Top Things to do in Hokuriku
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Hokuriku, Chubu
Discover the best top things to do in Hokuriku, Japan including Kenrokuen Garden, Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, Zuiryuji Temple, Natadera Temple, Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple, Ainokura Gassho Community, Kurobe Gorge, Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Motorcar Museum of Japan, Hakusan Shrine (Heisenji-Hakusan Shrine).
Restaurants in Hokuriku
1. Kenrokuen Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,780 reviews
This beautiful park contains one of the top three celebrated gardens in Japan. The name Kenrokuen literally translates to “garden combining six”, referring to the six attributes all gardens should have: seclusion, antiquity, spaciousness, human ingenuity, water and scenic views.
Reviewed By 400kayl - Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Outside Kanazawa Castle, these magnificent gardens attract visitors near and far to experience the serene, peaceful, zen ambience and the tranquil, calm waters with lots of quiet time amongst the pine trees and cherry blossoms. Located at Kanazawa, this region is famous for its gold leaf industry, which can be sampled as gold-decorated ice-cream. It is now a regional commercial centre and transportation hub for Ishikawa Prefecture. There are multiple outlets, selling gold-themed items, cosmetics and desserts. Choose ice-cream with gold sprinkles, gold (See my HAKUICHI review) sheets or gold tinsel garlands. Besides the lacquer and gold-mix-lacquer-work, the plum and cherry blossoms are also a major attraction here. There are some engineering feats, designs and techniques in the garden, such as the natural water fountain without any pressure system, or the bamboo supports which form the backbone for juvenile and senile trees. Many famous pictures show snow on the supporting ropes and bamboo, which illuminated at night appear as Christmas tree props. There is an earthy tone throughout the park, emphasizing the wonders and powers of nature interspersed with the gentle, soft colors and texture of the flora. Walk to Kasumigaike Pond and see the karasaki pine tree with its horizontal branch propped up by sticks. There are many bridges and footpaths traversing ponds and streams. The kotoji lantern at the lake is another photogenic site. The 6 Confucian virtues and elements; seclusion, antiquity, spaciousness, human ingenuity, water and scenic views are embodied in the design, character and layout of this traditional Japanese garden. Our group visited on a sunny morning, then continued our journey to snowy SHIRAKAWAGO (see my review) in the afternoon!
2. Chirihama Nagisa Driveway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 575 reviews
The Chirihama Nagisa Driveway is a 8 km long beach located between Imahama Houdatsu-Shimizu-cho Sakui-gun and Chirihama-cho Sakui-shi in Ishikawa prefecture.
Reviewed By JohnA299 - Hong Kong, China
The rain was bucketing down when my wife and I took the exit to the Chirihama Beach Drive. With the rain coming in sheets and the surf heavy, driving on the beach was a completely magical experience. I had expected that the beach drive would be prohibited during heavy weather, but it was not — we enjoyed solitude on the beach as we passed the thundering waves and listened to the rain on the roof of our car. I let the tires wade in the seawater on the strand. Just so beautiful and something a visitor to should never miss!
3. Zuiryuji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 285 reviews
Reviewed By NigelG407 - Singapore, Singapore
I had a most remarkable visit to this temple. The heritage masterpiece of Takaoka. The temple was constructed by the third head of the Kaga Domain, as the family temple of founder of Takaoka Maeda Toshinaga. Typical Zen layout with Sanmon Gate and Budsiden Main Hall. The complex is a dedicated National Treasure. Lots of awe inspiring architecture to see here. Manicured lawns so impressive. Entry is 500yen. I asked on my way out if they could call a taxi so I could return to my hotel. Much to my surprised they brought the temple van and took me to my hotel, refusing to take any payment for the journey. Such kindness. I am very much indebted to their kindness and consideration.
4. Natadera Temple
5. Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple
6. Ainokura Gassho Community
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 291 reviews
Reviewed By sarahl588 - Brisbane, Australia
I read about Ainokura in Lonely Planet and from that point on I made sure that I had to go out to visit there. I stayed in Toyama, not far from the train station, hired a car for the day and drove out to Ainokura. It was so worth it! It's such a beautiful village and was a beautiful way to experience traditional Japanese hospitality and living. It really is a must! It's like you've stepped back in time into a fairytale. Make sure you visit the Gokayama tourist information centre and Murakami House before you make the drive to Ainokura. When you're at the visitor centre make sure you put a sticker on the map of where you're from, my family were the first visitors from Samoa to place a sticker there.
7. Kurobe Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By Lanitooots
I like that you get to enjoy nature at its best just by sitting on a train. This activity is perfect specially for those who travel with kids and seniors. The sceneries are so breathtaking... we get to see the different autumn colors. We also get to see some monkeys along the way. It is best to enjoy the ride by taking the "open-air" car. They also allow change of cars and sched in their ticket counters as long as seats are available. Do not forget to explore the Unazuki Station before riding the train. There is an observatory deck near the car park where you can see the top view of Yamabiko Bridge and we almost did not see the blue stairs between the Unazuki Station and the car park where you can go down and have the perfect view of the old and new Yamabiko Bridge. It is the perfect spot for taking the photo of the train passing through the bridge. This activity is perfect for all ages!
8. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 701 reviews
Reviewed By KlapauciusJapan
Revisited after about 6 months since the last time. Have been here many times but always seem to find something I’ve missed before or something new added, and enjoy seeing the same exhibits again. Also, the special exhibition changes every few months. Well worth revisiting if you haven’t been for a while.
9. Motorcar Museum of Japan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
The classic car called various national valuable wonderful car is exhibited. The car museum where about 500 classic cars of the Japanese maximum level were exhibited.
10. Hakusan Shrine (Heisenji-Hakusan Shrine)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By Hoegaarden987 - Brossard, Canada
Hakusan (literally, the white mountain in Japanese) is a ~2700 m tall mountain extending between Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui and Gifu prefectures. It has been a sacred mountain for many in the area, leading to the many Hakusan Shrines in the region and around Japan that believe the mountain to house a god. The Heisenji-Hakusan Shrine is one such shrine located near Katsuyama city in the Fukui prefecture. The Shrine has beautiful lawns of moss throughout its campus, and is well known along with the famous Saiho-ji in Kyoto for its moss gardens. It was raining that day, and the rain made the moss lawn even more beautiful. There were several individual visitors, and we saw two or three groups, but the shrine itself was very quiet. We first strolled through the moss lawns and took the main road to the main hall and gave our prayers. There are two other smaller halls next to the main hall, and the three halls signify the three peaks of Hakusan. We then took another road up the hill to the Sannnomiya, another hall higher up in the mountain. There were moss lawns along the road as well, and the air was very refreshing. All three of us were completely awed by the beauty and the sacred environment. To get to the shrine, we took a local train from Fukui station to Katsuyama station. There are local buses to the shrine, but unfortunately, the wait was more than an hour after our arrival at Katsuyama that day. As such, we took a taxi from the Katsuyama station, which cost us about 1800 yen. On the way back, we took the bus back to Katsuyama station, which was a mini-van, and the cost was 200 yen per person. It turned out that this Shrine was opened by Taichou in 717, and so it was exactly 1300 years from its opening. Nevertheless, there were very few signs that marked this anniversary, and the area was very calm, just like the shrine itself.
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