Sightseeing on Notojima in Ishikawa Prefecture! 8 recommended spots to see, experience, and enjoy

Did you know that there is a large island with a circumference of about 72 km on the Noto Peninsula? It is called "Notojima", and it is an island with many fun and convenient sightseeing spots located in Nanao Bay, Ishikawa Prefecture.

To go sightseeing on Notojima, you can use two bridges, "Notojima Ohashi Bridge" and "Twin Bridge Noto", but in fact, there were no traffic lights on the island until 1980. Notojima is an island with a lot of nature and a blessed environment.

If you visit Notojima for sightseeing, you can enjoy a variety of activities such as a unique aquarium, glass craft experience, dolphin watching, camping, and swimming in the sea. We will introduce 8 places that you should definitely visit when you visit Ishikawa Prefecture, and convey the charm of Notojima!

1. Notojima Bridge

Notojima Ohashi Bridge is a bridge that stretches from the famous Wakura Onsen area on the south side of Notojima to Notojima. With a total length of 1,050m, it is the longest bridge in Ishikawa Prefecture.

The sightseeing drive straight to Notojima is accented by gentle ups and downs and is full of exhilaration when driving a rental car.

You'll feel excited and ready to go, "Let's go, Notojima!" Notojima Ohashi Road Park on the Wakura Onsen side is a recommended rest point where you can take your time to admire the graceful bridge and take photos as a souvenir of your trip.

2. Twin Bridge Noto

Twin Bridge Noto is a 620m-long bridge on the west side of Notojima that connects Nakajima-cho, Nanao City to Notojima. Unlike the graceful Notojima Ohashi Bridge, this bridge has a more edgy image.

There is a park on the Nakajima-cho side of the bridge, so you can also enjoy the view of the bridge, making it an essential spot for sightseeing on Notojima.

Both the Notojima Ohashi Bridge and Twin Bridge Noto can be crossed on foot, so if you take on the challenge, it will be a memorable visit to Notojima.

3. Notojima Aquarium

Notojima Marine Park Aquarium is a tourist aquarium located in the marine park in the northern part of Notojima. There are 500 kinds of creatures and about 40,000 fish and shellfish that can be seen here. Most of the creatures live in the waters off the Noto Peninsula, so there are many exhibits that are unique to Notojima's aquarium. In addition to local creatures, you can also see large-scale exhibits that will take your breath away. It is a tourist spot that represents Notojima.

The 22 m-long tunnel tank holds 1600 tons of water and is an exhibition area where dolphins and Humboldt penguins swim swiftly. You can also see giant whale sharks swimming leisurely in the "Whale Shark Pool - Blue World".

The donut-shaped tank is 2.3m deep and 30m in circumference and is home to 1000 migratory fish of about 30 species, including striped jack, yellowtail, and sea bass. It's so beautiful to see these lively fish, which we don't usually get to see! There is also a feeding show for tourists.

This aquarium on Notojima focuses on breeding squids and octopuses, and you will never get bored of seeing spear squids, common octopuses, and other creatures. If you visit Notojima for sightseeing, you should definitely visit the Notojima Marine Park Aquarium. It is a recommended tourist spot on Notojima.

4. Notojima Glass Art Museum, Ishikawa Prefecture

Notojima Glass Art Museum in Ishikawa Prefecture is a tourist museum in Notojima where you can enjoy modern glass artworks from around the world. There are about 400 pieces in the collection.

The concept of this museum is "an art museum where you can encounter the sparkling sea and glass." Located on a hill overlooking the sea in the northern part of Notojima, you can enjoy glass art while feeling the pleasant breeze from the sea.

Appreciating the art on display is not the only way to enjoy this museum. The Glass Hill Project is a regular event that uses the garden space on the premises. Just reading the titles, such as "Garami Thanksgiving" and "Island Craft Gallery," sounds interesting.

