Take some time off
Ishikawa is known for its natural beauty, so while you're budgeting all the things you can do, remember to budget yourself a bit of down time as well. ishikawa is full of leisure spots, which is all the more wonderful in autumn or spring think "fall foliage" and "cherry blossom" viewing. you don't need to go to follow the crowds and go to kyoto for beautiful views. take a breath while you're in ishikawa. you get bonus points because that breath is going to be much fresher than one in tokyo.
Late January - Snowmen Yukidaruma Week - Located in every area of Shiramine.
February 10 - Gogan-shinji - Takewari Festival - Located at Sugou-isobe Shrine in Kaga.
March 18-23 - Heikoku-sai Shinto Festival also known as "Oide Matsuri" - Located at Keta Shrine and other locations in Hakui.
April 3 - Janome Shinji/Yabusame Shinji - Located at the Keta Shrine in Hakui.
April 2nd Saturday/Sunday - Asanogawa Riverside Garden Party - Located on the Asanogawa Riverside in Kanazawa.
May 2-3 - Tomobata Festival - Located in the Kogi district of Uchiura.
May 3-5 - Ceramic Bowl Kutani Chawan Festival - Located in and around Wadayama/Matsujiyama Shiseki Park in Terai
May 3-5 - Seihaku Festival - Located in Nanao
May 22-23 - Okaeri Festival - Located in the central area of Mikawa
Mid-May - Otabi Matsuri - Located at the Uhashi Shrine, Motoori Hiyoshi Shrine, and other areas in Komatsu.
June 3-5 - Yamashiro Spa Sweet Flag Shobu Bath - Located in Yamashiro Hot Springs in Kaga
June 2nd Saturday - Kanazawa Hyakuman-goku Festival - Located in the central area of Kanazawa.
July 7-8 - Abare Festival - Located at the yasaka Shrine, Sakatari Shrine, Hakusan Shrine, and nearby areas in Noto
July 20 - Hasebe Festival - Located in Anamizu
July 20-22 - Yosakoi Soran Noto Festival - Located in the Oshimizu Town Baseball Stadium, Oshimizu Town Imahama Coast in Oshimizu
July 31 - Notojima Koda Fire Festival - Located in Notojima
Late July - Located at the square in front of Unoke Town Hall and other locations in Unoke.
Late July - Kawachi Senjo Hot Spring Heian Festival - Located in Kawachi Senjo-onsen Kanazawa Seymore Ski Resort in Kawachi
July last Saturday/Sunday or August 1st Satruday/Sunday - Nonoichi Jonkara Festival - Located near the Nonoichi Town Cultural Hall, "Forte".
Early August - Matto Festival
August 7 - Houryu Tanabata Kiriko Matsuri
August 17-18 - Okinami Tairyo large catch Festival
Mid-August - Gozare Festival
Mid-August - Ikko Ikki Festival
August 23-25 - Wajima-taisai big festival
August 24-25 - Niwaka Festival
September 20 - Okuma Kabuto Festival Notonakajima
Early October - Hourai Festival
October 17 - Rengeyama O-zumo grand sumo
Early November - Tedori River Festa
Mid November - Wajima Crab Festival
Early December - Ae no Koto Thanksgiving Festival, Yanagida
Year-Round - Anamizu Maimon Festival
Try local foods
Every city in japan has its specialty food, and ishikawa is also particularly well known for its seafood and sake. while you're in the area, do yourself a favor and try it.
Go shopping
Ishikawa is known for its traditional crafts, such as gold leaf, lacquerware, pottery, and silk dyeing. scores of shops sell these traditional products, making great souvenirs. you can also get your shopping fill by going to a big city like kanazawa and spending hours in the towering shopping malls located within walking distance of the station.
Go to the beach
There are 581 kilometers are beach to choose from in ishikawa. whether you like rocky shores or sandy beaches, take your pick when you're in ishikawa. if you're not interested in spending your time with only nature, head out to a popular beach spot, like the beaches in uchinada just a quick train trip away from kanazawa and hang out with your friends, music, and food. just remember to check when the last train leaves, or you may spend your night sleeping in a hammock!
Go to Festivals
Just because ishikawa is rural, doesn't mean it doesn't have festivals. in fact, it means that you might just stumble upon a festival and get a front row seat! if you're really lucky, you might just be invited into it. now that's an opportunity you can't get in a bigger area! festivals happen year-round and all over in ishikawa, so check out the list below, or see if you can find one happening as you wander around!
Visit Hot Springs
If you love hot springs, go to ishikawa in autumn. there's nothing more relaxing than soaking in the warm water while surrounded by natural beauty and crisp air. ishikawa is known for its hot springs, which can be found without trouble in the rural areas or more industrialized places. you might be surprised with how easily a ¥300 bus ticket can take you out of the city and to a beautiful river-side onsen, surrounded by colors.
Go Skiing
The seasons in ishikawa are truly distinctive. mount hakusan, one of the tallest mountains in japan, is located right in the south of ishikawa, and is surrounded by villages influenced by traditional lifestyles. catch up on culture and get some great snow in a number of places in ishikawa. if you get too cold, you can always hop into a hot spring to heat up again.