CENTRAL ISHIKAWA

(click on the above link or the area of your choice on the map)

Central Ishikawa is dominated by the city of Kanazawa and it's sprawling suburbs. Kanazawa really is the centre of commercial and social activity in Ishikawa. It is a lively city; not too large, however, to have lost the character it has carried over since old times, and it was lucky to escape bombing in the Second World War. The suburbs include the large towns of Matto and Nonoichi in the South and Uchinada and Tsubata to the North (comprising part of Kahoku County). At the Eastern side of the city begin the Japan Alps and these can be seen on most days. Around Matto is the small town of Tsurugi on the road that leads into the heart of Hakusan National Park and South Ishikawa.

Central Ishikawa is a very convenient place to be located. Within two hours one can be whisked to Kyoto by train from Kanazawa and within half an hour, can drive up to some of the many many ski slopes that Ishikawa and nearby Toyama have to offer. Tokyo is a mere four to five hours by train or six-seven by (much cheaper) overnight bus. The area is serviced by Komatsu Airport, approximately 45 minutes drive from Central Kanazawa. This is an incredibly handy airport with flights departing here for destinations all over Japan. You can even fly to Seoul, Korea direct! Throughout the region you are never too far awy from the beach if you need to cool off in the incredibly sticky summer months.

There are a large amount of JETs living in the Central Ishikawa region and this number is increasing with each year. However, you can still walk around Kanazawa some afternoons and find it very difficult to see a foreigner.