Exploring Ishikawa: A Scenic Cycling Day Trip from Kanazawa to Hakusan

The prefecture of Ishikawa, located on the seacoast of Honshu Island, offers its visitors access to some of Japan’s greatest natural treasures. Overlooking the Sea of Japan, the worldly splendor of Ishikawa’s bountiful landscape is a sight to behold, from many a viewpoint. From luscious green fields to looming mountains and cliffsides shaped by eras past, it is no wonder that so many travel to Ishikawa to answer the call of the wild.

The capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City, has a history dating back over 400 years. Shifting many times along with the changing eras, from the Muromachi to the Reiwa period, Kanazawa’s history is as storied and colorful as the landscapes that currently shape it. Home to Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens (alongside Kouraku-en in Okayama and Kairaku-en in Mito), Kanazawa is a hub not only of natural wonder, but also one of historical significance and a tether to Japanese eras gone by.

One of the most convenient ways to see and appreciate Ishikawa’s scenic beauty is by bicycle, as visitors are able to experience the sights, sounds, and scents of this “golden destination” proceed to captivate. To this end, a cycling tour of Hakusan (named after the region’s tallest mountain), just south of the capital city of Kanazawa, is the key to making the most of a journey through this area. So, grab a sturdy backpack, comfortable cycling clothing, and get ready to embark on a sweeping day-tour of Hakusan, offered and led by e-CRUTTTO cycle rentals.

e-CRUTTTO Cycling Hakusan Day Tour Itinerary

Before we start our bike tour, let’s take a quick look at the map. Here you’ll find an overview of the places we’ll be visiting by bike today.

From Kanazawa to Tsurugi

A day trip through the traditional towns, waterfalls, and shrines of Hakusan City is easily accessible from the capital of Kanazawa. From the central station to Tsurugi Station, where e-CRUTTTO bicycle rental is located, it should only take visitors about 30 minutes.  This scintillating cycling trip can easily complement any Ishikawa journey.

First, visitors should depart from Kanazawa Station, riding the Ishikawa Railway Line for one stop to Nishi-Kanazawa Station. From there, walk to nearby Shin-Nishi Kanazawa Station and board the Hokuriku Tetsudo–Ishikawa Line to Tsurugi Station, where you can pick up your e-CRUTTTO bicycle, meet with your trusty guide, and start your tour.

e-CRUTTTO Rental by Tsurugi Station

Are you ready? Then we can now rent our bicycle from e-CRUTTTO at Tsurugi Station and begin the tour with our very own personal guide.

Yoshino Kougei no Sato (Craft Village)

You’re off! The first leg of the Hakusan cycling tour will take you from Tsurugi Station to the craft village of Yoshino Kougei no Sato, a facility renowned for the Oboke-sugi Cedar Tree National Natural Monument, and for the abundance of cultural activities that it can offer visitors. It is here that guests can create washi, the traditional Japanese paper craft (prior reservation required). Featuring an art museum and a variety of workshops, this historic village truly emphasizes Ishikawa’s brilliant balance of sublime nature and fascinating history. Places such as Yoshino Kougei no Sato are integral in preserving Japan’s cultural heritage, as guests are encouraged to get involved and fully immerse themselves in the spirit of creation.

Tedori Canyon (Watagataki Waterfall)

Following Yoshino Kougei no Sato, the next leg of the tour will take you to the stunning Tedori Gorge, a vast canyon that has been carved by the Tedori River over many years and eras. There are several geological highlights to admire here, including the Watagataki Falls, a 32-meter cascade named for the way its mist resembles drifting cotton. Participants are able to get up close to this powerful feat of nature, allowing for its beauty to be respected and closely inspected.

Moku-Yu-Rin (Lunch)

Riding away from Tedori Gorge, the tour will stop for lunch at Moku-Yu-Rin, a lifestyle farm operated by the president of a company with over 100 years of experience in wood processing. It is here where guests can dine on decadent Italian stone-oven-baked pizza. 

Constructed with local ingredients, the pizza at Moku-Yu-Rin may be simple in design, but it represents the joy found in handmade craftsmanship. To this end, guests are further implored to enter the woodworking studio to admire the toys and household goods that are produced and sold there. The mantra of Moku-Yu-Rin is reconnecting the soul with life’s simple pleasures and the joy found in making something all your own. Masterfully blending craftsmanship, natural appreciation, and delicious dining, the stop at Moku-Yu-Rin is for more than just lunch.

Shirayama Hime Shrine
(Nearby spots: Tsurugi townscape / Former Kaga Ichinomiya Station)

After refueling both body and soul at Moku Yurin, it is time to get back on your bike and ride to Shirayama Hime Shrine, the head shrine for more than 3,000 Hakusan shrines throughout Japan. Enshrining the looming Mount Hakusan, Shirayama Hime has been worshipped since ancient times, providing mental fortitude as the base for sacred summit pilgrimages via the Kaga approach. Surrounded by ancient cedar trees, serenity is the keyword here. A place to mentally rest and give thanks, guests may ask for several types of blessings, from harmonious relationships to academic success.

Shishiku Plateau (gondola ride)

The penultimate stop on the tour is at the Shishiku Plateau, where you will hop off your bike and hop on to a gondola lift, ascending to an elevated summit of 650 meters. One of Japan’s top paragliding spots, it is no surprise that the views from the summit are awe-inspiring. With panoramic views of the Hakusan mountain range and the Sea of Japan, this is the perfect spot to encapsulate the entire cycling tour by emphasizing Ishikawa’s natural majesty.

Return bikes at e-CRUTTTO / Tour end

Back where the journey began, at Tsurugi Station, it’s time to make a final dismount and bid farewell to your wonderful tour guide. e-CRUTTTO offers both short and long tour options to suit a variety of schedules, and custom-made routes can also be arranged in consultation with the guide, allowing you to tailor the experience to your interests and timeframe. With gentle routes and minimal elevation changes, the Hakusan cycling tour in Ishikawa is easy to enjoy even for beginners. As you ride, you can take in the region’s rich natural scenery, from rolling mountains to peaceful rural landscapes, making for a truly relaxing experience.

For more exclusive information and ideas to add to your journey, visit The Official Ishikawa Travel Guide and Hakusan Tourism Federation and follow the prefecture on Instagram.