Nanao

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Nakajima Sarutahiko Onsen

なかじま猿田彦温泉

Nakajima-machi Yo-bu 116

Closed · opens 10 am·¥450