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Important editorial note: '17, Japan (state)' does not correspond to a recognised administrative division of Japan. Japan uses a prefecture system of 47 prefectures — there is no numbered 'state 17.' The number 17 in Japanese administrative lists is sometimes associated with Ishikawa Prefecture, located on the Sea of Japan coast of Honshu, as prefectures are sometimes coded numerically in government datasets. This guide is written on that basis. If you are researching a different area, please verify locally or consult official Japanese government sources.
Ishikawa Prefecture occupies a narrow peninsula and coastal strip on central Honshu's western side, fronting the Sea of Japan. Its capital, Kanazawa, is one of Japan's most celebrated historic cities, having largely escaped wartime bombing and retaining an unusually intact old-town fabric including samurai and geisha districts, traditional gardens, and a world-class art museum.
The prefecture's geography ranges from the flat Kaga plains in the south — home to traditional onsen towns and Buddhist temple complexes — to the rugged Noto Peninsula in the north, a UNESCO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) region known for its satoyama and satoumi landscapes, rural fishing communities, and slow-travel culture.
Ishikawa has a reputation for refined craftsmanship. Kanazawa-style Kenroku-en garden, Kutani porcelain, Wajima lacquerware, Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing, and Kenzan gold-leaf production are among the cultural industries that give the region a distinct identity often compared — by Japanese travelers — with Kyoto, but with far fewer crowds.
Before You Go
Visas
Japan's visa policy varies significantly by nationality and purpose of visit. For current requirements applicable to your passport, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official website of the Japan Immigration Services Agency (www.isa.go.jp). Do not rely on secondhand summaries.
Health & vaccinations
No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Japan from most countries, but consult your own country's travel health advisory before departure. Japan has an excellent standard of medical care in urban areas; rural parts of the Noto Peninsula have more limited facilities.
What to pack
- Comfortable walking shoes — Kanazawa's historic districts involve considerable walking on stone paths
- Layers for spring and autumn; winters on the Sea of Japan coast are notably cold and snowy
- A modest cover-up for temple and shrine visits
- IC card (e.g., Suica or ICOCA) for public transit — verify which cards are accepted at local stations before travel
Practical timing notes
Noto Peninsula communities are still recovering from the January 2024 earthquake. Before visiting rural Noto, check current travel advisories and local tourism authority updates to understand which areas and facilities are accessible and to travel responsibly.
Getting There
By air
The primary gateway is Komatsu Airport (KMQ), located between Kanazawa and Kaga. It handles domestic routes from major Japanese hubs including Tokyo (Haneda and Narita) and Osaka, as well as some international services — verify current routes directly with airlines or on airport websites, as schedules change. Noto Airport (NTQ) in the north of the peninsula historically served limited domestic routes; check current operational status given post-earthquake infrastructure recovery.
By Shinkansen
The Hokuriku Shinkansen extension to Tsuruga opened in March 2024, connecting Kanazawa with Tsuruga on the way toward Kyoto/Osaka (with transfers). Kanazawa was already linked to Tokyo via Shinkansen since 2015 — the journey from Tokyo to Kanazawa takes approximately 2.5 hours, though verify current timetables with JR or Ekinet.
By highway bus
Long-distance highway buses connect Kanazawa with Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kyoto. Journey times are long but fares are generally lower than Shinkansen. Verify operators and booking through Willer Express, JR Bus, or local equivalents.
By car
Driving is practical for exploring the Noto Peninsula, where public transport is infrequent. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required for foreign license holders — confirm this requirement with your home country's motoring authority before travel.
Getting Around
Kanazawa city
Kanazawa operates a well-regarded loop bus system (Kanazawa Loop Bus / Kenroku-en Shuttle) that connects the main sightseeing areas. Day passes are available — verify current pricing and routes at the bus terminal or tourism office. The compact historic core is also very walkable between the Higashi Chaya geisha district, Kenroku-en garden, and the 21st Century Museum.
