History / Culture / Tour Spots in Ishikawa Area

Area

Ishikawa
- Japan
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  Hyogo
  
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  Wakayama
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  Okayama
  
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  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
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  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
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  Oita
  
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  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

ALL
- All areas
- Kanazawa City
- Hakusan / Komatsu
- Kaga City
- Hakui / Kahoku
- Nanao
- Wajima
- Suzu

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Nomura Samurai Residence

4.0

876 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Nagamachi 1-3-32

A collection of buildings which once served as the residence of the Nomura samurai family during the era of Japan’s feudal domains. This popular tourist destination is located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. Walking the stone paving and earthen walled alleys of the site, you’ll be able to get a taste of the life a samurai and his lady wife lived during the Edo period. The Nomura family served as regional administrators for generations; today, their home is open to the general public, and visitors can view fusuma screen paintings by the Kano school painter Sasaki Senkei, the interiors of buildings with glass and paper screen doors, tea rooms, and the family garden. Visited by great numbers of tourists from overseas as well, the residence is an internationally renowned sightseeing spot.

We really enjoyed our time here.. lot of history and was such a tranquil place..set aside an hour and make the trip here.. Samurai museum is 1 min up the road..
Oyama-jinja Shrine

4.0

681 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Oyamamachi 11-1

You’ll find this shrine in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The founder of the Kaga Clan, Maeda Toshiie, and his lawful wife Matsu are enshrined here. It was constructed in 1873, before which time the spirits were enshrined together in Utasu Hachimangu (the present Utatsu Shrine) at the foot of the Mt. Utatsu. The three-level shrine gate was built in 1875 and combines Japanese, Chinese, and Western styles. It has been designated an Important Cultural Property. Vibrant glass fills the third level, giving it an otherworldly appearance when illuminated at night.

Within walkable distance from Omicho market. We walked from Omicho market via small backstreets, and entered Oyama Shrine via their side entrance. I like the pond in the shrine grounds... it gives...
D.T. Suzuki Museum

4.5

447 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Hondamachi 3-4-20

The D.T. Suzuki Museum in Kanazawa was opened as a place for people to learn about D.T. Suzuki, a renowned Buddhist scholar who was born in Kanazawa, and also as a place for self-reflection. The Museum consists of three halls (the Vestibule, Exhibition Space and Contemplative Space, which are linked by corridors) and three gardens (the Vestibule Garden, Water Mirror Garden, and Roji Garden). The scene of the Contemplative Space building reflected in the shallow pool of water in the Water Mirror Garden is highly photogenic, and has appeared in many different media.

I absolutely adored this little out-of-the-way museum. I was fascinated by online photos for a long time and had always wanted to visit, but my time in Kanazawa was always too short for a visit...
Nata-dera Temple

4.5

221 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Komatsushi Natamachi Yu 122

This is a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect located in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is said that it was established by Taicho in 717. The ground of the temple is large and the nature is beautiful like a landscape painting. The temple is known as the enchanted land with unusual rocks and the main shrine is connected to a huge, rocky cave. It is the sacred place of “Iwa-ya Tainai Kuguri” where sins are purified and people are reborn. There are many buildings including the main shrine and the three-storied pagoda which are certified as important cultural assets of the country. It is also known as a famous sightseeing spot of leaves changing color in autumn. There are no railings on the roads or stairs in the premises, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended when visiting the site.

We came here on a beautiful afternoon and was not disappointed with the temple and its surroundings. The map tht comes along with the admission fee is very useful to cover the full ground from...
Shirayama Hime-jinja Shrine

4.5

138 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Hakusanshi Sannomiyamachi D 105-1

Shirayama Hime-jinja Shrine is located in Sannomiya Town, Hakusan City. It is the head shrine of Hakusan Shrine worshiping the sacred Mt. Hakusan as the objects enshrined and its establishment is said to date back to 91 BC. The homotsukan (treasure house) stores valuable Important Cultural Properties including a short sword named Yoshimitsu which is a National Treasure and can be seen for a fee.

