Wajima, Ishikawa. Wajima is just one of the town’s you’ll visit on Walk Japan’s 5-day culinary and cultural walking tour of the incredible Noto Peninsula.
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What if you explore a fascinating and foodie-friendly corner of Japan little known to tourists, while also making a difference to a community devastated by a 2024 earthquake? That’s what you’ll be doing when you sign up for Walk Japan’s recently introduced Onsen Gastronomy: Noto tour. This carefully curated walking tour takes participants on an interactive exploration of the rural landscapes of Japan’s Noto Peninsula in the country’s northern Ishikawa Prefecture. The easy-going trek takes you through the region’s inviting rural countryside, focusing on the region’s acclaimed local cuisine, rejuvenating onsen hot springs and incredible handicrafts, such as renowned Wajima lacquerware.
The new tour came about because of a call for help from the local communities. In 2024, on New Year’s Day, a violent, 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit just off the coast of Noto, causing hundreds of deaths and major damage to numerous towns. Despite the devastating impact, the communities demonstrated an amazing resilience and determination to rebuild.
Soji-ji, the head temple of a Zen Buddhist sect in the Noto Peninsula region.
Walk Japan
“In response to a call for help from a local activist group, Walk Japan visited mid-summer, and, seeing the urgency for action and potential amongst the disruption, created this tour as a way for visitors to contribute directly to Noto’s recovery,” notes the Walk Japan website. The independently owned company, which has operated since 1992, highlights engaging and enriching treks that explore the country’s less-known (and often otherwise difficult to access) regions from Hokkaido in the far north to Okinawa in the south.
While participants on the Noto tour will see some of the remaining aftermath of the earthquake, the focus of the trip is on the strength and authentic hospitality of the locals, including culture, cuisine, artistry, excellent accommodation, healing hot springs and restaurants that have reopened and are eager to now welcome guests.
This five-day, four-night expertly guided walking tour has a maximum size of 12 participants (with no minimum required to run the tour) and will begin at Kanazawa Station and end at Wakura Onsen. The tour is ideal for moderately active people who can manage up to two hours a day of walking and features mainly flat terrain.
A sample of some of the delectable cuisine you’ll taste on the Noto Peninsula walking tour, which focuses on food, hot spring baths, culture and the resiliency of the communities recovering from a 2024 earthquake.
Walk Japan
Here is a brief overview of the Noto tour:
Day one starts at Kanazawa Station in the Ishikawa Prefecture, participants will have a chance for a quick visit to the elegant of town of Kanazawa, including a visit to one of the city’s best sake breweries and a top restaurant. You’ll explore a quaint port town and visit a soy sauce and miso paste brewery, as well as an atmospheric fish market, before heading to your accommodation in Hakui, where you’ll enjoy a hot spring bath and a delectable meal.
On day two you’ll visit a historic shrine and a temple before a stroll through the small port town of Fukuura. You’ll end the day in Wajima, which is famous for its incredible lacquerware. Here, you’ll dine with a talented couple who will explain the ins and outs of the art form as you feast on a meal paired with regional sakes.
Savor some of the finest ice cream on day three of the tour as you make your way to the coast for a stop at a seaside squid emporium before lunch and an opportunity to learn about the Jomon people, ancient inhabitants of the Peninsula. A lovely promenade along the water leads you to your onsen hot springs resort overlooking the sea. On day four head south to Nanao, for a museum visit and lunch at a popular local eatery. You’ll also get to stop in to a local soy sauce brewery and a world-famous candlestick maker — businesses that have been revived since the earthquake. Relish a mouth-watering banquet before a sound sleep at Wakura Onsen.
On day five the tour ends after a scrumptious breakfast. Your tour leader will assist you with advice on how to continue your onward journey.
AloJapan.com