12 Onsen in Ishikawa worth your time

A historic saline hot spring resort on Nanao Bay known for high-temperature waters and traditional festivals.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located on the southern shore of Nanao Bay in Ishikawa Prefecture.
• A saline spring containing sodium and calcium chloride discovered by fishermen in the ocean.
• A historic area developed by the Maeda clan with water temperatures reaching 89.1 degrees Celsius.
• A resort currently recovering from damage caused by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.

What to see

• The public bathhouse Soyu which reopened for visitors in March 2024.
• Colorless and transparent hot spring water with a notably high salt content.
• Views of the surrounding Nanao Bay from the coastal resort area.

When to go

• April and August to witness the local fireworks displays over the water.
• June for the Noto Yosakoi Festival held within the resort area.

Getting there

• Access the resort via Wakura Onsen Station on the JR and Noto Railway lines.

Official site

www.wakura.or.jp

Read more about Wakura Onsen

A historic national park hot spring resort featuring mineral-rich waters that turn yellow-brown when exposed to the air.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located within the boundaries of Hakusan National Park.
• Designated as a National Recreation Hot Spring Resort for its therapeutic qualities.
• Founded in 1574 with a bathing room credited to discovery by Taicho Daishi.
• The area features two inns and one public outdoor bath for visitors.

What to see

• Spring water that turns a distinct yellow-brown color upon oxidation.
• Natural scenery surrounding the hot spring source within the national park.
• Outdoor bathing facilities with water containing sodium chloride and hydrogen carbonate.

When to go

• Visit between May and November to avoid the winter closure period.
• The resort is closed from December to April due to heavy snow.

Getting there

• Take the Hakusan City community bus to the Chūgū Onsen stop.

Official site

www.chuguonsen.com

Read more about Chūgū Onsen

A secluded hot spring inn in Hakusan City offering mixed-gender open-air bathing with water piped from upstream sources.

What it is

• A hot spring facility part of the Hakusan Onsenkyo group founded in 1957.
• The site features Yamazaki Ryokan, the only inn currently operating at this location.
• A member of the Japan Association of Secluded Hot Springs that reopened after renovations in 2012.
• The facility provides hot spring water piped directly from the upstream Iwama Onsen source.

What to see

• A traditional open-air bath designed for mixed-gender use.
• The secluded mountain scenery surrounding the single inn at the end of the road.

When to go

• The facility is closed during the winter season from November to mid-May.

Getting there

• Take the Meguru bus to the Onsonguchi stop.
• Expect an eighty-minute walk from the nearest bus stop to the inn.
• Access by vehicle is via Ishikawa Prefectural Route 53.

Read more about Shin Iwama Onsen

A historic hot spring town centered around communal bathhouses and the birthplace of Kutani-yaki pottery.

What it is

• A hot spring town in Ishikawa Prefecture part of the Kaga Onsenkyo group
• Legend says the monk Gyoki discovered the spring in the year 725
• The town layout centers around a communal bathhouse and historic Yunogawa streetscape
• A location known for its sodium, calcium, sulfate, and chloride spring waters

What to see

• The Soyu communal bathhouse located at the center of the town
• Kosoyu, a restored Meiji-era bathhouse that opened in 2010
• A stone pagoda at Onsenji Temple designated as a National Important Cultural Property
• The Kutani-yaki Kiln Ruins, a nationally designated historic site
• Iroha Soan villa where the artist Kitaoji Rosanjin once stayed

Getting there

• Accessible from Kaga Onsen Station by taking a local bus
• Approximately fifteen minutes by car from the Kaga Interchange

Official site

www.yamashiro-spa.or.jp

Read more about Yamashiro Onsen

A historic hot spring resort in Kanazawa featuring traditional public baths, Edo-period architecture, and a museum dedicated to Takehisa Yumeji.

What it is

• A hot spring resort reportedly discovered in 718 within Kanazawa Onsen-kyo.
• One of four hot springs used by the Kaga clan lords during the Edo period.
• The area features four different spring sources containing sodium, calcium, chloride, and sulfate.

What to see

• The Soyu Shirasagi-no-Yu public bathhouse serves as a central bathing facility.
• Kanazawa Yuwaku Edo Village contains relocated buildings from the Edo period.
• The Kanazawa Yuwaku Yumeji-kan Museum commemorates the artist Takehisa Yumeji.
• Gyokusen Lake is an artificial lake situated at the deepest part of the resort.

When to go

• The Bonbori Festival is held every autumn.

Getting there

• Buses run directly from Kanazawa Station to the hot spring resort.

Official site

yuwaku.gr.jp

Read more about Yuwaku Onsen

A historic hot spring resort in a scenic river valley, famous for its high-quality lacquerware and traditional public bathhouse.

What it is

• A historic hot spring resort located along the Daigo-ji River valley.
• Legend says the monk Gyoki discovered the sulfate spring water.
• Matsuo Basho named it one of the three finest springs in Japan.
• A production center for traditional Yamanaka lacquerware.

What to see

• Kiku-no-yu serves as the central public bathhouse for visitors.
• Kakusenkei Gorge is a designated national scenic spot for nature walks.
• The Ayatori Bridge was designed by a master of the Sogetsu school.
• Local artisans produce and display traditional Yamanaka lacquerware.

