Tsubata Town, Kahoku County, Ishikawa.

Click here for photos of Tsubata

Tsubata lies just north of Kanazawa at the fork in the road to Noto Hanto and Toyama. For this reason, it has a long history of people passing through. Now a commuter town for Kanazawa, the Genji and Heike Clans fought here, Maeda stopped at the castle to refuel for a battle further north and ever since big business has decided to build aircraft hanger-style shopping centers in Tsubata town.

Things to see and do

North
Ishikawa Forest Park: hiking, orienteering, !Pop Hill! summer concert. It’s the biggest forest park on Honshu!
Kawaidani: Is a valley in the upper reaches of town. It is probably no more special than a hundred other villages but simply says, “rural charm”. I bet city-folk eye it off for a bessou (holiday house) location. See the hamlets of Kyozu and Kami-Ota (has a natural spring and organic rice growers).
Mikuni-Yama Camp: Camping facilities in the hills. Very green, close to forest park. Great view of Kanazawa, Toyama and Mt. Houdatsu, hence the name Mikuni (lit. ‘three countries’)
Otaki: Simple but beautiful waterfall in the hills. Eat nagashi somen noodles straight from bamboo piping water from the falls.

East
Fudouji: A temple perched on top of a hill in pleasant surrounds at the border with Toyama. April/May sees the ‘Yaezakura’ late-blooming cherry tree festival. Noodle/oden shop open all year round. On National Historic Road hiking route.
Kurikara Juku: A recreation center / bath house / local produce shop / museum. Borrow ‘bear’ bells from here to go walking on the historic road hiking route. Located on the road to Toyama.
National Historic Road: Following the well-worn path of the daimyo. Catch a train to JR Isurugi (Toyama Line) and walk back via Fudouji and Kurikara Juku to JR Kurikara Station, about 10kms (3 hours hiking, medium level).

In Town
Shouraku Onsen: Great spot to stop on your way home from a weekend somewhere. Not a ‘real’ onsen but very new and luxurious with outdoor bath, steam room, sauna, various jet baths, tubs, massage service and recommended healing sauna (extra fee) and a big chill-out area with food and drink and killer massage chairs. \630 Chotto pricey ne! Located near Tsubata Station at Al Plaza complex.
Kuze Sake Brewery: Open for tours after new year, this old wooden building is fronted by a more conventional shop on the corner of the old shopping street (shotengai).
Mineral Spring: Found between Naka-Tsubata and Hon-Tsubata Stations, this water is used by the sake brewer.
Tsubata Library: A selection of childrens’ books in English plus lots of activities (in Japanese).

West
Kahoku Inlet:
- Depending on the season, visitors may be able to spot migratory birds stopping on their way from Siberia to South East Asia and Australia.
- Tsubata Town has a rowing club on the inlet. If you live nearby, it may be possible to join.

Events
January (just after New Year) – Local sake brewer runs tours of the brewery in brewing season.
April – Procession on the National Historic Road. Dress up in traditional costume and walk the walk with Tsubata’s big wigs. The Mayor will no doubt be there.
April/May Yaezakura Matsuri: Pound mochi with the priests at Fudouji.
August
- National Amateur sumo bout.
- Hassaku Matsuri: Dancing, fireworks in Sumiyoshi Park for obon.
- Tsubata Rowing Regatta on Kahoku Inlet (all JETs welcome, contact CIR).
- Kasano Matsuri: A new festival based on a “fire, water and sound” theme, it received a big financial boost in 2003, allowing the organizers to invite a famous singer and Matsuda Seiko impersonator from Tokyo. The concert, massive bonfire and accompanying fireworks are worth a look. Advance tickets (free) may be required.
September 15th– Shishimai Matsuri: Young people (18-35) carry lion-like puppets from each neighbourhood, meet and have a mock battle at the main street intersection while slogging back litres of above-mentioned sake.

Shopping
· Plant 3 - literally everything under one roof. Think cheap and bulk.
· Al Plaza – electrical goods, supermarket, Tsutaya video, various fast food places, cheap sushi.
· Kaji-Mart – Though small, Kaji-Mart warrants a mention for its variety of foreign and natural foods. Apparently a local phenomenon, now with a branch in Kanazawa M-Iza.
Local Produce
· Sunflower oil, bamboo charcoal, pottery, apples, sake, soba noodles, sweets and amazing organic brown rice from Kawaidani. (See Kurikara Juku). The sake brewer sources water from a public spring in town.

Access
Tsubata is 10 mins by train (230�~ via the Hokuriku Honsen Line or Nanao Line) and 20 mins by car from Kanazawa. Take Route 159 which runs through town.

Information
Town web site (Japanese only) http://www.town.tsubata.ishikawa.jp/.
For more information, contact Tsubata Town Hall Tourism Division during business hours. (They may not have an English speaker. If so, ask if you can speak to the kokusai-kouryu-in or an English teacher) TEL(076)288-2121 FAX(076)288-6358