Kaga City in Ishikawa Prefecture is located in the southwestern part of the prefecture and is known for its expansive hot spring villages. The Kaga Onsen-kyo area includes four hot spring towns: Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Katayamazu, and Awazu. Known for its abundant cultural assets, Kaga is home to traditional crafts like Kutani pottery and Yamanaka lacquerware, as well as historical sites such as the Kitamaebune ships, which are designated as Japan Heritage.
In this article, we have selected seven unique and captivating activities you can experience in Kaga. From quintessential Ishikawa experiences to those unique to Kaga, discover a variety of activities to pique your interest.
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What is Kaga in Ishikawa Prefecture Like?
Kaga City is easily accessible from urban areas: it’s about 3 hours by bullet train from Tokyo and approximately 2 hours from Osaka and Nagoya. Although the Hokuriku region is known for its cold winters and heavy snowfall, Kaga City experiences relatively less snowfall and stable weather, making it an ideal area for outdoor activities.
Kaga, known for its hot springs, is home to the Kaga Onsen-kyo area. The city is also easily accessible from Komatsu Airport, just a 30-minute drive away. Each hot spring town has its distinct atmosphere, from the oldest hot spring in Hokuriku, Awazu Onsen, to Yamashiro Onsen, which is historically tied to Kutani pottery. Touring these hot spring towns is a highly recommended route.
Tour buses operate from JR Kaga Onsen Station, taking visitors to various hot spring towns and famous spots like the Natadera Temple and Hashitate. Kaga, along with Kanazawa, is a popular tourist destination with rich cultural heritage. The area is also known for its fresh fruits like pears and grapes, and seafood such as crabs and ducks, providing both mountain and sea delicacies. While Kaga offers rich historical activities, enjoying the local cuisine is also highly recommended.
7 Recommended Activities in Kaga
In the southwestern part of Ishikawa, Kaga offers a wealth of creative experiences. Known for its Kutani pottery, there are various pottery wheel and painting experiences, providing precious opportunities to engage with traditional crafts. With an abundance of choices, you can customize your travel plan according to your time and budget, ensuring a memorable trip to Kaga.
1. Kutani-yaki Pottery Wheel Experience
In Kaga, you can enjoy the sensation of shaping clay using an electric pottery wheel, experiencing the craft firsthand. While most facilities do not accommodate large groups, they primarily cater to individual tourists. Even beginners can feel at ease, as instructors provide thorough support. The initial setup is done by the instructor, making it easy for you to shape the clay as you desire. The finished pieces can be shipped to you later, making this a popular activity to remember your trip by.
👉Yunokuni no Mori Ticket in Komatsu
2. Gold Leaf Application Experience
Ishikawa Prefecture boasts a 99% share of Japan's gold leaf production. While you may have seen gold leaf adorning food and desserts, Kaga offers a luxurious experience where you can apply a sheet of gold leaf yourself. Several specialty shops offer this experience, where you can decorate small plates or trays at a reasonable cost.
At Yunokuni no Mori, you can enjoy an extravagant experience using the highest quality gold leaf, with a purity of over 95%. This gold leaf application experience allows you to create sparkling accessories.
👉Yunokuni no Mori Ticket in Komatsu
3. Kaga Yuzen Dyeing Experience
Yuzen dyeing is a traditional technique used to dye kimonos, involving the application of various colors to fabric like painting. Although the atmosphere and process vary by region, the basic dyeing method remains the same. Among the many styles, Kaga Yuzen in Ishikawa and Kyo Yuzen in Kyoto are particularly famous, often mentioned alongside Edo Yuzen in Tokyo as Japan's three major Yuzen styles.
You can experience stencil dyeing at many facilities within the prefecture, choosing from a variety of items such as handkerchiefs, placemats, and T-shirts, allowing you to select a plan that fits your budget and desired creation.
👉Ishikawa Recommended Leisure Activities, Experiences, Games, and Sightseeing Information
4. Kaga Mizuhiki Crafting Experience
Mizuhiki, traditionally flat paper cords, in Kaga are distinctive for their elegant, three-dimensional forms, integrating beautiful calligraphy with intricate paper and cord designs. At Hanakan in Katayamazu Onsen, part of the Kaga Onsen-kyo area, you can create your original mizuhiki crafts. This experience is affordable compared to those in Kanazawa and is popular among women travelers, couples, and families. You can make keychains, accessories, baskets, chopstick rests, and more, creating lasting memories of your trip.
👉Ishikawa Recommended Leisure Activities, Experiences, Games, and Sightseeing Information
5. Noh Experience
In the southern Kaga area, it is customary for children to learn Noh theater. Visitors can experience the Hosho School of Noh, which has been passed down in Kaga. You can try wearing Noh masks, playing traditional Japanese musical instruments, and even performing a dance. This experience lasts about 2-3 hours and is available for groups of 20-40 people. The experience concludes with a meal at a former feudal lord’s residence, featuring local Kaga cuisine.
▶For Kaga Lifestyle Experience Programs, click here. https://www.tabimati.net/feature/detail_68.html
6. Kutani Pottery Painting Experience
Kutani pottery, produced in the southern part of Ishikawa Prefecture, including Kanazawa, Komatsu, Kaga, and Nomi cities, is a type of colored porcelain known for its elaborate designs. The overglaze painting technique, used in Kutani pottery, involves painting designs on fired porcelain and then firing it again. This technique, also used in Arita ware, is known for its use of five colors: red, yellow, green, purple, and navy blue.
At the Yunokuni no Mori Traditional Handicrafts Village in Kaga, you can paint tumblers or bowls. The completed pieces are shipped later, making this a popular souvenir activity that doesn't burden your luggage.
▶Kutani Pottery Experience Gallery CoCo
👉Yunokuni no Mori Ticket in Komatsu
7. Sandblasting Experience
In Kaga, you can design and engrave your own artwork or text on glass, known as sandblasting. The process involves drawing on a sheet, creating a stencil by cutting out the design, and applying it to the glass. Then, you use a sandblasting machine to finish the piece. Even beginners can easily follow along with the instructor’s guidance.
The experience takes about 50 minutes, making it a perfect activity for filling in spare time. It's a unique souvenir-making opportunity, so be sure to check it out if you’re interested.
▶Sandblasting experience (Yunokuni No Mori)
👉Ishikawa Recommended Leisure Activities, Experiences, Games, and Sightseeing Information
Enjoy Activities in Kaga!
These are seven carefully selected recommended activities you can enjoy in Kaga City. Kaga is home to numerous facilities where you can engage in creative experiences, such as traditional crafts like Kutani pottery and Yamanaka lacquerware. While the completion time varies by facility and creation, most items can be taken home as souvenirs, making these experiences popular among tourists. When visiting Ishikawa, refer to this article to create unique travel experiences.
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