Ishikawa Prefecture occupies a dramatic stretch of Japan's Hokuriku coast, anchored by the historic castle city of Kanazawa and stretching north along the rugged Noto Peninsula. Once ruled by the powerful Maeda clan — second only to the Tokugawa shogunate — Kanazawa flourished as a center of traditional arts: Noh theatre, Kenroku-en garden design, gold leaf craft, and Kutani porcelain. Because it escaped WWII bombing, the city retains intact samurai and geisha districts that feel genuinely lived-in rather than reconstructed. Beyond Kanazawa, the Noto Peninsula offers terraced rice paddies plunging to the Sea of Japan, morning fish markets, and remote onsen hot springs, while the Kaga Onsen resort area provides therapeutic bathing amid mountain forests.
Top spas
Curated picks for treatments and day spas.
Wellness retreats
Multi-day immersive experiences.
Beniya Mukayu Retreat
A complete wellness retreat combining mountain onsen, forest immersion, kaiseki meals, and optional meditation sessions. 2-night minimum recommended.
Where: Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga
Signature treatments
Local specialties worth seeking out.
Items
Yoga & meditation
Studios, classes, and meditation centres.
Wellness travel tips
Get the most from your wellness experience.
The four Kaga Onsen towns — Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Katayamazu, and Awazu — are within 10 km of each other; a day trip from Kanazawa covers all four by car or the Kaga Community Bus.
Bring a small towel (tenugui) to public baths — available at the bath entrance for ¥100–¥200 (~$1–$1.35).
Traditional etiquette: wash thoroughly at a shower station before entering the communal bath; remove all clothing including swimwear.
Most onsen have designated men's and women's sections; mixed bathing (konyoku) is rare. Check signage at entry.
Tattooed visitors are generally not admitted to public onsen in Japan; private baths at ryokan can be reserved and are tattoo-friendly.