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cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

Thinking of going up there during spring break as I don't have the money for a major trip. Anyone know of anything worth seeing? Also I would be interested in hearing opinions of other cities/places in the region, Toyama, Fukui etc. I've been to Kanazawa twice but that's it.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

never been but Toyama should have good hiking.
In Fukui, the crab should be good.
There is Eihaiji in Fukui, and it is famous for zen training.
Fukui gets a lot of rain and is cloudy.

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

In November I went to the Noto Honto. I went to Wajima for the morning market, then I stayed at a minshuku in Sosogi-guchi. I hiked all the way to the tip of the honto, to Cape Rokko. It took me about 8 hours to reach the tip. I didn't want to all the way back, but I missed the bus that would have taken me back to my minshuku (the bus only comes, like, 3 times a day!). Luckily a retired couple from Saitama drove me back.

The hike was more like a leisurely walk. The scenery was breathtaking! During my hike, I maybe saw 2 other people (it was a weekday). I was the only person staying in the minshuku. The owner prepared the best food I have ever eaten in Japan, definitely the freshest fish. I am very glad I went. The people in that part of Japan are so kind!

madeira · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 182 Location: Oppama

Noto is great! The best place we stayed at was a minshuku near the tip of the peninsula, sea views from the rooms, amazing food. Wajima is worth a day or so, cute town. Toyama didn't seem to have much going for it, unless you need to buy a new car. We stopped in Suwa on the way, which might be OK if you find a better hotel than the one we did.. an 8 storey hotel, empty during Golden Week..

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Check out the Kurobe gorge, Japan's largest. You can stay at the temple across from the fly hotel in Unazuki for 2000 yen with breakfast. Take the small guage railroad to its terminus, hike up the river for about an hour you will come to Babadani hot springs. We were there in November, don't know when the railroad starts up. No people up there. I take that back, one group of folks did come along, but soon left.
Enjoy,
s

craven · Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Posts: 130

Noto is fantastic! How are you getting up there? If at all possible, try to go by car...one of the best things you can do up there is take a scenic drive up around some of the coastal regions!
If you're short on cash, there are numerous camping sites that are really nice up there. The terraced rice fields are pretty bland...I guess they're ok if you've never seen real ones in countries like Vietnam or the Phillipines.
Feel free to pm me about Fukui...I live there, and can give you specific info if you let me know what kind of travel interests you have.

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I'll be driving up from Nagano city, where I live now, maybe stopping in Toyama on the way or if it looks quite bland moving on through. I have no real agenda and while I don't expect Kinkaku-ji up there I'm just interested in anything really. I like ticking off places in the guidebook! I grew up by the sea so I like the coast, but I'm mostly interested in getting off the beaten track for a bit without cutting a big whole in my wallet.