Ishikawa Prefecture (石川県)

Ishikawa Prefecture (石川県) is a prefecture in the Chubu Region of Honshu, in central Japan. It is located on the western part of the country, with a section known as the Noto Peninsula protruding into the Sea of Japan. Ishikawa Prefecture is within the Hokuriku sub-region of Chubu, which includes Toyama Prefecture, Fukui Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture. The inland part of the prefecture is mountainous. Ishikawa Prefecture has a population of 1.2 million people (2011 estimate). The main city and prefectural capital, Kanazawa, is on the coastal plain.

Ishikawa Prefecture is 4,185 sq km, and ranks 35th out of the 47 prefectures. It borders Toyama Prefecture to the east, Gifu Prefecture to the southeast, and Fukui Prefecture to the south. The prefecture was formed through the merger of Kaga Province and Noto Province in the 19th century.

Gyokusen-en Japanese Garden in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

Going to Ishikawa Prefecture

By Plane
The main airport serving Ishikawa Prefecture is Komatsu Airport (KMQ). This is a domestic airport with connections from most of the other major cities in Japan.

By Train
The biggest railway station in Ishikawa Prefecture is Kanazawa Station, a new railway station that is quite a sight to behold.

The futuristic Kanazawa Railway Station, Ishikawa Prefecture


From Tokyo, you can take the Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari bullet train to Maibara, then transfer to the Shirasagi Limited Express. The whole journey takes about 4 hours and costs ¥15,000, fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Alternatively, you can also take the Joestu Shinkansen train to Echigo-Yuzawa station, change to the Hakutaka train to reach Kanazawa Station. This route will take you a little under 4 hours and costs ¥13,000, covered by the Japan Rail Pass up to Echigo-Yuzawa, with a surcharge of ¥1450 for the portion between Echigo-Yuzawa and Naoetsu.

Otabi Matsuri Festival in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture

Cities of Ishikawa Prefecture

Tourist Attractions of Ishikawa Prefecture

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