuisine.
Nodoguro
Nodoguro is a high-end fish landed in the Sea of Japan. Nodoguro is characterized by its fatty, sweet and tasty flesh. If you find nodoguro at a sushi restaurant, you should definitely order it. When it is seared, the fat oozes out and it tastes the best!
Kanazawa fugu
Kanazawa fugu is a type of puffer fish landed in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Kanazawa fugu is characterized by its firm flesh, and is popular for use in a variety of dishes such as sashimi and tempura. I had a pufferfish bowl in Wajima, and it had a nice crunchy texture and good quality fat that made it hard to believe it was a white fish.
Kanazawa oden
Kanazawa oden is a type of oden available in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Kanazawa oden is characterized by its light soup stock and rich ingredients. Kanazawa oden soup stock is made from kombu (kelp) and dried bonito flakes, and is light and refreshing. Ingredients include onions, konnyaku, chikuwa, hanpen, quail, and a variety of other ingredients.
Activities
Many activities can be enjoyed in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Enjoy the natural beauty of the Noto Peninsula
The Noto Peninsula is rich in nature, with cliffs carved by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan and beaches of white sand and green pines.
Visitors can enjoy cycling and hiking, as well as visiting tourist spots such as Noto Kongo and the Senrihama Nagisa Driveway.
Experience the history and culture of Kanazawa
Kanazawa is a historical city that prospered as the castle town of Kaga Hyakumangoku.
You can visit historical buildings such as Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle, or enjoy art at contemporary art museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.
Enjoy the delicacies of the sea and the mountains
Ishikawa Prefecture is surrounded by the sea and is rich in seafood and mountain products. Numerous sushi restaurants and eateries are located around Kanazawa Station.
Also, about 1 km from Kanazawa Station is the Omimachi Market. Here you will find fresh fish, vegetables, meat, and restaurants, so why not stop by as part of your sightseeing?
Wear a kimono and explore the city
If you want to experience Kanazawa’s ancient history and culture, why not rent a kimono and explore the city?
Wearing a kimono and strolling the streets will give you a taste of the old days and prove that you have come to Japan.
Seasonal Recommendations
Ishikawa has four beautiful seasons, and each season has a different charm.
Spring
Cherry blossoms in Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park will be in full bloom. At night, they are lit up and you can enjoy fantastic nighttime cherry blossom viewing. The combination of the elegant gardens and the beautiful rows of cherry trees makes for a special time.
Summer
Visitors can enjoy swimming in the sea and festivals such as the Noto Peninsula Summer Festival, which is held in June and is very lively.
Autumn
This is the season of beautiful autumn foliage, when the green trees of summer turn a fiery red. Kanazawa Kamigami Koen Park and Kenrokuen Garden are popular spots for viewing the autumn leaves.
In addition, fishing restrictions on seafood in the waters around Kanazawa are lifted in the fall. Amaebi (sweet shrimp) will be in season from September 1, and snow crabs from around early November. Visit Omimachi Market and enjoy these seafood delicacies.
Winter
This is the season of beautiful snowy scenery in Kanazawa, perfect for relaxing in a hot spring. There are many facilities in downtown Kanazawa and the Noto Peninsula where you can enjoy hot springs on a day trip. When you visit in winter, be sure to warm up and relax in a hot spring.
Local Culture
Ishikawa’s culture includes many local festivals and traditional crafts.
Festival
Festivals such as the Hikiyama Festival in the Noto Peninsula and the Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival are famous throughout Japan.
Traditional craft
Traditional crafts such as Kanazawa foil, Noto washi paper, and Wajima lacquerware are highly regarded throughout the world.
Transportation
Access to Ishikawa Prefecture is by plane, bullet train, train, or highway bus.
Airplane
Access from Tokyo to Komatsu Airport takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Shinkansen
The Hokuriku Shinkansen Line from Tokyo to Kanazawa Station takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Lastly
Ishikawa Prefecture offers a variety of attractions, including a beautiful coastline facing the Sea of Japan, rich nature, and the history and culture of Kaga Hyakumangoku. Gourmet foods such as sushi, Kanazawa curry, and Noto beef are also popular. We hope you will visit Ishikawa and enjoy the unique charms of Japan.