The Wajima Morning Market (also called the "Asa Ichi") is reported to be over 1000 years old, making it the oldest, continuous local market in Japan. It is open daily from about 08:00 to about noon. The vendors are mostly women, wives of local fishermen, although there are also numerous traditional shops. There is a spot in the middle of the market where people can grill any produce they purchased in the market. There is also a relaxing foot bath. Several of the specialties of Wajima are lacquerware and sake.

Open daily 08:00 - 12:00. Closed the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month.

076-832-1146

The Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces (meaning "one thousand rice terraces in Shiroyone") are the most famous sight along the outer (northern) Noto coast. It consists of a hillside of terraced rice fields along the Sea of Japan. There are over 2000 small rice fields that must be worked by hand, and senmaida literally means "a thousand rice fields". Located along the main road (highway #249), Senmaida is easily accessible and has a parking lot and visitor center for food and toilets.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In certain months in the winter the fields are lit up with LED lights in the evenings. Note that it is quite possible to view the "light up" show after dusk and still have time to return to Wajima for a performance of the Gojingo Daiko.

Open daily 24/7

The Gojinjo Daiko Monument commemorates the unique Gojinjo Daiko (also written as "Taiko") art form.

The origin of the gojinjo-daiko dates back to 1577 when the warlord Uesugi Kenshin invaded Noto Province. As the local people were unarmed, they resisted by beating war drums and wore ferocious looking devil masks with seaweed and bark on their heads in a bid to scare off their enemies. The low sound of drums associated with the rumbling of the earth caused Uesugi Kenshin and his soldiers to retreat.

Gojinjo-daiko (御陣乗太鼓) is a Japanese drum which has been selected as part of Wajima City’s cultural heritage (1961) and an Ishikawa Prefecture’s intangible cultural heritage (1963). Playing gojinjo-daiko is strictly restricted to residents of Nafune, a small village in Wajima City, where only 250 people live, making it very rare to see a live drum performance, however nightly performances are given at the Noto Wajima Onsen Hotel Koshuen in Wajima.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Open daily 24/7

076-832-0166

The Nanso Museum of Art is housed in the Nanso family estate, dating back to before the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

The fields and forests in Nanso produce a rice, timber, and charcoal, and the thinned wood from the forests has been used as fuel to produce salt, tea, and sericulture (silk making). The Nanso family was trading these products on Kitamae ships from the natural good ports of Sogi, Meifune, and Wajima, and selling rice from Echuchu Echigo, Aizu wax, and wheat.

Courtesy of the Nanso Museum of Arts

Open daily 09:00 - 17:00

076-832-0171

The history of the Kami Tokikuni Residence begins in 1185 when the Taira family (the Heike), who had flourished briefly but gloriously as a political power in Japan, were defeated by the Minamoto (the Genji) in the final sea battle of the Dan-no-ura. But Dainagon,Tokitada Taira,the forefather of the Tokikuni family, survived and was exiled to the Noto Peninsula by the Genji. After Tokitada's death, his son, Tokikuni succeeded as a leader of the family.

This house, built about 300 years ago (in the Edo Period, 1603-1868), has the style of the preceding Kamakura period and Kayabuki-irimoya. In 1963 the house was designated as a National Important Cultural Property by the Government.

Take a few more minutes to visit the next door Shimo Tokikuni-ke Residence as well. It belonged to another Tokikuni family member.

Open Daily 08:30 - 17:00

The Madoiwa Pocket Park is a small park/rest area along the coastal highway #249. A noteworthy feature is the Madoiwa Window Rock at the south end of the park.

Another feature of this area are the Nami no Hana (波の花), or “wave flowers,” a phenomenon that occurs along the northern coast of the Noto Peninsula, particularly around the Wajima and Suzu Districts, during the winter months.

