7 Weekend Getaways for Digital Nomads Living in Kanazawa

Kanazawa, a city known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums, and regional handicrafts, is also a fantastic base for digital nomads looking to explore the charms of central Japan during their weekends. While the city itself offers a rich cultural experience, the surrounding regions provide a variety of getaways ranging from popular tourist spots to hidden gems off the beaten path. Here are seven weekend destinations that offer a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion for those living the digital nomad lifestyle in Kanazawa.

Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Nestled in a picturesque valley, this historic village is a perfect getaway for those looking to experience the rural beauty and traditional culture of Japan. In winter, the snow-covered thatched roofs create a magical, almost fairy-tale-like landscape, while the lush greenery of spring and summer offers a refreshing escape from the city.

How to Get There: The best way to reach Shirakawa-go from Kanazawa is by bus, which takes about 1.5 hours. Multiple buses run daily between Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go.

Travel Tip: Don't miss the opportunity to stay overnight in one of the farmhouses for an authentic experience. The village is particularly stunning during the light-up events in winter.

Where to Stay: Consider staying at a minshuku (family-run guesthouse) like Minshuku Goyomon, which offers a traditional tatami room experience and home-cooked meals.

Where to Eat: Try Irori for a taste of local cuisine, including the regional specialty, Hida beef, cooked right at your table over an irori, a traditional sunken hearth.

Kaga Onsen

Kaga Onsen is a collective term for the hot spring resorts of Yamashiro, Yamanaka, and Katayamazu, each offering a unique onsen experience. These hot springs are perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation, with their therapeutic waters and serene surroundings. Kaga Onsen also boasts beautiful traditional Japanese gardens, art museums, and the opportunity to partake in local crafts like Kutani pottery.

How to Get There: Kaga Onsen can be reached by train from Kanazawa in about 30 minutes, making it an easy and quick escape for the weekend.

Travel Tip: Visit the Kutaniyaki Kiln Museum to learn about the region's famous pottery and even try your hand at painting your own piece.

Where to Stay: The Araya Totoan Ryokan offers luxurious accommodations with private onsen baths and exquisite kaiseki meals.

Where to Eat: Sample some of the local seafood delicacies at Beniya Mukayu, where the dishes are as much a work of art as they are a culinary delight.

Noto Peninsula

The Noto Peninsula is a rugged, scenic coastline that offers a more remote and off-the-beaten-path experience. It's known for its dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches, and traditional salt farms. The Wajima Morning Market is a must-visit for fresh seafood and local crafts. The peninsula is also home to the unique Shiroyone Senmaida, terraced rice fields that are especially beautiful during sunset.

How to Get There: The Noto Peninsula is best accessed by car from Kanazawa, which allows for a scenic drive of about 2 hours to the northern tip.

Travel Tip: Plan your visit during the Noto Kiriko Festival season to witness the impressive, lantern-lit floats parading through the streets.

Where to Stay: Lamp no Yado is an inn that offers rooms with ocean views and private onsen baths, perfect for a relaxing retreat.

Where to Eat: Try the Wajima Yasuke sushi restaurant in Wajima City for some of the freshest sushi and sashimi sourced directly from the local market.

Takayama

Takayama is a city in the mountainous Hida region known for its beautifully preserved old town. The narrow streets lined with wooden merchants' houses, sake breweries, and quaint cafes transport visitors back to the Edo Period. Takayama is also famous for its biannual festivals featuring elaborate floats, and the Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum showcasing traditional thatched-roof houses from the region.

How to Get There: Takayama is about 2 hours from Kanazawa by train, with direct services available.

Travel Tip: Visit the morning markets along the Miyagawa River for local crafts, snacks, and fresh produce. The Hida beef sushi is a must-try delicacy.

Where to Stay: The Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan ryokan offers a luxurious stay with traditional tatami rooms and onsen facilities.

Where to Eat: Center4 Hamburgers serves up mouth-watering Hida beef burgers, a unique twist on a classic American dish with a local flair.

Mount Hakusan

Mount Hakusan is one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains" alongside Mount Fuji and Mount Tateyama. It's a less-traveled destination offering pristine nature, hiking trails, and the chance to escape the digital world. The mountain is also known for its alpine plants, waterfalls, and hot springs. The Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road is a scenic driving route that provides stunning views of the mountain and surrounding countryside.

How to Get There: The base of Mount Hakusan can be reached by bus from Kanazawa, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Travel Tip: For a unique experience, visit during the summer months when the Hakusan Ichirino Onsen Ski Resort transforms into a lush green park with outdoor activities.

Where to Stay: Stay at the Hakusan Ichirino Onsen Resort, which offers both western-style rooms and Japanese-style accommodations with onsen access.

Where to Eat: Enjoy a hearty meal at the resort's restaurant, which serves local specialties like mountain vegetables and river fish.

Toyama

Toyama is a coastal city in the neighboring prefecture known for its fresh seafood, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, and the stunning Kurobe Gorge. The city's Glass Art Museum and the Toyama Castle Park are also popular attractions. Toyama's port area is a great place to witness the traditional fishing method known as "hotaru-ika" (firefly squid) fishing, which illuminates the sea with a blue glow.

How to Get There: Toyama is easily accessible from Kanazawa by train, with a journey time of around 23 minutes on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Travel Tip: Take a trip on the Kurobe Gorge Railway, a scenic mountain train ride that offers breathtaking views of the deep valleys and lush forests.

Where to Stay: The Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu offers comfortable accommodations with city views and is conveniently located near the train station.

Where to Eat: Savor the local delicacy, Toyama Bay sushi, at Sushiei, a restaurant known for its fresh and high-quality ingredients.

Kurobe Gorge

Kurobe Gorge is an off-the-beaten-path destination for those seeking adventure and natural beauty. This remote ravine is one of Japan's deepest and most stunning gorges, offering spectacular views from the Kurobe Gorge Railway, a sightseeing train that winds its way through the steep, forested mountainsides. The area is also great for hot springs, hiking, and enjoying the unspoiled natural environment.

How to Get There: To reach Kurobe Gorge, take a train from Kanazawa to Unazuki Onsen Station, which takes about 2.5 hours, and then board the Kurobe Gorge Railway.

Travel Tip: Visit during autumn to see the gorge awash with vibrant fall colors, making for an unforgettable sightseeing experience.

Where to Stay: The Entaijiso Ryokan offers traditional Japanese accommodations with stunning gorge views and onsen baths.

Where to Eat: Enjoy local cuisine at the Unazuki Beer Hall, where you can try dishes made with local ingredients and craft beer brewed on-site.