Tastes and Culture of the Hokuriku Region SHORT TRIP1

It’s no secret that Ishikawa is a prefecture renowned for having some of the best seafood in Japan. With the Noto Peninsula being surrounded on three sides by ocean, and its mountains providing wild vegetables and mushrooms as well, this is a veritable treasure trove of delicious foods! One of the best places to taste the variety of wholesome local fare is at Wajima Morning Market, a famous market with over 1,000 years of history! The market features many stalls and stores offering local arts and crafts like lacquerware, fruits and veggies plucked from nearby farms, and dried and fresh fish pulled directly from the sea via Wajima Port. With so many people gathered, Wajima Morning Market is also a great place to chat with the locals as you stroll through the market trying different foods or checking out the items for sale.

The Noto Peninsula has a long, powerful connection with the ocean, and since at least the Edo period the people living on the Noto Peninsula have held Kiriko festivals between July and September to honor the gods for bountiful harvests from land and the sea. Over thirty of the incredible Kiriko lanterns that are paraded through the streets during these local festivals can be seen at the Kiriko Art Museum. The tallest of these Kiriko lanterns reaches 16 meters high, or about as tall as a four-story building! The museum also has videos of the festival, giving you a chance to see what the event is like. Afterwards be sure to try some of Wajima’s delicious seafood atop locally grown Noto rice.

Food is not just a substance needed for survival, but one of art and beauty in traditional Japanese culture. Visiting the Wajima Museum of Urushi (lacquer) Art is a fantastic way to explore the art behind local cuisine. The museum features many masterpieces from lacquer artists from all over Japan, some of whom are regarded as living national treasures. It gives an intricate look into the deep history of lacquer and the Japanese people's desire to live, sleep, and eat beautifully. You can even try your hand at coloring a spoon or pair of chopsticks. After visiting this amazing museum, enjoy a delectable Wajima meal served on traditional lacquerware, and see just how much more delicious and beautiful the meal becomes!

Toyama City is proud to have the largest community of glass artists in Japan. The Toyama Glass Art Museum serves as a window to the soul of contemporary glass artistry in Toyama. The locals call the museum “Kirari,” and its glittering new-age architectural design is by Kuma Kengo, the world-renowned architect who also designed the New National Stadium in Tokyo. When designing Kirari, Kuma was allegedly inspired by both Toyama glass art and the Tateyama mountain range, and the glass exterior of the building glitters in the sun like the snow-covered peaks that can be seen from Toyama City. Without a doubt, Kirari is an eye-catching landmark in the city. Located at Nishicho, one of the busiest intersections in Toyama City, the museum is easily accessible and close to many shopping and dining places. Be inspired by the elegant exhibits on display, or simply enjoy some family time at the relaxing Japanese-style café on the second floor of Kirari.

Standing grand and tall at the heart of Toyama City, Toyama Castle is known as the “floating castle,” thanks to its impressive moats along the Jinzu River. During medieval times, the castle was the official residence of the powerful Maeda Clan feudal lords. To learn more about the castle’s 400-year history be sure to enter the castle’s main tower, which is now home to the Toyama Municipal Folk Museum. From the top you also have great views of the city. The castle grounds remain one of the most historical sites in Toyama Prefecture, and visitors love the serene Japanese garden within the castle walls. Just outside the walls, however, you'll find bustling streets full of shops and restaurants, welcoming visitors with open doors and mouth-watering menus! After an amazing meal, stroll along the riverfront, admiring the view.

With its network of canals and beautiful waterfront, the city of Toyama is sometimes called the “City of Water,” and a boat ride on the Matsukawa River is an ideal place to experience this aspect of the city. The Matsukawa River has close to 460 cherry blossom trees lining its riverbank — creating a tunnel of cherry trees that you can glide through in spring — and is consistently ranked among the Top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. The Matsukawa River is also arguably one of the best places to feast your eyes on autumn leaf colors. During spring and autumn, a gentle boat ride down the Matsukawa River is the best way to worship Mother Nature in its full glory. For over three decades, the Matsukawa River Cruise has been bringing joy to people with their pleasant boat rides and warm hospitality. The boats dock at and depart from a riverside café — Matsukawa Teahouse — a great place to share good conversations and delicious food with your loved ones. And don't forget to try one of the most popular local dishes in Toyama: masu-zushi — a huge piece of trout sashimi over rice, wrapped in a bamboo leaf.

The word “Kitokito” means “fresh” in the local Toyama dialect, and at the Kitokito Market TOYAMARCHE you will indeed find all manner of fresh ingredients! Situated along the corridors of Toyama JR Station, the KitoKito Market TOYAMARCHE is one of the first pitstops for tourists to satisfy their food and retail appetite. It is also a popular choice among the locals for gift shopping, especially during festive seasons. The Japanese restaurants at TOYAMARCHE serve local Toyama delicacies such as masu-zushi (trout sushi), hotaru-ika (firefly squid), and shiro-ebi (white shrimp), to name a few. Just hop on a train or bus towards Toyama City and you’ll soon find yourself spoiled for choice at the KitoKito Market TOYAMARCHE.