Today we once again return to the Hokuriku region of Japan and the Ishikawa prefecture. To be more specific, I will be talking about the Kaga Hakusan area, one of my favorite secret places in Japan. I call it a secret place because not many foreign tourists have heard of it. This fact will surely change in the future as the word of its beauty and interesting attractions spreads.
There are so many great things that make the Kaga Hakusan area of the Hokuriku region stand out. From its world-class hot springs to its unique tourist attractions and its stunning nature. Famous 17th century poet Matsou Basho even mentions this area in his haiku. That is how you know that this place has a long and proud history. I already mentioned many of its wonders in my previous post which you can check here. Today, I will talk about more of these great destinations and show you why this is a hidden gem worth visiting.
Yamanaka ya
Kiku wa taora nu
Yu no nioi
At Yamanaka
No need to pluck chrysanthemums
The scent of the springs.
Matsuo Basho,
17th century haiku poet
The area known as Kaga Onsen consists of three prominent hot springs towns. These include Yamashiro Onsen, Yamanaka Onsen, and Katayamazu Onsen. Public baths called soyu are a distinct characteristic of these towns. You can find them in the center of each town. Their purpose is simple and clever. In the past, not every ryokan had its own baths. So people built these soyu and staying guests would visit them instead.
People say that a Buddhist monk named Gyoki discovered these hot springs in the eighth century. People are praising them as some of the best in Japan. They claim that their healing properties improve digestion, relieve muscle pain, and alleviate skin diseases. This makes it a great destination if you want to relax and recuperate from your tiring trip across Japan. This is the exact thing I do when traveling. You visit one of these less-known parts of Japan so you can take it easy for a few days and escape the tourist rush.
This whole area is located near the famed Mount Hakusan. This makes it an even more attractive location to stay at. You spend your days sightseeing and hiking, while in the evening you relax with a traditional dinner and bath. Sounds perfect, don’t you agree?
I talked about the two famous towns Yamashiro Onsen and Yamanaka Onsen in the previous post. Because of this, now I will focus more on the other famed onsen town in Kaga Hakusan area.
Katayamazu Onsen is one of the three famous resort hot spring towns of Kaga Onsen and is located along the shore of the Shibayamagata Lagoon. Its picturesque lakeside setting with the view of Mount Hakusan gives it a special appeal to visitors. This is best seen in the unique property of the lagoon. It changes colors seven times per day! In addition, the lake is the source of the naturally rejuvenating water for the onsen.
The surroundings of the Katayamazu Onsen are full of historical and cultural attractions. It is ideal for hikers and cyclists. You can take the 7km cycling path that goes around the Shibayamagata Lagoon. On that path, you will be able to visit many interesting locations. For example the Ukimi-do Hall, Aizen-ji Temple, and my favorite, the Nakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice. Sounds cool, doesn’t it!
After all this sightseeing, the fresh hot spring water will rejuvenate you and help you relax. There are many hot springs in this town to choose from. Let me tell you about some of the most popular ones. The Kaga Kanko Hotel has the largest and most varied selection of baths in Katayamazu Onsen. They have many indoor and outdoor baths with amazing views of the Shibayamagata Lagoon. Kasuikyo is another good one with great baths and views. It is located in a uniquely designed building in the north part of the lagoon.
Awazu Onsen is a famous hot-spring town that is located in the territory of Komatsu City. This area has been a hot springs resort for over 1,300 years. You can find many inns scattered about in the quiet mountain valleys. Indeed, the world’s second-oldest running hotel is located in this area. It is called Hoshi Ryokan and since 718 it has been run by the same family. Apparently, the same Buddhist monk who founded the Natadera Temple discovered the Awasu Onsen.
People say that the clear spring waters of the onsen help with circulation. In addition, they ease chronic disease and rejuvenate the skin. If you visit this town, you can bathe in one of its ryokan or at the recently rebuilt public bathhouse. Other than the famed Natadera Temple which I cover later, there are more interesting locations in the area. For example, the Yunokuninomori craft village. Here tourists can purchase or try their hand at making various local traditional handicrafts. For automobile fans, the Motorcar Museum of Japan which houses around 500 cars is located nearby.
Natadera Temple is a famous temple of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. It boasts a 1300 year long history and was founded by a Buddhist monk Taicho who climbed Mt. Hakusan on a pilgrimage. While meditating on the highest peak, he was visited by a manifestation of Kannon, the Buddhist bodhisattva of mercy. This event inspired him to build Natadera Temple in honor of Kannon.
One of the temple’s most beautiful sights is the natural rock formations near the main entrance. These caves and cliffs were eroded by ocean currents and shaped by volcanic eruptions. Today, they are filled with miniature statues as a nod to their holy status. The best time to visit the temple and witness these amazing scenes is in autumn. The Natadera Temple reaches its full beauty when surrounded by autumn-colored leaves. Truly a sight worth a star in the Michelin Green Guide.
Kutaniyaki is a distinct type of Japanese porcelain that was first made around the 1650s. You can recognize this style by its distinct patterns and use of vivid colors. For example, bright reds, greens, yellows, purples, and blues.
The Kutani-yaki Art Museum celebrates the history of the art of Kutaniyaki Porcelain. Visitors can enjoy all the arts while learning the history of Kutaniyaki Porcelain. In addition, you can enjoy the beautiful mini gardens that blend in with the surrounding scenery.
Hakusan City is of course named after Mount Hakusan. The city area is made up of several parts. The main one is the city center along the Sea of Japan coast. While rural valleys further inland and the peak of Mount Hakusan make up the rest. If you are a tourist visiting the area, you will most likely be interested in the mountainous areas. It is a paradise for adventurers and includes hiking trails, snow resorts, museums, and hot springs. Places such as Tedori Gorge, Ishikawa Insect Museum, the Shirayamahime Shrine, and the Shiramine Onsen are some of the spots you might enjoy.
2 Responses
Mount Hakusan looks majestic! I never heard about Kaga Hakusan area before, but I’m glad you wrote about this hidden gem. I’m planning to visit Japan in 2022 if everything goes well and I’m definitely going to add Kaga Hakusan area to the list of places that I would like to visit!
Thank you Christy! You should definitely visit Kaga Hakusan area when you come to Japan, there are so many things to do and see!