Enduring Ishikawa

Day 00 (Sun, 14 Dec’25)

Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Haneda. 

Day 01 (Mon, 15 Dec’25)
Singapore – Haneda – Noto
(-/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hyakurakusou (Private Hot Spring) or similar

Fly into Noto this morning for the first time since the earthquake of 2024 and revisit the rural communities hard at work to recover from the disaster.

First visit the Wajima Morning Market, formally one of the three largest markets in Japan. While the street itself was destroyed by fires following the earthquake, the over 1,000 year old market lives on at a new location. Vendors now set up stall selling fresh seafood, produce and local crafts in a local shopping centre, reviving the market atmosphere and community hub.

For lunch, have a heartful meal of fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients from the Noto at Mebuki. Opened by chef Ikehata Toshiya of Michelin-starred L’Atelier de Noto after his restaurant was lost to the earthquake, Mebuki’s mission was to create jobs and provide good food to the community as it recovers from the disaster. Hear from chef Ikehata as you dine here and taste the flavours and heart of Wajima.

A prized traditional craft which requires over 100 steps and multiple craftsmen to complete by hand, Wajima lacquerware is a major industry in the city which was badly affected by the collapse of many workshops. One of those these is Taya Shikkiten, a workshop which has been producing exquisite and durable Wajima lacquerware for 10 generations. Now reopened in makeshift workspaces, visit the shop to see how they have made progress in their recovery and continue to bring Wajima lacquerware to the world.

Be soothed by the sound of the waves this evening at your accommodation at Hyakurakusou. Located right on Tsukumo Bay, wake up to sweeping ocean views and the sea breeze over your open air private hot spring bath. Hot springs here also feature a mystical cave bath, hand carved out of natural caves and fed by deep sea water. For mealtimes, experience the taste of the Noto with fresh seasonal ingredients testament to the region’s rich bounty.

Day 02 (Tue, 16 Dec’25)
Noto – Kanazawa
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hotel Nikko Kanazawa or similar 

Stop by the Wakura Onsen Omatsuri Hall this morning for an introduction to Nanao City’s representative festivals. See life-sized festival floats, including 12m high dekayama, the largest floats in Japan from the UNESCO registered Seihakusai festival. Explore the exhibits and experiences and get a glimpse of the Noto’s boisterous festivals. 

Have a satisfying lunch of sushi next in Noto’s sushi capital of Nanao. Located along the bay where fresh catch is readily served up at sushi restaurants around the city, enjoy the freshest seafood from the Noto at one of the area’s best restaurants.

Heading down to Kanazawa, take in the sights of the Chirihama beach driveway, the only beach in Japan which you can drive on. Cruise along the sandy beach as you watch the waves lapping the shoreline right next to you.

This evening, have a unique dining experience at CRAFEAT, a restaurant created by a Taya Shikkiten with the concept of combining Ishikawa’s traditional crafts with food. Sumptuous dishes are prepared using ingredients from the prefecture and served on tableware which are valuable local traditional crafts, from Wajima and Yamanaka lacquerware to Kutani and Suzu pottery. 

Day 03 (Wed, 17 Dec’25)
Kanazawa
(Breakfast/Lunch/-)
Hotel: Hotel Nikko Kanazawa or similar

Gain a greater appreciation of Kutaniyaki this morning with a visit to Fukushima Buzan Kobo. Known for creating intricate designs with his signature fine brush red painting technique, Fukushima Buzan is an acclaimed artist who has won the Prime Minister’s award at the National Traditional Crafts Competition. At his studio, you can not only see how his gorgeous designs are created, but get hands on with a pottery painting experience yourself.

Lunch today will be Kanazawa French cuisine at BudoonoMori Les Tonnelles, a two Michelin star restaurant in the suburbs of Kanazawa. Marrying French cooking with fresh ingredients from Hokuriku, this farm to table restaurant also features curated drink pairings with each course. Located in a refurbished greenhouse designed by renowned architect, Shigeru Ban, enjoy your meal within an artistic space right on the farm.

Afterwards, you will have the rest of the day free to relax or explore Kanazawa on your own.

Day 04 (Thu, 18 Dec’25)
Kanazawa – Yamanaka Onsen
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hanamurasaki (Private Hot Spring) or similar

Hakui is the UFO capital of Japan with the most number of UFO sightings in the country. It is also home to Cosmo Isle Hakui, a space and UFO museum with impressive exhibits of authentic space shuttles and related materials. The result of a movement spearheaded by Takano Josen, learn how one man turned Hakui into a ‘UFO city’, negotiated with NASA and the Russian space agency to procure exhibits, and revitalised the city.

One of Japan’s most famous sake brewers, Noguchi Naohiko is regarded as ‘the god of sake brewing’ for his excellent skill in producing exceptional sake. Establishing the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute in 2017, he is continuing his mission to produce the best sake and passing his skill and passion on to the next generation. Learn all about sake brewing, including the traditional Yamahai method Noguchi is credited with reviving, and taste some of the sake created in the pristine environment of Kanagaso.

Spend the evening in the comforts of your accommodation at Hanamurasaki. One of the top ryokan in the region, the thoughtfully designed inn blends contemporary comforts with warm tradition. Relax fully in elegant rooms with views over Kakusenkei Gorge and revive your body in healing hot spring waters in your room’s private open-air bath. Meals also promise to be a treat featuring exceptional local seasonal ingredients expertly prepared and presented in a fine dining experience to satisfy your palate.

Day 05 (Fri, 19 Dec’25)
Yamanaka Onsen
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hanamurasaki (Private Hot Spring) or similar

Take a morning stroll through nature at Kakusenkei Gorge, just a few blocks from the centre of Yamanaka Onsen. The gorge has 3 unique bridges spanning its breadth, each providing its own gorgeous view. Walk down the tranquil path along the river and soak in the beauty of nature. 

Drop by the Kutani Ceramic Art Village where you can find Ishikawa’s signature Kutaniyaki porcelainware. A collections of museums and workshops dedicated to this traditional craft, you can learn all about the unique five-coloured Kutaniyaki, admire exquisite Kutaniyaki masterpieces, and purchase quality ceramics to bring home with you.

Day 06 (Sat, 20 Dec’25)
Yamanaka Onsen – Kanazawa – Tokyo
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: Shangri-La Tokyo or similar

Take the shinkansen over to Tokyo today and enjoy some free time in the city.

Day 07 (Sun, 21 Dec’25)
Tokyo – Singapore
(Breakfast/-/-) 

Flight back to Singapore