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[Ishikawa ]A different Ishikawa trip with "Katayamazu Onsen "where you can play the whole day!

[Ishikawa ]A different Ishikawa trip with "Katayamazu Onsen "where you can play the whole day!

2023-03-01

Ishikawa Prefecture is known as Kanazawa is the most major tourist destination. However, it is very crowded during the Bon Festival and Golden Week, "and some people may say that it was too crowded to relax ...... ". Therefore, we would like to introduce a hidden hot spring spot "in Ishikawa Prefecture, Katayamazu Onsen ". If you go to Katayamazu Onsen, which is not only a hot spring but also a hot spring spot with many Instagram-worthy spots and experience spots, you can have a different trip to Ishikawa while avoiding the crowds!

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What is Katayamazu Onsen?

Katayamazu Onsen is a hot spring resort in Ishikawa Prefecture, known as one of Hokuriku's proud hot spring areas "Kaga Onsenkyo ". The spring water is a moist and smooth sodium calcium chloride spring. It is popular as a hot spring that keeps you warm after bathing.

One of the unique features of Katayamazu Onsen is that it faces the shore of a lake. "The large lake, called Shibayamagata ( "), is as vast as the ocean. Many of the ryokans in Katayamazu Onsen are located on the shore of the lake, so you can relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the lakeside when you stay at a ryokan.

The nearest station to Katayamazu Onsen is "Kaga Onsen "station, and a 10-minute cab ride from the station will take you to Katayamazu Onsen. It takes about 27 minutes from Kanazawa Station to Kaga Onsen Station by limited express train, and 20 minutes by car from Komatsu Airport, which is surprisingly convenient. If you are planning a trip to Ishikawa, it might be fresh and fun to make an itinerary such as Kanazawa on the first day and Katayamazu Onsen on the second day!

I actually went to 4 spots in Katayamazu Onsen.

Katayamazu Onsen is actually a recommended tourist spot not far from Kanazawa, and I will introduce four spots that I actually visited and enjoyed. Whether you are looking for a place to heal or a spot to be Instagrammed, Katayamazu Onsen actually has it all!

Uki Uki Benten (floating shrine)

Ukimido, also known as "Kigi-Uki Benten ", is a floating temple on the lake. It is beautiful during the daytime, but it stands out most at night when it is illuminated. The reflection of the floating Benten upside down on the quiet lake with no waves creates a fantastic mood.



"Why is the hall in the lake? "You may be wondering, "Why is the hall in the lake? Actually, it is due to the legend of "the dragon god and his daughter "that has been handed down in Katayamazu Onsen for a long time. It is said that "Orochi ", a dragon that once lived in Shibayamagata, was appeased by Benzaiten, who took the form of a daughter, and became a dragon god, which led to the gush of hot spring water in Shibayamagata and the prosperity of Katayamazu Onsen today. She is the guardian deity of this hot spring.



The lighting up of the Uki Uki Benten is not the only thing that makes Shibayamagata a nighttime attraction. The lighting up of the giant fountain, which rises 70 meters, is as impressive as the Uki Uki Benten. I saw it from the window of a ryokan, and it was so dynamic that you could clearly see it from the upper floors.

"Basic Information "
Spot name: Uki Uki Benten
Address: 60, Katayamazu Onsen, Kaga, Ishikawa 922-0412, Japan
Access: JR "Kaga Onsen "station to Kaga Shuyu Bus (Canbasukai-bound) →11 Katayamazu Onsen/Yunomoto Koen bus stop, about 200m
Phone number: 0761-74-1123 (Katayamazu Onsen Tourist Association)
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Closed: No holidays
Admission: Free
URL:https://www.tabimati.net/spot/detail_238.html

Katayamazu Onsen Ashi-no-yu En-en-gawa



While ryokans and hotels in Katayamazu Onsen always have a hot spring bath, a footbath is perfect for those who want to stop by while walking around town! You can enjoy 100 percent free-flowing hot spring water in a park located in the central area of the hot spring.



This is actually a light-up spot as well. At night, it is illuminated by colorful spotlights and becomes an Instagram-worthy spot, completely different from the basic footbath atmosphere in the daytime.



Many facilities in hot spring resorts have short opening hours, and many restaurants and souvenir shops close in the evening, but this "Footbath Engawa "is open until 24:00 pm, so you can stop by even for a late stroll.

