Spots List | V-Trip Japan

Osuzumi Matsuri Festival

A cool and scenic summer festival in Hodatsushimizu Town. The main highlight is the "Kaijo Togo," where portable shrines (Mikoshi) enter the sea amid white waves. At dusk, torches are lit along the coast, creating a mystical atmosphere combined with the sound of the waves. It offers an authentic experience of a Japanese summer, showcasing local traditions and the beautiful Noto sea away from the crowds.

Ishikawa
Festivals & Events
Autumn

Ishikawa

Kiriko Festival

Heroic festivals held across the Noto Peninsula from summer to autumn, featuring massive lantern floats called "Kiriko." Some Kirikos stand over 10 meters high, dancing through the streets at night to the sound of flutes and drums. Known as some of Japan's "hottest" festivals, the sight of light-filled Kirikos charging through fire or the sea is divine and passionate, reflecting the deep faith and spirit of Noto.

Ishikawa
Festivals & Events
Summer

Ishikawa

Gojinjo-daiko Drumming

A powerful folk art from Wajima City, Noto. Legend says villagers wore masks of ghosts and put seaweed on their heads to scare away Uesugi Kenshin's invading army in the 16th century. Drummers wearing eerie masks beat out complex, thunderous rhythms and dance fiercely. The echoes in the dark and the intense movements stir the soul, telling the story of Noto's resilient and proud history.

Ishikawa
Activities
Festivals & Events
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Yamashiro Onsen

One of Hokuriku's premier hot spring towns with over 1,300 years of history, loved by legendary figures like Akechi Mitsuhide. The town center preserves a traditional layout called "Yunogawa" with the "Kosoyu" public bath at its heart. The "Kosoyu" recreates a Meiji-period bathhouse with beautiful stained glass, offering a nostalgic bathing experience. It is a rich destination for enjoying high-quality springs and the roots of Kutani porcelain.

Ishikawa
Accommodation
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival

Kanazawa's biggest event, celebrating Lord Maeda Toshiie's entry into Kanazawa Castle. The "Hyakumangoku Parade" features samurai processions, lion dances, and firemen's ladder climbing, turning the city into a vibrant Edo-period picture scroll. Don't miss the mystical "Kaga Yuzen Lantern Floating" on the Asano River at night. It is a grand festival where you can experience the essence of Kanazawa's history and traditional performing arts.

Ishikawa
Festivals & Events
Summer

Ishikawa

Otabi Matsuri Festival

A gorgeous festival in Komatsu City with over 300 years of history. The main attraction is the "Children's Kabuki" performed by local children on the stages of lavishly decorated floats. Their professional acting and glittering costumes are mesmerizing. At night, the illuminated floats glow gold against the night sky. The warm atmosphere, where tradition and civic pride are preserved, brings a smile to every visitor's face.

Ishikawa
Festivals & Events
Spring

Ishikawa

Seihakusai Festival

Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this dynamic festival in Nanao City features Japan's largest floats called "Dekayama." Standing 12 meters high and weighing 20 tons, these three massive floats creak through narrow streets. The highlight is the "Tsujimawashi," where the floats are pivoted at intersections with intense energy. It is an unforgettable experience to witness the passion and bond of the local community.

Ishikawa
Festivals & Events
Spring

Ishikawa

Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theater

This prestigious Noh theater preserves the tradition of Noh, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In Kanazawa, it's said that "Noh chants fall from the sky," reflecting how deeply the art was once embraced by commoners. The sacred main stage, made of Japanese cypress, creates a profound atmosphere. Regular performances allow visitors to experience the "Yugen" (mysterious elegance) of Noh masks and costumes up close, making it a key cultural hub for those seeking classical Japanese performing arts.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Asanogawa Enyu Kaikan

Located near Higashi Chaya District, this museum introduces Kanazawa's traditional "Ozashiki" tea house culture and the history of Geisha. Housed in a building that recreates traditional tea house architecture, it exhibits instruments like shamisen and taiko drums. It offers a rare look into the refined world of Geisha, which is often exclusive. Visitors can learn about the spirit of the arts preserved by these performers and sometimes even witness rehearsals on stage.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Kaga Yuzen Kaikan (Kaga Yuzen Silk Center)

This facility showcases Kaga Yuzen, a world-class traditional silk dyeing craft. Unlike the flamboyant Kyoto style, Kaga Yuzen is known for realistic floral patterns using the "Kaga Gosai" color palette, reflecting samurai elegance. Visitors can observe artisans at work, try hands-on dyeing on handkerchiefs, or experience wearing a professional kimono. It is a space to touch the delicate Japanese sense of beauty condensed into wearable art.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum

Kanazawa produces over 99% of Japan's gold leaf, and this specialized museum explores its history and techniques. It displays tools used to beat gold to a thickness of 1/10,000th of a millimeter, alongside magnificent screens and crafts. The golden interior offers a mystical atmosphere, helping visitors understand why this culture flourished here. It is the perfect spot to experience Kanazawa's "golden history" firsthand.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Yamanaka-nuri (Yamanaka Lacquerware)

Developed in the Yamanaka Onsen area, Yamanaka-nuri is globally praised for its world-class woodturning techniques ("Kiji"). Artisans excel at carving wood on lathes to create paper-thin bowls or intricate decorative grooves that highlight the natural grain. Today, it evolves by blending traditional lacquer with modern lifestyles and colorful designs. Visitors can feel the warmth of the wood and the precision of the artisans' handiwork in this beautiful spa town.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Wajima-nuri (Wajima Lacquerware)

Considered the pinnacle of Japanese lacquerware, Wajima-nuri is crafted in Wajima City on the Noto Peninsula. It involves dozens of painstaking processes, including a unique technique of mixing local earth ("Ji-no-ko") into the base layer, resulting in extraordinary durability and a deep, elegant luster. These items are sustainable, intended to be used and repaired for a lifetime. This craft is a true crystallization of the Japanese spirit of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Kutani-yaki (Kutani Porcelain)

