This itinerary is part of a set of 8 itineraries that circle the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture, following the coastal roads as much as possible. You can choose to only follow this itinerary, or you can combine this itinerary with as many of the other "Noto Peninsula" itineraries, and/or "Festival" itineraries, as you like and have the time for.
This itinerary covers sites from Suzu City to Anamizu on the east and south coast of the Noto Peninsula. It should take about one-day. Once you select it and save it, you can change/customize it. If you plan to continue on, you can add other Noto Peninsula itineraries starting from Anamizu. Although we recommend beginning the string of Noto Peninsula itineraries from the Kanazawa Station (MapCode: 41 558 874*22), you can begin it from other nearby "gateways," e.g. the Komatsu Airport (MapCode: 120 529 748*33) or the Noto Satoyama Airport (MapCode: 283 475 067*52). All have several rental car outlets.
ACCOMMODATIONS: There are a variety of accommodation options in Suzu City and between Suzu and Anamizu where you can spend the night, if you wish. There are considerably less accommodation options between Suzu and Wajima. One hotel located fairly centrally in Suzu is the Suzu Beach Hotel (MapCode: 329 684 436*60). Another hotel in a good location is the Notojiso National Lodge (MapCode: 329 524 409*33), a national park lodge overlooking picturesque Mitsukejima Island. A beautiful and luxurious option closer to Anamizu is the Hyakurakuso Hotel overlooking the beautiful Tsukumo Bay (MapCode: 329 193 788*85).
You can also easily reverse the itinerary, if you wish, just by following the MapCodes in the reverse order.
The Mawaki Archaeology Museum is part of a complex focusing on the Jomon Culture (10000-300 BCE) reflected in the Mawaki Archaeological Site. In addition to the museum and the site itself the complex includes the Mawakiiseki Park and the Mawaki Polepole Hotel.
Hours :
Open daily 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays.
The Jodoshinshu Temple is part of a sect of Pure Land Buddhism, one of the 4 major schools of Buddhism in Japan. Pure Land is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism, the largest major tradition of Buddhism existing today, with 53% of practitioners. Mahāyāna Buddhists teach that enlightenment can be attained in a single lifetime and can be accomplished even by a lay person.
Jōdo Shinshū (浄土真宗, "The True Essence of the Pure Land Teaching"), also known as Shin Buddhism or True Pure Land Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism. It was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran. Shin Buddhism is considered the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.
There are two parts of Jodo Shinshu, the Higashi Hongan-ji or, the "Eastern Monastery of the Original Vow", one of two dominant sub-sects of Shin Buddhism in Japan and abroad, and the other being Nishi Honganji or the "Western Temple of the Original Vow".
The Byodo-ji Temple is over 1000 years old. It is most famous for hydrangeas. In June each year the temple's garden features 130 different kinds of plants and over 4,000 hydrangeas along a "hydrangea path." There are also 33 Buddhas sitting along the path as well.
Hours :
Open daily 24/7
Address :
2-116 Terabun, Noto-cho, Hosu, IshikaWA 928-0322
5.6
km / 3.5
miles
-
(9
minutes)
4.
Yanagida Botanical Park - やなぎだ植物公園ア
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Min/Max Time :
30 / 120
Minutes
MapCode :
329 271 804*47
Phone :
076-876-1680
Description :
The Yanagida Botanical Park has a variety of different installations including an iris flower garden, open lawn area, a golf course, and electric car pavilion an astronomical observation planetarium, a BBQ area, a cafe restaurant, lodging options, and a winery. Furthermore, at Gourokuan in the park, you can experience the traditional Oku-Noto folk custom Aenokoto https://authentic-visit.jp/food/20170109012047, which has been designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Courtesy of japantravel.navitime.com
Note that since about 2009 the traditional Oku-Noto folk custom "Aenokoto" has been performed each December in the garden to thank the kami (god) of the rice fields.
The Noto area is home to many strange and interesting festivals. This one is a festival giving thanks to the harvest gods for this year’s crops. Each farming family in the area does its own rituals, but you can come watch this one, which will be performed in the botanical gardens for the public. Because the gods are blind, the person performing the ritual leads them to the bath for bathing, then leads them to a tatami room for a rest and a feast prepared especially for them. The gods stay with the family until the “Sending Off Festival” （田の神送り）on February 9.
The Minsoku History Museum is located in several old traditional thatched-roof houses. Its modest collection features traditional items from the homes in the area. It is located next to the Hane Bansho Art Museum, and the Shirasagi Bashi footbridge.
