Kanazawa to the Noto Peninsula: How to get to and around the Noto Peninsula

How to travel between the Noto Peninsula and Tokyo

By train

Take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kanazawa (2.5 to 3 hours, 1-2 trains/hour) and transfer to a JR limited express train to Wakura Onsen (one hour, every 2-3 hours). With a favorable connection, the entire one way ride takes under four hours, costs around 16,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

By highway bus

Willer operates overnight buses between Tokyo (Shinjuku Station) and the Noto Peninsula (Hakui, Wakura Onsen and Nanao). The one way ride takes about 9 hours, costs typically between 4,500 and 10,000 yen and is covered by the Japan Bus Pass. Online reservations can be made on the Willer website.

By air

ANA operates two flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Noto Airport. Flight duration is about one hour. The regular one way fare is around 25,000 yen, but discount tickets are usually available for between 11,000 and 18,000 yen.

Buses connect Noto Airport to surrounding towns, such as Wajima and Anamizu. Wakura can be reached by Noto Railway trains from Anamizu. Alternatively, the Furusato Taxi serves the entire Noto Peninsula with rides to/from the airport and charges between 900 and 2100 yen one way per person depending on the destination. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance. Last but not least, rental car outlets are also found at the airport.

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How to travel between the Noto Peninsula and Kanazawa

By limited express train

Kanazawa and the Noto Peninsula (Wakura Onsen) are connected by limited express trains every 2-3 hours. The one way trip takes around one hour, costs about 2500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

By local train

Kanazawa and the Noto Peninsula (Nanao Station) are connected by the JR Nanao Line. The one way trip takes around 90 minutes, costs 1230 yen, and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Trains depart once or twice an hour.

By bus

Hokutetsu operates highway buses between Kanazawa (Kanazawa Station) and a number of locations on the Noto Peninsula. Of most interest to tourists are the buses that run to Wajima (about 2 hours, 2300 yen, one bus every 1-2 hours), but there are also buses to Suzu (3 hours, 2730 yen, one bus every 2-4 hours).

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How to travel between the Noto Peninsula and Osaka

By limited express train

Take a JR Thunderbird limited express train from Osaka to Tsuruga (80 minutes), transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa (45 minutes), and take another limited express train to Wakura Onsen (60 minutes). With favorable connections, the entire one way ride takes around four hours, costs around 11,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass.

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How to travel between the Noto Peninsula and Kyoto

By limited express train

Take a JR Thunderbird limited express train from Kyoto to Tsuruga (50 minutes), transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa (45 minutes), and take another limited express train to Wakura Onsen (60 minutes). With favorable connections, the entire one way ride takes around 3.5 hours, costs around 10,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass.

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How to travel between the Noto Peninsula and Kanazawa

By limited express train

Kanazawa and the Noto Peninsula (Wakura Onsen) are connected by limited express trains every 2-3 hours. The one way trip takes around one hour, costs about 2500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

By local train

Kanazawa and the Noto Peninsula (Nanao Station) are connected by the JR Nanao Line. The one way trip takes around 90 minutes, costs 1230 yen, and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Trains depart once or twice an hour.

By bus

Hokutetsu operates highway buses between Kanazawa (Kanazawa Station) and a number of locations on the Noto Peninsula. Of most interest to tourists are the buses that run to Wajima (about 2 hours, 2300 yen, one bus every 1-2 hours), but there are also buses to Suzu (3 hours, 2730 yen, one bus every 2-4 hours).

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

The Noto Peninsula juts out roughly 100 kilometers from Japan's main island of Honshu into the Sea of Japan. The cities of Kanazawa, Toyama and Takaoka are located within 20 kilometers of the peninsula's base.

Public transportation on the Noto Peninsula tends to be infrequent and complicated. Consequently, a rental car is the recommended means of getting around, as it allows you to explore the scenic coastlines and towns at your own pace. Rental car outlets are located in Kanazawa, Toyama, Takaoka and Wakura Onsen, as well as at Noto, Komatsu and Toyama airports.

Japan Railways (JR) operates trains as far as Wakura Onsen, from where the Noto Railway leads further to Anamizu Station halfway up the peninsula. Railway lines, further extending to Wajima and Suzu near the peninsula's tip, were unfortunately discontinued in 2005.

Buses, operated by Hokutetsu, serve the rest of the peninsula with a relatively dense network of lines that connects all major tourist attractions. However, buses do not run very frequently, and a number of transfers may be required to travel between two places. A map of the most important bus lines is located above, with the approximate number of buses per day written between major bus stops.

Located in the center of the peninsula, Noto Airport can be convenient for accessing the Noto Peninsula, but note that it gets served by only two daily round trips from Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

Another method of exploring the Noto Peninsula is by bicycle, although this is recommended only to experienced touring cyclists. Note also that good rental bicycles are difficult to find, and it is probably easier to bring your own bicycle to Japan. The peninsula is popular enough as a cycling destination that the "Tour de Noto" attracts hundreds of participants every year.

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