There are also workshops such as Comb and Roll! Glass Bead Making Experience and Relax at Garami! Glass Sculpture Experience, which you can participate in even if you are visiting as a tourist.

The museum building itself is elaborately constructed, with a domed ceiling and wonderful use of light, making it easy to lose track of time. It is a recommended tourist spot on Notojima.

5. Dolphin watching and dolphin swimming

Wild dolphins live in the sea around Notojima. If you come to Notojima as a tourist, you can meet these cute dolphins. What makes Notojima's tourist dolphin watching different from other experiences is that the dolphins approach the boat from the other side. They jump out of the water and go under the boat, coming close to us as if they want to play with us.

The dolphins of Notojima are a species that are supposed to live in the sea further south, but for some reason, they seem to have taken a liking to Nanao Bay, and they have repeatedly bred, and now about 10 of them are living happily. So, unlike tourist watching where you wait for them to come and meet you as they migrate, there is a fairly high chance of meeting dolphins.

In addition to watching dolphins from a cruiser, there is also a dolphin swimming and snorkeling experience where you can get closer to them. You don't need to be a good swimmer to participate, so if you're going as a tourist, it's definitely worth a try. Meeting the friendly dolphins will be a memorable experience on your trip to Notojima.

6. Hyokkori Onsen Island Hot Springs

Hyokkori Onsen Shima no Yu is a day-trip hot spring located on the south side of Notojima Island, in Notojima Marine Park. The Marine Park is a 500m-long beach with calm, gentle waves. After a relaxing day on the beach, why not relax even more at Hyokkori Onsen?

Hyokkori Onsen is a natural hot spring that was discovered in 1999 and has a high temperature of 71 degrees. In addition to the sauna and jacuzzi, the large open-air bath is popular.

The bath has a spectacular viewpoint where you can see small islands floating in the sea, ships passing by, and even the Tateyama mountain range in the distance. There is also a reclining bath and a sand bath, so it is a must-see when sightseeing on Notojima Island.

7. Notojima Family Travel Village We Land

Notojima Family Travel Village We Land is a tourist campsite located on a small cape on Notojima. Facilities include auto-camping sites, regular tent sites, 22 cabins with attached kitchens and bathrooms, and an administration building.

We Land is just that simple a facility. However, this is a popular spot on Notojima, where many people use it for tourist camping as it is a campsite with a wonderful open feeling, facing the sea and with a forest behind.

Enjoy a barbecue under the blue sky, listening to the birds in the forest, and feeling the sea breeze. You can spend the most luxurious time here.

8. Notojima Glass Workshop

Notojima Glass Studio is a tourist glass studio where you can experience making your own original glass, one of a kind in the world. Enjoy making a glass while chatting with your friends. Recommended for couples.

At this Notojima Glass Studio, you can choose from a variety of courses, such as glass blowing, sandblasting, glass beads, and accessories, depending on your travel schedule and preferences. Glass blowing in particular is a serious experience where molten glass at 1300 degrees is wrapped around the tip of a blowing rod and blown to inflate the glass. You will feel like a glass craft artist.

Of course, you can rest assured that you will be taught one-on-one. You can also enjoy the glass bead experience using a burner, which will give you a real feeling. There is also a shop, so you can buy souvenirs for your trip to Notojima here.

This facility also has a glass course with a 30-year track record and has produced many excellent people. If you become interested in glass crafts while sightseeing, it also opens a window to the deeper world of glass charm.

Summary

We have introduced 8 spots that will show you the charms of Notojima. The bridge over the sea that you drive over on the way to and from Notojima is truly refreshing. The sight of the casual villages dotted along the coast and the wide sky will make you feel tranquil even if you are just driving without any particular purpose.

Notojima is rich in seafood, so you can eat delicious seafood and your stomach will be very satisfied. Of course, all the various facilities are well-equipped, so it is sure to be enjoyed by both adults and children. If you visit Ishikawa Prefecture, be sure to visit Notojima, which is full of nature!