Ishikawa Prefecture
Kanazawa Station
Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, houses some iconic destinations, including the station itself. Step outside and turn around to see the glass and steel dome with its entrance marked by a beautifully-designed giant wooden gate which was built to resemble the traditional torii, a gate found at Japanese shrines. This beautiful city is also the centre of gold leaf production, with almost 100% of Japan’s gold leaf originating from Kanazawa. The entsuke technique of making gold leaves is unique to Kanazawa and was added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2020.
Travellers making a stop in Kanazawa must be sure to pay a visit to the Kenrokuen Gardens, one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens. Aside from the gorgeous landscaping, the Kenrokuen Gardens houses the original Kotoji stone lantern.
Komatsu Station
Located in the southwestern region of Ishikawa Prefecture, Komatsu is definitely a worthwhile stopover, with its views of the majestic Mt. Hakusan from the station. Boasting a rich heritage of stone quarrying, the region’s mountains have yielded jasper, agate, quartz, opal, amethyst, and tuff stone used in ornaments, construction and clay. Make a stop at the giant Buddha head which stands 15-metres tall at the entrance of the Hanibe Cave, which now serves as a sculpture gallery housing the works of former quarry workers.
Another must-see in Komatsu is the Natadera Temple which boasts beautiful natural rock formations that have been revered as a sacred place for well over 2,000 years. Estimated to have been built in the year 717AD, the temple’s main hall – which is used for most of the Buddhist services – houses a 7.8-meter-tall statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, surrounded by local Kutani porcelain tiles.
For those seeking an immersive way to see the city, check out Komatsu’s e-bike sharing service which allows travellers to pick up a bike and return it at any port around the city. The service allows visitors to access areas which might be inaccessible by public transport, granting them the opportunity to interact with the local community and gain a deeper understanding of Japan’s more regional areas.
Kaga Onsen Station
Praised as some of the best onsens in Japan, the hot springs of Kaga Onsen were discovered by the Buddhist monk Gyoki while on a pilgrimage in the eighth century. The Kaga Onsen region is made up of four smaller onsen villages – Yamashiro Onsen, Yamanaka Onsen, Awazu Onsen and Katayamazu Onsen – each with its own public bath in the town centre, several of which still retain the traditional decorative style of the Meiji era. Make a stop by any of the onsen towns for a rejuvenating and relaxing soak in the hot springs before carrying on with the rest of the journey.
The Kaga Onsen region is also known for its artisans and craftsmen. It is hailed as the birthplace of kutani ceramics, kutani-yaki, which flourished during the Edo period when wealthy samurai and merchants supported the development of the regional arts. The style is easily recognisable with its distinctive patterns and vibrant colours. Visitors looking for a peek into the past can stop by the Kutaniyaki Kiln Museum in Yamashiro Onsen which features collections of kutani-yaki as well as the ruins of a multi-level kiln. The Awazu Onsen area also houses a craft village where visitors can explore the world of traditional Japanese crafts like papermaking, pottery, silk design and more.
Fukui Prefecture
Awara Onsen Station
The next stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen brings travellers across the border into Fukui Prefecture, starting off with Awara Onsen. One of the most atmospheric hot spring towns in central Japan, Awara Onsen is also known for its local cuisine – especially seafood from the Sea of Japan. Enjoy a relaxing hot spring bath or, if pressed for time, head over to the ashiyu foot baths which are free to use. After the onsen, head to Yukemuri Yokocho, which translates to “Hot Spring Steam Alley” where visitors can explore various small food stalls serving up different delicacies and sit at communal tables to interact with locals and other travellers.
Another spectacular sight in the area is the dramatic cliffside at Tojinbo. Standing at about 25 metres high and formed by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan, these rock formations are a designated National Monument and Place of Scenic Beauty. Just off the coast of Tojinbo is Oshima, a small island which can be accessed by a vermillion bridge. Head across and climb the stone steps to the Ouminato Shrine which is where locals would go to pray for the safety of those heading out to sea.
Fukui Station
The capital of Fukui Prefecture and a unique historical city in its own right, Fukui City holds several gems which will now be easily accessible with the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension. Fukui City was an Edo era castle town and the centre of the Fukui Domain during the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Just outside the city, in Katsuyama, is the world-renowned Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, home to over 50 dinosaur skeletons as well as the skeletons and fossils of locally discovered dinosaurs, as Katsuyama is home to Japan’s largest excavation site, responsible for the majority of dinosaur discoveries in Japan. The museum also features exhibitions about earth sciences and the history of the earth.
Echizen-Takefu Station
Unlike the other stations which are existing stops that have been revamped to allow for shinkansen access, the Echizen-Takefu station is brand new, allowing the rural area to begin welcoming new visitors. This historical region offers travellers an abundance of opportunities to explore Japanese tradition. Make a stop at the Takefu Knife Village and watch ancient knife-making techniques in action or pay a visit to the Echizen Soba Village to learn about soba noodles and experience making your own bowl of soba noodles. The area is also home to the Udatsu Paper and Craft Museum located in the Echizen Washi Village which is one of the last of its kind to make paper using traditional tools. The techniques used here date back roughly 1,500 years.
For foodies, the Fukui coast near Echizen is famous for its fresh seafood and most notably, having some of Japan’s best crab. The Echizen crab is a species of large, male snow crab which can grow to about 70-80 cm long, and are usually caught between November and March, so a must-try for visitors travelling there in the winter.
Tsuruga Station
The last stop of the new Hokuriku Shinkansen extension, Tsuruga is a historic port city located in southern Fukui, boasting a gorgeous coastline and a Site of Scenic Beauty, Kehi-no-Matsubara. It is also home to one of the largest pine tree groves in Japan with about 16,000 trees, making for the perfect spot for relaxation in the summertime.
History buffs can check out the Red Brick Warehouse which was built a century ago as fuel storage. Today, the space is a tourist spot boasting three restaurants where visitors can experience the city’s gastronomy scene. Tsuruga also features a 14th century temple, Saifukuji, with a gorgeous garden designated a Site of Scenic Beauty which is said to represent the Buddhist Land of Perfect Bliss. Visit the gardens in the autumn for an absolutely spectacular sight.