With its 1,300-year history, this is one of the hot spring towns that represent Ishikawa. Although surrounded by mountains, fresh seafood is delivered from a fishing port thanks to its proximity to the Sea of Japan. Taste a gift from the Sea of Japan, such as winter crabs and yellowtail, in the gourmet town of Yamanaka Onsen.
 

During the Edo period, the Sea of Japan was an important route for the shipping of rice, fish, etc. from the ports in Hokkaido to Edo and Osaka. The town of Hashidate prospered through such maritime transport and is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, with the streetscapes from the time being protected.
 

• Kitamaebune-no-sato Museum
• Fukata Kyuya Museum of Mountain

“Tojinbo” is a place of scenic beauty with cliffs that have been harshly eroded by waves in the Sea of Japan. You can also enjoy the powerful scenery from the 55-meter-high Tojinbo Tower and the pleasure boats that go around the surrounding strange rocks.
 

The Zen monastery was founded in 1244. The precincts contain over 70 small and large buildings, including the seven halls (Shichidō garan) connected by corridors. The halls retain a quiet and dignified air, even when there are many tourists.
 

• Echizen Washi Village (Udatsu Paper & Craft Museum)

This small town once flourished as a castle town and has a feeling of history and atmosphere. The townscape with its grid pattern spreads out at the foot of Echizen Ono Castle, built during the Warring States period.
 

Standing at the summit of Kameyama (249 m high) in the center of Ono City, “Echizen Ono castle, a castle in the sky” appears on days when the town at the foot is covered by a sea of clouds, making it seem as if Kameyama is floating above the clouds.
*The castle in the sky appears in the first hours of morning until around 9 am from October to the end of April, only when certain conditions are met; for example, high humidity on the previous day, a big difference in temperature from the daytime on the previous day to the next morning, and no strong winds.
 

If you get up early to see the castle in the sky, “Shichiken Asaichi” is also worth a visit. This rustic morning market has a history of over 400 years. It is not touristic and sells agricultural and processed products.
 

Both children and adults will enjoy this popular museum in Katsuyama City, which has been a major production area of dinosaur fossils. There are over 40 whole-body dinosaur skeletons (7 of which are real) and gigantic diorama, so you can feel the lost dinosaur era.
 

• Shiramine Traditional Building Area