This shrine was first built 1,300 years ago. Among many big tall trees, there were some zelkova (keyaki) that we were told were over 1,000 years old. It’s a very nice shrine, to be sure, and there...
Ochaya Shima (National Important Cultural Property )

4.0

315 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Higashiyama 1-13-21

Kanazawa Higashi-rou Shima was built in 1820 in the Kanazawa Higashi Chaya District, and the building to this day hasn’t been altered and remains as it was during the Edo period. It is highly valuable as cultural heritage and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The guest rooms on the second floor are structured for the purpose of merrymaking: if the guests sit with their backs to the alcove, the front becomes an anteroom, and it is designed that one can enjoy dancing and artistic accompaniment if the fusuma (Japanese sliding screens) are opened. You can have traditional Kanazawa sweets together with green tea in the tearoom, “Kanson-an”.

Interesting small museum in an good old area. We only spent a short while in the museum but it was interesting to see. You need take your shoes off. If you have the day tourist bus pass you save 50...
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art

4.0

169 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Dewamachi 2-1

This integrated art museum is located in Dewamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It opened in 1959 and was moved to its current location in 1983. The museum collects and displays various works, ranging from the works of artists associated with Ishikawa Prefecture to the antiques associated with the Maeda Family of the Kaga clan, which are its focus, to Japanese-style paintings, oil paintings and sculptures. It also houses a National Treasure, “Iro-e Kiji Koro (Incense burner in the shape of pheasant decorated with overglaze enamels),” by Nonomura Ninsei, and other important cultural properties. There are seven collection exhibition rooms, which are rotated regularly, to display different works. The café created by a patissier Hironobu Tsujiguchi is also very popular.

Visited to soak in the local art and was pleasantly surprised by the high quality exhibits. The incense burners are particularly lovely in person, as are some of the other historic exhibits. The...
Seisonkaku

4.0

205 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Kenrokumachi 1-2

Seisonkaku is a retreat which Nariyasu Maeda, the 13th lord of Kaga Province, built for his mother, Shinryuin, in 1863. It is located next to Kenroku-en Garden, a famous tourist place in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The building has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property and its garden as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. The two-storey building with a shingle roof features the Shoin-zukuri architectural style on the first floor and the Sukiya-zukuri architectural style on the second floor. The luxurious interior decorations, such as the Shoin-no-ma with its impressive purple walls and pastel ultramarine ceiling, as well as the drawing room with a beautiful colored ranma openwork screen are particular must sees.

We really enjoyed walking round this house. If you have the day bus pass for tourists you can save 100 yen. They have lockers for your shoes and umbrellas.
Wajima Kiriko Art Museum

4.0

180 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Wajimashi Marintown 6-1

A museum located inside Marine Town in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture which presents traditional kiriko votive lanterns from the Noto area. During festivals in summer and fall, shrine parishioners in every town in the area carry kiriko lanterns; the largest can rival four story buildings in size. Some 30 giant kiriko lanterns stand within the hall; traditional festival music plays inside the museum, and lighting is used to recreate the atmospheres of festivals being held during the day, at dusk, and in the evening. The viewing deck on the third floor gives a sweeping view of Wajima Port. The museum also has a shop selling original merchandise.

This museum is off the beaten path, but it is well worth finding it and investing an hour or so wandering through the amazing lanterns. The price is affordable, about JPY600/person, and colors and...
Kaikaro Cafe

4.0

163 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Kanazawa-shi Higashiyama 1-14-8

Its a small area, but its also quite mysterious with so much history. Everything is well kept.. from restaurants to cafes to souvenir shops etc.. I went there twice..
Ishikawa Aviation Plaza

4.0

146 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ishikawa Pref. Komatsushi Atakashinmachi Hei 92 (Komatsu airport front)

A museum dedicated to aviation located on the north side of Komatsu Airport in Ishikawa Prefecture. Aircraft such as helicopters, Air Self-Defense Force fighters, and paragliders are on permanent display outside the museum and on the first floor. The cockpits of some of the craft can also be entered and inspected. The museum also has a real YS-11 simulator as well as simplified simulators for an F-15 fighter and Cessna plane (charge: 100-500 yen). In 2012, the museum erected the Bunbun World playground, one of the largest aircraft-themed playlands in the country. Here parents and children can have fun year round and regardless of the weather.

