10 Mountains in Ishikawa worth your time

A 548-meter volcanic lava dome in Kanazawa famous for its historic stone quarries and a summit shrine with panoramic views.

What it is

• A quaternary volcano and lava dome located within the Iozen Prefectural Natural Park.
• The primary source of Tomuro stone used to build the walls of Kanazawa Castle.
• A natural site featuring over 700 confirmed historic quarry pits in the surrounding area.
• A mountain peak featuring a third-class triangulation point and the Tomuro Gongen shrine.

What to see

• The small Tomuro Gongen shrine located near the mountain summit.
• A stone monument engraved with poetry by Akiko Yosano on the mountainside.
• Distinct varieties of blue and red Tomuro stone shaped by ancient volcanic oxidation.
• Debris avalanche deposits on the western slope from a collapse 18,000 years ago.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Kanazawa Station for a fifty-minute journey to the area.
• Follow the Iozen-ji temple route for a twenty-minute hike to reach the summit.

Read more about Mount Tomuro

A 2,557-meter peak in Hakusan National Park offering alpine hiking trails, summer snow patches, and views of the Ryohaku range.

What it is

• A 2,557-meter mountain peak located within the Hakusan National Park in Ishikawa Prefecture.
• A major summit in the Ryohaku mountain range situated northwest of Mount Hakusan.
• The source of the Ozogawa and Ushikubigawa rivers flowing from the mountain mass.
• A central hiking hub where five different trails converge at the Nanakura-no-tsuji junction.

What to see

• Dwarf stone pines growing naturally around the mountain summit area.
• The Hyakuyojo Waterfall located on the northwestern slope of the mountain.
• Remaining snow patches visible on the western slopes even during the summer months.
• The Mitarashibachi site situated between the summit and the Onanjimine peak.
• Alpine scenery along the Rakuraku Shindo and Iwama hiking trails.

When to go

• Summer is the time to see remaining snow on the western slopes.

Read more about Mount Nanakura

A historic hilltop park in Kanazawa featuring diverse monuments, traditional gardens, and a dedicated sumo stadium with city views.

What it is

• A public park recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.
• A former restricted area where commoners were forbidden to climb during the Edo period.
• A developed mountain site opened by Lord Maeda Yoshiyasu in 1867.
• A location also known by the names Mukaiyama, Kasugayama, and Garyuzan.

What to see

• A second-class triangulation point marking the summit of the mountain.
• A monument dedicated to the famous writer Tokuda Shusei.
• An iris garden and a traditional pond shaped like a gourd.
• The Prefectural Mount Utatsu Sumo Stadium which opened in 1960.
• A monument commemorating Christian martyrs who were brought from Nagasaki.

When to go

• Visit during the annual High School Sumo Kanazawa Tournament held at the stadium.

Read more about Mount Utatsu

A 2,128-meter peak in Hakusan National Park offering alpine flowers and a historic pilgrimage route on the Gifu-Ishikawa border.

What it is

• A 2,128-meter mountain located within the boundaries of Hakusan National Park.
• Part of the Ryohaku Mountains situated on the border of Ishikawa and Gifu prefectures.
• A stop along the historic Mino Zenjo-do pilgrimage route.
• The highest point in Fukui Prefecture is located at a 2,095-meter peak nearby.

What to see

• Alpine plants including Primula cuneifolia blooming in the summit area.
• An unstaffed shelter hut located near the mountain summit.
• Views of rivers that flow from the slopes toward the Sea of Japan.

When to go

• Snow covers the mountain landscape for more than half of the year.

Getting there

• The shortest climbing route to the summit starts from Kamikoike in Fukui.

Read more about Mount Sannomine

A mountain in Kanazawa featuring a challenging five-hundred-step stone staircase, ancient archaeological ruins, and a historic shrine entrance.

What it is

• A mountain in the Kubo district of Kanazawa featuring a fourth-class triangulation point.
• The summit serves as an archaeological site containing square plateau graves and fort remains.
• A historic location where Yayoi period pottery fragments were discovered during excavations.
• A training ground for local high school sports teams who climb the steep stairs.

