Kanazawa as the tourism hub of Hokuriku region is not just a destination, but an excellent starting point for exploring nearby towns. Many people treat Kanazawa as the end point, but actually from here, you can reach fishing port towns full of local life and traditional craft towns in less than two hours. This article doesn't discuss the old streets and Kenroku-en (those are already must-visit classics), but takes you into the "small town daily life" around Kanazawa that locals love to visit and fewer tourists go to.
When it comes to small trips around Kanazawa, Taka is an absolute must-stop. Taking a regular JR train from Kanazawa, you can reach this ancient copperware city in about 30 minutes. The Takaoka Daibutsu is the landmark, but the real fun lies in exploring the old streets of the "Kanya-machi" area — where the nine-story tower-style storehouses preserve the merchant landscape from the Edo period. Importantly, Taka's crafts are more affordable than in central Kanazawa, and the same washi paper crafts or lacquerware here often have more room for negotiation. In recent years, due to reduced China-Japan flights, Taka's tourist crowds are less than previous years, making the travel quality more leisurely — which is actually good news for travelers who want to visit deeply in the off-season.
At lunch time, it's strongly recommended to eat at "Fushiki Port." Fushiki is about a 15-minute drive from Takaoka Station, and this small fishing port has amazing fresh fish direct sales shops. Every morning fishing boats dock, and the same day's catch of natural sea bream and nodoguro (のどぐろ) are displayed right at the stalls, at less than half the price of city restaurants. A grilled nodoguro set meal costs around ¥1,500, while the same level of ingredients in Tokyo would start at ¥3,000. The おひや (ochaya / cold tea rice soup) here is another classic local recommendation — soaking rice in cold tea with green onions, paired with side dishes, is the most authentic port town flavor.
After eating and drinking, head toward Nanao Bay in the afternoon. Driving along the coastline from Fushiki, it takes about 50 minutes to reach Nanao City's "Wakura Onsen" — not for staying at a hot spring inn, but to visit their "Morning Market." The Wakura Onsen Morning Market operates from early morning until noon, gathering stalls run by wives of local fishermen selling their homemade pickled products and dried goods. Here you can find squid dried with natural salt (するめ), soy-pickled gingko nuts, and various seasonal seaweed. Prices are transparent and public — a small bag of dried squid is about ¥500, suitable for souvenirs or drinking snacks. Notably, because of decreased Chinese tourists, these local morning markets have been clearly impacted, and vendors are now more happy to host Japanese or English-speaking guests, with more proactive service attitudes than before.
If you still have time, driving another 20 minutes east from Wakura Onsen brings you to another hidden gem — "Suzu Onsen." On this hot spring street, there are less than ten old shops remaining, with no large chain hotels invading, preserving the most original "public bath" culture. One bath visit costs only ¥500, forming a stark contrast with tourist hot springs that start at ¥2,000. Suzu's coastline is famous for its strange rocks and mountains. Standing at the "Karakasa Stone" observation deck during afternoon sunset, the sea turns orange — that kind of quiet beauty is completely incomparable to those crowded popular attractions.
On the way back, if you're driving, don't miss "Senrihama" this seaside road. The beach connects with the road, and cars can directly drive onto part of the beach — this "DRIVE ON BEACH" experience is rare in other parts of Japan. In summer, you can park in the roadside parking lot and get out to play in the water; other seasons are suitable for a slow stroll, feeling the sea breeze.
Returning to central Kanazawa is around evening. If you still have energy, the "Nagamachi Samurai Residences" in Korinbō will light up at twilight, and the earthen walls and stone-paved paths present a different charm from daytime under the lights — this is the best lighting for photos, and it's also easier to avoid crowds.
Regarding transportation, if you're not a driving enthusiast, the "IR Ishikawa Railway Line" of Hokuriku Railway can connect Kanazawa along the route to Nanao, though trains are less frequent (about one regular train per hour), so be sure to check the timetable in advance. Using the "JR Pass Kansai North Hokuriku Ticket" covering this route saves the hassle of buying individual tickets. The total transportation cost for a day trip floats between ¥2,000-¥3,500, depending on whether you choose railway or driving.
Tip: This route is strongly recommended for driving or chartering, because the attractions are scattered and distances are not short, making it difficult to coordinate with bus schedules. Also, the things at the harbor morning market "the earlier the better" — usually before 10 a.m. is the freshest, and by afternoon the good parts may be picked over. Spring (March-May) is the best season for nodoguro, and autumn is the season for scallops and Matsuba crab — choosing the right time, the seafood grades will surprise you.
The surroundings of Kanazawa aren't just the names you can think of. Walking into these small towns, there's no喧囂 of tour buses, no套路 of souvenir shops, only real life flavors and the quiet pride of Japanese people. This is what a good trip should be like.
