Ishikawa Prefecture｜A Land of Tradition and Beauty Inherited from the Kaga Domain

Located on the Sea of Japan in the Hokuriku region, Ishikawa Prefecture is home to the historic areas of Kaga, Noto, and Kanazawa, each of which has cultivated its own unique culture and refined aesthetic sensibility over the centuries.

Kanazawa, the prefectural capital, flourished as the castle town of the powerful Maeda clan during the Edo period. The city still retains much of its samurai-era charm, with iconic sites such as Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, and the Higashi Chaya geisha district drawing visitors from across Japan and abroad.

Today, Kanazawa is also known for its vibrant arts scene, exemplified by the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, which blends tradition with innovation.

Ishikawa is renowned for its traditional crafts, including Kaga Yuzen dyeing, Kutani porcelain, and Wajima lacquerware. These artisanal practices, handed down through generations, reflect the region’s long-standing dedication to craftsmanship and its appreciation for beauty in everyday life.

The Noto Peninsula, jutting out into the Sea of Japan, offers a striking natural landscape of terraced rice fields, satoyama (woodlands near villages), and fishing villages that preserve a way of life in harmony with nature. Recognized as a UNESCO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, the “Satoyama and Satoumi of Noto” exemplifies sustainable living shaped by both land and sea.

Ishikawa is a region where history, culture, and nature come together. It offers visitors a chance to experience the essence of traditional Japan and the enduring strength of local heritage.