Best Tourist Spots In Hokuriku

Kenroku-en Garden In Autumn And WinterKenrokuen Garden

You can enjoy the cycle of the seasons at Kenroku-en much more than other Japanese Gardens! Spring cherry blossom, summer iris, autumn colored leaves and winter propped pine tree with snow, There're also illumination events in each season.◎Kenroku-en Garden is located in Kanazawa urban district, so you can visit here by bus. Parking lots are available for cars.

World Heritage Gokayama, The Snow Scenery Of Gassho Zukuri HousesGokayama Village Of Gassho Houses

Goyakama is an area of a world heritage with Shirakawago. Suganuma area and Ainokura area of Gokayama are smaller than Shirakawago, but there are full of the atmosphere of secret countryside with the mountains standing very close! You can see the peaceful country scene of gassho zukuri architectures (historical thatched steep roof).◎Suganuma and Ainokura both have parking lot. There're bus from JR Johana Sta. and Takaoka Sta. but you need to confirm the bus timetable. The illumination date changes every year, so check out the web beforehand.

Like In The Water! A Wonderful 'Swimming Pool'21st Century Museum Of Contemporary Art Kanazawa

'Swimming Pool' is one of the most famous works of 21st Century Museum Of Contemporary Art Kanazawa. On sunny days, the ripples reflect beautifully like this picture. When you take pictures, use continuous-shooting to make you look floating in the water.

Kanazawa's Great Spot For Photos! Higashi Chayagai Looks Excellent With KimonoHigashi Chaya District

Higashi Chayagai District is the largest one of the three Chayagai Districts in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. There're beautiful houses with traditional wooden fences and red walls. And they're very photogenic with Japanese Kimono! You can also enjoy lunch and cafe at Higashi Chayagai.◎I recommend to use rental kimono shop and walk in Higashi Chayagai in Kimono. I rented kimono at 'Kokoyui' this time.

A City Library With Beautiful Dotted WindowsKanazawa Umimirai Library

It has won some prizes such as '25 most beautiful libraries in the world'. Inside the library with windows like dots on the white wall, the 2nd and 3rd floor are very open for the stairwells. There're three different sizes for the windows and the sun light comes from them beautifully to wrap the room gently.◎To take pictures of the inside, you need to fill in the application and meet some conditions. You can use for free because it's a city library. Open: weekdays 10:00-19:00, holidays 10:00-17:00. Regular holiday: Wednesdays

The Only Beach We Can Drive A CarChirihama Nagisa Driveway

Chirihama Beach as long as 8 km between Chirihama IC and Imahama IC of 'Noto Satoyama Kaido Sea Road' in Ishikawa. Its the only road in Japan, where we can drive a car on the sandy beach. I like the time during the sun setting to the Sea of Japan.

Beautiful Harmony Of Proudly Blooming Cherries & Tasteful Traditional TownscapeKazue-machi Chaya District

One of the three chaya towns in Kanazawa, Kazue-machi chaya town has tasteful stone pavements and Sembon-koushi (wooden lattice windows). As soon as you enter the narrow alley, you can feel like a time travel to Edo Period. It becomes more tasteful in the season of cherry blossoms. You all shouldn't miss the scenery of both together in only spring.

Surprising Nature! Kigan Yusenkyou, The Site Of Ancient Submarine EruptionsNata-dera Temple

Started in 717, with a history of 1300 years, Nata-dera Temple has some nationally designated important cultural properties. And this wonderful view around 'Kigan Yusenkyou (strangely shaped rocks and a gorge a wizard living) was read in Matsuo Basho's haiku 'ishiyama no, ishi yori shiroshi, aki no kaze.' (Whiter than rocks of a rock mountain, an autumn wind)

Traditional Folk Songs & Dance. Graceful 'Owara Kaze-no Bon'Owara Kaze-no Bon Festival

At Ecchu-yatsuo, Toyama, 'Owara Kaze-no Bon' is a traditional event held every September, and has been handed down since Edo period. Sounds of Japanese musical instruments in a tasteful town, and beautiful dancers will captivate you at this nice festival.