As a road trip curiosity the World's Largest Jomon Pot is worth stopping for a photo. The pot is not a "real" Jomon pot but is merely to promote the area, in particular the Mawaki Archaeology Site and Museum.
The Noto Town Information Park provides a short rest stop with beautiful views of the Sea of Japan and some information about the Noto area.
Hours :
Open daily 24/7
Address :
Fujinami, Noto-cho Fengju-gun Ishikawa 927-0441
0.3
km / 0.2
miles
-
(0
minutes)
9.
Nagashima Island - 長島 / 虎御前の墓
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Min/Max Time :
5 / 20
Minutes
MapCode :
329 121 600*82
Description :
Nagashima Island is no longer an actual island but rather an enjoyable scenic spot along the road. In addition to the beautiful views of the water, be sure to note the picturesque village on the north side of the road (a little east of the "island"). Both locations offer nice photo opportunities.
Hours :
Open daily 24/7
Address :
Fujinami, Noto-cho, Hosu 927-0441
1.9
km / 1.2
miles
-
(2
minutes)
10.
Noto Pain Café - 能登パン Notopain
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Min/Max Time :
10 / 30
Minutes
MapCode :
552 118 773*60
Phone :
076-862-1550
Description :
The Noto Pain Cafe is a nice place to stop for refreshments along the way. The food is from the nearby Noto Italian Guest House Flatt run by Australian chef Ben Flatt, noteworthy for his Italian food (MapCode: 552 117 248*82).
Address :
20-95-2 Hanami, Noto-cho, Hosu 927-0442
9.6
km / 5.9
miles
-
(14
minutes)
11.
Myosenji Temple - 明泉寺五重塔
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Min/Max Time :
10 / 30
Minutes
MapCode :
590 832 246*60
Phone :
076-857-1353
Description :
The Myosenji Temple is designated as an Historic Place by Ishikawa Prefecture. The temple includes a five-story pagoda, a large wooden Buddha, and tombstones and monuments of almost 220 samurai from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (1200-1600). It is little used now which adds an air of mystery and sadness to a visit.
It is also the site of the annual Myosenji Kiriko Festival held on August 15th & 16th each year.
The actual location of this watchtower is in the water. Parking space is at the top of a small hill, on the entry road.
A 10 m/33 ft tall scaffold is set up in an inlet to watch flathead mullet. It is made of logs that are combined to form a structure in the shape of a pyramid, and there is a seat at the top. People watch the 25 m²/270 ft² net at the bottom of the inlet, and pull it to catch fish when a school of fish comes along. The origin of this traditional fishing method is not clear, but it was used from the Edo period until the end of the war. In 1889, an American astronomer, Percival Lowell, visited Noto and described the watchtower as being “like the nest of the mythological bird Roc”. There used to be more than 10 watchtowers, but they gradually disappeared due to a decrease in the number of fish, and the amount of time and labor required for fishing. Fishing has not been conducted since 1996. The watchtowers that exist today are for tourism purposes only. They are part of the Noto Satoyama and Satoumi, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
Courtesy of the Noto Satoyama and Satoumi Digital Archive Website.
Hours :
Visible 24 hours per day.
Address :
Anamizu
Ishikawa
4.1
km / 2.6
miles
-
(6
minutes)
14.
Flathead Mullet Watchtower - B - Parking - ボラ待ち櫓
The actual location of this watchtower is in the water. It requires a fairly long walk down hill to the water's edge to see, probably best for the young and adventurous. Parking space is on the entry road.
A 10 m/33 ft tall scaffold is set up in an inlet to watch flathead mullet. It is made of logs that are combined to form a structure in the shape of a pyramid, and there is a seat at the top. People watch the 25 m²/270 ft² net at the bottom of the inlet, and pull it to catch fish when a school of fish comes along. The origin of this traditional fishing method is not clear, but it was used from the Edo period until the end of the war. In 1889, an American astronomer, Percival Lowell, visited Noto and described the watchtower as being “like the nest of the mythological bird Roc”. There used to be more than 10 watchtowers, but they gradually disappeared due to a decrease in the number of fish, and the amount of time and labor required for fishing. Fishing has not been conducted since 1996. The watchtowers that exist today are for tourism purposes only. They are part of the Noto Satoyama and Satoumi, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
Courtesy of the Noto Satoyama and Satoumi Digital Archive Website.
