Ishikawa
Ishikawa’s capital, Kanazawa, escaped wartime bombing and maintained its castle town layout, geisha districts, and craft traditions almost intact — earning the nickname ‘little Kyoto of the Sea of Japan’. The opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 2015 transformed access, and Kanazawa is now one of Japan’s fastest-growing tourist destinations. The Noto Peninsula, reaching north into the Sea of Japan, offers wild coastline, pristine seafood, and ancient Satoyama landscapes.
石川の県都・金沢は戦禍を免れ、城下町の風情と茶屋街・工芸の伝統が色濃く残る「北陸の小京都」。2015年の北陸新幹線開通で東京から2.5時間となり、急速に注目度が高まっています。能登半島の荒々しい海岸線・新鮮な海の幸・里山の景観も石川の誇りです。
Kanazawa flourished under the Maeda clan’s 300-year stewardship as Japan’s second-richest feudal domain (after the Tokugawa shogunate itself). The Maeda lords were enthusiastic patrons of the arts, and their legacy lives on in the city’s vibrant craft traditions: Kutani porcelain with its bold crimson and gold designs, Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing, and Kanazawa gold leaf — the city produces 98% of Japan’s gold leaf output. Walking through the Higashi Chaya and Kazuemachi geisha districts at dusk, with the sound of shamisen drifting from lantern-lit ochaya teahouses, is one of Japan’s most evocative experiences.
金沢は加賀百万石・前田家300年の庇護のもと、日本でも有数の工芸都市として発展しました。九谷焼・加賀友禅・金沢箔（国産金箔の98%生産）などの伝統工芸が今も息づき、東・主計町・にし茶屋街では夕暮れ時に三味線の音が聞こえてきます。
Recommended Omiyage
おすすめおみやげ 5選
Kanazawa Gold Leaf Products
Kanazawa produces 98% of Japan’s gold leaf (kinpaku) — a craft perfected over 400 years by artisans who beat pure gold into tissue-thin sheets used to gild temples, lacquerware, and ceramics. Today gold leaf appears on ice cream cones, sake sets, cosmetics, and confectionery. A gold leaf ice cream cone at Hakuichi is the city’s most Instagrammable experience.
金沢は国産金箔の98%を生産する金箔の都。400年の歴史を持つ技術で作られた金箔は、仏壇・漆器・陶器に使われるだけでなく、金箔ソフトクリームや化粧品・お菓子にも応用され、土産として大人気です。
Kutani Ware
Ishikawa’s most famous ceramic tradition — bold, vivid designs in the ‘Kutani five colours’ (red, yellow, green, purple, and navy) applied over high-fired porcelain with a confidence that has no equal in Japanese ceramics. Look for the distinctive aka-e (red-dominant) and ao-kutani (blue-green dominant) styles. Beautiful teacups and sake sets make refined gifts.
赤・黄・緑・紫・紺の「九谷五彩」を特徴とする石川の誇る陶磁器。大胆で華やかな絵付けは他の和食器に類を見ない個性を持ちます。赤絵・青九谷など多彩なスタイルがあり、茶碗・酒器・皿など贈り物に最適な逸品が揃います。
Kaga Kiku-no-kazu Sweets
Kanazawa’s refined wagashi tradition reflects its history as a wealthy castle town — exquisite seasonal confections made with high-quality local ingredients, served in the city’s famous tea ceremony culture. Morihachi (est. 1625) and Nakada (est. 1830) produce gold leaf-decorated wagashi that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
茶の湯の文化が根付く金沢の和菓子は、全国屈指のレベルを誇ります。森八（1625年創業）・中田屋（1830年創業）などの老舗が作る金箔や季節の意匠を凝らした上生菓子は、芸術品とも言える美しさです。
Kaga Yuzen Silk Products
One of Japan’s two great Yuzen silk dyeing traditions (alongside Kyoto Yuzen) — Kaga Yuzen is distinguished by its realistic floral motifs, gradation dyeing (bokashi), and the unique technique of ‘insect damage’ painting where leaves are shown with worm holes. Small items (handkerchiefs, scarves) make accessible gifts from this extraordinary tradition.
京友禅と並ぶ日本二大友禅のひとつ。加賀友禅の特徴は写実的な草花文様・ぼかし染め・虫食いの描写で、自然の繊細な表現が際立ちます。ハンカチ・スカーフなどの小物は手頃な価格でこの伝統工芸の美を日常に取り入れられます。
Notora Premium Seafood
The Noto Peninsula’s cold, nutrient-rich Sea of Japan waters produce exceptional seafood — prized crab (zuwaigani), yellowtail (buri), sea bream, abalone, and iwagaki rock oysters. Dried seafood gift sets, premium seaweed, and Noto salt (one of Japan’s finest artisanal salts, harvested using ancient methods) are outstanding regional souvenirs.
能登半島を囲む豊かな日本海は、ズワイガニ・ブリ・アワビ・岩ガキなど極上の海産物の宝庫。干物セット・上質な海藻・揚げ浜式製法で作られる能登の塩は、食通への贈り物として最適な能登の名産品です。
Must-Visit Spots
おすすめスポット 5選
Kenroku-en Garden
Ranked as one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens (Nihon Sanmeien), Kenroku-en occupies 11.4 hectares on the Kanazawa Castle grounds. The name means ‘garden of six qualities’ — seclusion, spaciousness, artifice, antiquity, water features, and panoramic views. The ‘kotoji-toro’ stone lantern standing in the central pond is the most photographed image in Kanazawa.