Noto Peninsula
Public transport on Noto is limited. The Noto Railway Nanao Line serves the eastern side of the peninsula; bus services exist but are infrequent. Renting a car in Kanazawa is the most flexible option for a Noto road trip. GPS navigation in Japanese may require a locally rented device or a downloaded offline map.
Kaga Onsen area
Trains on the IR Ishikawa Railway and connections link Kanazawa to the Kaga Onsen cluster (Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Katayamazu, Awazu). Local ryokan often provide shuttle services — confirm when booking.
IC cards and rail passes
Suica and ICOCA cards work on many local trains and buses, but coverage is not universal in rural areas. Holders of Japan Rail Passes should verify which services in Ishikawa are JR-operated versus third-sector lines before assuming coverage.
Things to See & Do
Kanazawa
- Kenroku-en Garden — Considered one of Japan's three great landscape gardens; at its most spectacular during cherry blossom and snow-viewing seasons (kotoji-toro lantern image is iconic)
- Kanazawa Castle Park — Adjacent to Kenroku-en; reconstructed castle buildings open to the public
- Higashi Chaya District — One of three preserved geisha entertainment districts; ochaya teahouses, craft shops, and gold-leaf cafes line atmospheric lanes
- 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art — Internationally acclaimed circular museum designed by SANAA; admission charges vary by exhibition — verify on-site
- Nagamachi Samurai District — Earthen-walled lanes where middle-ranking samurai once lived; the Nomura Clan Samurai House is open to visitors (verify hours locally)
- Omicho Market — Kanazawa's indoor fresh market, strong on local seafood including snow crab (zuwaigani) in season
Noto Peninsula
- Wajima Morning Market (Asaichi) — One of Japan's most famous morning markets, held daily except the 10th and 25th of each month; check current operational status post-earthquake
- Senmaida Rice Terraces (Shiroyone Senmaida) — Roughly 1,000 small rice paddies cascading to the sea; illuminated by LED lights in autumn/winter evenings
- Wajima Lacquerware (Wajima-nuri) — Workshops and the Wajima Lacquerware Museum showcase one of Japan's most technically demanding craft traditions
- Coastal drives along the Noto peninsula's outer (Outer Noto / Okunoto) coastline offer dramatic sea cliff scenery
Kaga area
- Yamadera Natadera Temple — Rock-face temple complex set into a cliff
- Yamashiro / Yamanaka Onsen — Traditional hot-spring towns with ryokan culture and gorge walking paths
Food & Drink
What to eat
Ishikawa — and Kanazawa especially — has an outsized culinary reputation in Japan, built on exceptional Sea of Japan seafood and long-standing culinary traditions associated with Kaga cuisine (Kaga Ryori), a refined local cooking style rooted in ingredients particular to the region.
- Snow crab (zuwaigani) — In season roughly November to March; served boiled, grilled, or as crab rice at restaurants and Omicho Market
- Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) — A fatty, mild white fish highly prized locally and nationally; often grilled simply
- Jibuni — Kanazawa's signature simmered dish of duck or chicken with wheat-flour-coated vegetables and tofu in a savory broth; a defining example of Kaga Ryori
- Kaga vegetables (Kaga Yasai) — A designated group of heirloom vegetables specific to the region, used in traditional cooking
- Kanazawa Curry — A locally developed, distinct style of thick curry sauce, served at dedicated curry restaurants; a point of local pride
- Gold leaf applications — Kanazawa produces a large proportion of Japan's gold leaf; soft-serve ice cream and sweets coated in edible gold leaf are a visitor staple
Where to eat
Omicho Market has stalls and small restaurants oriented toward fresh seafood. Kanazawa's Katamachi and Korinbo areas have higher concentrations of restaurants. For traditional kaiseki or Kaga Ryori, ryokan dining — particularly in the Kaga Onsen towns — is considered some of the most authentic. Always verify opening hours and reservation requirements directly.
