Kaga Onsen (加賀温泉郷) is a collective name for four hot spring resort towns located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan: Yamashiro Onsen, Yamanaka Onsen, Katayamazu Onsen, and Awazu Onsen. These hot springs have been popular since ancient times, attracting Japanese nobility and samurai during the Edo period (1603-1868).
Each of the four hot spring towns has its own unique charm and features. Yamashiro Onsen, with its long history as a therapeutic retreat, boasts communal bathhouses like Soyu and the old Soyu. Yamanaka Onsen is nestled along the picturesque Kakusenkei Gorge, known for its famous Koorogi Bridge. Katayamazu Onsen, situated by the Shibayamagata lagoon, is famous for its lakeside fireworks and wintering ducks. Awazu Onsen, with 1,300 years of history, is characterized by its smooth and moisturizing spring water.
The towns offer a variety of hot springs, from traditional Japanese-style baths to modern, luxury spa facilities. Visitors can relax in the soothing waters while enjoying the surrounding mountains and countryside.
Kaga Onsen is also known for its traditional Japanese architecture and culture. Visitors can stroll through the historic Higashi Chaya district, a nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, where traditional tea houses still stand and geisha entertainment can be experienced. The Kutaniyaki Ceramic Art Museum is another must-visit destination for those interested in the region’s rich ceramic heritage.
The towns also offer a variety of activities, including Kutaniyaki ceramic painting, Yamanaka lacquerware crafting, and Japanese confectionery making. For those interested in exploring the surrounding area, there are many attractions such as Natadera Temple with its stunning rock formations and autumn foliage, the Tsukiusagi no Sato rabbit theme park, Ataka Barrier Gate, a legendary site associated with the folk hero Yoshitsune, and the Japan Automobile Museum with its collection of rare cars from around the world.
Visitors can savor local delicacies like crab and sushi at the town’s numerous restaurants and find traditional crafts and locally made goods at souvenir shops.
Attractions in Kaga Onsen
Getting there and around
By Shinkansen
From Tokyo:
- Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kaga Onsen Station
- Journey time: About 2 hours 45 minutes
- Cost: Around 15,000 yen
- Fully covered by Japan Rail Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass
By Train
From Osaka/Kyoto:
- Take the Super Express Thunderbird to Tsuruga Station
- Transfer to Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kaga Onsen Station
- Total journey time: About 2 hours 15 minutes from Osaka, 1 hour 45 minutes from Kyoto
From Nagoya:
- Take the Super Express Shirasagi to Tsuruga Station
- Transfer to Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kaga Onsen Station
- Journey time: About 2 hours 30 minutes
By Bus
- Overnight highway buses operate from Tokyo to Kaga Onsen
- Journey time: About 7-8 hours
- Cost: 5,000-7,500 yen one way
By Air
- Fly to Komatsu Airport (nearest airport to Kaga Onsen)
- From Komatsu Airport:
- Take a bus to Komatsu Station
- Transfer to Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kaga Onsen Station
Local Transportation
- Kaga Loop Bus (Can Bus) connects Kaga Onsen Station with major attractions
- Three main routes: Sea Course, Mountain Course, and Komatsu Airport Course
- 1-day pass: 1,100 yen, 2-day pass: 1,300 yen