Historic Town: 5 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Hakusan City, Ishikawa! Nature and Power Spots Too!

Hakusan City in Ishikawa Prefecture is a tourist destination famous for Mount Hakusan, one of Japan’s Three Sacred Mountains. The Tedori River, which originates from Hakusan, flows into the Sea of Japan, enriching Hakusan City with abundant natural blessings. Traditional crafts such as the Kaga Lion Dance and Japanese drums (wadaiko) are also thriving here, making it a popular sightseeing destination.
The city is also famous for sake brewing that takes advantage of its pristine waters. With five sake breweries in the area, it is a recommended spot for food lovers. Hakusan is easily accessible from Tokyo; by taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station, you can reach Kanazawa in about 2.5 hours. A winter trip to Hakusan and Noto using a weekend is a great option.
This time, we’ll introduce five recommended sightseeing spots in Hakusan City, Ishikawa.

1. Shirayama Hime Shrine – A Power Spot

Mount Hakusan is one of Japan’s three great sacred mountains, known as a spiritual power spot. At its base lies Shirayama Hime Shrine, affectionately called “Shirayama-san” by locals.
It is particularly famous as a power spot for romance. Before the shrine gate stands a giant zelkova tree designated as a natural monument, considered sacred and also a power spot.
The shrine has a traditional event called “Otsuitachi Mairi,” where people visit on the first day of every month for blessings. If you have the chance, visiting at the start of the month is highly recommended. It is also a popular filming location for “Chihayafuru,” an anime and live-action movie, attracting fans from Japan and abroad.

2. “Taiko no Sato” – Enjoy Live Performances and Try Beating Asano Drums

At the Taiko no Sato Learning Center in Hakusan City, visitors can see exhibits of percussion instruments from around the world and enjoy live taiko performances. Asano Taiko is famous as a leading brand of Japanese drums. In January 2017 alone, 13 concerts and stage performances using Asano Taiko were held nationwide.
You can also see beautifully decorated gagaku instruments, and some exhibits can even be played. Visitors can try striking a large taiko drum with authentic drumsticks, making this one of Hakusan’s most popular tourist spots.
Not only does the facility sell taiko drums, but it also has skilled craftsmen who repair well-used, beloved taiko, a service cherished by many both in Japan and abroad.
There are also workshops where you can make small taiko drums, a great memory to take home from Hakusan. Admission is 350 yen per adult.
(Information as of December 19, 2016)

3. Paragliding at Shishiku Highland Paragliding School

At Shishiku Highland in Hakusan City, the “Shishiku Highland Paragliding School” offers tandem flights and one-day courses, making it a popular experiential tourist spot. From the skies, you can enjoy magnificent views of Hakusan, the Tateyama mountain range, and the Sea of Japan.
The tandem flight course allows you to fly with an instructor. After taking a gondola to the summit and receiving instructions, you can enjoy a 15-minute flight. The entire experience takes about 1.5 hours, with a fee of 10,000 yen per adult plus 500 yen for the gondola.
In the one-day course, you learn how to handle the paraglider in the morning, practice launching and landing, then enjoy multiple flights in the afternoon, gradually increasing altitude. The course runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., costing 10,000 yen. Transportation to Okuradake Ski Resort by school bus is included.
This is a recommended experience to enjoy Hakusan’s beautiful skies at a reasonable price.
(Information as of December 19, 2016)

4. Hakusan Kikusake Sake Brewery Tour – Visiting Five Breweries in Hakusan

Hakusan Kikusake consists of five sake breweries within Hakusan City. These are: Yoshida Shuzoten, famous for the sake Tedori River; Kuramoto Shuzo, known for Tengumai, brewed with Hakusan’s pure water; Kikuhime Co., Ltd., famous for Kikuhime; Kanaya Shuzoten, popular for Takasago; and Kobori Shuzoten, known for celebratory sake like Manzairaku. Touring these five breweries has become a popular sightseeing activity in Hakusan.
During winter sightseeing in Hakusan, visitors can enjoy exploring the historic breweries while strolling through the charming townscape. Amazake (sweet sake) is also very popular here. Often referred to as a “drinkable IV drip,” it is a recommended Hakusan souvenir, even for pregnant women and children.

5. Souvenirs: Ankoro Mochi, Tochi Mochi, and Kakimochi

Hakusan is home to many long-established souvenir shops. Ankoro mochi, wrapped in traditional bamboo leaves, has long been a beloved Hakusan souvenir.
Tochi mochi, made from horse chestnuts, is also a popular specialty. Since it requires much effort to make, only a few shops in Hakusan still sell it today. For food lovers, it’s a must-try delicacy when visiting Hakusan.
Another popular souvenir is dorayaki filled with cream cheese, which was featured on TV and quickly became a Hakusan hit. Gelato made using the same sweet bean paste from ankoro mochi is also gaining popularity.

◎ Summary

Hakusan City in Ishikawa became an accessible tourist destination with the opening of the Hokuriku Railway, making it easy to reach from the Tokyo metropolitan area. You can enjoy Hakusan through various styles of sightseeing, from strolling its historic streets to traveling via the Noto Railway.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Hakusan offers abundant activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, and paragliding to fully enjoy its natural beauty.
Hakusan is also rich in popular souvenirs, including individually wrapped items perfect for sharing or enjoying at home. Seasonal specialties available only in winter also make great souvenirs.
Come and enjoy Hakusan, where you can indulge in both its natural beauty and delicious food.