Nanao City Guide: Wakura Onsen, Seafood & Noto Peninsula Gateway

Nanao City: Gateway to the Noto Peninsula

Nanao (七尾市) sits on Nanao Bay on the east coast of the Noto Peninsula, about an hour north of Kanazawa by train. The city is best known as the home of Wakura Onsen — one of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts — but it also serves as the practical gateway for travelers heading further into the remote northern Noto coast. For the full Ishikawa city guide, see our hub. For the broader Noto Peninsula guide, see our dedicated page.

Note: The 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake affected parts of the peninsula. Always verify current facility status and transport access before visiting. Some areas may have reduced services or ongoing repairs.

Wakura Onsen: Bay-Side Hot Springs with 1,200 Years of History

Wakura Onsen (和倉温泉) is among Japan's most storied hot spring resorts, with a history stretching back 1,200 years according to Travel Japan – JNTO. It sits directly on the edge of Nanao Bay, and the springs draw from an unusual undersea source — a rarity in Japan, confirmed by Ishikawa Travel. The water is mineral-rich and runs hot, up to approximately 42.7°C (108.9°F).

The onsen's reputation extends well beyond Japan. In 1880, Wakura's mineral water won third prize at a global mineral springs exposition in Germany. Today, over one million visitors per year come to soak in the springs, dine on Noto Bay seafood, and experience the slow pace of a traditional Japanese resort town.

Maeda Toshinaga (1562–1614), the second hereditary lord of the Kaga domain (加賀藩), is credited with helping establish Wakura Onsen's reputation as an aristocratic retreat during the Edo period. This legacy continues in the elevated character of the resort, which draws Japanese guests seeking a formal ryokan experience.

Ryokan and Public Bathhouse

According to Ishikawa Travel, Wakura Onsen has 26 lodging options, including 11 large hot-spring hotels. The Kagaya ryokan is the most celebrated, consistently cited as among Japan's finest for service and facilities. Staying at a full-board ryokan (旅館) — with tatami rooms, multi-course kaiseki dinner, and private or shared onsen access — is the recommended way to experience Wakura Onsen fully.

For day visitors, the Wakura Onsen Soyu public bathhouse offers a modern facility with large indoor baths, sauna, and an open-air rotenburo (露天風呂, outdoor bath) with views of Nanao Bay. The bathhouse is open 8:30–17:30. TripAdvisor reviewers describe it as new and well-maintained; local residents use it regularly, which is a reliable indicator of quality. The water temperature can be quite hot — acclimate gradually.

Free Foot Baths Along the Bay

Several free ashiyu (足湯, foot baths) are scattered throughout the Wakura Onsen town, offering a no-cost taste of the springs without entering a full bathhouse. Yuttari Park has a free footbath with bay views, while Bentenzaki Gensen Park features a handbath and a bench heated by hot-spring water — both confirmed by Ishikawa Travel. These make Wakura Onsen worth a stop even if you are not staying overnight.

Fresh Seafood from Nanao Bay

Nanao Bay is known for its calm waters and rich fishing grounds, supplying the restaurants and markets of Wakura Onsen with fresh catches year-round. The area is associated with crab, squid, yellowtail (buri), and other Sea of Japan seafood. Ryokan kaiseki dinners typically feature locally sourced Noto seafood as a centerpiece.

Note: The Nanao Fish Market's current hours, location, and operational status following the 2024 earthquake were not confirmed in available sources at time of writing. Verify current status before planning a specific market visit.

Festivals and Seasonal Events

Nanao's most notable traditional event is the Otebi Festival (お旅まつり), a historic celebration featuring elaborate decorated floats. Specific 2026 dates and schedule details were not available at time of writing — check the Nanao City tourism office or official channels for confirmed dates before planning a visit around the festival.

Wakura Onsen operates year-round. The springs are a particular draw in winter, when the contrast between cold bay air and hot mineral water is sharpest. Autumn brings coastal scenery along the Noto Peninsula roads, making a Nanao stay a natural anchor for a fall foliage trip through Ishikawa.

Getting to Nanao from Kanazawa

From Kanazawa Station, take the JR Nanao Line to Nanao Station — approximately one hour. From Nanao Station, Wakura Onsen is accessible by local bus or taxi. No car is required for a Wakura Onsen-focused visit, though a rental car is useful if you plan to continue north into the Noto Peninsula's more remote areas. For driving the coastal route, see our Noto coastal road trip guide.

For Kanazawa's city attractions before or after your Nanao visit, see our Kanazawa complete city guide.