Tourist Information

Matuya Sensen is the perfect base for sightseeing in the Hokuriku region.
Learn more about some of the most popular sightseeing spots in each area.

Fukui Area
Fukui Area

There are plenty of popular sightseeing spots to explore in the surrounding area.

Tojinbo
Tojinbo
CarApprox. 20 minutes by car from our ryokan

Tojinbo is a series of steep cliffs with a height of more than 20 meters. The cliffs are a nationally designated place of scenic beauty and are also a national natural treasure. There are naturally shaped rocks that look like a lion, a candle, and many more interesting shapes, and visitors can enjoy looking at them from a sightseeing boat.

Echizen Matsushima Aquarium
Echizen Matsushima Aquarium
CarApprox. 15 minutes by car from our ryokan

Visitors can encounter various sea creatures including sharks, giant octopi, and doctor fish, and feed marine turtles and saltwater fish. Visitors can also walk on a glass floor above a coral aquarium, and the World of Penguins, a building with a water tunnel, is a popular attraction.

Shibamasa World
Shibamasa World
CarApprox. 10 minutes by car from our ryokan

A massive theme park surrounded by green grass and the Japan Sea.
This theme park has a variety of attractions, including pools with some of the longest and highest slides in the world, mini-golf courses covered in natural grass, go-carts, roller coasters, and many more.

Daihonzan Eiheiji
Daihonzan Eiheiji
CarApprox. 45 minutes by car from our ryokan

This temple was founded in 1244 by Zen Master Dogen, who was a patriarch of Soto Zen, for Zen practice. Various treasures including Hukan Zazengi (a national treasure), which is said to be written by Zen Master Dogen, are on display.

Fujino Genkuro Memorial House
Fujino Genkuro Memorial House
徒歩Approx. 10 minutes on foot from our ryokan

A memorial house that once belonged to Fujino Genkuro, whom Lu Xun, a leading figure of Modern Chinese Literature, respected and admired through his life. Fujino Genkuro gave Lu Xun the power and courage to keep following his dream of becoming a doctor when Lu Xun was young, feeling lonely, and ready to give up on his dream.

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
CarApprox. 60 minutes by car from our ryokan

This museum is one of the largest dinosaur museums in the world, and is crammed with skeletons of dinosaurs, as well as fossils, samples, miniatures, and restored models. Looking at massive dinosaurs up close, both children and adults are sure to have a great time.

Mikatagoko (Five Lakes of Mikata)
Mikatagoko (Five Lakes of Mikata)
CarApprox. 1 hour and 40 minutes by car from our ryokan

Mikatagoko is the collective name for five lakes―Kugushi Lake, Suigetsu Lake, Suga Lake, Mikata Lake, and Hiruga Lake. Each lake has different depth and water quality (some are saltwater and others freshwater). As the water color changes with the season and they have five different shades, the lakes are also called "five-colors lakes."

Heisenji Hakusan-jinja Shrine
Heisenji Hakusan-jinja Shrine
CarApprox. 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from our ryokan

It is said that the shrine was founded by Taicho in 717, as a base for hiking Mt. Hakusan, a sacred mountain that has been worshiped since ancient times. The shrine is now covered with beautiful moss, which looks like green carpets, and is also called the "moss temple."

Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins
Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins
CarApprox. 55 minutes by car from our ryokan

In these ruins, the streets of the town are preserved almost perfectly, houses, roads, and all, including temples, townhouses, and residences once belonging to samurai and craftsmen. The place is nationally designated as a special historic site and a special place of scenic beauty.

Ishikawa Area
Ishikawa Area

A little farther away

From JR Awaraonsen Station to Kanazawa Station Approx. 37 minutes

Kenrokuen©Ishikawa Prefectural Tourism League
Kenrokuen

Kenrokuen shows a new and different beauty with each turn of the seasons, and fascinates visitors all year round. Visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, irises in early summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and yukizuri―placing ropes around the trees to protect them from the snow―in winter. The garden was granted the highest rank of three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa©Ishikawa Prefectural Tourism League
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

This museum mainly exhibits contemporary art, and, located at the downtown area of Kanazawa, is easily accessible . The museum grounds are open and free to enjoy like a park, and the exhibits showcase a variety of artworks. Visitors can expect a variety of experiences.

Chirihama Nagisa Driveway©Ishikawa Prefectural Tourism League
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway

Chirihama Nagisa Driveway is the only beach in Japan where people can drive a car on the edge of the surf. It is a popular spot for swimming, and also was once known for its clams.

Notojima Aquarium©Ishikawa Prefectural Tourism League
Notojima Aquarium

The aquarium exhibits 40,000 sea creatures of approximately 500 different spices. It is the only place on the Japan Sea coast where a whale shark, one of the largest fishes in the world, can be seen.

Ohmicho Ichiba (Omicho market)©Ishikawa Prefectural Tourism League
Ohmicho Ichiba (Omicho market)

Ohmicho Ichiba is a market located in Musashigatsuji, which has flourished as an entertainment district since long ago, and all the while it has been supporting the lives of people in Kanazawa. Eateries have been increasing in the market and visitors can enjoy not only shopping, but also delicious food.

Ishikawa Zoo©Ishikawa Prefectural Tourism League
Ishikawa Zoo

This zoo was created based on the concept of a place where visitors can play and learn at the same time in a fun way. The animal houses were built by utilizing the natural landscape, and environments close to the animals' original habitats were recreated inside the zoo.