Yamashiro Onsen: Part 2
Onsen towns are always a wonderful way to discover a more intimate world of Japan, for the towns that have been built around hotsprings, one can find charming rich history, quieter streets, a slower pace of life each with their own unique identity, delightful local businesses and of course the healing onsen waters. Not all onsen hot springs have had small towns build up around them, so if you have a chance on your travels throughout Japan, make sure to give 2 -3 nights or more to truly immerse oneself and simply enjoy one of the Japanese peoples’ favourite pastime.
*REMEMBER FROM MARCH 16th 2024: the Hokuriku Shinkansen route will open it’s new extended route which will see journey times to Kaga Onsen Station roughly only take ~2.5 hrs from the ancient capital of Kyoto, popular bustling Osaka, the modern metropolis of Tokyo.
Meandering through the endearing and picturesque Yamashiro, there are enough pretty sights, activities and delicious fooding to enjoy a slow weekend getaway. Walk through the town, and one will come across stone lanterns lining the cobblestone streets leading up to Yakuoin Onsenji & Hattori Shrine, each featuring a beautiful piece of Kutani porcelain in varying designs and motifs (which illuminate at night). In the other directions walking down from Kosoyu, the temple & the shrine, on one of the quieter streets, you will stumble across a road thats lined with several of the most adorable stone childlike statues. Spend some time browsing the pretty shops & cafes housed in the traditional kominka buildings painted in famed Kanazawa red. Read on below to discover what else I got up to, during my time in Yamashiro.
YAKUOIN ONSENJI TEMPLE & HATTORI SHRINE
WEARING TRADITIONAL KIMONO AROUND THE TOWN
SAKE TASTING & OMIYAGE SHOPPING
FEASTING ON A DELICIOUS LOCAL SUSHI OMAKASE
ACCESS
BY SHINKANSEN TRAIN
JR HOKURIKU SHINKANSEN | 2.5 - 3 hours | approx 14,000JPY ONE WAY
JAPAN RAIL PASS & HOKURIKU ARCH PASS available to international tourists
BY BUS TO KANAZAWA STATION - THEN TRAIN TO KAGA ONSEN
HIGHWAY BUS | 7 - 8 hours | approx 6000-8000JPY | dependent on the bus & date of travel
Discount bus operators such as Willer offer one way fares from around 4500 yen.
Japan Bus Online can reduce the cost for the bus trip to around 3000 yen.
Online reservations can be made through Willer and Japan Bus Online.
BY AIR
JAL and ANA operate several flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Komatsu Airport. Flight time is one hour.
The regular one way fare from Tokyo to Kanazawa is about 25,000 yen.
Discount tickets for around 10,000 to 13,500 yen are usually available.
Kanazawa's airport is located in the city of Komatsu, a 40 minute bus ride (1150 yen) from central Kanazawa.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: YAMASHIRO ONSEN TOWN | INSTAGRAM: @YAMASHIRO_SPA