I've had the luxury of sitting underneath glass-dome windows as my Rocky Mountaineer train barreled between Colorado's mountains.
Best outdoor adventures in Ishikawa and Gifu, Japan
21.07.2023 - 07:45 / roughguides.com
Japan’s Ishikawa and Gifu prefectures may share Central Honshu with the country’s neon-lit capital, but these largely undeveloped, quieter areas occupying the Chubu region couldn’t be more different. Spanning vast wetland, the North Japan Alps and rugged coastline punctuated by curious fishing villages and sharply-terraced rice paddies, they offer a diverse landscape far removed from Japan’s densely-populated, mercantile cities. Both invite adventure, too. In Ishikawa you can hike to a shrine at the foot of Mt Hakusan and visit the waterfalls of Hakusan National Park, explore the island of Notojima by bike and relax in hot springs at Wakura Onsen. In Gifu wander the the ruins of Naegi castle, go rafting down the Nagara river (or cycle along its riverbank), clamber up a stream and plunge into a deep lava rock pool around Hida Osaka Falls.
Just off the coast of Noto Peninsula, north of Ishikawa’s capital, Kanazawa, is Notojima, an island with a unique culture and reputation for retaining traditional agricultural and fishing techniques. Particularly striking are its black-roofed houses occupying the wooded slopes, which stand stark against the calm waters of Nanao Bay. One of the island’s highlights is the Notojima Glass Art Museum, which is held in an ultra-modern building out of keeping with the rest of the island.
Notojima, Japan ©︎ Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Arguably the best way to explore the island is by bike: tours are relatively short and only offered from March through November, but allow you to take in the sites through local eyes. On route, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the island’s agrarian past, its artisan crafts and the endemic fauna and flora (the island aquarium is home to around 500 different species).
The hot spring (onsen) resort of Wakura Onsen, located just off Nanao Bay in the Noto Peninsula, has been drawing a crowd for over a thousand years, for the springs' reputed healing qualities. Over 20 onsen inns dominate the scene, the most famous being Kagaya: this traditional ryokan, known for its excellent hospitality and service, has a clean, Japanese interior, replete with tatami mats and shoji screens. At the heart of the town centre is Wakura Onsen Soyu, a public bathing spot where locals come to relax after work.
Stone carving of one of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune in Wakura Onsen © rayinst/Shutterstock
Another is Yuttari Park Footbath, a foot onsen with a coastal view framed by Japanese pines. Although many choose to stay on Wakura Onsen, it’s possible to explore Notojima in a day, crossing the Notojima Ohashi Bridge, which many do by bike. There are cruises on offer through the summer months, including the popular sunset and night cruises.
Towering above
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