Nanao

Nanao Art Museum

石川県七尾美術館

Nanao was the birthplace of Tohaku Hasegawa (長谷川等伯), who was a well known Japanese master painter. They have annual exhibitions related to his works. You can also see many local artists' works there. Worth checking out if you have some free time.

Closed · opens 9 am·Tickets range from free to ¥800, depending on the event

Nanao Castle Ruins

七尾城山

Contrary to the name, this area contains very little in the way of castle ruins, offering just a small section of stone wall that was once used to fortify the small castle. The reason to go is not for the (non-existent) castle, but for the best view of Nanao and its bay. The small park at the top is peaceful, and the view is gorgeous. The best time to go is in spring on a clear day.

Free to enter.

Notojima Glass Art Museum

石川県能登島ガラス美術館

This museum is the only public specialized glass art museum in Japan. It displays some unique glass sculptures based on original ideas from artists such as Picasso and Chagall. It also has some interesting sculptures and a section devoted to old liquor bottles once used in Japan. If that wasn't quirky enough, the building looks like a ship straight out of Star Wars.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥800

Advance

アドバンス

This izakaya has some of the best food in Nanao, albeit served as several small dishes, which is typical of pubs in Japan. While it loses out in style to Sennari, it easily rivals it in taste.

Prices are average

Bee Spot

蜂の巣 hachi no su

This small but friendly bar is run by a small but friendly mama-san. It's specialty is Japanese sake, and karaoke is available. Great for a few drinks and karaoke with friends.

Prices are average for a karaoke bar

Fish & Chips

フイッシュ＆チップス

Perhaps the only fish & chips restaurant in Ishikawa prefecture, those needing a taste of home can get it here. This seafood restaurant offers a variety of Japanese and Western-stle dishes including pasta, pizza, appetizers, and of course their famous 2 or 3-piece fish & chips platter. Good for large parties, as eight or more people can be accommodated easily.

Closed · opens 11 am·Prices are average

Fisherman's Wharf

能登食祭市場 Noto Shokusai Ichiba

The first floor of Fisherman's Wharf is full of small shops specializing in souvenirs from the Noto. While a lot of it is the kind of over-priced junk one would find in any souvenir shop, there are some legitimately unique and interesting items including: books on the Noto Peninsula, pictures and postcards of the Noto, food/snacks unique to the Noto, and Noto wine. This is the best place to shop if you're looking for items unique to this area of Japan.

Closed · opens 8:30 am

Hyokkori Onsen

ひょっこり温泉島の湯

This public onsen is at a nice, quiet location with a beach out front and a view of central Nanao.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥450

Ipponsugi street

(一本杉通り Ipponsugi-dōri

It is one of Nanao's main traditional shopping streets, located about halfway between Nanao station and Fisherman's Wharf. While home to a few heritage buildings and craft shops, most of it is distinctly ordinary. It does make for a nice stroll, especially at night when traditional lanterns are lit.

Issaki Houtou Festival

石崎奉燈祭

This is a fun event that really gives you a taste of what local festivals are all about. Taking place on the first Friday and Saturday in August, six big floats 15 m high, 9 m long, and weighing in at 2 tons are carried by 100 men and marched in procession around the alleyways of the small fishing village to the tune of tradtitional flutes and drums. Everyone is there to have a good time and cheer on the people carrying the beautifully decorated—and massive, floats. There are food stalls scattered around the main square and plenty of drinking.

Free

Justice

This is a good addition to Nanao's lacking night scene. It blasts pop, rock, and hip hop music in a club-like atmosphere, though there is no dance-floor. It has karaoke, snacks, and cheap (¥500) drinks. But there is a "seating fee", which makes this bar only slightly cheaper than the average karaoke bar... depending on how much you drink.

Komaruyama Park Cherry Blossom Viewing

小丸山公園さくらまつり

By far the best view of cherry blossoms to be had in Nanao city, Komaruyama comes alive when sakura bloom in early April. Bring along some friends and enjoy a drink together while taking in the beauty of the park.

Free

Kouda Fire Festival

向田の火祭

This event takes place on the last Saturday of July every year, and is one of three special summer fire festivals in Japan. Many people gather to pull floats from local shrines to a central location, where small torches are thrown into an open space, creating one huge (30 m high) column of fire. People tell fortunes of the year's catch of fish and harvest by the direction of the torch when it falls.

Free to enter

Le Musée de H Confectionary Museum

ル ミュゼ ドゥ アッシュ

The museum consists of a single room displaying a collection of sculptures made of sweets. The artist, Hironobu Tsujiguchi, was born in Nanao and is a world renowned confectionery chef. Adjacent is a patisserie with a variety of delicious if not somewhat expensive coffees and cakes.

Closed · opens 8 am·¥600

Minoji

みのじ

This izakaya offers many delicious Japanese dishes, including sushi roulette, a plate of rolled sushi with one or more pieces being loaded with wasabi. Decent beers on tap. buri (yellowtail) steak is recommended!

