60 minutes by bus from Kanazawa! Come, see, and touch the secret of Nanto City!
Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture is a place of nostalgic hometown scenery and unique traditional culture passed down from generation to generation, including the World Heritage Site “Gokayama Gassho-Style Village,” the town of “Inami,” recognized as a Japan Heritage Site for its woodcarvings, and “Johana,” a little Kyoto in Toyama. Making paper dolls from traditional Gokayama washi paper, making sake cups with a mallet and chisel, or making Japanese sweets with a wooden mold handed down in long-established confectionary stores.... We introduce special activities in Nanto for those who want to make their trip more enjoyable and special.
What kind of place is "Nanto"?
Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture has deep and beautiful mountains and a countryside enriched by the Shogawa and Oyabe Rivers. Muneyoshi YANAGI, the founder of the Mingei (folk art) movement, found the “earthly virtues” in the unique strengths of the Nanto region, such as the culture and lifestyle nurtured in this region where the Buddism "Jodo Shinshu" sect has been deeply rooted for a long time. Gokayama, known for its gassho-Style villages, is truly a “living World Heritage site” where people live with their own unique culture. The “Sankyo (scattered) villages” spread across the countryside are another special landscape unique to this region. From medieval to modern times, Johana flourished with silk fabrics, and Inami, known for its wood carvings, has a rich history and culture. Fukumitsu, where Shiko MUNAKATA lived, Fukuno, flourished as a market town, Iguchi, the home of camellias, and Toga, a theater and city exchange, the satoyama of Nanto is always full of travel charm and people will welcome you with a warm smile. Why not spend such special travel days in Nanto?
Colorful Gokayama Washi(Japanese traditional) paper - Handicraft experience at a World Heritage Site
Gokayama Gassho-Style Village is registered as a World Heritage Site. High-quality Gokayama washi(Japanese traditional paper) is still an important industry that is passed down from generation to generation. On this tour, you will paint paper dolls made of washi inside a Gassho-style house and make your own cat figurine. You will also enjoy a “mountain feast lunch” and a walk with a local guide.
◆Japanese paper(Washi) Making Experience
Experience papermaking, an important industry in Gokayama during the Edo period, inside a Gassho-zukuri house.
season : from late April to late November
venue: Gokayama Papermaking Experience Hall
duration : 10min.
price : 700 yen/person
◆Life in a Gassho-style Village: One-on-one Tour of Gokayama with a Local Guide
you’ll discover the local origins of the village’s world-famous gassho-style architecture and savor a lunch prepared using local ingredients in a traditional gassho-style home. With an English-speaking guide-interpreter to accompany you every step of the way, you can enjoy your journey with peace of mind
season: daily(except. New Year's season)
group size: minimum 2 people, maximum 6 people
price: 10,000 yen/person
Making bracelet prayer beads at Johana Betsuin Zentokuji Temple
Let's enjoy making bracelet prayer beads at an old temple in the center of “Johana,” a town that still retains its good old days, with its rows of storehouses of wealthy merchants and streets with vertical latticework. You will make bracelet prayer beads, which are popular for daily use and as amulets to ward off evil spirits, using the auspicious Mukuroji (a type of Japanese nut) as the main bead. The time spent peacefully making bracelet prayer beads will be a time to refresh your mind.
Date: Every day (except Monday)
Time: ①10:00～ ②15:00～ (80 min. each)
Capacity: 6 people (minimum 1 people)
Venue: Johana Betsuin Zentokuji Temple (405 Johana, Nanto, Toyama)
Fee: 4,500 yen (tax included)
Reservation deadline: 3 days prior to 16:00
Access: 12 min. walk from “Johana Ekimae” bus stop.
※explanation will be held in Japanese
Johana "Little Kyoto" : Making Japanese sweets with wooden molds
Participants will make wagashi using precious wooden confectionary molds made by a long-established confectionary shop that has been in business for generations since the Kansei era (1789-1844). While learning from the artisans, visitors can make wagashi using wooden confectionery molds for each of the four seasons, and fully enjoy the delicate yet daring spirit of making confectionery. In addition, you can enjoy the exquisite wooden confectionery molds, which are almost like works of art, at the Kigata (wooden mold) Kan, where approximately 300 confectionery molds are on display. You can even make your own Hokuriku Shinkansen-shaped wagashi♪
Dates: Every Friday through Sunday
Time: ①14:00～ ②15:00～ (60 min. each)
Capacity: 8 people (minimum 2 people)
Place: Tamura Manseido (175 Johana, Nanto, Toyama)
10 min. walk from bus stop
Fee: 3,500 yen (tax included)
Reservation deadline: 16:00 7 days prior to the event
Access 10 min. walk from “Johana Ekimae” bus stop.
