Sightseeing

Kanazawa

Kenroku-en Garden：one of Japan's three most famous gardens, built over a period of 180 years. You can view a different scenery in every season: cherry blossoms in spring, new green leaves in early summer, colorful leaves in autumn, and deep snow in winter. Also highly recommended is a visit to the adjacent historic site of "Kanazawa Castle Park," a symbol of the culture of "Kaga Hyakumangoku".

Higashi Chaya / Nishi Chaya districts： walking these streets is like traveling back in time. You can taste Japanese confectionery, check out traditional crafts, and spend time at one of the "chayas" lining the streets. The term "chaya" refers to a place where geisha entertained guests during the Edo period. At that time, only certain classes of people were allowed to enter. Now, some "chaya" have been remodeled into cafes so that everyone can enjoy them. Experiencing the glamourous "chaya" culture is a must-do in Kanazawa.

Kanazawa 21st Century Museum：housing a collection of contemporary art, this museum is famous world-wide, with approximately 2.55 million visitors annually. The architectural concept is "a museum open to the city like a park" and it's loved by people in Japan and from all over the world.

Noto

Shirayone Senmaida (one thousand rice-paddy landscape of Shiroyone)： enjoy a superb view of overlapping rice paddies extending over the ocean. With 1,004 rice paddies, it's famous for being the best landscape in Japan. In winter, it's colored with brilliant illuminations, adding another layer of excitement to this magical experience.

Chirihama Beach Driveway：the only place in Japan where you can drive on sandy beaches by a car or by motorcycle. Driving on the 8-kilometer long beach is an exhilarating experience, and can make you feel like you are part of a movie scene.

Ganmon Cave：a scenery created by the raging waves of the Sea of Japan, the breaking waves hitting the eroded rocky cave jutting into the sea gives a powerful impression of nature. Especially in winter, you can feel the strength of the Sea of Japan up close. While enjoying the magical scenery, you might notice two strangely shaped rocks nearby, connected by a "shimenawa" rope. They are called "Hatago-iwa," and are said to represent a married couple.

Kaga / Hakusan

Kakusenkei Gorge：a valley of the Daishoji River that flows through the Yamanaka hot spring villages in the Kaga area, is famous for the best valley views in the Hokuriku region. From April to November, you can sit back and relax in a Japanese-style house called "Kawadoko", kept cool by the nearby river. The view is especially beautiful in autumn when one can see the exquisite autumn colours.

Mt. Hakusan：one of Japan's three famous mountains, along with Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tateyama. It is also called the "flower mountain" because of the abundance of its alpine plants. It is also relatively easy to climb, and you will encounter enchanting and memorable views along the way, such as the sea of clouds from the top of this holy mountain.