Between mid-November and late February, the winds in the northern Sea of Japan can reach 13 m/42 ft per second, while the waves are about 4 m/13 ft high. The sea is cold and rough, and the mucus of the botanical plankton floating in the water turns into a white, foamy substance. This substance is white at the start of winter, but becomes yellow as it mixes with rock particles over the course of the season. Although the wave flowers can be seen on clear days, it’s best to go on stormy days when the sea is violent to get the full effect.

Nami no Hana information courtesy of Leah Zoller, a CIR JET in Anamizu, Ishikawa

Open daily 24/7

The Tarumi no Taki is a waterfall (taki), famous because In winter the winds blow the water left & right and up instead of down.

Open daily 24/7

This Lava Rock Formation is located on right/east side of road.

Open daily 24/7

076-887-2040

One of over 1,000 "Michi-no-Eki" ("roadside stations") in Japan providing 24 hour parking and restrooms. Michi-no-Eki stations are part of a 20-year old national program to provide safe, comfortable road services, plus highlight regional items. There is usually a tourist information section, many with English-speaking assistants, or at least English language brochures/maps. Food service and shopping open hours vary by location.

The Enden Sea Salt Village is on the north coast of the Noto Peninsula that showcases the traditional salt making technique called "Agehama". At the salt farms on the Nie coast in Shimizu Town, a unique, traditional salt-making method called “Agehama-style salt-making” has been passed down through the centuries. This method involves drawing water from the sea, throwing it over sand terraces, letting it dry in the sun, raking the sand terraces, and then pouring seawater there again to make a brine with a high salt content. The last step is to boil down the brine in a type of cauldron through the night. Sea salt rich in minerals from the sea is characterized by its mild, slightly sweet flavor.

Records of Agehama-style salt making in Nie date back to 1596. During the Edo period, salt-making was greatly protected as an important industry of the Kaga domain. After the Meiji period, low-priced Setouchi salt was widely distributed, so at one time there was only one family in Shimizu-machi passing down the technique of salt-making. Recently the number of salt producers has increased, and traditional salt-making has become more widely recognized; the Agehama technique has been designated as an Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. "Sunatori-bushi", a work song for salt workers, was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the prefectural government.

076-882-7720

2017 Oku-Noto Art #1; located in the old Suzumi Preschool building.

Only open via pre-arranged admittance. Contact the Oku-Noto office via email (info at oku-noto dot jp) or phone (81-76-882-7720).

"There are lots of salt-pans around the Otani district in Suzu. The artist felt a profound connection between her surname (formed from the Chinese characters for "salt" and "field") and the place, and chose as the venue for her work a former nursery on the hill overlooking the sea. She created a work, inspired by an anecdote of one Kikutaro Kakuhana; he had received orders from his superior to protect salt production in his hometown during the WWII instead of being sent to the battlefield, hence passing down the precious method of salt making. By stretching through a space countless red threads from a salt-collecting boat that had been once in actual use, she spun the memory and history of those engaged with the agehama-style salt production, Japan's ancient tradition that remains only in Suzu."

From the Suzu 2017 Oku-Noto Triennale Catalogue

Open during the festival, but requires pre-arranged admittance at other times.

The Godzilla Rock Overlook is noteworthy for its "resemblance" to the famous prehistoric sea monster released by nuclear radiation that starred in several movies.

Open daily 24/7

076-882-7720

2017 Oku-Noto Art #37a (1 of 4); Bus stop on west side of road. One of four bus stops (called "stations" by the artist) re-envisioned by Mr. Konstankinov for the Oku-Noto Art Festival 2017.

"The artist chose four bus stops across the region which seemed to have been forgotten as they dissolved into the surrounding scenery, and transformed them into artworks. The artist associated "Suzu" with pearls and came up with an idea to wrap the bus stops with structures, as pearls are embraced by their shells. Being a mathematician, the artist set a different theme responding to the location of each of the four bus tops based upon a common basic horizontal and vertical structure. The self-built aluminum structures resonated with the surrounding landscape making each of them a new and unique bus stop."

From the Suzu 2017 Oku-Noto Triennale Catalogue

Open daily 24/7.

