Explore Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui

Bordered by the Sea of ​​Japan and backed by the towering Japanese Alps, including Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui, the Hokuriku region is home to stunning scenery, rich culture and Japan’s most famous seafood. Here, jagged cliffs give way to hidden beaches, mist-shrouded mountains nurture remote shrines, and historic towns preserve craftsmanship and traditions passed down from generation to generation.

Whether you’re strolling through Kanazawa’s gardens, exploring Toyama’s alpine routes, or sipping Fukui’s bountiful winter waters, Hokuriku is a feast for the senses, with Japan’s most beautiful scenery providing a backdrop for ancient festivals, traditional crafts and unique local charm.

Now, thanks to the Hokuriku Shinkansen and new transportation connections, getting around has never been easier. Here are some highlights from the area.

What to do in Toyama Prefecture

Driving along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

One of the crown jewels of Toyama is Tateyama Kurobe Alpine RouteThe journey is 37 kilometers long through the northern Japanese Alps, with an altitude of about 2,000 meters from valley to mountain top. Open from mid-April to late November, the route provides a seamless experience of stunning alpine scenery without climbing. Visitors can travel by train, cable car, bus, and ropeway.

One of the most famous attractions on this route is Tateyama Snow GallerySpring plowing has created a wall of snow more than 15 meters high, one of Japan’s most iconic natural wonders. The autumn scenery is also stunning: in early October the first snow falls on the mountain tops. Muradoresulting in a rare and magical autumn leaf and snow scene. By November, the highlands are covered in snow, attracting skiers and winter adventurers.

Equally striking is the Kurobe Gorge Railwaywhich passes through one of Japan’s most dramatic canyons. From the vantage point of the open car, visitors can see the canyon’s sheer cliffs, rushing river and dense forest. For those seeking solitude, there is a detour Kuronaki Hot Spring Providing a secluded retreat, the steaming pool is peacefully nestled in unspoiled wilderness.

Ipo: A town full of exquisite wood carvings

Located inland, Inami It is Japan’s top wood carving home, with about 100 master craftsmen. Their art can be seen everywhere – bus stops, temples and even local homes feature intricate carvings that showcase the town’s dedication to their craft. The centerpiece is Zuiquan Templeone of the largest wooden temples in Japans. Visit in the evening Zuisenji Night Museum Offering an opportunity to see the temple illuminated, creating a tranquil and almost mystical atmosphere.

Visitors can visit local workshops, watch artisans at work, and even taste nearby sake Brewery Tastingimmerse yourself in a town where art, history and daily life are closely intertwined. For those looking for a unique accommodation experience, Inami offers six private villas designed by local artisans that blend accommodation with art, called “Inami” beds and crafts.

What to do in Ishikawa Prefecture

Kaga City: Lakeside Hot Spring Paradise

Kaga is famous for its hot spring towns and rich crafts. Among the three major hot spring areas, Katayamazu Hot Spring Offers lakeside views with the White Mountains in the background. Yamashiro Onsen It retains its Meiji-era charm and features a stained-glass public bath. Yamanaka OnsenSurrounded by nature, it is famous for its inn, which was frequented by the poet Basho.

Lovers of craftsmanship will love Kaga’s Kutani-yaki porcelain and Yamanaka lacquerware, both of which represent centuries of refined techniques. Food lovers can enjoy local specialties such as Persimmon leaf sushileaf-wrapped sushi designed to preserve fish, and a range of local sakes, including Japanese sake bar Enikawais a sake bar run by certified sommeliers.

Baishan City: Scenic sojourn at the foot of the Holy Mountain

Named after the nearby “White Mountain” that has been considered sacred for thousands of years, Hakusan is an area where nature and tradition blend. The entire city is designated a geopark— Hakusan Tetori River UNESCO Global Geoparkspecifically. In addition to stunning natural landscapes, visitors can witness traditional crafts wooden lion head or participate in a purification ceremony Hakusan Hime Shrine.

The area also offers gastronomic highlights including Sasaki Sushi (Bamboo leaf roll sushi), a local specialty. It is due to Ushikutsumu silkproduced using traditional techniques to transform silk into exquisite textiles. nearby, Bai Feng Mountain Village With more than three meters of snow in winter, its protected areas allow visitors to return to historic snowy Japan.

Fukui Prefecture

Echizen’s art

Rugged cliffs plunge into the Sea of ​​Japan and rivers wind through mist-shrouded valleys – this is Fukui, a place of tranquility and natural beauty. It belongs to an area once known as “Echizen”, a name that lives on in its traditional crafts and cuisine.

The county is Echizen Japanese papera delicate and stretchy handmade paper that is over 1,500 years old. Each sheet is born from the region’s pristine waters and crafted by skilled craftsmen. In addition to stationery, Echizen Japanese paper is transformed into flowers, sculptures and installations that blend traditional and contemporary creativity. Local projects – such as the ‘Flower’ display created for the Hokuriku Shinkansen – demonstrate the versatility of paper while embodying the warm hospitality of the people of Fukui. Visitors can also see historically inspired works in the exhibition, including the art of flower arrangement that reflects the ikebana techniques of the Asakura clan. Ichijodani Asakura Family Residence Museum.

Winter in Fukui brings a different kind of treasure: the Echizen crab, also named after the area’s old name. This seasonal delicacy is known for its sweet and juicy meat, attracting food lovers from all over Japan. Combined with the prefecture’s fresh coastal air and stunning scenery, tasting Echizen crab is an unforgettable way to experience Fukui.

The nature, culture, and cuisine of the Hokuriku region are intertwined in a way unique to nowhere else in Japan. Whether you’re tracking alpine trails in Toyama, soaking in historic hot springs in Ishikawa, or admiring local art in Fukui, Hokuriku offers a wealth of experiences and beautiful itineraries.

Plan your trip to Hokuriku

The newly extended Hokuriku Shinkansen makes Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui easily accessible from Tokyo. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours from Kanazawa (Ishikawa), about 2 hours from Toyama, and about 3 hours from Fukui.

For more information, see here.