Wajima city [輪島]

Wajima is a city located on the northern coast of Noto Peninsula.
It is located about 100 km north of Kanazawa city.

Noto Peninsula extends long into the Sea of Japan from the mainland of Japan.
So, Wajima had been one of the main port towns on the route of the Sea of Japan in the middle ages.

The main industry of Wajima is fishery.
And Wajima lacquerware (輪島塗, Wajima-nuri in Japanese) is known as the traditional artifact.

Lacquerware had been created in Wajima since ancient times.

After Kaga Clan began to govern this area in the early 17th century, they encouraged the planting of Urushi trees for laquerware.

Then, Wajima lacquerware introduced the technologies of the other areas in Japan, and became a unique lacquerware.

We can see the traditional industry and culture of Wajima in the town.

(CAUTION)
On Jan.1, 2024, powerful earthquake hit Noto Peninsula.
Wajima city suffered badly from the earthquake.
Tourists may not be able to visit here for the time being.

Wajima City Tourism Association

Wajima Morning Market (輪島朝市)

Wajima Morning Market ("Wajima Asaichi" in Japanese) is the street market held near Wajima Port.

It is very famous because most Japanese people think that Wajima is synonymous with Morning Market.

The market has been held for about a thousand years.
The ancient market was the place for barter of goods.

It is opened from eight to twelve, and is held basically every day except the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

Along the street about 360 meters long, more than 200 stalls are opened.

Most of the sellers are women.
And they sell fresh fish, shells, seaweeds and vegetables and the other goods.

Because of the great earthquake on Jan.1, 2024, almost the whole area of Morning Market was lost when a fire broke out.
Now, the members of Morning Market are working on to reopen.

Wajima Museum of Lacquer (Urushi) Art (石川県輪島漆芸美術館)

Wajima Museum of Lacquer Art is a museum about industrial art using "urushi" (Japanese lacquer from lacquer tree).
It is located about 1 km southwest of the center of Wajima city.

Of course, Wajima lacquerware is one of Japan's excellent works of usushi.

This museum introduces the artifact of urushi, and displays many works in the world.

"Chinkin" is a technology to decorate the surface of lacquer with gold.
In this museum, the workshop of Chinkin is held for the visitor. (You need to make a reservation in advance.)

Because of the great earthquake on Jan.1, 2024, the museum was damaged.
The museum is closed for the time being.

Wajima Museum of Urushi Art

Wajima Kiriko Art Museum (輪島キリコ会館)

Wajima Kiriko Art Museum ("Wajima Kiriko Kaikan" in Japanese) is a museum of Kiriko Festival.
It is located about 1.5 km east of the center of Wajima city.

Kiriko Festival is a summer festival and is held in many towns in Noto area.

Kiriko is a tall lantern on a frame.
The height is several meters and the biggest Kiriko is about 16 meters.

It is carried by many people with the other Mikoshi (portable shrine) in the festivels.

In this museum, many Kirikos are displayed and we can feel the fervor of the festival with listening to the festival music.

Because of the great earthquake on Jan.1, 2024, many displaying Kirikos were damaged.
The museum is closed for the time being.

Wajima Kiriko Art Museum

Wajima Kôbô Nagaya (輪島工房長屋)

There are some facilities of Wajima lacquerware for workshop and selling.

Wajima Kôbô Nagaya (輪島工房長屋) is located about 200 meters east of Wajima Morning Market.

Five traditional houses are built along an alley and some real craftsmen of Wajima lacquerware are working.

Because it is basically an tourist facility, the visitors can see the work and get the explanation of the work from them.

There is a room you can experience of Chinkin.

Because of the great earthquake on Jan.1, 2024, many craftsmen of Wajima lacquerware suffered from a disaster.
The facility is closed for the time being.

Wajima Kobo Nagaya

How to get here

By express route bus, about 2 hours and 10 to 20 minutes from Kanazawa station.

Or, from Wakura-onsen, Nanao station, about an hour to Anamizu by local train of Noto Tetsudou railway.
Then, by route bus, about 40 minutes from Anamizu station.

Other Tourist Attractions in Ishikawa Prefecture

Kaga area

Noto area

Return to Ishikawa Prefecture Return to Hokuriku Region