When to go

• The Yamanaka Shikki Festival takes place annually during Golden Week.

Getting there

• Buses connect the town to JR Kaga-Onsen Station in thirty minutes.

Official site

www.yamanaka-spa.or.jp

Read more about Yamanaka Onsen

A lakeside hot spring resort in Kaga City featuring salt-rich waters and a modern public bathhouse overlooking the water.

What it is

• A hot spring resort on the shore of Lake Shibayama in Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Founded in 1653 by Lord Maeda Toshiaki and developed after land reclamation.
• Part of the Kaga Onsen group known for sodium and calcium chloride waters.
• The resort name is a registered regional collective trademark.

What to see

• The Soyu public bathhouse which offers views of the surrounding lake.
• The Nakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice located within the town.
• Colorless and transparent hot spring water high in salt content.
• Views across the water of Lake Shibayama from the resort area.

Getting there

• The nearest major train stop is JR Kaga Onsen Station.
• Accessible by car via the Katayamazu Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway.

Official site

www.katayamazu-spa.or.jp

Read more about Katayamazu Onsen

A historic hot spring area in Nomi City featuring traditional inns, public baths, and a free footbath for visitors.

What it is

• A hot spring area rediscovered by Haiya Gensuke in 1836.
• The site features three Japanese-style inns and a municipal public bath.
• The main spring source consists of simple thermal water.
• Satoyama no Yu public bath provides sodium chloride weak alkaline spring water.

What to see

• The Satoyama no Yu public bath which opened in 2009.
• A free footbath located at the base of the hill.
• The municipal public bath situated inside the Tatsunokuchi Welfare Hall.

Getting there

• Buses run to the hot spring from Kanazawa and Komatsu stations.
• A Nomi City bus connects the area to Nomi-neagari Station.
• The site is a 15-minute drive from the Komatsu Interchange.
• The site is a 20-minute drive from the Mikawa Interchange.

Read more about Tatsunokuchi Onsen

A public bathhouse and lodging facility located within an archaeological park, featuring unique high-salt alkaline thermal waters.

What it is

• A public bathhouse and lodging facility located within the Mawaki Archaeological Site Park.
• The hot spring source was first tapped in 1990 and opened to the public in 1993.
• The facility features alkaline sodium chloride strong salt spring water.

What to see

• Indoor baths that use diluted spring water due to the high natural salt content.
• The surrounding Mawaki Archaeological Site Park where the facility is situated.

Getting there

• A shared taxi from Noto Airport reaches the site in approximately 45 minutes.
• Express buses run from Kanazawa Station to the Mawaki Onsen-guchi stop.
• The site is accessible via the Noto Railway Anamizu Station.
• Driving from Kanazawa takes approximately two hours and 45 minutes.

Official site

mawaki-pore.jp

Read more about Jōmon Mawaki Onsen

A historic hot spring inn founded in 1577, offering a secluded coastal experience within Noto Hanto Quasi-National Park.

What it is

• A hot spring area featuring sodium chloride water from two distinct sources.
• Founded as a shipping company in 1577 and opened as an inn in 1889.
• The site is home to Lamp no Yado, the only inn at this hot spring.
• Located within the protected boundaries of the Noto Hanto Quasi-National Park.

What to see

• The Blue Grotto, a natural sea cave located on the property.
• An aerial observation deck providing views of the surrounding sea.
• Coastal scenery characteristic of the Noto Peninsula landscape.

Getting there

• The Yoshigaura bus stop is a fifteen minute walk from the site.
• A three hour drive is required to reach the location from Kanazawa City.
• On-site parking is available for up to fifty vehicles.

Official site

www.lampnoyado.co.jp

Read more about Yoshigaura Onsen

A rare radon hot spring in Noto featuring dark brown water and a heritage-certified free-flowing source for day-trip bathing.

What it is

• A hot spring resort in Nanao City opened at its current location in 1952.
• The only self-spouting free-flowing spring source located in the Noto region.
• Designated as a heritage site by the Japan Onsen Heritage Association.
• A single inn named Ryuuoukaku operates at the site and offers day-trip bathing.

What to see

• Natural hot spring water featuring a distinct dark brown color.
• Mineral-rich water containing a high concentration of natural radon.
• Spring water that emerges from the ground at 51.3 degrees Celsius.

Getting there

• Accessible by taking a bus from Nanao Station.
• Located ten kilometers away from the Nanao Shiroyama Interchange.

Read more about Yugawa Onsen

A high-alkaline hot spring inn in Wajima offering therapeutic waters and scenic views of the Sea of Japan.

What it is

• A hot spring facility featuring alkaline water with a high pH level of 10.5
• Legend says the priest Kobo Daishi discovered the spring after seeing a wounded boar
• The name originates from the Japanese words for sleeping pig
• A single inn called Kaiyu Noto no Sho operates at this location

What to see

• Indoor and outdoor baths overlooking the Sea of Japan
• Heating and filtration systems that maintain the spring water at comfortable temperatures

When to go

• Day trip bathing services are available following their resumption in July 2024

Getting there

• The site is a 30-minute car journey from Noto Airport

Official site

www.notonosho.co.jp

Read more about Nebuta Onsen