Following the Noto earthquake, I have had to relocate and am now based in Kanazawa. While eagerly waiting for the Noto cycling tours being operable again, I have found many great opportunities in my new area. Kanazawa has an ideal location between not only Noto, but also Kaga city and Nanto city of Toyama. Both are accessible within one hour by train or bus from Kanazawa Station. Though very different from each other, both boast amazing culture and superb roads.
Little more than a century ago, Kaga boasted having the richest village in Japan. Nestle in between the sea of Japan on one side and Hakusan National Park on the other, beautiful villages characterised by bright red tiles on the roofs, home to various craft such as wood turning, laquerware and colourful Kutani ware.
Nanto has developped in a unique way to urbanise itself while expending rice culture called the Sankyoson, or “scattered settlements”. It is a real pleasure meandering throughout rice paddies and traditionnal houses with the northern alps at a back. surrounded by forests, Nanto also homes the most important wood carving community in Japan, something we can strongly feel with omnepresent wooden constructions and ornementions left to their natural tone, enhancing the refined wood work.
Kanazawa itself can be a good start point for some nice cycling, but unavoidably have some passages busy with traffic. Please note that all the tours here are designed to attract cyclists; the main activity is to ride and not just use the bicycle as a tool to get faster from point A to point B.
Looking forward to welcoming you in the ever suprising Hokuriku area!
HokRik Wheels 