Known globally as "Japan Kutani," Kutani-yaki is a traditional porcelain characterized by bold colors and dynamic compositions. Using the "Gosai" technique (five colors: green, yellow, red, purple, and navy), artisans depict landscapes and floral patterns with high artistic value. In the Kaga region, visitors can admire masterpieces in museums or try painting their own pottery in local workshops. These vibrant ceramics are highly popular among travelers as a symbol of Japanese aesthetics.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Mt. Hakusan

Along with Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tateyama, Mt. Hakusan is one of Japan's "Three Sacred Mountains" and has long been an object of worship. Standing 2,702 meters high, it is a world-renowned treasure trove of alpine flora. In summer, beautiful flowers bloom in profusion, and in autumn, the entire mountain is wrapped in fiery foliage. The sea of clouds and the sunrise from the summit offer a mystical emotion that makes one forget the fatigue of the climb. Shirayama Hime Shrine at the foot is a symbol of gratitude to nature, providing a chance to experience the depth of Japan's...

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Natadera Temple

Founded in 717, Natadera is an ancient temple where nature worship is deeply ingrained. The vast grounds feature rock caves with jagged formations and beautiful gardens; its autumn foliage is among the best in Ishikawa. The main hall, built as if clinging to the rock face, and the three-story pagoda (an Important Cultural Property) display a mystical harmony between nature and architecture. Passing through the "cave of the womb" is believed to purify the soul and lead to rebirth, attracting many seeking a spiritual experience. It is a sacred place where natural power and historical depth merge.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Agehama Salt Making

This is Japan's oldest salt-making method, called "Agehama-shiki," which survives only in Suzu City on the Noto Peninsula. Seawater is repeatedly sprinkled on the sand, concentrated by the sun and wind, and then boiled in cauldrons. While labor-intensive and requiring master skills, the resulting salt is rich in minerals and has a deep flavor with a hint of sweetness. Visitors can observe or experience the process, touching the spirit of craftsmen who preserve tradition in harmony with nature. It’s a valuable cultural experience to learn about the "authentic salt" that supports Japanese food.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Mitsukejima Island

Known as the symbol of Oku-Noto, Mitsukejima is a massive 28-meter-high rock formation. Its unique shape resembles a warship, earning it the nickname "Gunkanjima" (Warship Island). A path of stones allows visitors to walk near the island during low tide. The beach is also called "Enmusubi (Matchmaking) Beach," where a legend says ringing a bell brings happiness. The silhouette of the island against the sunrise or sunset is particularly mystical, offering a deep sense of having reached the ends of Noto.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces

This stunning scenic spot features 1,004 tiny rice paddies cascading like a geometric pattern down a steep slope facing the Sea of Japan. A symbol of the UNESCO GIAHS site "Noto's Satoyama and Satoumi," it is still maintained by hand by locals because machinery cannot be used. The combination of the blue sea, green seedlings, and the reflection of the sunset on the water is breathtaking. In winter, an illumination event called "Aze no Kirameki" uses LEDs to create a mystical glowing outline of the paddies at night.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Ganmon Cave

A leading scenic spot in Noto Kongo, Ganmon features a massive sea cave carved by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. The natural tunnel, measuring 6 meters wide, 15 meters high, and 60 meters deep, is an overwhelming masterpiece of nature. The coastline is lined with rugged cliffs and peculiar rock formations, which can be viewed up close from sightseeing boats. Long admired by writers and artists, Ganmon is a dynamic spot where you can experience the power of Japan's coastline and the ever-changing face of the sea through all five senses.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

D.T. Suzuki Museum

This quiet space conveys the philosophy of Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, a Kanazawa-born philosopher who introduced "ZEN" to the world. Designed by world-renowned architect Yoshio Taniguchi, the building itself embodies the spirit of Zen. The "Water Mirror Garden," designed as a space for contemplation, offers an experience of mental clarity just by watching the water ripple in the wind. The focus here is on "feeling" and "thinking" rather than just "seeing," earning it high praise from international travelers as the ultimate spot for tranquility and self-reflection.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Based on the concept of a "museum like a park open to the city," this contemporary art museum features a striking circular glass building. Located in central Kanazawa, the building itself is as open and beautiful as a work of art. It houses many permanent interactive installations, such as Leandro Erlich's "The Swimming Pool," which can be enjoyed beyond language barriers. With numerous themed exhibitions on design and fashion, it is a leading cultural face of Kanazawa, attracting art fans and families from around the world.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Kanazawa Castle

Kanazawa Castle, once the residence of the Maeda clan, is currently undergoing extensive restoration based on historical facts. The massive wooden structures like "Gojikken Nagaya" and "Hishi Yagura," rebuilt using traditional joinery without nails, showcase the power and beauty of Japanese castle architecture. The grounds are also known as a "museum of stone walls" due to the diverse variety of masonry techniques on display. The castle park blends historical grandeur with open natural spaces, serving as a symbol of Kanazawa's cultural identity.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ishikawa

Nagamachi Samurai District

The Nagamachi Samurai District preserves the residences of middle-class samurai from the Kaga clan. Enveloped in silence, the area features ochre-colored earthen walls and cobblestone paths that make visitors feel as though they've traveled back to the Edo period. It remains a residential area where "Komogake" (straw mat covering) protects walls from snow in winter—a classic Kanazawa scene. At the "Nomura Clan Samurai House," open to the public, visitors can admire prestigious architecture and a stunning garden, experiencing the spirit and aesthetics of the samurai firsthand. It is a highlight for those seeking history and tranquil beauty.

Ishikawa
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter