Top Things to do in Hokuriku
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Top 10 Nature & Parks in Hokuriku, Chubu
Discover the best top things to do in Hokuriku, Japan including Tofukujino Nature Park, Kenrokuen Garden, Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, Kurobe Dam, Kurobe Gorge, Yokokan Garden, Fugan Unga Kansui Park, Notojima Aquarium, Tojimbo Cliff, Oshima Island.
Restaurants in Hokuriku
1. Tofukujino Nature Park
2. 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!
3. 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!
4. Kurobe Dam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 757 reviews
Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea
Over the space of a few days, I managed to extract the maximum value from a JR Central Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area 5-Day Pass by making two separate visits to the Kurobe Dam; each from opposing directions. The first visit (from Toyama) was memorable for the sheer variety of transport; the Toyama Chiho Railway Alpine Route, Tateyama Cable Car, Tateyama Highland Bus, Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus, Tateyama Ropeway & Kurobe Cable Car. Each mode of transport unique and entertaining in its' own right, and having set-off from Toyama before 08:00am on a day that started overcast with a light drizzle, it was only fitting that my first glimpse of Kurobe Lake and Dam (some 3 1/2 hours later) was in the exhilarating descent from the zero visibility of Daikanbo on the Tateyama Ropeway into the beautiful sunshine that bathed Kurobe Dam. Limiting myself to only an hour at the Dam, I headed back on the long trek to Toyama. With the improved visiblity, I was able to spend more time at each of the interchanges (e.g.: Kurobedaira, Daikanbo & Murodo), viewing and photographing the sights/scenery. 2-days later I revisited Kurobe Dam; this time from the Shinano-Omachi side. The Dam can be reached from Matsumoto in a little over 2-hrs using JR Oito Line, Local Bus & Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. Arriving from Ogizawa by Electric Bus, you are faced with a choice; walking in a general downward direction to the tunnel entrance at top-of-dam-level (est. 5-mins), or ascending up some steps to the Dam Observation Deck (est. 7-mins). I would recommend the latter as it gives by far the best vantage point to view the dam itself and the ability to then descend the external stairs back to top-of-dam-level and the Rainbow Terrace below that. The shorter journey to the dam from the Shinano-Omachi side is less interesting that the journey from Toyama but enabled more time to be spent at the dam itself as well as the opportunity to revisit the Tateyama Ropeway up to Daikanbo (the highlight of my visit 2-days before). Despite spending 2-hrs at the Kurobe Dam, I wished in hindsight that I had spent longer and explored the Kurobe Lake further. Maybe next time!
5. 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!
6. Yokokan Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
7. Fugan Unga Kansui Park
8. Notojima Aquarium
9. Tojimbo Cliff
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 855 reviews
Reviewed By G_Intl_Travel - Melbourne, Australia
This is a world wonder and I am surprised that the tour buses have not found their way here. This place is probably Japan’s best kept secret for the locals to enjoy and not open to too much foreign tourists. If you get a chance, do come for a day trip and enjoy the Sea of Japan, the beautiful cliffs, and the sea breeze. The picture below speaks wonders of this place.
