Hokuriku
With the Hokuriku area once being home to the second most powerful samurai clan of the medieval period in Japanese history, this provided the region with the resources and wealth to thrive as a center for traditional arts & crafts, food production, and spiritual pursuits. Today, the fruits of the Hokuriku area’s illustrious past can be felt in every corner of this beautiful and wonderful region of central Japan.
What to expect in Hokuriku?
Let's find out.
Traditional Arts & Crafts
From the metallurgy and woodworking of Fukui Prefecture to the gold leaf, lacquerware, and pottery artisans of Kanazawa City, the Hokuriku area has been synonymous with traditional Japanese arts and crafts for centuries.
Seasonal Delicacies
Due to Mount Hakusan providing the region with pure and mineral-rich water, as well as the cold waters of the Sea of Japan offering an abundance of fresh seafood, the Hokuriku area has long been blessed with delicious rice, invigorating sake, fresh fish, and crab so succulent it is favored by the Japanese Imperial family.
One of Japan's Finest
Landscape Gardens
As patrons of the arts, the Maeda Clan of Kanazawa is renowned for financing many of the most beautiful and exquisite structures across the region, with the landscape garden of Kenroku-en considered their most significant endeavor. Even today, Kenroku-en ranks among the very best examples of landscape gardens ever created.
Contemporary Art
With the Hokuriku area being home to many of the finest traditional artisans, it is no surprise that a vibrant and eclectic contemporary art scene developed in the region. Home to some of Japan’s best art museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum, the Hokuriku area is a must for any art aficionado.
Eihei-ji Temple
As one of Japan's most revered and picturesque Zen temples in all of Japan, it remains a hub for monks from around the globe wishing to undergo ascetic training.
Awara Onsen
Offering visitors a blend of traditional Japanese hospitality and modern luxury with its plethora of ryokan, this area is widely known across Japan for its therapeutic waters, picturesque landscapes, and delectable Echizen crab.
Takefu Knife Village
With a long-standing reputation for exceptional metalwork dating back to Japan's medieval era, this cooperative, composed of local craftsmen, has evolved into a hybrid museum/store/factory dedicated to steel knife production.
Sightseeing Locations
Some of the must-visit
Heisenji Hakusan Shrine
With an abundance of towering Japanese cedars surrounded by dark green, lush moss, exuding an otherworldly atmosphere, Heisenji Hakusan Shrine in Fukui has long been the starting point for pilgrims aiming to summit the nearby sacred mountain of Mt. Hakusan.
Higashi Chaya District
This preserved area of Kanazawa City, dating back to the Edo period, once thrived as an entertainment hub for teahouses and restaurants where geisha would entertain and delight their guests.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
This art museum showcases a multitude of contemporary artists through rotating exhibits and permanent collections, and is uniquely designed to not include a distinct front or back to the museum itself.
Our Signature Tours with Hokuriku included
Hidden Gems of Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Fukui & Kanazawa: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Kenroku-en
Ranked among Japan's top three landscape gardens, this exquisite example epitomizes traditional garden design principles by incorporating the six essential elements, including ponds, bridges, teahouses, and an array of flowers, trees, and mosses.
Kanazawa Castle
Before its deconstruction in the early Meiji period, Kanazawa Castle served as the political and military center of the Maeda clan, the second most powerful samurai clan after the ruling Tokugawa clan during the Edo period.
Nagamachi Samurai District
The Nagamachi Samurai District is an Edo-era preserved area with earthen walls, narrow canals, and stone pathways that were once home to some of Kanazawa's most powerful and influential samurai families.