The Noto Peninsula National Monument is located at the Tsukaki Overlook with a wonderful view of the nearby coast.

This is a good place for a toilet stop. Across the street is a nice cafe, Tsubaki Jaya. The owner is a former "Ama", a female shellfish diver.

Open daily 24/7

076-886-2663

The Cafe Cove is a relaxing coffee shop/cafe located in the Kinoura Marine Park with a beautiful view of the bay.

Open daily 10:00 – 16:00. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays.

076-882-7720

2017 Oku-Noto Art #7; in the Hiki Community Center building.

"In Suzu, surrounded by sea on three sides, marine transporattion used to be the main way to get around. The artist drew inspiration for this artwork from a family legend; his grandfather once live in Suzu where he suffered from a serious illness, but narrowly escaped death because of ice brought in from Kanazawa by the sea route. Highlighting real images sot in Suzu, the artwork was composed of a ship, sculptures, sound and light, occupying the entire space of the former community centre. The phantasmagoria of Suzu as seen from the sea and this family story were overlaid on the history of the Noto Peninsula."

From the Suzu 2017 Oku-Noto Triennale Catalogue

Open during the festival, but requires prearranged admittance at other times.

076-882-7720

2017 Oku-Noto Art #37b (2 of 4); Bus stop on west side of road. One of four bus stops (called "stations" by the artist) re-envisioned by Mr. Konstankinov for the Oku-Noto Art Festival 2017.

"The artist chose four bus stops across the region which seemed to have been forgotten as they dissolved into the surrounding scenery, and transformed them into artworks. The artist associated "Suzu" with pearls and came up with an idea to wrap the bus stops with structures, as pearls are embraced by their shells. Being a mathematician, the artist set a different theme responding to the location of each of the four bus tops based upon a common basic horizontal and vertical structure. The self-built aluminum structures resonated with the surrounding landscape making each of them a new and unique bus stop."

From the Suzu 2017 Oku-Noto Triennale Catalogue

Open 24/7.

A Hachiman Shrine (八幡神社, Hachiman Jinja, also Hachiman-gū 八幡宮)) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami (a Shinto god) Hachiman. It is the second most numerous type of Shinto shrine after those dedicated to Inari Ō-kami. In Japanese beliefs, Hachiman is the syncretic divinity of archery and war, incorporating elements from both Shinto and Buddhism. Although often called the God of War, he is more correctly defined as the tutelary god of warriors. He is also the divine protector of Japan, the Japanese people, the Imperial House, the Minamoto clan (the "Genji"), and most samurai worshipped him. The name means "God of Eight Banners", referring to the eight heavenly banners that signaled the birth of the divine Emperor Ōjin. His symbolic animal and messenger is the dove.

Since ancient times Hachiman was worshiped by peasants as the god of agriculture and by fishermen who hoped he would fill their nets with much fish. In Shinto, he became identified by legend as the Emperor Ōjin, son of Empress Jingū, from the 3rd–4th century.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Open daily 24/7

Along this section of highway #28 local residents have created lifelike scarecrows. They are similar to the famous scarecrows found in the village of Nagoro in Tokushima Prefecture on the island of Shikoku.

Open daily 24/7

076-882-7776

The Rokkosaki Lighthouse site is famous for views of both sunrise and sunset with the sun rising and setting in the Sea of Japan.

Access the lighthouse by walking up the street across from the Norishi Michi-no-Eki Rest Stop parking lot and then up the hill to the lighthouse.

Open daily 24/7

907-087-8800

The Sanctuary Cape Visitors Center serves both the Blue Cave and the Aerial Observatory - Sky Bird, and is also the entrance point for the deluxe Lamp no Yado Ryokan down along the picturesque coast.

The cape is situated at the tip of the Noto Peninsula in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The cape appears in the “Kunibiki Shinwa,” a tale in the ancient "Izumo no Kuni Fudoki", which records various legends about the Izumo region in the 8th century. Viewed as one of the top three mystical “power spots” in Japan, the cape is visited by large numbers of tourists.

