加賀温泉
Kaga Onsen
Ishikawa · hokuriku
Four distinct hot spring villages on the Hokuriku coast - Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Awazu, and Katayamazu - each with its own water and character.
Who Kaga Onsen is for
Onsen enthusiasts wanting variety.
About Kaga Onsen
The four Kaga onsen towns form one of Japan's oldest hot spring clusters. Yamanaka Onsen, the most celebrated, sits in a gorge made famous by Matsuo Basho's 1689 visit.
Things to do
6 of 6Tap a tag to filter the list.
Natadera Temple
This Buddhist temple is dedicated to a sacred mountain & was founded in the year 717 by a monk.
View on Google MapsAyatori Bridge
Pink, curving metal footbridge, illuminated at night & spanning the steep Kakusenkei Gorge.
View on Google MapsKakusenkei Gorges
Scenic natural gorge featuring a riverside promenade & picnic area between 2 traditional bridges.
View on Google MapsNakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice
Museum dedicated to the science of snow & ice, with hands-on exhibits, demos & a riverside cafe.
View on Google Maps
Your JP Adventure
Plan a trip to Kaga Onsen
Turn this into a day-by-day route. Tabi-Kun shapes a personalised Kaga Onsen itinerary around your dates, pace, and interests — free to start.
Plan a trip to Kaga Onsen →Getting around Kaga Onsen
The four hot spring villages of Kaga Onsen - Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Awazu, and Katayamazu - are best connected by local buses operated primarily by Kaga Bus, with routes typically running every 30 minutes to an hour between villages and to nearby Kaga Station on the JR Hokuriku Line. Visitors can purchase individual tickets for around ¥200 - ¥500 per journey or opt for a day pass (around ¥1,500) that covers unlimited travel across the resort area; tickets are available at bus terminals and convenience stores, and IC cards like ICOCA work on most services. The villages themselves are compact and best explored on foot, with many ryokan and attractions within easy walking distance of bus stops, though bicycle rentals are available at several locations for those wanting to explore the surrounding countryside. Taxis are relatively abundant at stations and major hotels, making them a convenient option for late-night returns to accommodations, though advance booking through your ryokan is advisable during peak seasons.
Best time to visit
The ideal months to visit are late September through early November, when autumn foliage transforms the surrounding mountains into brilliant reds and golds, and again in late March to early April for cherry blossoms along the riverside paths. Both periods offer mild, comfortable weather perfect for soaking in outdoor baths while enjoying the seasonal scenery. Avoid June through July, when the rainy season brings persistent moisture and high humidity, and steer clear of August's intense heat and peak tourist crowds. Typhoon season in September occasionally brings heavy rainfall, so check forecasts before booking. The Kaga Onsen Autumn Festival, typically held in early October, celebrates the region's hot spring heritage with traditional performances and local cuisine across all four villages. Shoulder seasons like May and late February also deserve consideration - fewer visitors mean quieter baths, though May offers particularly lush greenery and comfortable temperatures ideal for exploring the historic villages at a leisurely pace.
Where to stay
The four villages of Kaga Onsen each offer distinct experiences suited to different travelers. Yamashiro attracts those seeking traditional hospitality, with numerous ryokan lining narrow streets and offering kaiseki dinners; Yamanaka caters to cultural enthusiasts with craft galleries and pottery studios alongside more intimate family-run inns; Awazu provides a quieter, more rustic atmosphere with modest ryokan and some business hotel options; and Katayamazu, the largest village, offers greater variety including business hotels, vacation rentals, and contemporary resorts. Most visitors choose ryokan for an authentic experience, though business hotels typically cost ¥8,000 - 15,000 nightly for a double room. Each village sits within 15 - 20 minutes of the others by local bus, making day trips feasible, while train access from Komatsu Airport and Kanazawa takes roughly 90 minutes total.
What to eat
Kaga Onsen's four hot spring villages celebrate Hokuriku's culinary heritage through fresh seafood and seasonal kaiseki dining, with local specialties like jibu-ni (duck and vegetables in a rich broth) and fresh crab appearing on many menus during winter months. The Yamashiro district and nearby Daishoji town host intimate food markets and restaurant alleys where visitors can sample regional dishes in traditional machiya settings, while sake breweries dot the surrounding valleys, offering tastings of local sake crafted from pure mountain water. The onsen towns themselves lean toward refined ryokan dining rather than casual street food, with multi-course meals typically ranging from ¥3,000 - 8,000 per person depending on the establishment. For budget-conscious travelers, local ramen shops and casual udon stalls in the villages serve satisfying bowls for ¥800 - 1,200, providing an affordable taste of Hokuriku comfort food between kaiseki experiences.
Reviews
I usually don’t give reviews for stations but this one was so cool for such a small station. It’s like walking through a small art exhibit with different things to look at everywhere. There’s little details on everything including bathroom signs. It has a couple shops and cafes inside and a 7/11. Very clean too
The shinkansen ticket seller was racist towards foreigners. He gave Japanese people a choice of seats, but foreigners did not.
Comfortable waiting room. Beautiful decorations.
a small station with connecting to other hot spring
This was my first time here since the Hokuriku Shinkansen opened, and I was glad to see that the station has changed so much. There is a large Kutani ware piece inside the station building, and you can feel the atmosphere of Kaga as soon as you arrive. The cafe inside the station also serves the local Kaga parfait, which was also very delicious. I also liked the fact that there is an Al Plaza attached, so you can easily purchase souvenirs. There are also many delicious restaurants outside the station, so I felt that this is a station that is definitely worth stopping by when using the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Frequently Asked Questions
More in hokuriku
View more →Echigo-Yuzawa
越後湯沢
Hokuriku · Niigata
A ski resort town made famous by Kawabata Yasunari's 'Snow Country' novel, with Japan's most accessible powder skiing from Tokyo.
Nagaoka
長岡
Hokuriku · Niigata
A city that epitomises post-war Japanese spirit of revival, hosting Japan's largest fireworks festival and known for excellent sake.
Nanao
七尾
Hokuriku · Ishikawa
A historic port city on the Noto Peninsula's inner bay, with excellent oysters and a craft festival tradition.
Wajima
輪島
Hokuriku · Ishikawa
The main town of the remote Noto Peninsula, famous for its morning market, Japan's finest lacquerware, and dramatic coastal scenery.
Share
Send this to anyone considering Kaga Onsen.