Ishikawa-ken

Ishikawa-ken (Ishikawa prefecture)is in the central Chubu region of the main Japanese island Honshu. Ishikawa Prefecture is a peninsula located in the center of the western coast of Japan. Its 581 km coastline is bordered by the Sea of Japan. Ishikawa Prefecture has a rich history and beautiful scenery, which makes it a shame that it isn't visited more often. Perhaps the most well-known city in Ishikawa is Kanazawa, its capital, which boasts Japan's best-preserved samurai districts and one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan. Ishikawa has an enormous rice yield and is noted for its traditional handicrafts, including gold leaf, lacquerware, and silk dyeing.

Ishikawa is also the home of Mount Hakusan, a sacred mountain. The foot of Mount Hakusan is surrounded by villages influed by traditional Japanese lifestyles. The most northern region of Ishikawa is the Noto Peninsula, where you can find an incredible number of festivals, in addition to extensive distances of natural beauty. This region also bodes well for those interested in outdoor sports and relaxation. The Noto region has extensive sky and water sports available. Ishikawa is also well known for its number of ski resorts and hot springs.

Ishikawa's primary airport, located in Komatsu. JAL offers flights into the Komatsu Airport from Tokyo Haneda Airport and Okinawa Airport. ANA offers flights from Tokyo Haneda Airport, Tokyo Narita Airport, Sapporo New Chitose Airport, Sendai Airport, and Fukuoka Airport.

Food in Ishikawa is a big deal! Local specialties rule the roost here. A few year ago the "Noto-don" became very popular. "Don" or "donburi" are dishes served in a bowl over rice. Noto-don are donburi created by local restaurants only of local ingredients. You can follow a "donburi trail" when you travel around the Noto Peninsula.

Ishikawa is also well known for its fish. People in Japan say that the freshest, most delicious fish can be eaten in the Ishikawa area. One of the country's largest fisheries is in the Noto! Make sure to eat plenty of sushi and sashimi while you visit. Availability changes with the seasons. Make sure to try buri, katsuo, saba, ika, tako, ama-ebi, maguro, crab and the other 200 varieties available in this area.

Ishikawa is also famous for its traditional sweets called "wagashi." Many old family businesses still produce them the old fashioned way, carefully crafted from sweet bean paste and rice. A fresh, green, healthy treat with a cup of hot green tea.