Central Ishikawa

Central Ishikawa is dominated by the city of Kanazawa and it's sprawling suburbs. Kanazawa really is the center 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 (not yet linked, sorry!) 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 (not yet linked, sorry!) on the road that leads into the heart of Hakusan National Park and South Ishikawa.

Central Ishikawa is the most "urban" portion of the prefecture, due primarily in part to the fact that the three large cities of Kanazawa, Nonoichi and Matto run into one another forming an almost continuous stretch of city for a great deal of the region.  Many JETs are located in the region, and even those that are not will find themselves making a trip here at least several times during their stay whether to attend to business in the government offices or else for shopping.  Unlike the northern and southern parts of the prefecture, it is not uncommon to encounter a large number of other foreigners in this part of Japan - not only other JETs, but students studying at Kanazawa National University, artists, eikaiwa teachers, store employees and the like. 

 

Central Ishikawa is bordered on the right by Toyama prefecture, and a long, rather non-descript west coast on the Sea of Japan.  Compared to the mountainous southern Kaga region and the splendid natural beauty and coasts of the northern Noto peninsula, the geography of central Ishikawa seems rather ordinary, with a preponderance of rice fields and the occasional river being the only notable geographical aspects of the area.  That having been said, a few of the beaches along the coast aren't too bad - and many local JETs will occasionally have parties along the ocean in the summer.


 

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!

For more information on inter/intra prefectural travel (including some routes and timetables), please click [here].

The following are towns located in Central Ishikawa.  

• Kanazawa
• :: Tsubata
• :: Matto
• :: Nonoichi

Descriptions coming soon!

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There are a variety of events which take place within central Ishikawa every year.  The premier attraction is the Hyakumangoku Festival ("hyakuman koku = "1 million koku" = 5 million bushels of rice) which takes place in the city of Kanazawa on the second Saturday of June every year.  This festival and parade commemorates the entrance of the ancient feudal lord Maeda into his castle (a small remnant of which still remains near Kenrokuen garden) as well as the traditional abundance of rice which used to be grown in the region.  The festivities stretch out over the weekend and in addition to the parades, traditional dancing, acrobatics, and beauty pageant, are also marked by more practical nods towards modernity, including half-priced admissions to local movie theaters, department store sales and free admission to some local attractions (notably Kenrokuen).

Beyond this, there are also many smaller festivals throughout the year, such as the Asanogawa river festival in late spring and other events of note, such as the yukizuri at Kenrokuen (in late fall when ropes are erected on the many soaring pine trees in Kenrokuen garden to protect them from the heavy winter snowfall).

 

Located within Central Ishikawa, the prefectural capital of Kanazawa is undoubtedly its star attraction.  As the largest city in the prefecture, Kanazawa has a wide range of shopping, cultural and recreational activities to make the drive down/up more than worthwhile.  Here you'll be able to find not only the comforts from home (familiar coffee shops, clothing stores and movie theaters) but also quintessential Ishikawa goods and products, such as top notch sushi restaurants and gold leaf and pottery studios.  Kanazawa also contains many important sights as well, including the famous Kenrokuen garden (the city's pride and joy which draws hundreds of tourists from all over Japan daily), two separate geisha districts, a samurai district, assorted museums, a famous Noh theater and a variety of government offices necessary for things such as getting your re-entry permit or driver's license (actually in Uchinada).

In addition, the city of Matto, located slightly south of Kanazawa, is also host to an internationally famous Taiko museum and workshop, where you can go to not only see the drums being made, but take lessons on playing.  Many local JETs with an interest in Taiko have been known to make commutes from as far away as the northern Noto peninsula to take lessons!
 

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.