実物の飛行機見学や子供用遊具の使用が全て無料で楽しめます。自衛隊好きには売店もおススメです。小松基地に関するTシャツやカレーなども販売してます。 You can visit the airplanes and use the childrens playground equipment, all free of charge. For Self-Defense Forces...
Keta Taisha Shrine

4.0

137 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Hakuishi Jikemachi Cook 1-1

The Keta Taisha Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Jike Town, Hakui City. The Shrine, which is dedicated to the worship of the Shinto deity Okuninushi-no-mikoto, is said to have been built around 2,000 years ago. The sacred grove in which the Inner Shrine is situated is known as the “Forbidden Forest,” and has been designated as a National Natural Monument (note that there is no admission to the Forest).

A lot of shrines have forested areas, but they’re often quite manicured. Keta Shrine was like it was made with the forest in mind. Some parts were downright Ghibli-ish, especially the torii that led...
Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum

4.0

144 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Higashiyama 1-3-10

"A five minute walk from the ""Hashiba-cho"" bus station on the Hokuriku Railroad Bus and JR Bus lines from Kanazawa Station. This museum is dedicated to gold leafing, a traditional industry in Kanazawa. The museum was started by Takaki Yasue, a gold leaf artisan who collected gold leaf artwork and tools and built a hall to display them in Kitayasue. Due to the aging of this facility, the museum was moved from the hall to its current location in Higashiyama in 2010. The museum building was modeled after a traditional Japanese townhouse and is accented with gold leaf. The domed ceiling in the museum's hall, decorated with no. 3 pure yellow gold, in particular is a must-see. The museum contains exhibits and video displays which show how gold leaf is made and applied, as well as gold leaf works of art, and visitors can learn about the history of gold leaf production and view dazzling examples of the craft."

Great antique houses with shoos and business mixed. A community showcasing their products. Gold leaf workshops as their champion. Whats more, it is free admission, too.
Komatsu Green Park

4.0

97 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Komatsu-shi Komatsunomori 1

"A one-minute walk from the east exit of JR Komatsu Station, this hands-on museum was built on the site of a former factory of Komatsu, a construction machinery manufacturer. Visitors can learn about Komatsu's 100-year history and the mechanisms and technologies of construction machinery through hands-on experience. Visitors can also get hands-on experience with construction equipment, such as riding in the driver's seat of the ""930E"" super-large dump truck and the ""PC4000"" hydraulic excavator, as well as operating a mini excavator for children. At ""Genki Satoyama"", a recreation of a satoyama (woodlands close to the village) in the Kaga region, visitors can observe a wide variety of plants and living things. Admission is free."

巨大なショベルカーとダンプトラックが展示されています。時間帯によっては、運転席に乗れます！ただし、かなり時間が限られているので、WEBで時間をチェックしてからいくとよいです。また身長95センチ以下の小さい子は、必ずおんぶ紐です。抱っこ紐はNG。芝生エリアや、ベンチも少しあるので、ピクニックしてもよいですね。室内展示も少しあります。働くクルマ好きな幼児は大興奮です。
Cosmo Isle Hakui

4.5

90 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ishikawa Pref. Hakuishi Tsurutamachi Menda 25

This museum is located in MendaTsurutamachi, Hakui City. Displayed here are artifacts such as a space capsule that was returned from space, actual materials used in the space program, and research on UFOs. In the adjoining CosmoTheater, a program about space and science is aired on a planetarium dome type screen.

This is a really fun thing to do if you are in the Hakui area. It is not expensive with an 800JPY entrance fee. No guided tour but a walk through to see actual historical Soviet aerospace items along...
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History

4.0

91 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Dewamachi 3-1

A history museum located a three minute walk from the Kenrokuen Garden easily identifiable by its eye-catching red brick structure. This building was once used as an armory by the imperial army as well as a facility for the Kanazawa College of Art and has been designated a National Important Cultural Property. As its name indicates, the museum contains exhibits presenting the history and culture of Ishikawa Prefecture, and visitors can trace the eras of the area, from a reconstruction of a Jomon period dog based on excavated bones, to a recreation of a Showa period Japanese living room. The museum also actively engages in a variety of activities, including holding several planned and special exhibitions throughout the year as well as seminars and lectures by curators. In addition, the museum hosts tours of nearby historical sites and temples.