What to see

• The Kumanbo Gongen shrine which marks the start of the climbing path.
• A stone staircase consisting of nearly five hundred steps leading to the summit.
• Archaeological remains of an ancient fort and square plateau graves at the peak.
• The Kanazawa Outer Loop Road which runs along the base of the mountain.

Read more about Mount Manganji

One of Japan's three holy mountains, this active volcano offers a sacred summit, crater lakes, and unique alpine flora.

What it is

• An active volcano standing 2,702 meters tall across four different prefectures
• One of Japan's Three Holy Mountains alongside Mount Fuji and Mount Tate
• A sacred site reportedly founded by the monk Taicho in the year 717
• A designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and National Park since 1962

What to see

• The highest peak known as Gozenmine reaching an elevation of 2,702 meters
• Seven distinct crater lakes located near the summit area
• The Shirayama Hime Shrine which owns the land at the mountain summit
• Over twenty species of alpine plants that include Hakusan in their names
• A major site for the discovery of various dinosaur fossils

Read more about Mount Haku

A 2,399-meter peak in Hakusan National Park featuring a historic shrine and significant pilgrimage routes through alpine terrain.

What it is

• A 2,399-meter mountain spanning the border of Ishikawa and Gifu prefectures.
• Part of the Hakusan National Park consisting of uplifted sedimentary rock.
• A stop on the historic Mino Zenjo-do pilgrimage route.
• The natural source of the Shogawa and Tedori rivers.

What to see

• Bessan Shrine located just west of the mountain summit.
• Mitarashi Pond situated on the Bessan-daira plateau.
• The Taiheiki rock wall located on the southern face of the mountain.
• Alpine landscapes above the forest limit at the summit area.

When to go

• Be aware that snow covers the area for over half the year.

Read more about Mount Bessan

A scenic mountain known as Noto Fuji featuring a summit shrine with National Important Cultural Properties and Sea of Japan views.

What it is

• A mountain on the border of Shika and Wajima known locally as Noto Fuji.
• The summit area is a designated early modern archaeological site.
• The mountain terrain consists primarily of granitic rocks.
• Takatsume Shrine's main hall stands at the mountain summit.

What to see

• Six sacred hanging Buddhist images designated as National Important Cultural Properties.
• Remains of moats and earthworks located on the northeast ridge.
• A stone monument standing two meters west of the main hall.
• Panoramic views of the Sea of Japan from the summit.
• Broadleaf trees including zelkova and camphor growing on the slopes.

Read more about Mount Takatsume

The highest peak in Oku-Noto featuring a summit shrine, a beech forest, and views of Toyama Bay.

What it is

• The highest mountain in the Oku-Noto region at 567 meters tall
• A peak in Wajima City historically known as Mount Dake
• Site of the Koshu Shrine and its inner sanctuary at the summit
• Location of a Japan Air Self-Defense Force radar installation

What to see

• The inner shrine of Koshu Shrine located at the mountain peak
• A natural beech forest growing near the top of the mountain
• Panoramic views of Noto Airport and Toyama Bay from the summit
• A paved road that leads visitors to the top in two hours

When to go

• The annual mountain opening ceremony held every May

Read more about Mount Kōshū

A 942-meter peak known as Enuma Fuji, famous as the first mountain climbed by renowned author Kyuya Fukada.

What it is

• A 942-meter mountain in Kaga City also known as Enuma Fuji
• Part of the Kanan Sanzan mountain group in Ishikawa Prefecture
• The first mountain climbed by famous mountaineer and author Kyuya Fukada

What to see

• The Ouchi, Wagatani, and Karebuchi climbing routes taking approximately two hours
• The Hitomosu-yama route which offers a longer four-hour hike to the summit

Getting there

• Located 16 kilometers away from Kaga-Onsen Station
• Accessible by car 18 kilometers from the Kaga Interchange

Read more about Fujishaga-dake