Top Things to do in Hokuriku
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What to do and see in Hokuriku, Chubu: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Discover the best top things to do in Hokuriku, Japan including Noto Peninsula, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Zuiryuji Temple, Pagoda at Myotusji Temple, Ainokura Gassho Community, Suganuma Gassho Community, Kurobe Dam, Inami Betsuin Zuisen-ji Temple, Sankyo Village Obeservation Deck, Kanazawa Station.
Restaurants in Hokuriku
1. Noto Peninsula
2. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,028 reviews
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine (pronounced “Alpen”) Route is known as the “Roof of Japan”. The route passes through the dynamic scenery of Mt. Tateyama in the Japan Alps. It is traversed using a variety of vehicles with an elevation change of 2400 meters from Toyama Prefecture to Nagano Prefecture.
Reviewed By sweetie_inc - Singapore, Singapore
I bought a local tour via Viator and went there with my 6yo daughter. The tour was travelling East direction, from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station. We noticed that there is lesser crowd if u start from Ogizawa to Tateyama when we were there in May 2018. The snow wall was by far the highlight though all the other points were very beautiful. Also the ropeway with 360 degree views of the snow clad mountains on all sides was a beauty. I would highly recommend this to everyone visiting Japan, and especially in April when the snow wall is at its highest point. We wish that we have more time at the Murodo as my daughter loves playing with snow and the walk along the snow wall was very amazing.
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. Pagoda at Myotusji Temple
5. 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.
6. Suganuma Gassho Community
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By FoodTraveler_Huang - Bangkok, Thailand
The first stop you can consider to drop by before going to Shirakawago . If you stay in Kanazawa, first take JR to Shin Takaoka station. Then , take the Kaetsunou bus terminal no.8 to Suganuma and also take the same bus to Shirakawago. This route considers less crowded than the bus in Takayama. Come a bit early like 9am so that you won’t see many people. February is good timing to get full snow.
7. 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!
8. Inami Betsuin Zuisen-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
9. Sankyo Village Obeservation Deck
10. Kanazawa Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,671 reviews
Reviewed By DGandJudy - Ann Arbor, United States
The new Kanazawa station, built for the coming of the Shinkansen bullet trains in 2014, is great - has every amenity you could want, and is small enough to be easily negotiated. Be sure to stop by the Tourist Information Center, staffed by knowledgeable and friendly Good Will Guides volunteers, before setting out into the city. The east entrance (shown in the picture) is a striking combination of the old and new, with the traditional wooden torii gate juxtaposed in front of the ultramodern station building; the water clock (behind the photographer) is a fun place for photos.
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