Noto Peninsula

A long, narrow peninsula jutting north from the near center of the Hokuriku region. The coastline, surrounding the peninsula on three sides, is diverse, from the jagged rock formations of Noto Kongo formed by crashing waves; to the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, a beach area on which you can drive a car. Another one of the peninsula's appeals is the local liquors and cuisine made with ingredients from the area's rich farms and abundant sea. The Wajima Morning Market is particularly famous, but some of the area's many other unique highlights include the Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces, selected as one of the 100 most beautiful terraced rice fields in Japan; and the majestic Kiriko Festival, registered as in the Japan Heritage program. If traveling by plane, the peninsula is around one hour from Haneda Airport.