Kaga hot spring resorts [加賀温泉郷]

Kaga hot spring resorts are at the southwest part of Ishikawa Prefecture.
Basically, Kaga hot spring resorts include four resorts: Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Katayamazu, Awazu.

All resorts have long histories.

Yamashiro, Yamanaka and Awazu were opened in the 8th century, and Katayamazu was opened in the middle of 17th century.

All of them have been the popular hot spring resorts in Hokuriku Region, then many tourists visit here every year.

The sightseeing route bus "CANBUS" runs from JR Kaga-Onsen station.
The bus goes to all hot spring resorts.

Yamashiro Onsen (山代温泉)

Yamashiro Onsen is the largest resort in Kaga hot spring resorts.
It is located about 4 km south of JR Kaga-onsen station.

There are about 30 high-class hotels and ryokans.

It is said that this hot spring was found by high priest Gyoki during his travel to Mount Hakusan in 725.

Since that, famous feudal warlords in the middle ages and many intellectuals in the modern ages visited here.

There is Kosôyu (古総湯) in the center of the onsen town.

It is a gorgeous public bathhouse restored in 2010, and is a symbol of Yamashiro Onsen.
It reproduces the bathing style in the 19th century. (Dressing place is by the bathtub, and soap isn't used.)

Additionally, Kutani ware, one of the popular and gorgeous Japanese porcelains, originated around here.
So there are a pottery, a gallery and a museum of Kutani wear in the town.

Yamashiro Onsen

Yamanaka Onsen (山中温泉)

Yamanaka Onsen is a hot spring resort located about 9 km south of JR Kaga-onsen station, and is located about 5 to 6 km south of Yamashiro Onsen.

This hot spring has a legend.

In the 8th century, this hot spring was found by priest Gyoki.

In the 13th century, a samurai found a wounded egret healing in a stream.
He dug the place, so new good hot spring gushed.
He built 12 inns there and that became the town of Yamanaka Onsen.

The onsen town is along a gorge named Kakusenkei formed by Daishoji River.
So the scenery of the stream and the forests are beautiful.

There are more than 20 ryokans in this resort.

The first Kurani ware was produced in this town in the middle of the 17th century.

And Yamanaka lacquerware is one of the major lacquer wares in Japan.
There are some workshops of lacquerware in the town.

Yamanaka Onsen

Katayamazu Onsen (片山津温泉)

Katayamazu Onsen is a hot spring resort located about 3 km northeast of JR Kaga-onsen station.

This hot spring resort is on the southwestern side of Lake Shibayamagata close to the Sea of Japan.
So the water of hot spring contains thick salt.

This hot spring was found in 1653, and was developed in the late 19th century.

There are about a dozen ryokans, and it is the only waterfront resort among Kaga hot spring resorts.

Katayamazu Onsen

Awazu Onsen (粟津温泉)

Awazu Onsen is the smallest resort among the Kaga hot spring resorts.
It is located about 9 km east of JR Kaga-onsen station.
There is Nata-dera temple about 3 km southwest of this Onsen town.

This hot spring was found by high priest Taicho in 718.
So, it is the oldest spring among four springs.

There are about a dozen ryokans.
And each ryokan has an own spring source.

It is said that the ryokan "Houshi" was opened when the spring was found.
It is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest accommodation and is still in business.

Awazu Onsen (Japanese website)

How to get here

Get off at Kaga-Onsen station of Hokuriku Shinkansen.
From Kanazawa, about 20 minutes by any limited express.
From Osaka, about 2 hours 10 to 20 minutes by limited express and Hokuriku Shinkansen (Transfer at Tsuruga).

Then, From Kaga-Onsen station, sightseeing route bus "CANBUS" goes to each Onsen town.

CANBUS

Other Tourist Attractions in Ishikawa Prefecture

Kaga area

Noto area

Return to Ishikawa Prefecture Return to Hokuriku Region