Ishikawa

Ishikawa Prefecture is an attractive land where the atmosphere of a castle town that flourished in the Edo period as the "Kaga Hyakumangoku" domain coexists with abundant nature. In terms of history, culture connected to the Maeda family remains strongly in evidence, centered on Kanazawa. At "Kenrokuen," one of Japan's three great gardens, you can enjoy the beauty of the garden in every season, and together with neighboring Kanazawa Castle Park it lets you sense the breath of history. There are also centers of contemporary art such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and the blending of old and new culture is a defining feature. Turning to nature, the Noto Peninsula stretches out facing the majestic Sea of Japan. Simple, warm satoyama and satoumi landscapes, such as the Shiroyone Senmaida terraced rice fields now recovering from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, soothe visitors' hearts. At the foot of sacred Mt. Hakusan, rich greenery spreads out, and the area is also known as a holy ground for mountain climbing. The food is indispensable too. In addition to seafood nurtured by the rough waters of the Sea of Japan, such as fresh crab and winter yellowtail, there are Noto beef and traditional "Kanazawa wagashi," making this a treasure trove of fine dining. To cap off a trip, you can spend a luxurious time soaking in superb waters at the Kaga Onsen area, made up of Yamanaka, Yamashiro, Katayamazu, and Awazu, or at Wakura Onsen in Noto, where reopening is progressing. With tradition, nature, fine food, and relaxation all in one place, Ishikawa is a place to visit at least once in a lifetime.