Nakanoto(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Nakanoshima, the top choice is Noto Peninsula Onsen Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn featuring kaiseki dining, natural hot springs, and serene wooden gardens. Located near the Noto Peninsula Nature Park, it offers immersive experiences like morning tea ceremonies and stargazing from open-air baths.

Another excellent option is Noto Highland Guesthouse, nestled at 600 meters above sea level with panoramic views of rice terraces and forests. This eco-friendly stay uses locally sourced ingredients for meals including Noto soba noodles and organic tofu dishes. Guests enjoy guided forest walks and seasonal festivals such as the Autumn Maple Festival and Winter Onsen Lantern Parade.

The Ohno District is the ideal area for staying in Nakanoshima, offering tranquil access to Ohno River, terraced rice fields, and local craft workshops. It hosts several traditional wooden ryokans and eco-lodges, including Ohno Onsen Village, where guests can enjoy outdoor baths overlooking the valley.

This region is also close to the Nakanoshima Municipal Museum, showcasing Noto lacquerware and handwoven textiles. With minimal light pollution, it’s perfect for night sky photography and quiet contemplation. The area is well-connected by shuttle buses to Kanazawa Station, making it convenient for day trips or extended stays during cherry blossom (April) and autumn foliage (November) seasons.

Visitors to Nakanoshima can participate in authentic Noto Lacquerware Workshops, where artisans guide you through the centuries-old Kaga Urushi technique. Using natural urushi resin, you’ll craft a small functional piece—like a bowl or box—on-site at the Municipal Art Studio.

Another must-try is the Rice Planting Experience held every May in the Ohno Terraces, where travelers wear straw hats and sandals to learn traditional farming methods. Afterward, enjoy a meal of freshly cooked Noto rice with local pickles and grilled fish. These activities are organized by local cooperatives promoting sustainable heritage and community empowerment.

The hot springs in Nakanoshima are mild alkaline bicarbonate waters, renowned for their skin-soothing properties and ability to relieve fatigue. The most famous is Ohno Onsen, fed by deep underground aquifers at 42°C, with open-air baths and cave-style onsen that overlook the river valley.

Some inns offer healing bath rituals combining herbal compresses and forest aromatherapy. Notably, Noto Peninsula Onsen Ryokan hosts a pre-dawn soaking ceremony at 5:30 AM, allowing guests to enjoy silent, misty baths accompanied by birdsong—a true embodiment of Japan’s onsen culture and mindfulness.

For families, Noto Family Stay is an exceptional choice. Housed in a renovated elementary school building, it features three private rooms, a kitchen, and a children’s play zone with slides, sand pits, and outdoor story corners.

Hosted by former teachers, the inn offers hands-on activities like acorn crafts and natural dyeing workshops using local plants. Outside, kids can safely explore the Ohno River walking trail, while parents relax under shaded trees. Evening meals include homemade soba noodles and kids’ sushi platters, all made with farm-fresh ingredients. Monthly starlight storytelling sessions add a magical touch for young visitors.

Don’t miss Noto Soba Noodles, made from locally grown buckwheat flour and served in a rich bonito dashi broth with wasabi. Try them at Ohno Town Diner, where they come with seasonal side dishes.

Another highlight is grilled freshwater eel (unagi), cooked over charcoal and paired with pickled plum. For a taste of nature, sample wild mountain vegetable salads—such as Sakura Tsubo (a tender spring shoot)—and stone-cooked rice made with wild mushrooms and local rice.

All restaurants emphasize zero-waste practices, composting food scraps and sourcing ingredients directly from nearby farms, supporting sustainability and local agriculture.

Nakanoshima is a photographer’s paradise. Capture the misty rice terraces along Ohno River at dawn in late spring—golden paddies mirrored in still water, framed by distant hills.

The Old Noto Lighthouse Ruins offer dramatic compositions at sunset, with rusted iron towers silhouetted against fiery skies. At night, the lack of light pollution allows stunning Milky Way shots across the cliffside.

The Zen dry garden at the Nakanoshima Municipal Art Museum provides minimalist beauty: raked white gravel patterns and moss-covered stones, ideal for portrait and still-life photography. Bring a tripod and wide-angle lens for best results.

From Kanazawa Station, take the Hokuriku Railway Bus to Nakanoshima Center, running every 2 hours (~70 minutes). For more flexibility, rent a bicycle or electric-assist bike—the town has dedicated cycling paths connecting Ohno Onsen, Nature Park, and the Art Museum.

Many guesthouses offer free bike rentals. Alternatively, use the Green Trail Pass, which grants unlimited rides on eco-electric shuttles throughout the town. Ideal for seniors and families, these low-emission vehicles operate on fixed routes and reduce travel stress in this rural, car-dependent area.

Nakanoshima hosts vibrant seasonal festivals. In April, the Ohno River Cherry Blossom Festival illuminates the riverbanks with lanterns, offering boat tours under blooming sakura trees.

The July Noto Lacquerware Market brings together over 100 artisans selling handcrafted pieces and hosting live demonstrations. Visitors can paint their own lacquerware souvenir.

In November, the Autumn Maple Festival transforms the Noto Peninsula Nature Park into a fiery red landscape—perfect for hiking and photography.

During winter, the Snow Bath Lantern Festival at Ohno Onsen features bonfires, traditional dances, and warm red bean mochi soup, creating a cozy, festive atmosphere under starlit skies.

Nakanoshima is ideal for travelers seeking deep cultural immersion, nature connection, and slow living. Eco-conscious tourists will appreciate its zero-waste initiatives and sustainable tourism model.

It appeals to photographers drawn to pristine landscapes and dark skies; families enjoying hands-on workshops and safe outdoor spaces; and solitude seekers wanting to disconnect from urban life. Though transportation is limited, the intentional remoteness preserves its authenticity.

With no nightlife and minimal signage, it’s a sanctuary for those craving simplicity, mindfulness, and meaningful interaction with local communities—making it a true retreat for the soul.