Ishikawa Travel Guide

Ishikawa
Stretching alongside the Sea of Japan, the coastal prefecture of Ishikawa boasts some dramatically diverse scenery ranging from rugged coastlines to untouched mountain backdrops, offering the freshest seafood and colorful locally-grown produce, harvested from rural areas.

Ishikawa Featured Food Experiences

Ishikawa Featured Restaurants

COURSE MENU
ISHIKAWA

La Luce (Kanazawa)

Lunch: ¥18,000-22,000
Dinner: ¥18,000-22,000
COURSE MENU
ISHIKAWA

Kanazawa Gyokusentei

Lunch: ¥12,000-21,000
Dinner: ¥16,000-28,000
COURSE MENU
ISHIKAWA

Steak ROKKAKUDO

Lunch: ¥12,000-14,000
COURSE MENU
ISHIKAWA

CRAFEAT

Dinner: ¥17,000-18,000

Rich in culture and history, Ishikawa Prefecture is better known by its capital city of Kanazawa, sometimes called “Little Kyoto,” for its castle, gardens, temples, and well-preserved old town districts. On the northern coast of Honshu Island, Ishikawa Prefecture looks to the Sea of Japan, with its northern tip of the Noto Peninsula extending 100 kilometers into the ocean. Rural and untouched, rice fields spread across the central part of Ishikawa Prefecture contrast the rugged cliffs above the sea along the Kongo Coastline, and in turn, they’re pitted against the solid mountains to the southeast, where Mount Haku dominates the beautiful alpine trails of Hakusan National Park. The power of natural scenes combined means that the Ishikawa Prefecture boasts gourmet food, as well as local arts and crafts, shopping, and regional museums.

Although it’s a compact city, Kanazawa packs a punch with its many cultural offerings. Centered around Kanazawa Castle and the traditional garden of Kenrokuen (the “perfect garden” all year round), the city also has a number of old town districts from the Edo period days, for another dose of nostalgia. In particular, the Higashi Chaya District is notable for its well-preserved tea houses, now filled with quaint cafes and artisanal shop fronts selling gold leaf handicrafts. Like Kyoto, the city and the greater prefecture takes great care in its creations (such as local pickles) and production (including local sake), extending to pride in the refined craftsmanship of locally-sourced food. For example, the locally-grown Kaga vegetables from the rich soils around the onsen hot spring town of Kaga City are popular for their high-quality and delicious flavors, and are often used in colorful parfaits or unusual handmade wagashi Japanese sweets. With exquisite local food from its diverse landscape, the beautiful Ishikawa Prefecture offers some untouched natural gems found in this rural side of coastal Japan.

Local Weather
DEC-FEB
2
°
/
 9
°
MAR-MAY
2
°
/
 21
°
JUN-AUG
18
°
/
 30
°
SEP-NOV
6
°
/
 25
°
Frequently Asked Questions

What to eat in Ishikawa?

Ishikawa is located on the coast of Japan, the perfect location for fresh seafood. They are also known for their gold-leaf foil ice cream. Check out our experiences in Ishikawa, where you can try different dishes such as sushi, hotpot, and sake.

What are the best things to do in Ishikawa?

Be sure to visit Kenrokuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan; and Omicho Ichiba (Omicho Market), which is known for its fresh food selection and numerous stores.

Where to see cherry blossoms in Ishikawa?

Kanazawa Castle has over 400 trees that are illuminated at night. Mt. Okuutatsu Park is also a great place to enjoy the cherry blossoms, especially for those who enjoy barbecues or play golf.

What is Ishikawa famous for?

Kenrokuen is a popular spot in Ishikawa due to its beautiful scenery. For food, most people travel to Ishikawa for crab, or better known as Kanougani (male snow carb), since the meat is fresh and juicy.

What to buy in Ishikawa?

Rakugan is a candy found at traditional confectionaries in Ishikawa. Kingyokukan is another popular Japanese sweet, a jelly-like treat made of agar and sugar, with goldfish shapes suspended inside.

Stay in the Loop!
Be the first to know about the latest foodie trends.
Sign up for insider tips & sneak peeks into the diverse world of dining in Japan