※explanation will be held in Japanese.
Sutra Copying/Buddha Tracings experience at Inami Betsuin Zuisenji Temple
The Taishi (Prince Shotoku Taishi, two years old), a statue associated with the temple, will be transcribed at this ancient temple, which has the largest temple complex in Hokuriku region and is called the birthplace of the Iba sculptures. A visit to the main hall and Taishido Hall, which are decorated with the craftsmanship of Inami sculptors, is like a visit to a museum of wood carving, and a time spent in these two extraordinary spaces will stimulate, heal, and refresh your mind and body.
Dates: Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Time: 13:30~ (90 minutes)
Capacity: 5 people (minimum 1 people)
Venue: Inami Betsuin Zuisenji Temple (3050 Inami, Nanto, Toyama)
Fee: 4,600 yen (tax included)
Reservation deadline: 16:00 5 days prior to the event
Access: 5 min. walk from “Inami Kotsu Hiroba” bus stop.
※explanation will be held in Japanese
"Wood Carving Town Iba” Guinomi cup Making Experience
Experience the skills of Inami's wood carvers at "Kurokami-an", a small hermitage in Inami, the best town for wood carving in Japan. Under the guidance of a craftsman, you can make your own unique "Guinomi" sake cup with chisels, hammers, and other authentic tools. After the experience, you can enjoy sake tasting at a local sake brewery. You can enjoy the unique aroma and taste of Hinoki "Guinomi".
Date: Everyday
Time: ①10:00～ ②11:30～ ③13:00～ ④14:30～ ⑤16:00～ (60 min. each)
Capacity: 8 people (minimum 2 people)
Meeting place: Inami Kotsu Hiroba Information Center (Nanto city Yamami 956-1)
Venue: Kurokami-an
Fee: 3,500 yen (tax included)
Reservation deadline: 3 days prior to 16:00
Access 1 minute walk from “Inami Kotsu Hiroba” bus stop
※explanation will be held in Japanese
"Nanto Kanazawa Line Bus” is convenient for access from Kanazawa.
For travel from Kanazawa, the Nanto-Kanazawa Line (operated by Kaetsunoh Bus) is convenient. It takes about 60 minutes to get to Fukumitsu and Johana in Nanto City, and about 75 minutes to Iba without changing trains. The World Heritage Site Gokayama can be visited in about 20 minutes by transferring from Johana to the World Heritage Bus (operated by the Kaetsunoh Bus).
Bus stop: Kanazawa Station West Exit, Bus Stop #2
Main bus stops: Kanazawa Station West Exit ⇒ Fukumitsu station, Jobana station, Inami Kotsu-hiroba bus stop
*Note: The bus stops Johana sta. only during certain times of the day.
Regular fare: 870 yen one-way (to be paid on board)
♪Unlimited Ride Ticket is recommended for sightseeing♪
"Nanto-Kanazawa Bus Line 2 days Pass ” &” the World Heritage Bus 3 days Pass"
・If you want to travel around Fukumitsu, Johana and Inami, “Nanto-Kanazawa Bus Line 2 days Pass” is recommended.
Can be used on all Nanto Kanazawa Route buses.
Valid for 2 days from the date of issue.
Adults 1,600 yen(half price for children and disabled persons)
・If you also want to enjoy the World Heritage Site of Gokayama, the “the World Heritage Bus 3 days Pass” is available.
Can be used on all Nanto Kanazawa Route buses and World Heritage Buses.
Valid for 3 days from the date of issue
Adults 3,800 yen (half price for children and disabled persons)
Sales locations/ Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center (inside JR Kanazawa Station), Nanto City Tourist Association (inside JR Johana Station), Inami Kotsu-hiroba Tourist Information Center, Gokayama General Information Center, Hotels in Kanazawa (Kanazawa New Grand Hotel, ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa Sky, Hotel Kanazawa, Kanazawa Kokusai Hotel, Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel, ANA Crown Plaza Hotel Kanazawa, Hotel Nikko Kanazawa)
