One of the most protected treasures of modern Japan
Hiyou Moss Garden, also known as the 'Forest of Wisdom', is a 20-minute drive from Kaga Onsen Station. The garden is in the small town of Hiyou and is the result of an eco-development project aimed at the preservation of the ecosystem and the economic and demographic revitalisation of the valley. The project itself is a celebration of Japanese nature and culture. The site is known for the production of the Hiyou cedars and its moss garden, the largest in Japan in terms of variety. A 5-minute drive takes you to the site of Yunokuni no Mori (1), a park where you can learn about various traditional handicrafts of Ishikawa Prefecture. The park has several historic thatched farmhouses (restored and moved to this site) and traditional buildings such as the Hôjô-an built in 1780 and which has been completely reconstructed.