The Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture is one of the most remote areas of Japans main island, Honshu. Located on the central western coast of Japan, the Noto peninsula is somewhat isolated on the opposite side of the “Japanese Alps” from the big metropoles like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. The nearest larger city is Kanazawa …
Okunoto is the northern, and most remote half of the rural Noto Peninsula. The Okunoto Coast is the coastline that hugs this area. The area is known for its remoteness and beautiful nature, and is best explored by car. Oku means “inner”, “deep” or “bottom”, and so Okunoto translates to something like “inner Noto” or …
Wajima is a small city (pop: 27’700) located on the Noto Peninsula, in Ishikawa Prefecture. It is the largest city in Okunoto, which is the northern part of the Noto region. The city is defined by it’s main industries: fishing, lacquerware and tourism.
The Sosogi Coast, is an approximately 2km (1.25mi) stretch of rocky coast along the northern shore of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. The weather-worn rock formations define the appearance of this coast line, which has earned a listing as a “special place of scenic beauty“, a designation given by the Japanese government.
Wajima Morning Market is a local producers market on Asaichi-dori avenue in Wajima City, well known for its unique atmosphere and abundance of fresh produce.
Rokkozaki Lighthouse (Rokkouzaki, 禄剛崎,ろっこうさき) is a beautiful lighthouse located at the very tip of the Noto Peninsula.
Shiroyone Senmaida (literally “1000 rice paddies of Shiroyone”), is a scenic, terraced rice field located in Shiroyone Town, 11km north-east of Wajima city.
Okunoto, meaning “inner part of Noto”, is home to a unique tradition of salt production. In this area of Japan, the locals have been producing salt from sea water for centuries. The methods, by which the salt is extracted from the water, have changed over the years. In the Okunoto Sea Salt Village, however, the …
Sojiji Temple, or Sojiji Soin Father Temple, is a Zen temple located on the Noto Peninsula, in Ishikawa Prefecture. Sojiji was historically a very important Zen Temple in Japan, overseeing 16,000 subordinate temples across the country. Sadly large parts of the temple were destroyed during a fire in 1898. Over the years the buildings were …
Towards the northern end of the rugged Noto Kongo Coast you find Kotogahama, a beach of singing sand. The flat, sandy beach stands out, on the otherwise dark and rocky shoreline. Due to the shape of the beach, and lack of large rocks in the water, the waves can roll in nicely, thus creating a …
