Carefully selected historical tourist spots in Ishikawa Prefecture

Feb 22, 2024 9:33:17 PM

🕓 2023/1/28
＃観光地

What is Ishikawa Prefecture?

Ishikawa Prefecture, with its beauty, historical depth, and cultural richness, is one of the regions that represents Japan. Located in the Hokuriku region of central Japan, it faces the Sea of Japan. This region's beauty varies with the seasons, harmonizing grand natural environments with meticulously crafted traditional arts and crafts.

Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, is known for its beautiful landscapes and as a city of art, garnering reputation both domestically and internationally. Kanazawa was once the center of the Kaga Domain, housing many historical buildings, heritage sites, and beautiful Japanese gardens. Of note are the Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle, where history and tradition live.

Moreover, Ishikawa Prefecture is a treasure trove of crafts. Traditional arts such as gold leaf craft, Kutani-yaki pottery, and Kaga Yubinuki thimbles continue to captivate visitors with their intricate techniques and beautiful designs. Particularly, the gold leaf craft, a symbol of Kanazawa, can be seen shining everywhere in the city.

Additionally, the Noto Peninsula offers a naturally rich environment with beautiful coastlines and regions where old townscapes and local customs remain vibrant. The Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage site, is just beyond the prefectural border.

Ishikawa Prefecture is a region where you can enjoy history and traditions that date back to ancient times, grand nature, and delicious local cuisine. These riches harmonize to offer visitors the true charm of Japan.

Three handpicked sightseeing locations in Ishikawa Prefecture

1. Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa

● Charm

The Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa is a place where the traditional beauty and modern charm of Kanazawa meld together seamlessly. This area is renowned for its unique "Kimusuko" latticed windows, the splendid cherry blossoms in spring, and the illuminated Asano River Bridge at night, offering visitors a full experience of Japan's beauty.

Walking through the streets in rented kimonos, sampling Japanese sweets and matcha, participating in authentic tea ceremonies, and trying gold leaf application are among the rich cultural experiences unique to Kanazawa, creating unforgettable memories for travelers. Additionally, its historical buildings and the emotionally rich streetscape serve as photogenic spots, allowing visitors to capture the traditional beauty of Japan against a picturesque backdrop.

This area has also been designated as a National Important Traditional Building Preservation District, highlighting its value as a cultural heritage of Japan.

● History

From the late Meiji era to the Showa period, this region, known as "Higashi no Kuruwa," thrived as a district where many geishas were active, marking it as a flourishing Hanamachi (flower town). It's particularly fascinating that when geishas became independent and opened their tea houses, they would often incorporate a character from the name of the tea house where they previously worked. For instance, "Fukutaro," the proprietress of "Hachino Fuku," was a signboard geisha at "Hachishige," and "Miyeiko," the proprietress of "Fujinoya," had been affiliated with "Fujitoshi." Such traditions, indicating the relationships of apprenticeship and belonging within the world of performing arts, tell the unique story of Higashi Chaya District's history and culture.

Furthermore, the district is known as the setting for the novel "Toki no Hakobune" by Hiroyuki Itsuki, adding a literary backdrop to its rich cultural landscape. It attracts numerous tourists, both domestic and international, who come to enjoy the old-world charm of its streets.

● Access

Address: 〒920-0831 Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Higashi Mountain
Time Required: About 60 minutes
Access by Public Transportation: Approximately a 5-minute walk from "Hashibacho" bus stop served by Kanazawa Loop Bus, Hokuriku Railroad Line Bus, and West Japan JR Bus.
Parking: Available at the municipal Higashi Mountain Tourist Parking Lot (15 cars), municipal Higashi Mountain Riverside Tourist Parking Lot (14 cars), Higashi Mountain Tourist Bus Parking Lot (5 buses), and Higashi Mountain North Tourist Bus Parking Lot (4 buses).
Official Website: Kanazawa Travel Tales Higashi Chaya District
Google Maps: Higashi Chaya District

2. Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa

● Charm

Kenrokuen Garden, located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty in Japan. Spanning approximately 11.7 hectares, it originated in the mid-17th century as a feudal lord's outer garden to Kanazawa Castle, constructed by the Kaga Domain.

Alongside Okayama's Korakuen and Mito's Kairakuen, Kenrokuen is celebrated as one of Japan's three most renowned gardens. It received the highest rating of three stars in the 2009 Michelin Guide. Each season brings its unique charm to the garden, with winter snow hangings becoming a picturesque spectacle. It is also famous for its cherry blossoms, plums, and autumn leaves, earning a spot in the top 100 cherry blossom viewing sites in Japan.

The garden mesmerizes visitors year-round with its spring wisteria trellises, vibrant greenery in early summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and snowscapes with yukizuri (snow hangings) in winter. Notable sights include the beauty of the wisteria trellises, the Midoritaki waterfall flowing from Kasumigaike Pond, and the panoramic views from Seisonkaku Villa.

● History

The genesis of Kenrokuen can be traced back to 1676 when Maeda Tsunanori, the 5th lord of the Kaga Domain, relocated the domain's workshops from a sloping area facing Kanazawa Castle and established the "Renchitei Palace" in their place, marking the beginning of the garden.

Initially known as Renchitei, this garden served as a venue for maple viewing parties among successive lords and their chief retainers. Over the years, it underwent several restorations and enhancements to evolve into the garden we see today. In 1822, the garden was officially named Kenrokuen by the then-retired lord, Maeda Narinaga, under the advice of Matsudaira Sadanobu, inspired by the six ideal landscape attributes outlined in the classic Chinese text "Chronicles of the Famous Luoyang Gardens".。

● Access

Address: 〒920-0937, 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Official Website: Kenrokuen Garden (Ishikawa Prefecture)
Google Maps: Kenrokuen Garden
Access by Train and Bus: From Kanazawa Station, it takes approximately 15 minutes by bus to reach Kenrokuen Garden.

3. Mitsukejima Island's

● Charm

Mitsukejima Island, known for its unique battleship-like shape, is an uninhabited island located in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and serves as a symbol of the Noto region. This 28m high rock formation is renowned for its distinctive appearance. The sunrise from Mitsukejima and the night illumination are especially famous, offering breathtaking views that visitors should not miss.

On clear days, you can also enjoy the pristine beauty of the distant Northern Alps, providing a refreshing natural experience. Additionally, the beach houses a bell for lovers called "enmusubi beach," beloved by many couples. Mitsukejima has received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in both 2017 and 2018, highlighting its charm that is highly regarded both domestically and internationally.

● History

The name Mitsukejima originates from when Kobo Daishi (Kukai) first saw this island upon arriving from Sado Island. It is also said to be the first island spotted by the god Kashiwabara Hikohito. Historically revered as a sacred site, the island once had a nearby rock called "Kojima," which disappeared due to Typhoon No. 19.

Geologically, the island was formed from Neogene period mudstone and diatomaceous mudstone structures and has seen changes in shape due to earthquakes in 1993 and 2024, with the 2024 earthquake partially altering the "battleship island" landscape.。

● Access

- Public Transportation: From the west exit of Kanazawa Station, the front of Anamizu Station, and Noto Satoyama Airport, take the Hokutetsu Noto Bus Suzu Tokkyu Line & Suzu Ushitsu Tokkyu Line to either "Suzu Ukai" or "Minami Ukai" bus stops.
- By Car: Approximately 40 minutes from Noto Satoyama Airport.
- Parking: About 200 free parking spaces available at Mitsuke Park Parking Lot.
- For the latest information, visit the Mitsukejima - Suzu City official website.
- You can also check its location on Google Maps.