Kaga — the nature of Hokuriku
KAGA: THE QUIET OF MOSS AND STONE

Kaga — Nature of Hokuriku

Journey through ancient temples, hot springs, and the moss village

  • Duration: 9 hours (starting at 9:00)
  • Price: On request
  • Departure: Departure and arrival at hotels in Kanazawa

Overview

South of Kanazawa lies Kaga—a land of the sacred Mount Hakusan, hot springs, and centuries-old traditions. For over thirteen centuries, nature and faith have shaped a unique world here, where temples, forests, and daily life still exist in harmony. Unlike the bustling historic centers of Kyoto and Nara, Kaga has preserved an atmosphere of tranquility and a deep connection with the surrounding landscape.

 

This journey is designed for those who have already discovered Kanazawa and wish to see another side of Hokuriku. Traveling by private car with a driver, you will follow the scenic roads of Kaga to visit a cave temple carved into a former stone quarry, the ancient Natadera Temple among giant volcanic rocks, Yamanaka Onsen—a resort that inspired Matsuo Bashō—and a village where moss-covered satoyama landscapes have become one of the region’s most poetic corners.

 

Itinerary: Hotel in Kanazawa → Hanibe Gankutsuin → Natadera Temple → Yamanaka Onsen (lunch) → Kakusenkei Gorge → Hiyo Koke-no-Sato → Hotel in Kanazawa

Key Features

  1. Hanibe Ganktsuin — A quarry-cave from the Edo period, transformed by artist Yuma Tsugada into a Buddhist world. Statues of two generations—father and son—are lined along the approximately 150-meter tunnel.
  2. Natadera Temple — A sacred site shaped by underwater volcanoes. The temple was founded in 717. The main hall rises above the rocky cliffs of Kigan Yusenkyo and is recognized as an important cultural asset of Japan.
  3. Yamanaka Onsen — The famous hot spring village in the Hokuriku region with a 1,300-year history. In 1689, Matsuo Basho stayed here and wrote a haiku: “Yamanaka — I will not pick chrysanthemums, the scent of the hot spring.”
  4. Kakusenkei Gorge — A gorge stretching for approximately 1.3 km. The S-shaped Ayatori Bridge, a modern masterpiece about 94.7 meters long, was designed by Sofu Teshigahara, head of the Sogetsu school of ikebana.
  5. Kawadoko — From April to November, a riverside terrace operates at the foot of the Ayatori Bridge, where you can enjoy views of the Kakusenkei Gorge and the sound of flowing water over a cup of tea and traditional sweets.
  6. Nichiyōgoke no Sato — The village in the city of Komatsu is itself a moss garden. Local residents have cared for it for generations, and around forty-eight species of moss can be seen here.

Itinerary

Day 1 — A Day in Kaga — In the Footsteps of Stones, Hot Springs, and Moss

  • 09:00 Departure from the hotel in Kanazawa
    Depart from Kanazawa in a private vehicle with a driver and guide, heading towards Kaga. Along the way, you will gradually leave the cityscapes behind and find yourself amidst lands that have been connected for centuries with the cult of the sacred Mount Hakusan.
  • 09:45 Hanibe Gankutsu-in
    Amidst the forest, a giant Buddha head suddenly appears—the entrance to the Hanibe cave temple. Venturing deep into the former quarry, you will find yourself in a space where, over 150 meters, an impressive world of Buddhist sculptures unfolds, all created by a single master. This is one of the most unusual places in Kaga, where stone has been transformed into a site of prayer and contemplation.
  • 11:00 Natadera Temple
    Along an avenue of ancient cedars and moss-covered stones, you will ascend to the Natadera Temple, nestled among the cliffs. The rocks were formed by ancient underwater volcanoes and have acquired their present shape through centuries of erosion. Passing through the sacred cave Iwaya Tainai Kuguri, you will partake in an ancient tradition symbolizing rebirth and a new stage of life.
  • 13:00 Yamanaka Onsen (lunch)
    Enjoy lunch in the picturesque resort town of Yamanaka Onsen. Experience the seasonal cuisine of Kaga: fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, including the famous crab, and kaiseki dishes prepared with the finest local ingredients. In the atmosphere of an old hot spring resort that once inspired Matsuo Basho, savor a leisurely retreat and the flavors of the region.
  • 14:30 Kakusenkei Gorge
    Stroll through the picturesque Kakusenkei Gorge along the Daishoji River, following a trail between wooded slopes and clear streams. Along the way, you will cross the elegant Ayatori Bridge, designed by architect Hiroshi Teshigahara, and admire waterfalls, deep pools, and the seasonal colors of one of the most beautiful corners of Yamanaka Onsen.
    From April to November, in fine weather, you can pause on a terrace right by the river and enjoy a cup of tea and traditional Japanese sweets to the soothing sound of the water.
  • 15:30 Nichiyōgoke no Sato
    Moss Village is a hidden village nestled among majestic cedars, where dozens of moss species form a soft green carpet. Surrounded by silence and the humid forest air, you will discover a unique satoyama landscape shaped by centuries of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
  • 15:30 At guests’ request, the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute
    Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute is for those who wish to delve deeper into the world of Japanese sake. In this unique “sake laboratory,” which continues the philosophy of the legendary master Noguchi Naohiko, you can taste various styles of sake, compare the influence of different rice varieties and production methods, and sample the renowned Yamahai sake and premium Daiginjo, crafted from Gohyakumangoku rice grown in Ishikawa Prefecture.
  • 16:40 Departure to Kanazawa
    Head to the hotel, cherishing memories of the mountain villages of Kaga and the Sea of Japan.
  • 18:00 Hotels in Kanazawa
    Return to the Kanazawa hotel. Leisure time.

Kaga: The Art of Time

Amidst greenery shaped by time

In Kaga, nothing is created in haste.

The cliffs of Natadera were born from the fire of ancient underwater volcanoes, then shaped over millennia by wind, rain, and time. The moss that now graces the local gardens and forests did not appear by human design—it gradually spread beside village homes, where generations have lived in harmony with the surrounding nature. The hot springs of Yamanaka continue to flow just as they did centuries ago, preserving the atmosphere that once inspired the poet Matsuo Bashō.

Here, little arises in an instant. Even the Hanibe cave temple was the life's work of a single sculptor, who devoted decades to creating his world from stone. And yet, his vision remained unfinished, as if to remind us that time is always the greatest master.

Traveling through Kaga is an encounter with a place where nature and people have created beauty together for centuries. Among moss, stone, forests, and hot springs, one feels a simple truth: the most beautiful things take time.

Additional options

 

  • Private visit to the famous Kaga Onsen hot springs
  • Stay at a ryokan in Yamanaka or Yamashiro Onsen
  • Excursion to a Kutani ceramics studio and meeting with a ceramist
  • Eiheiji Temple (the main temple of the Soto Zen school)
  • Helicopter tour over Mount Hakusan and the Sea of Japan
  • Visit to Hokuriku region artisans specializing in lacquerware and gold leaf

Practical Information

Start time / Duration
9:00 / 9 hours
Included
・Car with a private driver
・Accompaniment by a personal guide
・Entrance tickets

*Please note: meals and additional options are not included in the tour price.