Hokuriku region
Hokuriku region ( right ) consists of three prefectures - Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui. There are high mountains of Japanese Alps in the southeast of the region and the Sea of Japan to the north of the region. Also there are historic and cultural sites related to feudal domains of Tokugawa Period ( ==> A History of Japan vol.2 Samurai Age ). So there are many places to visit and various foods, espacially seafoods to eat in the region.
Tateyama
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, connecting Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture and Omachi Town in Nagano Prefecture, is so popular among tourists. So many tourists visit Tateyama Mountain Range, where they enjoy viewing landscapes of high mountains and lakes as well as snow walls ( right ) in spring.
Also the rock ptarmigans and flowers of alpine plants attract tourists in summer as well as coloured leaves in autumn. The entire route is open from late April to November.
Gokayama
Gokayama area is located in the southwest of Toyama Prefecture, in the east of Hokuriku Region. There in the area are two villages ( Suganuma and Ainokura ), where tourists could see unique and traditional "Gassho Style Houses" ( or Gassho Zukuri Houses - right).
The two villages are parts of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site " Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama " together with Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, Tokai Region. Shirakawa-go is located to the south of Gokayama area.
Eating in Toyama
Toyama Prefecture faces Toyama-Wan ( Toyama Bay ), which is one of the best fishing grounds in Japan. So The prefecture is rich in various kinds of seafoods. In addition, they have freshwater fishes, high-grade Wagyu beef and so on.
Toyama Prefecture is one of the best prefectures for tourists to enjoy eating various kinds of local specialty dishes - Buri ( Yellowtail ), Ama-Ebi ( Deep-water Shrimp - above right ), Shiro-Ebi ( Japanese Glass Shrimp ), Beni-Zuwai-Gani ( Red Snow Crab ), Bai-Gai ( Japanese Babylon ), Hotaru-Ika ( Firefly Squid ), Masu-no-Sushi ( Masu Trout Sushi ), Ayu ( Sweetfish ), Iwana ( Charr ), Himi-Gyu ( Himi Wagyu Beef ), Takenoko ( Bamboo Shoot ) and Yakuzen ( Medicinal Cooking ) dishes.
Wajima and Noto Hanto
Noto Hanto ( Noto Peninsula ) is located in the north of Ishikawa Prefecture and in the north of Hokuriku region. While public transportation is not well developed in the peninsula, it keeps the peninsula rural, unique and attractive. A rental car would help tourists visit various sites in the peninsula such as Shiroyone Senmaida ( terraced paddy fields - right ).
There in Wajima city, located in the northwest of the peninsula, are accommodation facilities as well as Asaichi ( morning market ), Lacquerware Museum, Kiriko Festival Museum and so on.
Also there in Nanao city, located in the south of the peninsula, are Wakura Onsen ( hot spring resort ) and Nanao-jo Castle Ruins. In addition, Achi-Kochi ( here and there ) in the peninsula are some more popular sites as well as various seafood dishes.
Kanazawa
Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture and had been the capital city of Kaga Feudal Domain, which was one of the largest feudal domain except territories under the direct control of Tokugawa Shogunate during Tokugawa Period.
During WWII, there had been no air raids in Kanazawa. So in Kanazawa remain many historical things and sites relating to feudal lords and samurai vassals such as a castle, gardens, a villa, a shrine and teahouse district and residences. Also there is a fresh food market where various seafood dishes are offered. Now Kanazawa is one of the most popular cities in Hokuriku region.
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