Shopping
Traditional crafts
Ishikawa is one of Japan's premier craft prefectures. Serious buyers should seek out:
- Wajima-nuri lacquerware — Highly durable, many-layered lacquerware; available at specialist shops in Wajima and some Kanazawa galleries
- Kutani-yaki porcelain — Bold, colorful ceramics from the Kaga area; numerous kilns have shops; the Kutaniyaki Art Museum in Komatsu provides background
- Kaga Yuzen — Hand-painted silk dyeing tradition distinct from Kyoto Yuzen; fabric goods and finished kimono available at specialist retailers
- Kanazawa gold leaf — Gold leaf is applied to a wide range of products; shops in Higashi Chaya and Kanazawa's craft districts stock bowls, cosmetics, and decorative items
Everyday shopping
Kanazawa's Katamachi and Korinbo neighborhoods are the main commercial districts with department stores, specialty food shops, and souvenirs. The Omicho Market is the best place for food souvenirs including locally processed seafood products.
Practical Information
Emergency numbers
- Police: 110
- Fire and ambulance: 119
- These are Japan-wide numbers
Connectivity
Mobile data is widely available in Kanazawa and larger towns; coverage on the Noto Peninsula, especially on rural coastal roads, can be patchy. Pocket Wi-Fi rental or a Japan-compatible SIM card are both practical options — compare services before arrival.
Money
Japan remains substantially cash-dependent, though card acceptance has grown in urban areas. Many smaller ryokan, market stalls, and rural businesses are cash-only. ATMs at Japan Post offices and 7-Eleven convenience stores generally accept foreign cards — verify current availability locally. Carry sufficient yen when traveling to rural Noto.
Medical
Kanazawa has the Kanazawa University Hospital and other facilities. Rural areas have more limited access. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is advisable, particularly for remote Noto Peninsula travel.
Useful contacts
- Ishikawa Prefecture tourism site: ishikawa-japan.com (verify current URL)
- Kanazawa tourism office: located near Kanazawa Station; multilingual staff
Safety
Japan consistently ranks among the world's safest countries for travelers. Petty crime is uncommon and violent crime against tourists is rare. Standard urban awareness — watching belongings in busy areas — is sufficient in Kanazawa.
Natural hazards
Ishikawa sits in a seismically active zone. The January 2024 Noto earthquake (magnitude 7.6) caused significant damage and loss of life on the Noto Peninsula. Infrastructure repairs are ongoing. Before traveling to Noto, consult Japan's Japan Tourism Agency updates and your own government's travel advisory. In any earthquake: follow local emergency instructions, be aware of tsunami risk in coastal areas, and know the location of your accommodation's designated evacuation routes.
Winters on the Sea of Japan coast bring heavy snowfall that can affect road travel. Check road conditions if driving in December through February.
Traffic
Traffic in Japan drives on the left. If you are unaccustomed to left-hand traffic, take extra care, particularly when driving on narrow rural Noto roads.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Ishikawa's cultural character was shaped in large part by the Maeda clan, who ruled the Kaga Domain for nearly three centuries until the Meiji Restoration. As Japan's wealthiest domain outside the Tokugawa shogunate, the Maeda cultivated arts — Noh theater, tea ceremony, lacquerware, ceramics, textile dyeing, and poetry — that remain embedded in the region's identity. Kanazawa still has an active Noh tradition and multiple cultural preservation initiatives.
The Noto Peninsula maintains some of Japan's most intact rural community traditions. The Kiriko Festival lantern floats (held across the peninsula in summer and autumn) are community events of deep local significance — a number of these festivals are part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity listing for the Noto Satoyama Satoumi. Visitors attending should observe respectfully.
Etiquette essentials
- Remove shoes when entering ryokan rooms, traditional restaurants, and some museum spaces — follow cues from staff
- Onsen (hot spring baths) have specific rules: shower before entering shared baths; tattoos remain prohibited at many onsen facilities — verify individual policies
- At Wajima and other markets, prices are generally fixed; bargaining is not customary in Japan
- Photography: ask before photographing people, particularly in geisha districts where residents value privacy