"Basic Information "
Spot Name: Katayamazu Onsen Ashi-no-Yu Enugawa
Address: Katayamazu Onsen, Kaga, Ishikawa 922-0412
Access: JR "Kaga Onsen "station to Kaga Shuyu Bus (Canbasukai-bound) →11 Katayamazu Onsen/Yunomoto Koen bus stop, about 50m
Phone number: 0761-74-1123 (Katayamazu Onsen Tourist Association)
Hours of operation: 5:00 - 24:00
Closed: No holidays
Admission: Free
URL:https://www.tabimati.net/spot/detail_213.html

Nakaya Ukichiro Snow Science Museum

This is a science museum related to the research on snow, a specialty of Nakaya Ukichiro Nakaya, a physicist from Katayamazu Onsen.

"I don't want to study until I go to a tourist attraction. "If that's the case, wait a minute! The Snow Science Museum is not your ordinary museum or art museum, but an active and fun facility where hands-on events are held several times a day.

Create diamond dust in a refrigerator, get up close and personal with "supercooled" water that doesn't freeze at 0 degrees, make ice pendants, or be shrouded in fog at "Greenland Glacier Field ". ...... You will have many "only here" experiences.

The author bought a snow necklace made of beads as a souvenir. This is a unique place in Katayamazu Onsen where adults and children alike can enjoy themselves.

The Snow Science Museum faces the Shibayama Lagoon, so if you go down from the courtyard to the lakeside, you can get close to the water's edge. You can even see the ...... fish jumping around. Katayamazu Onsen is a place where you can feel nature close by.

"Basic Information "
Spot Name: Nakatani Ukichiro Snow Science Museum
Address: a106, Ushiotsu-cho, Kaga, Ishikawa, 922-0411, Japan
Access: JR "Kaga Onsen "Station to Kaga Shuyu Bus (Canbasukai-bound) → 9, short walk from Nakatani Ukichiro Snow Science Museum bus stop.
Phone number: 0761-75-3323
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Closed: Wednesday (open on national holidays)
Admission: Adults 560 yen, High school students and younger free
URL:https://yukinokagakukan.kagashi-ss.com/

Aizenji Temple

This is a must-see spot for those who want to get a good look at the installations in Katayamazu Onsen. Aizenji Temple not only protects Katayamazu Onsen, but is also a temple dedicated to Aizenmyoo ", the Buddha of matchmaking ", so it has many attractions as a matchmaking spot!



Aizenji Temple is famous for its "heart ema ". There are two types to choose from: bright red hearts and dotted hearts. Just looking at all the ema lined up in a row is a sight to behold.



"How do you write this ema? "You may wonder, "How do I write on this ema? In fact, the ema is an "inlaid" type, with the heart part snapping into place.

This ema is called "Isshin Ema ", and as the name suggests, you can make "only one wish. First, choose a red heart and write your wish, then look for an ema that fits the heart perfectly. Then, when you find one that fits perfectly, you insert it into the ema while putting your "single-mindedness" into it. The "fitting ema" is said to be patent pending, so this may be the only place where you can experience the "fitting ema.

The next famous spot is the newest spot in 2022, "Happy Doors Everywhere ".

Open the door and you'll find ......

The observatory offers a panoramic view of Katayamazu Onsen Hot Spring and Shibayamagata Lagoon! Since Aizenji Temple is located on a slightly elevated hill, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the mountains in the distance. The door is a great installation, but the view beyond is also worth seeing.

In addition to that, there are many other Instagram-worthy spots throughout the temple. For example, there are colorfully decorated bells and ......



There is a heart-shaped gate.

Aizenji Temple, decorated with hearts and colorful colors, was a bit different from the overall atmosphere of Katayamazu Onsen, and I felt excited as if I had come to another tourist spot.

After taking a bath in the hot springs and feeling the nature of Shibayamagata, please visit some "modern" spots with a slightly different flavor!

"Basic Information "
Spot Name: Aizenji Temple
Address: 11-3-5, Katayamazu Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa 922-0412
Access: JR "Kaga Onsen "station to Kaga Shuyu bus (Canbass sea round) -> 12 Katayamazu Onsen So-yu bus stop, about 350m
Phone number: 0761-74-0169
Hours of operation: 6:30 - 17:30 (varies depending on season and other factors)
Closed: No holidays
Admission fee: None
URL:http://aizenji.jp/

summary

We have introduced four spots in Katayamazu Onsen. It is within about 30 minutes from Kanazawa and Komatsu Airport, so it is a perfect place to stop by during your trip to Ishikawa.

In fact, when I visited Ishikawa, I spent one day in Kanazawa and another day in Katayamadu Onsen. It is not a huge spa town, so the scale of the area is attractive, and it is easy to visit in just one day.

Katayamazu Onsen is a small town that is packed with healing spots, experience spots, and Instagram-worthy spots. "If you have only been to Kanazawa ( "), you should definitely visit.

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