| Introduction
Situated on the West coast of the spectacular
Noto Penninsula, Hakui Gun (area) incorporates Hakui City,
Oshimizu Town, Shio Town and Shika Town.
The area boasts some of the most scenic coastline
in Ishikawa as well as an abundance of opportunities to indulge
in traditional Japanese pastimes – whether you fancy
donning a Kimono and learning the art of Tea Ceremony, perfecting
your Karate kicks or enjoying the lively local festivals –
there’s never far to travel!
With some slightly unusual claims to fame
- Hakui City being a UFO centre, while Moses is supposedly
buried in Oshimizu Town - Hakui Gun also prides itself on
an assortment of local culinary specialities: figs, dried
persimmons, water melons and raw oysters are all among the
famed foods of the region! If however, you find yourself suffering
from a local food overdose, Hakui City itself has a reasonable
share of foreign food restaurants where you can get your western
food fix as and when required!
A huge advantage of living in and around
Hakui is undoubtedly the friendliness of the people! Clichéd
as it sounds the people definitely help make the place!
Hakui
City
A “city” of 25 000 people, Hakui
has a versatile character. The modern Hakui, famed as a U.F.O
centre, is home to Cosmo Isle, a contemporary space museum,
as well as a number of other modern amenities commonly found
in larger towns. It therefore comes as somewhat of a surprise
to discover exactly the same rural feel in Hakui as in the
smaller, neighbouring areas.
Hakui’s central location within the
prefecture makes it an ideal base to explore Ishikawa! Hop
on a train south for an hour to reach the hustle and bustle
of Kanazwa, while an hour in the opposite direction will take
you to the heart of traditional, rural Japan. Kyoto, Japan’s
cultural capital, can also be reached directly from Hakui,
by train, in approximately 3 hours.
The same is true of Haiku itself as of its
location. One night it may be MacDonalds for dinner followed
by a trip to the gym, the next you could be winding alongside
the rice fields en route to a flower arranging class before
a long night of Sake (Japanese wine) and Karaoke! Take your
pick!
Oshimizu
Town (Population 9000)
· 45 – 50 minutes to Kanazawa
by train (South)
· 12 – 15 minutes to Hakui by train (North)
Described as the gateway to the Noto Penninsula,
Oshimizu is wedged between Mt Hodatsu on the East and the
Sea of Japan on the West. This small town provides an ideal
introduction to the varied scenery and laid-back atmosphere
that awaits as you venture North, deeper into the Noto.
Mt Hodastu, the highest mountain in the Noto
(650 metres), provides plenty of opportunity for activity,
or if you prefer, just simple sight seeing! A road has been
built to the peak of the mountain providing a slightly more
challenging Sunday afternoon stroll or bike ride. If that
sounds like too much activity, simply hop in a car and enjoy
the 20-minute drive to the summit; upon arrival sit back and
relax in the charismatic coffee shop ideally situated to provide
breathtaking views of the Noto Coastline (the coffee shop
has erratic opening hours / days – best pack a picnic
just incase!).
Oshimizu Town (Imahama) is also the southernmost
point of access to the famous Chirihama Beach Driveway. This
8km stretch of beach consists of sand so firm that you can
drive a car or ride a bike all the way to Hakui City. In summertime,
the beach comes to life with tourists and locals alike relaxing
in the sweltering heat before cooling off in the Sea of Japan!
Shio
Town (Population 7,500)
· 50 - 55 minutes to Kanazawa by train (South)
· 7 – 10 minutes to Hakui by train (North)
Known for its beauty during the Hanami Season (Cherry Blossom),
Shio is a picturesque town that lies at the heart of Ishikawa
Prefecture. In days gone by Shio town earned prosperity and
respect for its role as a post-station town connecting Toyama
prefecture and the Noto area.
In springtime, Shio Town’s “Park
of Harmony” (Yawaragi-no-sato) provides essential Cherry
Blossom viewing (a national obsession used as an excuse for
parties)! Around mid April time, the park flourishes when
over one thousand Cherry Trees come into full bloom providing
a feast of colour and an impressive sight for even die-hard
cherry blossom fans!
Shio Town also has a number of routes onto
Chirihama Beach Driveway that runs from Oshimizu Town to Hakui
City.
Shika Town
(Population 15,000)
· Approximately 15 - 20 minutes to
Hakui by car (Shika has no train station)
· From Hakui to Kanazawa by train 55 – 60 minutes.
The furthest north of the towns in the Hakui
area, Shika is infamous for its Nuclear Power Station. While
not top of most people’s sight seeing agenda, the power
station has lead to large influxes of cash to the area thus
funding many worthwhile initiatives.
In keeping with the Noto area, the Shika
coastline has more than its fair share of appealing beaches
and attractive scenery. In particular, Shika is renowned for
spectacular sunsets over both its sandy and rocky coastline.
A relaxed, rural atmosphere has resulted
in Shika becoming a popular second “holiday home”
destination for many Japanese people. Additionally, Togi Town,
Shika’s neighbour to the North is home to a number of
impressive rock formations created by the Sea of Japan - each
of these is surrounded by a mysterious tale dating back to
previous centuries.
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