Wajima History

Long ago, during the Tumulus period (250~552 AD), people from the Asian continent called Japan, "Wa", and the port on the Noto peninsula, "Wa Island", or Wajima. This port town, a base for marine transportation, flourished as a gateway to continental culture. The culture of this remote region bound by the mountains and the sea developed as a result of this extraordinary cultural interplay. Wajima has flourished for centuries as a cultural gateway and now as a successful fishing port. Visitors are treated to visual delights as well as delicious delicacies. Fresh seafood and special seasonings are used to produce the simple, mouth-watering fare that has made the Noto famous.

Wajima Highlights

Wajima Lacquerware

Wajima lacquerware has gained worldwide recognition as one of Japan's intangible cultural assets. Its unusual durability is the result of time-honored techniques: more than 20 steps and over 100 processes are required to complete one piece. Special surface decorations such as chinkin (gold and /or silver inlaying) or maki-e (gold or silver raised lacquer painting) also characterize Wajima lacquerware.

Morning Market At daybreak, bidders for the days catch go down to the harbor with bicycle trailers in tow. They are all women with tanned faces and tenugui (Japanese hand towels) wrapped loosely around their heads. The fish are quickly auctioned off and then loaded onto the trailers for the trek to the town center. The vendors from the port and neighboring farmhouses have gathered, to sell their wares; an abundance of fresh and dried fish, vegetables, and folk crafts are spread out on straw mats and tables for all to see. The market begins another day as the vendors greet the passers-by. (Open every day except the 10th and 25th of the month).

Wajima-Taisai (Wajima’s Big Festival) Giant paper lanterns, or kirikos, which are 4m to 15m high, are essential to the festivals within the Noto. Wajima's festival kirikos are distinctive because of their magnificent lacquer coatings. In the Wajima-taisai, a portable shrine is accompanied by a few dozen kirikos and small lanterns through the streets. At the festival climax, a special bonfire by the sea is lit, and goheis (decorative strips of white paper used in Shinto rituals) that fall from the top are scrambled for by brave men wearing loincloths. This lively festival is held every summer for three days: August 23-25.

Gojinjo-daiko (Taiko Drum Performance) This performance originated from a story (ca.1577) about villagers scaring off invaders by dressing up in ferocious masks framed with seaweed "hair". On July 31st and August 1, ritual drumming is performed at the Nafune-Hakusan shrine. At other times, Gojinjo-daiko performances are held in front of the Wajimaya-honten store or in the precincts of the Kasuga shrine. Other traditional drumming styles such as Goshinji-daiko and Hasse-daiko are also performd in Wajima.

Wajima’s Places of Interest:

Kamogaura Point West of the harbor lies Kamogaura Point. Eroded by the sea, an interesting white rock formation extends 400m EW and 150m NS. A popular tourist spot in summer for hiking and fishing and in winter.

Sodegahama Beach Area & Campground Past Kamogaura, the road passes though the Konoha Tunnel, with it’s eerie walls of hollowed out rock, and comes out on a quiet inlet with an excellent beach. The beach around here is a focus for the International Cultural Exchange Village. The campground has cooking and toilet facilities, as well as ample parking, making the area popular with young and old alike.

Senmaida (1000 terraced rice paddies) More than 2000 rice paddy terraces create a beautiful geometrical pattern and command a beautiful view of the Sea of Japan. These rice fields receive a large amount of sunlight resulting in a high quality harvest. Since the use of farm machinery is not feasible, the farmers are forced to work with their hands. In comparison with paddies on level land, rice farming here takes about 10 times as much labor. Senmaida is a reminder of the farmer's struggle and persistence for survival.

For more information, please refer to the Wajima City Webpage:
http://www.wajima-city.or.jp/english/weindex.htm