The Noto Wine Company was founded in 2004. Noto Wine is produced in wineries in Anamizu Town from grapes growing in the town and other places in Noto. The production started in 2006, and around 100 thousand bottles of red, white and rose wine are shipped annually. The grapes are grown in the region’s red soil using oyster shell powder as fertilizer, and are sweet and mildly sour. Instead of filters, heat treatment is conducted to remove enzymes; hence, the wine is very fruity and keeps the grape’s natural aroma and taste. In 2013, the red wine made from Yama Sauvignon was awarded the gold prize in the domestic wine competition, which clearly shows its quality.
Winery tours are at 11:00 and 14:00 daily.
Courtesy of http://noto-satoyamasatoumi.jp
Hours :
Open daily 09:00 - 17:00
Address :
5-1 Asahigaoka, Anamizu-machi, Hosu 927-0006
5.0
km / 3.1
miles
-
(6
minutes)
16.
Flathead Mullet Watchtower - C - Parking - ボラ待ち櫓
The actual location of this watchtower is in the water. There is a parking area to view the watchtower.
A 10 m/33 ft tall scaffold is set up in an inlet to watch flathead mullet. It is made of logs that are combined to form a structure in the shape of a pyramid, and there is a seat at the top. People watch the 25 m²/270 ft² net at the bottom of the inlet, and pull it to catch fish when a school of fish comes along. The origin of this traditional fishing method is not clear, but it was used from the Edo period until the end of the war. In 1889, an American astronomer, Percival Lowell, visited Noto and described the watchtower as being “like the nest of the mythological bird Roc”. There used to be more than 10 watchtowers, but they gradually disappeared due to a decrease in the number of fish, and the amount of time and labor required for fishing. Fishing has not been conducted since 1996. The watchtowers that exist today are for tourism purposes only. They are part of the Noto Satoyama and Satoumi, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
Courtesy of the Noto Satoyama and Satoumi Digital Archive Website.
Hours :
Visible 24 hours per day.
Address :
Bira, Anamizu, Hosu District, Ishikawa Prefecture 927-0015, Japan
0.6
km / 0.3
miles
-
(1
minutes)
17.
Noto Nakai Cast Metal Museum - 能登中居鋳物館
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Min/Max Time :
10 / 30
Minutes
MapCode :
283 233 478*47
Phone :
076-856-1231
Description :
The Noto Nakai Cast Metal Museum shows the history of the once-flourishing cast metal trade in Anamizu’s Nakai district.
For about 800 years, from the 12th century to the beginning of the 20th century, metal casting flourished in Nakai. During the Edo period (1603-1868), the Kaga domain (part of present-day Ishikawa Prefecture) had a monopoly on salt sales, and Nakai prospered by producing shiogama (brine pans) that were lent to coastal villages in Noto. Later, however, with the arrival of strong, cheap pans from Takaoka, Nakai’s industry began a slow decline. In 1924, the industry shut down.
There are two exhibition rooms in the museum. Commentary is available that explains Nakai metal casting, mainly focusing on its relationships with the Matsugi Clan, a noble family in Kyoto that controlled Japan’s metal casters, and with the Kaga domain. A number of examples of works by Nakai’s casters and ancient documents are also on display.
The actual location of this watchtower is in the water. Parking space is on an entry road. It is a difficult access to the water's edge, so only for the young and adventurous.
A 10 m/33 ft tall scaffold is set up in an inlet to watch flathead mullet. It is made of logs that are combined to form a structure in the shape of a pyramid, and there is a seat at the top. People watch the 25 m²/270 ft² net at the bottom of the inlet, and pull it to catch fish when a school of fish comes along. The origin of this traditional fishing method is not clear, but it was used from the Edo period until the end of the war. In 1889, an American astronomer, Percival Lowell, visited Noto and described the watchtower as being “like the nest of the mythological bird Roc”. There used to be more than 10 watchtowers, but they gradually disappeared due to a decrease in the number of fish, and the amount of time and labor required for fishing. Fishing has not been conducted since 1996. The watchtowers that exist today are for tourism purposes only. They are part of the Noto Satoyama and Satoumi, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
Courtesy of the Noto Satoyama and Satoumi Digital Archive Website.
Hours :
Visible 24 hours per day.
Address :
Kawajima, Anamizu, Hosu District, Ishikawa Prefecture 927-0027, Japan
2.1
km / 1.3
miles
-
(6
minutes)
19.
Anamizu Station - 穴水駅
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
MapCode :
283 198 897*36
Description :
The Anamizu Station (Anamizu-eki) is a railway station in Hosu-shi (Hosu City), Ishikawa-ken (Ishikawa Prefecture) operated by the Noto Railway. The station averages about 210 boarding passengers per day. The station also serves as a bus and taxi hub.