Spring In A Castle Town Once Had Flourished For 103 YearsIchijodani Asakura Site

In Ichijodani surrounded with rich nature, Asakura Site is a castle town where five generations of Asakura Family had ruled the Echizen Region for 103 years during the age of wars. In the restored town, you can enjoy walking around and seeing the old-time architectures like samurai houses.◎Near the Asakura Yoshikage Museum, the restored town, though it require the entrance fee, is nice to see the old time townscape. Within the limited terms, the direct bus was available from Eihei-ji Temple to Ichijodani Asakura Site.

Japan's Important Cultural Asset! A Shin-mon Gate With The Original Design Of Japanese, Western & Chinese Style MixedOyama Shrine

Toshiie Maeda is the deity of this Oyama Shrine. Shin-mon gate is famous for its novel design with a colorful stained glass. At one time, the god's light had reached far away to the Japan Sea. And, on the top, there's the oldest lightning rod in Japan.

Going Back Ancient Times?! Huge Dinosaurs In The WoodsKatsuyama Dinosaur Park

Katsuyama, Fukui is proud of the biggest number of fossils in Japan. Katsuyama Dino Park, you can meet the dinosaurs in the real sizes. Entering the woods, dinosaur's voices hear from somewhere, and you feel like being the age of them.

A Historical Temple With A Ceiling Picture Representing The Beauty Of NatureEiheiji Temple

Eihei-ji Temple itself is beautiful, and its ceiling picture of a large hall called Sanshokaku is specially worth seeing! You can experience hand-copying of sutra (shakyo) and Buddhism meditation (zazen).

Trekking And Taking Pictures At Beautiful Autumn Colored PondKarikomi-ike Pond

We can aim for the beautiful reflection on Karikomi Pond in the early morning. The lively autumn colors around the pond, and winter mountain presence above it. Though it needs a little walk, you can enjoy both beautiful water-mirror and change of seasons at this photogenic pond!◎50 min trekking is required from the parking area. The roadway is narrow and there're some cars parking on the roadsides, so driving beginners should use taxi.

Weak At The Knees! A Rock Wall Made By The Sea Of JapanTojinbo

Tojinbo is one of the popular spots in Fukui. 20 meters columnar joint facing to the Sea of Japan is the wonderful modeling of nature. You must feel weak at the knees when you stand on the edge.

Spot For Love Confession! A Red Thread Telephone Of 58 Meters LongKansui Park

In Kansui Park, there is a red thread telephone of 58 meters long and it becomes a spot for confession of one's love. At night, you can enjoy the illuminated one as a night view.

Japan's Largest! A Park With 3 Million And 700 Kinds Of Blooming TulipTonami Tulip Park

In a large site, there're many places to see such as tulip ground pictures, flower valleys and flower beds on the water. It's as wonderful as Keukenhof Park in the genuine country, the Netherlands.◎Tonami Tulip Fair: around 4/20-5/5 Open: 8:30-17:30 Entrance Fee: adult￥1000 child￥300

Kanazawa's Symbol! A Great Tuzumi-mon Gate Born From A Traditional Performing Arts Of JapanKanazawa Station

A beautiful architecture in front of Kanazawa station, it's called Tuzumi-mon borrowing its motif from tuzumi, a kind of drums used in a traditional performing arts 'Nogaku'. With a Motemashi Dome in it, they emanate great presences.

Love Padlock At The Sky Garden Overlooking The Beautiful Mikata Five LakesRainbow Line

Mikata Five Lakes is designated in the Ramsar Convention. Rainbow Line Park in the mountain top is known as a love sanctuary, and you can lock your love and have a fine view.

Fascinating Harmony Between Picturesque Kanazawa Castle & Cherry BlossomKanazawa Castle Park

Kanazawa Castle Park adjoining Kenroku-en Garden, a well-known place for cherry blossom. On Ohori-dori Street (between Kenroku-en and Castle Park) and Hasuikemon-dori (a street from Konya-zaka to Mayumi-zaka guchi), the scene of 360 cherry blossom trees, Someiyoshino, are the highlights.