A drive for leisure at the foot of Mt. Hakusan & a superb view
Mt. Hakusan is one of Japan’s Three Sacred Mountains along with Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tateyama. Driving from the plain to the foot of Mt. Hakusan, you will feel your heart beating as the mountains get closer with every second. The highlight of the drive to the foot of Hakusan is the “Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road,” which goes all the way to the World Heritage Shirakawa-go.
| DAY 1 |
|---|
| 1. Depart from Komatsu Airport |
| 2. Tedori Gorge |
| 3. Hakusan Ichirino Onsen ≪Stay overnight≫ |
| _ |
| DAY 2 |
| 4. Shiramine Traditional Building District |
| Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road |
| 5. Ubagataki Waterfall |
| 6. Fukube Falls |
| 7. Hakusan Observatory |
| 8. Shirakawa-go |
| 9. Gokayama |
| DAY 1 |
|---|
| 1. Depart from Komatsu Airport |
| 2. Tedori Gorge |
| 3. Hakusan Ichirino Onsen ≪Stay overnight≫ |
| _ |
| DAY 2 |
| 4. Shiramine Traditional Building District |
| Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road |
| 5. Ubagataki Waterfall |
| 6. Fukube Falls |
| 7. Hakusan Observatory |
| 8. Shirakawa-go |
| 9. Gokayama |
DAY 1
Komatsu Airport
Komatsu airport, located at about 30-kilometer distance from Kanazawa, is connected with various places in Japan and overseas. It plays a gateway role in Hokuriku area. You can enjoy the panoramic view of Hakusan range of peaks over the runway if the weather is good.
Tedori Gorge
The torrent of the Tedori River has created a beautiful gorge, with its 20–30-meter-high cliff stretching for around 8 kilometers. In particular, sheets of spray from the powerful “Watagataki Falls” pour down to the gorge from the 32-meter-high cliff, as if cotton is dancing.
Hakusan Ichirino Onsen
This hot spring area is located on the plateau at the entrance to the “Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road.” It can get crowded with skiers in winter.
DAY 2
Shiramine Traditional Building District
The houses in this settlement were built during the Edo and Meiji periods. In Shiramine, which is one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan, the houses and streetscape capture the wisdom of people who live with the snow.
Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road
This 33.3-km road passes through Mt. Hakusan’s majestic nature and connects Hakusan Ichirino Onsen and the World Heritage Shirakawa-go. Red leaves color the roadside in autumn and the sea of clouds may be seen in the morning on sunny days.
Ubagataki Waterfall
Passing down the promenade from the Jadanienchi car park will take you to “Ubagataki,” one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls. The multiple streams of fine white water flowing across the rock surface are a masterpiece.
Fukube Falls
Located halfway along the Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road, this 86-meter-high waterfall is the best spot on the road. The waterfall basin is very close to the car park, enabling you to see the water flowing down the cliff and crashing onto the exposed rock below.
Hakusan Observatory
This observatory is located next to a car park at an altitude of 1,380 m. There are plenty of fresh green or autumn leaves to enjoy across the sea of wild beech trees that spreads out below.
Shirakawa-go
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shirakawa-go is a village with 114 thatched- and steep-roofed gassho-zukuri houses. The picturesque scenery attracts people whenever they visit, be it in spring, summer, autumn, or winter. Tourists from both home and abroad flock here as a representative tourist destination in Japan.
Gokayama
“Ainokura” and “Suganuma” are two hamlets with gassho-zukuri houses in Goyayama, both of which are registered as World Heritage sites, along with Shirakawa-go. Although small in comparison to Shirakawa-go, it nevertheless has a rustic charm and is not touristic.