日本三名園のひとつ・兼六園は面積11.4haの国の特別名勝。六勝（宏大・幽邃・人力・蒼古・水泉・眺望）を兼ね備えた名庭で、中央の霞ヶ池に立つ「ことじ灯籠」は金沢のシンボル的な景観です。四季それぞれに美しく、雪吊りの冬景色も格別。
Higashi Chaya Geisha District
The best-preserved of Kanazawa’s three geisha districts — a row of two-storey lattice-fronted ochaya teahouses along a cobbled street, many of which have operated continuously since the Edo period. Some are now open as cafés or shops. The Kaikaro and Shima ochaya are preserved and open to visitors. Visit in the early morning for the most atmospheric experience.
江戸時代から続く金沢最大の茶屋街。格子戸の茶屋が並ぶ石畳の通りは、金沢で最も風情ある景観のひとつ。志摩（国指定重要文化財）や懐華楼は内部見学が可能で、現役の芸妓文化も今なお息づいています。
Kanazawa Castle Park
The beautifully restored castle park of the Maeda clan — while the original donjon was lost to lightning in 1602, the Ishikawamon gate and the restored Hishi Yagura turret and Gojikken Nagaya corridor showcase the sophisticated white lead-tile roofing and wood construction that made Kanazawa Castle one of Japan’s most elegant fortifications.
前田家の居城・金沢城は天守こそ落雷で消失したものの、石川門・菱櫓・五十間長屋などが復元整備されています。白い鉛瓦と海鼠壁の外観は金沢城独特の美しさで、兼六園に隣接しているため一緒に観光できます。
Omicho Market
Kanazawa’s covered market, operating for over 300 years — a labyrinth of 170 stalls selling the freshest Sea of Japan seafood, local vegetables, and prepared foods. The crabs (November–March), live sea bream, and Noto oysters are exceptional. A bowl of kaisen-don (seafood rice bowl) at one of the market’s restaurants is the best lunch in Kanazawa.
300年以上の歴史を持つ金沢の台所・近江町市場。170軒以上の店舗が日本海の鮮魚・地野菜・惣菜を販売。11〜3月のカニ・天然鯛・能登の岩ガキなどが目玉。市場内の食堂で食べる海鮮丼は金沢随一のランチです。
Noto Peninsula
A dramatic finger of land extending 100 km into the Sea of Japan — the Noto Peninsula’s rugged coastline, terraced rice paddies (satoyama), isolated fishing villages, and ancient Wajima lacquerware tradition constitute one of Japan’s most authentic rural landscapes. The Okunoto area around Suzu city is among the last truly remote corners of Honshu.
日本海へ100km突き出た能登半島は、荒々しい断崖海岸・棚田・孤立した漁村・輪島塗の伝統など日本のふるさとの原風景を今に伝えます。奥能登エリアは本州でも有数の秘境で、里山・里海の恵みを肌で感じられる場所です。
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kanazawa compare to Kyoto?
Both are historic castle towns with geisha districts, Japanese gardens, and strong craft traditions — but Kanazawa is significantly less crowded and more affordable. Many visitors find Kanazawa more intimate and authentic precisely because it hasn’t been overwhelmed by mass tourism. Allow 2 full days to do it justice.
どちらも茶屋街・日本庭園・伝統工芸が揃う城下町ですが、金沢は混雑がなく物価も安め。大量観光に飲み込まれていない分、より本物に近い体験ができると感じる旅人が多いです。じっくり楽しむには2日間が理想です。
What is the best way to get around Kanazawa?
The Kanazawa Loop Bus (¥200/ride, day pass ¥600) efficiently connects all major sights. For Noto Peninsula exploration, renting a car is essential — Kanazawa station has major rental agencies. The compact city centre can also be navigated by bicycle (rental available at the station).
兼六園・東茶屋・武家屋敷など主要観光地を結ぶ「城下まち金沢周遊バス」（1乗車200円、1日600円）が便利。能登半島を探索するにはレンタカー必須。駅近くのレンタサイクルで市内を巡るのも気持ちいいです。
When is the best time to visit Kenroku-en?
All four seasons offer distinct beauty: spring cherry blossoms (late March–April), summer irises and hydrangeas (June), autumn maple foliage (November), and winter yukitsuri snow-protection ropes tied to the pine trees (November–March). The garden opens at 7am — arriving at opening means having it almost to yourself.
四季折々の美しさがあります。春の桜（3月下旬〜4月）・夏の菖蒲・アジサイ（6月）・秋の紅葉（11月）・冬の雪吊り（11〜3月）。7時開園と同時に入ると人が少なく、静かな庭を独り占めできます。
💡 Pro Tip: Book a kaiseki dinner at a Kanazawa ryokan or traditional restaurant — the multi-course Kaga cuisine featuring seasonal local ingredients is one of Japan’s great culinary traditions and is significantly more affordable here than in Kyoto.
💡 旅のヒント：金沢の旅館や料亭での加賀料理のコースはぜひ体験を。旬の地場食材を使った繊細な多皿料理は日本料理の真髄ですが、京都と比べて値段がリーズナブルなのが金沢の魅力のひとつです。