Mon-Sat 17:00-24:00·Prices are average

Monterey Jazz Festival in Noto

モントレージャズフェスティバル イン能登

Nanao has enjoyed this international jazz festival every year since its inception in 1989. So named for its sister city relationship with Monterey, California, musicians from all over the world come to play and enjoy this one-day-only event at Fisherman's Wharf - rain or shine. The event takes place on the last Saturday of July.

Tickets are ¥5000 each pre-ordered or ¥6000 the day of the event

Nihonkai Shoya

日本海庄や

Offers many Japanese dishes and drinks, and considering the quality of the food, the prices are fairly reasonable. Complimentary dishes or discounts aren't uncommon on large bills as well. A good place to take your parents if they visit.

Closed · opens 11:30 am

Noa

ノア

This small, quiet, mom-and-pop-run lunch restaurant is a hidden gem. It has delicious Japanese-style lunch sets which include tempura, grilled pork, and others. The owners are a kind elderly couple, and the decor is straight out of the 1970s.

Open from morning until 14:00·Prices are very reasonable, with a full set lunch costing about ¥500

Noto Marathon and Oyster Festival

能登和倉万葉の里マラソン

This event is as much a race as it is a sight-seeing tour of the beautiful areas surrounding Nanao Bay and Notojima. Taking place in March, the weather is perfect for a run. Courses range from 5km to the full marathon, and non-participants are welcome to enjoy the DIY grilled oysters and other food booths. Note: be sure to sign up early (in October) for this event.

¥2000-5000, depending on event entered, including refreshments, sports towel, time sheet, etc

Notojima Aquarium

のとじま水族館

This aquarium has species from all over Japan including some that inhabit the Noto Peninsula's coast. Visitors can enjoy various attractions such as the Dolphin Show, the Sea Bream Light and Sound Show and the Sea Otter Feeding Show. It also has a tunnel tank that makes one feel as if they're underwater with the dolphins!

Closed · opens 9 am·¥1,850, ¥510 for students in junior high school and younger

Ristorante Rio

リストランテ・リオ

The best Italian food in Nanao. It has a wide range of pastas, pizzas, appetizers and drinks. The atmosphere is a little dark, and the music can be a little loud, but it's interesting. It can also accommodate a large group of people for a party.

Closed · opens 11 am·Prices are a bit expensive

Samba

サンバ

The energetic mama-san will greet you warmly with a hug and a microphone as you enter this karaoke bar. Everyone who comes here has a great time singing and drinking and making new friends. It's easy to forget how much you sing and drink having so much fun though, so don't be surprised to see large bill at the end of the night.

Closed · opens 11 am·Prices are average for a karaoke bar

Seihakusai Dekayama Festival

青柏祭でか山

If there's one event you must see in Nanao, it's this one! Taking place during Golden Week on May 3, 4, and 5th, this festival is designated as Japan's Important Intangible Cultural Property and consists of pulling massive structures called Dekayama ("Huge Mountain") through the streets of Nanao. These Dekayama are as high as 12 meters and weigh almost 20 tons, and the diameter of their wheels is 2 meters. Apart from the size of Dekayama, changing the direction of huge creaking wheels with the help of ropes and a central fifth wheel located underneath the float is an event unto itself. Anyone is welcome to have a hand at pulling one of the three floats through the narrow city streets during the 3-day event, so have a try at it!

Sennari

千成屋 Sennariya

The atmosphere of this izakaya is a strange but interesting mixture of European decor, Japanese food, and Irish jig music. The menu includes a wide variety of dishes including salads, pastas, grilled and skewered meat, rice, and more. Dishes are somewhat small and are best shared among friends. Although you should expect to pay at least ¥3,000 for a meal with drinks, the food is well worth it and there are three microbrewed beers on tap. The garlic pizza and butabara (grilled pork) are recommended. Note: at least three dishes per person must be ordered while drinking.

Shirai

しら井

In the Edo period, the Kitamaebune (see previous link) brought various imports from far-off Hokkaido to Nanao port. Such items included herring, salmon, furs, and kombu (edible kelp). The route these incoming ships took, called 'Kombu Road,' served as an important hub to the Noto region, and many ships stayed for long periods of time at Nanao port. With a 70 year history of producing kombu and other products originating from the sea, this is the perfect place to find all things seaweedy. You'll be amazed at the variety (and prices!), presented in a stylish shop that wouldn't feel out of place on the Champs-Elysees, and you can even pick up some kelp candy for the folks back home.

Closed · opens 9 am

Takazawa Candle Shop

高澤

Nanao began making candles around 1650 due to the influence of the Kitamaebune. Wax is made from a special type of Japanese tree, and the wick is made from a rush, or Japanese-style paper (washi). These traditional candles are completely made of natural ingredients. It is said that these types of candles are brighter and last longer than Western-style candles.

Nakajima Sarutahiko Onsen

なかじま猿田彦温泉

Nakajima-machi Yo-bu 116

Closed · opens 10 am·¥450