Things to do in Nanao

9 activities, venues and outings in Nanao, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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Nakajima Sarutahiko Onsen
なかじま猿田彦温泉
Nakajima-machi Yo-bu 116
Closed · opens 10 am¥450

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nanao (CC BY-SA 4.0).