Destinations

Noto Peninsula

"Dynamic and wild: two words that best describe the rugged coastlines of the Noto Penisula.  Get truly off the beaten track and discover dramatic cliffs and unusual rock formations."

Ruth Hubbard - Travel Consultant

The Noto Hanto, known in Japan as 'The Crooked Finger', is a 100km peninsula that juts into the Sea of Japan between Kanazawa and Toyama in northern Ishikawa Prefecture.  On the eastern side of the peninsula tiny fishing villages nestle along calm rolling beaches.  In contrast the western side displays weather beaten rugged landscapes and dramatic rock formations.  The peninsula has been designated a quasi-national park.

The Noto Hanto is best explored by hire car allowing you to meander up the coastline at a gentle pace fitting to this relaxed, rural region.  The small port of Wajima is a good starting place; the town boasts a colourful daily market.  From there the Sosogi coastline up to the Rokko-zaki cape is the perfect place to hike over the dynamic craggy geology.  At Senmaida, thousands of rice paddies cling to the slopes in terraces climbing down to the ocean.  On the gentler east coast, Tsukumo-wan is a pretty bay of inlets and islands.

Driving along the coast here is an experience of Japan far removed from the major cities of the eastern seaboard. The pace of life is slow and the people warm and friendly. Foreign visitors are still something of a novelty in this region and visitors are treated with the hospitality of a returning family member. The economic input of tourists is also greatly valued as the Noto Peninsula has suffered for its isolation.

The Noto Peninsula is a beautiful and isolated destination that will be a highlight of any visit to Japan.