A Road Trip to the Coast

A route to the small port of Hashitate, driving the coastal roads, and exploring the hot spring town of Katayamazu Onsen, and its lake. The best time to go is from spring to autumn.

Time Required: 3h30m

The Sea of Japan, the shipping route of Kitamaebune.

Arriving at the main railway station of the Kaga City area (Kaga Onsen station), you will find several car rental agencies nearby. Once you have picked up your car, head coastward, and drive until you reach the small port of Hashitate.

During the Edo era (1603-1868) the fishing port was the residence of merchant ships, Kitamaebune owners who specialised in the trade of various commodities linking the port of Osaka and the northern island of Hokkaido. Nowadays, Hashitate has kept the remains of this glorious past with its district (1). Around 30 traditional and unique wooden houses in the architectural style of the Kitamaebune era remain today, including the Kitamaebune Ship Museum (2) and Zorokuen (3) built in 1870 (both former residences). From this historical centre you can drive or walk to Cape Kasa no Misaki (4). This rocky promontory offers a breathtaking view over the Sea of Japan. Here, nature is wild and rugged, the cliffs are steep and indented by the powerful waves and winds from the North.

Hashitate is the ideal place to sample fresh seafood. We highly recommend a restaurant called Kassen Shintoku (5), a local institution where you can choose your own fish from a fishmonger section of the restaurant. typical selections available include are Japanese snow crabs, red sea bream, sardines, black throat sea perch, yellowtail, shrimps to name a few.

Nearby, Katayamazu Onsen is another town that deserves to be explored. Start at the Nakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice (6), which celebrates the work of renowned scientist and writer, NAKAYA Ukichiro (1900-1962) - the first person to create artificial snowflakes - and mirrors the structure of a snowflake in its hexagonal, contemporary design. Inside, you can watch fascinating videos (with English subtitles) about snow, conduct experiments, and even create and even create your own snowflakes. Next, head to Katayamazu Onsen’s public bathhouse, the Soyu (7), a wonderfully modern building created by the famous architect TANIGUCHI Yoshio (1937-). Finish the day with a relaxing soak while taking in the breathtaking views of Lake Shibayama (8).

Hashitate Kitamaebune Shipowner's Hamlet

Garden at Zorokuen, Kitamaebune Shipowner's House

Fresh Seafood from Hashitate fishing port

Recommended Places (3h30m)

Hashitate Kitamaebune Shipowners’ Hamlet

Hashitate retains its reputation as the home of the Kitamaebune, merchant ships that once traveled across the Sea of Japan. The townscape is dotted with dozens of shipowners’ mansions featuring red tile roofs. You will find old wooden boards, originally the wood installed at the bottom of the ships, covering the buildings to protect them from the sea breeze. In 2006, Hashitate was designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of

Kitamaebune Ship Museum

From the mid-Edo to the Meiji era (from the middle to the end of the 18th century), some people dreamed of making a tremendous fortune and set sail across the Sea of Japan. The ships they operated were known as Kitamaebune. Located on the shores of the Japan Sea, Hashitate is known to be one of the hamlets where the Kitamaebune shipowners and sailors lived. This museum is hosted in a splendid mansion, the largest remaining ship-owner house in Has

Zorokuen

The Kitamaebune were merchant ships that once travelled across the Sea of Japan. The town of Hashitate was home to some of the wealthiest shipowners and captains who had amassed huge fortunes from the Kitamaebune trade.Zorokuen is a quintessential residence of a wealthy shipowner in Hashitate, featuring a red-tiled roof and a spacious, lavish interior. It is also noted for its beautiful garden with a fascinating collection of fine stones and rock

Cape Kasa no Misaki

Leave your car in the parking lot, and venture to the forest path leading to Cape Kasa no Misaki. Easily recognizable by its white lighthouse, the headland provides commanding views over the Sea of Japan. On a clear day, the contrast between the green foliage of the surrounding trees, the blue foaming water and the endless sky above is spectacular. Extending from the Cape Kasa no Misaki, 4 km long walking trails traverse seaside cliffs that have

Kassen Shintoku

NAKAYA Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice

The museum is dedicated to the memory of NAKAYA Ukichiro (1900-1962), a renowned scientist and essayist who was born in Katayamazu Onsen. Specializing in glaciology, he spent his life researching the formation of natural snowflakes and developed a device to produce artificial snow crystals. The museum shows Dr. NAKAYA's multifaceted achievements, offering various creative hands-on activities based on his experiments, such as creating diamond dust

Katayamazu Onsen Soyu Public Bathhouse

The Kaga City area has three hot spring towns, and the nature of each hot spring, and atmosphere of each onsen town differs. Located on the shores of Lake Shibayama, Katayamazu Onsen’s soyu (public bathhouse) has an open and welcoming atmosphere. Although most onsen facilities are traditional and Japanese in their style, this bathhouse is strikingly modern and was designed by TANIGUCHI Yoshio, a world-renowned architect known for his work i

Lake Shibayama

The main attraction of Katayamazu Onsen is its beautiful scenery; an impressive mountain range rises in the distance from the lake’s surface and is especially delightful on a sunny day. The shimmering Lake Shibayama changes colour during the course of the day. A fountain at its centre shoots water up to 70 metres high for a few minutes every hour. A small pavillion called Ukimido Temple stands on a pier out over the water, and is illuminated in