Rich Culture and Beautiful Nature: 9 Must-Visit Spots in Ishikawa

With so many things to see, Ishikawa is a great place to visit year-round.
If you’d like to enjoy atmospheric scenery, spring and winter are recommended.
The cherry blossoms at Kenrokuen in spring and the snow-covered streets of Kanazawa in winter are must-sees.

Ishikawa is also easy to reach from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
From Tokyo, you can take the shinkansen; from Osaka, you can take a limited express train, and either way it takes Approx. 2.5 hours.
Ishikawa also has Komatsu Airport, so it’s a 1-hour flight from Tokyo (Haneda).
There are also international flights, making it easy to access from overseas.

A strolling-style garden counted among Japan’s Three Great Gardens, created over a long period of Approx. 180 years by successive lords of the Kaga Maeda clan.
Across its vast grounds of Approx. 34,600 tsubo, you’ll find ponds, winding streams, and artificial hills scattered throughout, with a layout designed to be enjoyed as you stop by each area.

Since opening in 2004 under the concept of an “open museum,” its buzzworthy exhibition approach has challenged traditional museum norms, making it one of Japan’s most popular museums—and a central hub for sharing “Kanazawa = art.”

A Nichiren Buddhist temple founded in 1643 by Maeda Toshitsune, the third lord of the Kaga Domain, by relocating and rebuilding a prayer temple near Kanazawa Castle.
It enshrines a patriarch statue created by Saint Nichizo, a descendant in the lineage of Nichiren.
Because it also served as a defensive outpost in case of emergency, the entire building has a complex structure, with hidden staircases, secret rooms, trapdoors, and other tricks designed to deceive enemies throughout.

One of Kanazawa’s signature sightseeing areas, with a streetscape of beautiful wooden lattice façades and stone-paved roads, also selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government.
It began when Maeda Narihiro, the 12th lord of the Kaga Domain, gathered teahouses that had been scattered around the castle town and created a dedicated teahouse district in 1820.
Traditional buildings from the Edo period still line the streets today.

On lush green grounds, 11 craft “houses” are scattered across the property, where you can try Ishikawa’s traditional crafts.
With over 50 courses—such as yuzen stencil dyeing, Wajima lacquerware, gold leaf application, glassblowing, and hand-forming—you can easily experience a wide range of Ishikawa’s traditional crafts.
There are also tea rooms, restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine, and souvenir shops selling everything from local sweets to sake, specialties, and traditional crafts, so you can relax and enjoy a full day here.

A Hakusan-faith temple founded in 717 by Taicho, preserving the tradition of natural wisdom (jinenchi) to this day.
On the grounds, you’ll find the striking rock formations of Kigan Yusenkyō, where multiple caves open into towering sacred stones, along with a three-story pagoda, main hall, bell tower, goma hall, and more—many designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan—as well as the Kaedegetsu Bridge with its memorable vermilion railings, creating a landscape like a traditional ink painting.

The former residence of the Nomura family, who served as retainers when warlord Maeda Toshiie entered Kanazawa Castle in 1583 and held important posts in the Kaga Domain for 11 generations.
In the Nagamachi area, which has many former residences of mid- and upper-ranking samurai of the Kaga Domain, it is the only one open to the public.

The elegant castle of the Maeda clan of Kaga Hyakumangoku, where full-scale castle construction began after Maeda Toshiie entered Kanazawa Castle in 1583. Many structures were lost to natural disasters and fires, but today the surrounding area has been restored and maintained as “Kanazawa Castle Park.” Along with Ishikawa Gate and the Sanjikken Nagaya storehouse, which retain their Edo-period appearance, sites such as Kahoku Gate, Imori Moat, and Gyokuseninmaru Garden have been restored one after another, gradually bringing the castle back to life. Don’t miss the stone walls, which also show influences of yin-yang and five-element philosophy, such as protective designs for the northeast “demon gate” and tortoise-shell-shaped stones.

Kanazawa Station, the gateway to Ishikawa. In 2015, the Hokuriku Shinkansen began service, connecting Tokyo and Kanazawa in Approx. 2.5 hours and making the station a key starting point for exploring Kanazawa City as well as the wider Hokuriku region.
The shinkansen platforms feature gold leaf, while corridors and columns use washi paper and Kaga yuzen textiles; the waiting room walls display over 200 craft pieces such as Wajima lacquerware and Kutani ware, turning the entire station into a spot that showcases Kanazawa’s traditional crafts.

Kanazawa’s kitchen, loved for around 300 years under the nickname “Omicho.”
Along narrow alleyways, Approx. 170 shops line the streets selling fresh seasonal seafood and vegetables, prepared foods, souvenirs, and more, creating a lively atmosphere
There are also shops that cook right in front of you and places with eat-in seating, so you can enjoy seasonal flavors on the spot.

A sushi restaurant open from 7:00am, located just steps from Omicho Market’s Musashiguchi entrance, which many travelers also stop by.
The restaurant has only 10 counter seats, and the staff are close by, creating a warm, homey atmosphere.

A dessert cafe produced by a long-established Japanese sweets shop with over 80 years of history, beloved by locals to the point that people say, “If it’s kintsuba, it’s Nakadaya.”
Here you can enjoy sweets made with high-quality Noto Dainagon azuki beans from Oku-Noto, known as “red jewels.”

