Things to Do in Noto (能登町), Ishikawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Noto (能登町) in Ishikawa Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Abare Festival, Squid King, Takasu Yama (高洲山) and served by Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) via the regional hub at Kanazawa Station & Kaga-Onsen Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen). Set at 152 m elevation (37.3301°N, 137.0953°E), Noto offers travelers a base for sampling regional Kanazawa kaitenzushi & nodoguro, Jibuni (duck or chicken stew in rich dashi), Kanazawa curry cuisine and exploring neighboring Anamizu (穴水町) (17.6 km), Wajima (輪島市) (18.6 km), Suzu (珠洲市) (18.8 km), Nanao (七尾市) (33.9 km).

Noto occupies the northeastern coastline of Noto Peninsula, facing the Sea of Japan on the east and south. Noto has a humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by mild summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The area around Noto was part of ancient Noto Province. During the Sengoku Period (1467–1568), the area was contested between the Hatakeyama clan, Uesugi clan and Maeda clan, with the area becoming part of Kaga Domain under the Edo period Tokugawa shogunate. Within Ishikawa Prefecture, Noto (能登町) serves as a town (町) in Ishikawa Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Kenroku-en Garden, Higashi Chaya geisha district, Nagamachi samurai lanes, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Omicho Market, and Kaga Onsenkyo (Yamanaka, Yamashiro, Katayamazu).

What to See & Do in Noto (能登町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Noto (能登町) from Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) at 152 m elevation (37.3301°N, 137.0953°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Noto):

• Abare Festival — local sightseeing landmark near Noto (能登町).
• Squid King — local sightseeing landmark near Noto (能登町).
• Takasu Yama (高洲山) — local sightseeing landmark near Noto (能登町).
• Hōryū Zan (宝立山) — local sightseeing landmark near Noto (能登町).
• Koizumi Saki (小泉崎) — local sightseeing landmark near Noto (能登町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Noto: Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) (connecting to Kanazawa Station & Kaga-Onsen Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Noto

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Noto (能登町) and Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Ishikawa Prefecture and Chubu:

• Anamizu (穴水町) — 17.6 km from Noto (Ishikawa Prefecture)
• Wajima (輪島市) — 18.6 km from Noto (Ishikawa Prefecture)
• Suzu (珠洲市) — 18.8 km from Noto (Ishikawa Prefecture)
• Nanao (七尾市) — 33.9 km from Noto (Ishikawa Prefecture)
• Shika (志賀町) — 39.2 km from Noto (Ishikawa Prefecture)

Getting to Noto & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Noto (能登町) via Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus): 2h 30m direct from Tokyo Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki, or ~2h 05m from Kyoto/Osaka via Thunderbird + Hokuriku Shinkansen at Tsuruga. From Kanazawa Station & Kaga-Onsen Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) to reach central Noto (37.3301°N, 137.0953°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Kanazawa with Noto (能登町) and neighboring Anamizu, Wajima, Suzu. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Noto, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Noto and continuing toward Anamizu can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Noto: While Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) anchors public transit for Noto, picking up a rental car at Kanazawa Station & Kaga-Onsen Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Abare Festival and Squid King with nearby Anamizu (穴水町) (17.6 km), Wajima (輪島市) (18.6 km), Suzu (珠洲市) (18.8 km), Nanao (七尾市) (33.9 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Noto (能登町) & Ishikawa

Dining near Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) and across Noto (能登町) highlights the regional food culture of Ishikawa Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Noto:

• Local specialty & terroir of Noto (能登町): regional agriculture, seasonal produce, and traditional local craftsmanship.
• Kanazawa kaitenzushi & nodoguro — regional specialty enjoyed across Noto (能登町) and Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Jibuni (duck or chicken stew in rich dashi) — regional specialty enjoyed across Noto (能登町) and Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Kanazawa curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Noto (能登町) and Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Kano snow crab (winter) — regional specialty enjoyed across Noto (能登町) and Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Gold-leaf soft-serve ice cream & wagashi — regional specialty enjoyed across Noto (能登町) and Ishikawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Noto (能登町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus).

Where to Stay in Noto (能登町)

Visitors staying overnight in Noto (能登町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus), or base at major rail hubs in Kanazawa (Kanazawa Station & Kaga-Onsen Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen)) or neighboring Anamizu, Wajima, Suzu for quick train access into Noto. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Noto & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Noto (能登町, 152 m elevation at 37.3301°N, 137.0953°E): Spring (April) for Kenroku-en cherry blossoms; autumn (November) for foliage and snow-rope pine tying (yukitsuri); winter (Nov–Mar) for snow crab and hot springs.

Wider sightseeing across Ishikawa Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Abare Festival in Noto (能登町) includes: Kenroku-en Garden, Higashi Chaya geisha district, Nagamachi samurai lanes, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Omicho Market, and Kaga Onsenkyo (Yamanaka, Yamashiro, Katayamazu).

Practical Travel Tips for Noto (能登町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Noto: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Kanazawa Station & Kaga-Onsen Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) or Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) for local bus schedules to Abare Festival and walking maps of Noto (能登町).
• Cash & ATMs in Noto: Convenience stores and major hotels around Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Abare Festival often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Noto accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Noto: Around Anamizu Station (穴水駅) (20.3 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) and neighboring Anamizu, Wajima, Suzu, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.