The mid-air lookout Skybird is a landmark for Noto Peninsula. The lookout ventures roughly 9.5 m/31 ft out from the cliff, which may instill some fear but gives a sense that you are in mid-air, making it popular with younger tourists. The promenade proceeds from the lookout, so you can take a peaceful stroll while gazing at the ocean.

The Blue Cave can be accessed from the Visitors Center by walking down the hill to the cave which is at sea level. The cave, as advertised, exudes a soothing "blue" color.

Courtesy of www.japantravel.navitime.com

Open Daily 08:30 – 16:30

076-888-2772

The Suzu Shrine (Suzu-jinja) is a Shinto shrine located in Misaki Town ("machi"), in Suzu City. While it is estimated that the original shrine was built sometime between 97 BCE to 29 BCE during the reign of Japan's tenth emperor, Emperor Sujin, it is known that the shrine was moved to its present location sometime around 749 - 756 (during the Nara Period).

In ancient times the Japanese believed that the northeastern direction or “Kimon” was an unlucky direction, and commonly built shrines to ward off bad luck from the northeast. The Suzu-jinja Shrine is one of these shrines, dedicated to protecting the Noto Peninsula’s seaside region from misfortune and disaster. The enshrined deity in the Jike Main Shrine, facing the sea, is called Takakura Hikonokami, while the enshrined deity in the rear Mountain Shrine is called Mihosusumino Minoto.

Suzu Shrine's treasure house stores a collection of wooden male statues of deities, designated as nationally important cultural properties, as well as a number of ancient documents and articles related to Minamoto Yoshitsune (see also "Yoshitsune's Boat Hiding Place" on the north coast of Noto). Above all, the "Semiori ancient flutes" given by Yoshitsune as a gift for being saved from a shipwreck are considered to be a particularly valuable treasure in the collection.

Every year, a special "Tekiuchi" event is held at Suzu Temple on March 15th. In a Shinto ritual, a priest shoots a bow in a ceremony that defeats evil spirits and prays for peace for one year. If a worshipper also hit the target, it is said they will be lucky for the year to come.

The shrine is also the site of the Jike Kiriko FESTIVAL on the 2nd Saturday of September.

Courtesy of JapanHoppers.com & the Suzu Government, Tourism & Exchange Division

Open daily 09:00 - 16:00

The Wild Goose Pond is over 150 years old. It has a bird watching blind and is one of Japan's 500 Important Wetlands.

Different birds can be seen throughout the four seasons.

Open daily 24/7

076-882-6200

The Suzu Ware Museum is a museum highlighting Suzu ware (Suzu-yaki) pottery. Suzu ware originated from Sue ware brought from the Korean peninsula in the 5th century. It was adapted to Japanese conditions, and has been produced in the Noto Peninsula since then for both daily use pottery and even religious objects. The museum highlights the history of Suzu ware through the centuries.

Along two sides of the Suzu Ware Museum is 2017 Oku-Noto Art #33 (originally located along the beach at Mitsuke beach). The work is titled Drifting Landscape by Liu Jianghua from China.
"Suzu-yaki (Suzu-style pottery), which began in the 11th century under the influence of the Eurasian Continent, was a representative of Japanese pottery in the Middle Ages. The artist laid porcelain from Jingdezhen, China's "Porcelain Capital" together with Suzu-yaki ceramic items along the beach close to Mitsuke-jima Island. Mitsuke-jima appears in the legend of Kobo Daishi, a monk who studied Buddhism in China. The pieces of porcelain, displayed as if they had been washed up on the seashore, included the items made by the artist in the shape of everyday objects, and invited viewers to reflect on Japan's relationship with mainland Asia as well as the globalization of today. After the festival, the artwork was relocated to the Suzu Ware Museum in the Tako-jima district to be a permanent installation."
From the Suzu 2017 Oku-Noto Triennale Catalogue

Across the way from the museum is the Suzu Ware Shop featuring quality pottery from local artists.

Open Daily 09:00 - 17:00.