Beyond the Golden Route: Ishikawa’s Cultured, Creative Escape

Ishikawa has long been the trendy get-away for Japanese travellers, yet it remains a hidden gem for most overseas visitors. While many people stop by Kanazawa as a quick golden route add on, Ishikawa prefecture is overlooked, despite easy access on the Hokuriku shinkansen and all that it has to offer. 

Once one of Japan’s wealthiest regions, Ishikawa cultivated a thriving artistic tradition dating back to the Edo period. Today, it still boasts the highest concentration of master craftsmen in the country, making Ishikawa the home to Japan’s ‘national living treasures’. 

The region’s wealth extends far beyond its economic and cultural prosperity however. Ishikawa’s natural abundance of mountains, peninsulas, hot springs, gorges, and waterfalls, creates a landscape as varied as it is beautiful.

Ishikawa Spotlight: The Quiet Luxury of Kaga

Kaga, a collection of four historic onsen towns, is one of the best things to do in Ishikawa. Here, hot springs take relaxation to another level. You’ll find outdoor springs on the riverbed, and onsen carved out of natural caves fed by the sea. Kaga is also famed for the dramatic Kakusenkei gorge, and Shibayama lagoon, said to change its colors seven times a day all whilst feeding the hot springs in the town of Katayamazu.

Yamanaka onsen village provides the perfect base to explore from, with luxury in all forms, from traditional excellence of the Kayotei and Beniya Mukayu ryokans, to the modern Hanamurasaki ‘Ryokan 2.0’.

During your stay, immerse in local life through experiences such as tea tasting, wood carving, urushi lacquer painting and cycling with e-bikes along a tour of artisan workshops. For a unique Ishikawa souvenir, visit Kinzan kiln, home of a Kutani ware atelier which specializes in the local techniques of gold leaf gilded ceramics. Appreciate the art form in a workshop thoughtfully guided by masters of the craft. 

In your downtime make your way to Kakusen-kei valley kawado, a quaint riverbank café where locals come to enjoy seasonal sweets whilst admiring the valley view change over the seasons.

From Yamanaka onsen, a short journey will take you to the foot of Haku mountain where Shirayama-hime shrine stands, an ancient shrine dedicated to matchmaking. A beloved spot by pilgrims who travel from across Japan on the first day of each month. If you’re lucky enough to visit on the 1st or 15th of the month, experience the Shinto purification ritual of Misogi, a ritual involving immersion in the clear water flowing from sacred Mt. Hakusan and reciting a prayer for spiritual and physical renewal. To end a day in Yamanaka onsen, stop by Washu Bar Engawa, a small hidden gem sake bar. Owned by Yusuke Shimoki, Japan’s first ‘sake-ist’ mixologist, try local concoctions as he pours passion straight from the bottle.

A Day Trip from Kaga to Kanazawa

Start with Kenroku-en, ranked one of Japan’s top three gardens, once part of Kanazawa castle and curated around the six classic principles of Japanese garden design. Nearby, Higashi Chaya geisha district and Nagamachi samurai district offer an atmospheric step into the Edo period, earning Kanazawa the nickname ‘Little Kyoto’. Whilst wandering these streets, visit historic confectionary maker Tawaraya, where sweets are still wrapped in retro Edo packaging, preserving the nostalgia that will transport you back in time and place. For art-enthusiasts the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art’s may take the spotlight, with its world renowned swimming pool installation centerpiece, only a short stroll away.

For something truly unique, head to Myouryuji (ninja) temple, your real world escape room. An ordinary temple at first glance hides a myriad of maze-like stairs, hidden rooms and traps, revealing a historical artefact of Japan’s clan war. For a journey off the beaten track, take a short trip to the Hanibe caves, an old stone quarry recently transformed by artists into a dramatic representation of the Buddhist journey to hell.

A Taste of Ishikawa

Natural riches of Ishikawa’s landscape have given rise to a culinary culture which makes the most of fresh produce sourced straight from the sea and land, offering some of the most authentic farm to table dining experiences in Japan.

Proximity to the Noto peninsula makes the seafood a particular star of Ishikawa cuisine, snow crabs being a particular seasonal delicacy.

For an authentic taste of the region’s bounty, step into Omicho market, the ‘kitchen of Kanazawa’ since the Edo period. Here, travellers can enjoy Kaisen don, fresh sashimi on top of steaming rice, straight from the fishmongers, alongside stalls selling Kaga yasai, Ishikawa’s heritage vegetables. No visit is complete without Kanazawa’s famous gold leaf soft serve for dessert.

For a one-of-a-kind immersive dining experience,  guests can watch fishermen at work, unloading their catch of the day at Kanazawa port before bringing the seafood directly to Kanazawa house for a bespoke port-to-plate sushi dinner. 

Another standout in Ishikawa is the Noto beef, a rare and exceptionally high quality wagyu prized even above Kobe by culinary connoisseurs. Visit farms like Teraoka Fusha, a previous winner of the Wagyu Olympics to sample beef straight from their farm. These local ingredients can also be sampled in traditional Kaga ryori which brings farm to table dining full circle, even serving each dish in  Ishikawa’s famed lacquerware. Signature dishes such as jibuni, a comforting duck stew, pay homage to the long history of culinary culture in Ishikawa. 

For travellers seeking fine dining, Ishikawa also excels. At Auberge Eau Feu, Shota Iota, the youngest ever winner of Japan’s largest chef competition, showcases food blending seasonal ingredients with modern technique. Curated pairings are offered by the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute, guided by sommeliers who explain each sake from the Ishikawa based ‘god of Sake brewing’ Noguchi Naohiko himself.

Conclusion

Thanks to the extended Hokuriku shinkansen now stopping at Kaga onsen, visiting Ishikawa has never been easier. The prefecture offers the perfect off-the-beaten-track destination for a luxurious rest bite from the bustle of other tourist hot-spots. An opportunity for travellers to immerse in rural Japan’s richness. 

Here, visitors can meet master artisans and try their hand at traditional crafts, savour some of the country’s finest seasonal cuisine, and indulge in the best of Japan’s natural hot springs.

With its blend of culture, nature, and creativity, Ishikawa promises a journey that’s impossible to forget.

With years of experience, deep local connections, and insider knowledge of Ishikawa and beyond, we craft seamless itineraries tailored to every traveller. Our team of experts takes care to shape each trip to be authentic and thoughtful, showcasing all that Japan has to offer. 

Trust Into Japan Specialist Tours to make your trip unlike any other.