重要文化財に指定されている金澤陸軍兵器支廠の兵器庫を活用した歴史博物館である。外観こそ往年の古い赤レンガの佇まいを彷彿させるが、館内は新しく整備されている。とは言え館内の全てが現代風に刷新されているわけではなく、往年の洋館の雰囲気を随所に漂わせている。博物館の展示資料だけでなく、建物自体を探検するのも興味深い。博物館は1階が常設展示室となっており、2階が特別展示室となっている。常設展示と特別展示...
Shiinoki Cultural Complex, Ishikawa Prefecture

4.0

95 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Hirosaka 2-1-1

"A reception hall created by remodeling the former Ishikawa Government Office built in 1924. The two beach trees on either side of the front entrance are a symbol of the facility; 300 years old, they are even included in the facility's name (""Shiinoki"" means ""beech tree""). Known as the Temple-shaped Beeches, these trees are also designated National Natural Monuments. The side of the building facing Kanazawa Castle Park is covered with floor to ceiling windows, giving it a more modern and fashionable aspect, and these windows are perfect spots from which to view the Kanazawa Castle wall when it is lit up at night. The facility has a restaurant and cafe and is frequently used to host events and exhibitions."

金沢２１世紀美術館のすぐ北側にあるしいのき緑地にあります。昔は県庁だったそうで、まさにレトロモダンという雰囲気の建物です。朝で中は見学していませんが、無料で入ることができ、カフェなどもあるので休憩にもピッタリだと思います。
Kanazawashi Ashigaru Museum

4.0

127 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Nagamachi 1-9-3

A museum located in Nagamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture which displays materials related to the life and work of “ashigaru,” common foot soldiers who existed during the era of Japan’s feudal domains. The museum consists of two wood longhouses used as ashigaru barracks which were moved to this site. The hedge, trees and other plants, and distinctive roof with stones placed on top all replicate how the facility would have looked when used to house ashigaru. Inside, visitors will find exhibits presenting life goods and furnishings used at the time, providing a glimpse into the foods ashigaru ate, the side work they engaged in to occupy their time, and other aspects of their everyday life.

I walked around the Nagamachi (samurai) district and found three other houses that were open to the public free of charge which I enjoyed much more than the Nomura Samurai house. One of them was the...
Kanazawa Shrine

4.0

88 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Kenrokumachi 1-3

"A Shinto shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, seen as a god of scholarship, adjoining the south side of the Kenrokuen garden a 10 minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station. The shrine was originally established to serve as the guardian shrine of the Meirindo, a domain-run school built in 1794 by Maeda Harunaga, the 11th lord of Kaga Domain. The shrine is also dedicated to Hakuja Ryujin, the white snake god also affectionately known as ""Shirohebi-san"" and ""Mi-san"" who provides protection from fire, floods, and misfortune, as well as granting luck in monetary affairs and business. The grounds bustle with visitors during the shrine's New Year's Day festival as well as during the Hakuja and Tenjin festivals held on the 1st and 25th of every month, respectively. The shrine also allows Shinto-style wedding ceremonies to be held in front of the vibrant, vermillion-lacquered main shrine, a designated National Tangible Protected Cultural Property."

It is a small Shinto shrine near Kanazawa Reitaku. As I went early in the morning, there were some visitors. Seemingly it is a popular place for local people. The gate and the washing basin are...
Kanazawa Phonograph Museum

4.5

95 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Owarichou 2-11-21

This museum located in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture is dedicated to the subject of phonographs. The museum houses approximately 600 phonographs and 30,000 78 rpm records collected since the mid 1970s-mid 1980s, making it one of the largest museums of its kind in Japan. Three times a day, records are played on different phonographs selected from the collection so that visitors can hear the difference in the sound each produces. The phonographs used range from the wax cylinder phonograph invented by Thomas Edison to a Credenza, which is sometimes called the king of phonographs. The museum's beautiful exterior evokes romanticism for the Taisho era.

Even of you only have a passing interest in the history of recorded music, the warmth and enthusiasm of the staff will draw you in to this amazing collection of photographs from the creation by...

Ishikawa

Kanazawa City Hakusan / Komatsu Kaga City Hakui / Kahoku Nanao Wajima Suzu

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Ishikawa Areas

Long, thin Ishikawa prefecture runs along the Sea of Japan up into Noto Peninsula. Highlights of the seaside towns lining the west coast include Kanazawa, often described as a "Little Kyoto" thanks to its old wooden tea houses and geisha culture as well as its picturesque Japanese garden, Kenroku-en.