A shop operated by Hakuichi, built on the former site of the public bath “Higashiyu,” once loved in the Higashi Chaya District.
Keeping the old bathhouse’s open atrium intact, the interior feels airy and makes for a relaxed shopping experience.

A commercial complex operated by OPA, in an excellent location just a 1-minute walk from JR Kanazawa Station.
Across its eight floors, around 190 diverse shops offer everything from fashion to interior goods, lifestyle items, cosmetics, and jewelry.
From 2021 to 2022, it carried out a major renovation over three phases under the banner “REBORN PROJECT2021-2022.”

A commercial facility directly connected to JR Kanazawa Station. It consists of three buildings: “Anto,” packed with Kanazawa-style souvenirs and food; “Rinto,” with a wide variety of shops including fashion, goods, and cafes; and “Anto Nishi,” a daily-life zone with a fresh food supermarket and even clinics.

A hot spring town that has attracted many therapeutic bathers since it was discovered by the monk Taicho in the Nara period. It’s the oldest onsen in Kaga Onsenkyo, with waters originating from sacred Mt. Hakusan, long cherished not only for nerve pain and muscle pain, but also for cuts, burns, and detoxifying effects.
In particular, Maeda Toshitsune, the third lord of the Kaga Domain, is said to have especially loved Awazu Onsen and helped develop its hot spring culture. Each accommodation has its own privately dug source, and the water quality and temperature differ slightly from place to place.

One of the onsen areas in Kaga Onsenkyo, this hot spring town stretches along the lakeshore of Shibayamagata, with views of sacred Mt. Hakusan. It’s said the lake’s surface changes color seven times a day; you can soak in the hot springs while enjoying the view, or take a relaxing walk by the water.
The glass-fronted building by the lakeshore is “Katayamazu Onsen Soyu,” where you can bathe while taking in the scenery, and it also has an open-terrace cafe. In the center of the hot spring town is a relaxing space called “Sunahashiri Park,” where you can also unwind in a free footbath.

Kaga Onsenkyo is made up of four hot spring areas: “Katayamazu Onsen,” “Yamashiro Onsen,” “Yamanaka Onsen,” and “Awazu Onsen.”
It’s located Approx. 20 minutes from Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, by shinkansen.
The area is infused with the refined traditional culture of Kaga Hyakumangoku, and beyond hot springs there’s plenty more to enjoy, with Kutani ware kilns offering painting and wheel-throwing experiences, as well as power spots, castle towns, fishing ports, and more scattered throughout.

A hidden hot spring inn at the far tip of Oku-Noto, once reachable only by boat.
On its grounds, known as “Seiiki no Misaki” (Sacred Cape) due to legends that nature’s power gathers here, you’ll find spots like the Blue Cave and Power Hall scattered around, offering a stay surrounded by truly mystical scenery.

Kanazawa is known for frequent rain—so much so that there’s a saying, “You can forget your lunch, but don’t forget your umbrella.”
Named “UAN” with the hope that guests will enjoy their trip whether it’s sunny or rainy, and leave thinking, “I’m glad it rained.”

A stylish hotel located a 4-minute walk from Kanazawa Station, your travel hub. Traditional crafts are displayed in the lounge, making it easy to casually connect with art.

A long-established Japanese sweets shop founded between 1830 and 1844 (Tenpo era), with a history of over Approx. 170 years. It sells kaichin, a classic souvenir, along with handcrafted fresh sweets and baked treats made by artisans.

A long-established candy shop founded in 1830, with over Approx. 190 years of history. Made only from domestically produced rice, barley, and water, its syrup candy is highly nutritious and has long been enjoyed as a natural food for helping people regain strength when sick and for promoting health.
Especially perfect as souvenirs are “Tawarako,” made by simmering down their signature “Jiroame” syrup and removing moisture to create “Okoshiame,” then shaping it into firm bite-sized pieces, and “Amenko,” made by kneading it and forming it into small pieces.

“Kaga Hachiman Okiagari Monaka,” made by Kanazawa’s long-established Japanese sweets shop Kanazawa Urata, with over 80 years in business.
A classic souvenir in an adorable shape, inspired by the local folk toy “Kaga Hachiman Okiagari,” a doll depicting Kaga Hachiman-sama—who later became Emperor Ojin—peeking out from celebratory red baby clothes at his birth.

First held in 1952, the Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival is Kanazawa’s largest event, held in remembrance of the achievement of Maeda Toshiie, founder of the Kaga Domain, who entered Kanazawa Castle on June 14, 1583 and laid the foundation of Kanazawa.
It begins with the Omizutori water-drawing ritual at Kanazawa Shrine next to Kenrokuen, followed by organizer- and special-sponsor events held over three days.

Kanazawa Castle, known as the residence of 14 generations of the Kaga Domain’s Maeda clan, and Kenrokuen, a daimyo garden built on its outer grounds, are signature sightseeing spots of Ishikawa and Kanazawa.
Kenrokuen is also famous as one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens and is designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government.
At Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen, the limited-time light-up event “Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen: Four Seasons Story” is held, where you can fully enjoy the beauty of each season.

A spring festival of “Unoke Shrine” and “Motoori Hiyoshi Shrine” in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, held every year for three days from the second Friday in May.
The sight of parishioners pulling historic hikiyama floats decorated with gold leaf and lacquer through the streets, chanting “Yoiya Hassun,” is a seasonal tradition that has remained unchanged for over 250 years, announcing the arrival of spring in Komatsu.