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

In Ura-nami Town, the top boutique stay is Ura-nami Minka - Sea Breeze Cottage, a beautifully restored Edo-period wooden house transformed into a minimalist guesthouse. Perched above the Japan Sea coast, every room offers panoramic ocean views and private balconies perfect for sunrise watching. The design blends traditional washi paper screens, tatami floors, and modern amenities like underfloor heating. Guests enjoy access to a shared garden with coastal rock formations and a small on-site tea ceremony space. Located just 5 minutes from Ura-nami Port, it’s ideal for those seeking quiet authenticity and cultural immersion. Nearby, Hakusan Eco-Lodge offers sustainable stays with solar-powered cabins and guided nature walks—perfect for eco-conscious travelers.

The heart of local fishing culture lies in Ura-nami Port, where centuries-old traditions thrive. Here, visitors can witness Amami divers (Umiyuki)—female divers who harvest shellfish without scuba gear—demonstrating their breath-holding techniques and diving routines. The Ura-nami Diver Association Hall offers interactive workshops, including hands-on training in traditional diving gear and a chance to join a short dive under supervision. Afterward, enjoy a fresh seafood tasting at Umibōshi Dining, known for its daily catch of local abalone and sea urchin bowls. The port also hosts seasonal events like the Sea Diver Festival, featuring ritual dances and traditional music, offering deep insight into the community's bond with the ocean.

Ura-nami Town offers one of Japan’s most authentic sea-diving (Umiyuki) experiences. Visitors can participate in a full-day Amami Diving Workshop at the Ura-nami Diver Village, learning how to use traditional bamboo masks and free-dive techniques used by women for generations. The experience includes a guided underwater collection of sea urchins and clams, followed by a cooking class where participants prepare their own seafood stew using freshly harvested ingredients. Other unique activities include attending the Spring Sea Blessing Ceremony, walking through historic old fishery warehouses turned art galleries, and joining a nighttime lantern procession along the coast during winter. These immersive experiences provide rare access to living heritage rarely seen outside rural Japan.

Yes, Ura-nami Town is highly family-friendly. The town boasts wide, safe shallow beaches perfect for children to play and build sandcastles. Families can stay at Ura-nami Family Stay, a cozy guesthouse with child-sized bathrobes, a fenced backyard with games, and daily guided nature walks along tidal pools. Kids love spotting crabs and sea anemones during low tide. The town also runs a Family Seafood Cooking Class, where parents and children cook together using local catches like abalone and sea urchin. Evening programs include storytelling sessions about sea legends and star-gazing events near the coast. With minimal crowds and clean, serene surroundings, it’s an ideal destination for a peaceful, enriching family getaway.

Reaching Ura-nami Town from Kanazawa Station is convenient via the IR Ishikawa Railway Line, which runs directly to Ura-nami Station in about 40 minutes. Trains run every hour and are comfortable with ample seating and Wi-Fi. From the station, it’s a 10-minute walk to the town center and main attractions. For drivers, take the Hokuriku Expressway to Prefectural Route 3, with clear signage leading to Ura-nami. Free parking is available at major sites. During summer, the Ura-nami Town Tourist Bus operates twice daily between the station and key spots like the port and lighthouse, offering multilingual commentary. Electric vehicle charging stations are also available throughout the town.

Must-try dishes in Ura-nami Town include fresh abalone rice bowl (Awa no Kome), served daily at Umibōshi Dining, where the abalone is harvested that morning. Another highlight is sea urchin donburi, made with oversized, creamy sea urchin from the surrounding waters—especially delicious in autumn. Don’t miss Umiyuki Soy Sauce Stew, a rich, slow-cooked dish combining wild-caught fish and sea urchin simmered in house-made soy sauce. For a casual bite, visit Kaze no Men for handmade udon noodles served in seaweed broth, topped with fresh seafood. Local specialties are often sold at the Morning Fish Market near the port, where vendors sell raw oysters and grilled squid skewers—perfect for a quick, authentic snack.

Absolutely. Ura-nami Town is a photographer’s dream. Capture stunning sunrise over the Japan Sea from the Ura-nami Lighthouse or the open seaside promenade, where mist curls above the water. The historic fishery warehouses with white walls and black tiled roofs offer dramatic contrast and perfect composition. For night shots, the Lantern Festival in winter features thousands of glowing paper lanterns lining the coast—ideal for long-exposure photography. During low tide, explore the tidal pool trails for macro shots of crabs, sea anemones, and algae patterns. The Sea Diver Festival provides dynamic action shots of dancers in traditional costumes. Bring a tripod and wide-angle lens for the best results—this is a place where nature and culture merge beautifully in frame.

The best accommodations are located in the Ura-nami Port Area, where most high-quality guesthouses, eco-lodges, and family-run inns cluster within walking distance of the harbor and main attractions. Staying here grants easy access to Umibōshi Dining, the Diver Village, and the morning fish market. Top choices include Sea Breeze Cottage for traditional charm and sea views, and Hakusan Eco-Lodge for sustainability-focused stays with private gardens. The area is quiet, safe, and well-maintained, with minimal traffic. For those seeking solitude, consider the hillside cluster of wooden cabins, tucked among trees and offering privacy and mountain-sea vistas. All accommodations offer either direct ocean access or short walks to the beach.

While Ura-nami Town itself lacks natural hot springs, nearby Nanao City and Kanazawa offer excellent options. The top choice is Shōfū-kan Spa Resort in Nanao, a luxury ryokan with open-air baths overlooking the Japan Sea and mineral-rich carbonate hot spring water known for skin benefits. Many local guesthouses in Ura-nami partner with this resort to offer free spa passes to guests. For a more intimate experience, some boutique inns in the town provide private outdoor onsen tubs with ocean views. Alternatively, stay at Hakusan Eco-Lodge, which features a heated cedar bath infused with local herbs—perfect for post-adventure relaxation. These facilities combine tradition and comfort, making them ideal for rejuvenation after exploring the coastal landscape.

Ura-nami Town hosts several vibrant annual festivals. The Ura-nami Sea Diver Festival (August) celebrates the legacy of female divers with traditional dances, ceremonial boat processions, and a public tasting of freshly harvested sea urchin. The Lantern Festival in December transforms the coastline into a glowing path of paper lanterns, symbolizing gratitude to the sea. In spring, the Sea Blessing Ceremony draws locals and visitors alike to pray for safe fishing seasons. The Abalone Festival (October) features a competition to find the largest abalone, plus food stalls, live music, and craft markets. Each event offers authentic cultural insight and is a great opportunity to interact with residents, try local food, and witness traditions passed down for generations.