Ishikawa Autumn Foliage: Kenrokuen, Mt. Haku & Natadera

About Autumn Foliage in Ishikawa

Around the time the wind from the Sea of Japan caresses your cheeks, Ishikawa Prefecture welcomes its blazing season of brocade autumn. From mountain foothills to ravines, from the gardens of the old capital to remote mountain passes -- gradations of red, orange, and yellow overlap in layers, and no matter where you crop the scene, a breathtaking painting unfolds. There is an autumn in Ishikawa where your hands holding the camera just won't stop.

The best viewing time is usually from early October to late November. The coloring begins on the sacred Mt. Hakusan, which towers over 2,700 meters, and then the foliage front slowly descends, dyeing one mountain village after another along clear streams, until it finally reaches the famous garden of Kenrokuen and the old temples of Kaga. Even within the same Ishikawa Prefecture, the best viewing time differs by location, so if you plan your route well, you can enjoy autumn-leaf viewing for about two months -- a major charm unique to traveling in Ishikawa.

The refined culture of Kanazawa, and the rustic, wild nature of Noto and Hakusan -- why not set out this year on a journey to Ishikawa, where both are dyed in autumn colors? Surely a memory of autumn you'll never forget in your lifetime is waiting.

Kenrokuen

Kenrokuen is counted as one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan." Ishikawa Prefecture states that the garden holds about 300 maple trees, and in late autumn these change colour all at once to overwhelming effect (the roughly 800 figure often quoted refers to the trees given yukitsuri snow-suspension ropes). A particular must-see is the upside-down autumn foliage reflected on the surface of Kasumigaike Pond. Crimson maples and golden ginkgo trees quietly melt into the water mirror, and the contrast with the stone lanterns and the Kotojitoro lantern -- unchanged since the Edo period -- evokes the sensation of having wandered into a picture scroll of bygone eras. No matter how many hundreds of photos you take, a voice escapes you every time you see the view through the lens -- that is autumn at Kenrokuen.

Best viewing: early November to late November The most beautiful coloring is usually in mid-November. The timing when the maples near the Mayumizaka entrance and the ginkgo trees around Neagari-no-Matsu reach their peak at the same time is simply spectacular, and no matter which path you walk, the tunnel of autumn leaves spreading overhead stops you in your tracks. Also, during the foliage season the "Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Four Seasons Story: Autumn Chapter" illumination is held. For fiscal 2026 the November dates are the 7th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th, 18:00–21:00 (last entry 20:45), and admission is free while the illumination is running. Note the garden closes for one hour beforehand to prepare, and tripods are discouraged.

Recommended time: the free early-morning opening Kenrokuen offers a free early-morning opening. In November it runs 6:00–7:45 (last entry 7:30), and you must leave 15 minutes before paid opening. Entry is via the Renchimon and Zuishinzaka gates only. Note also that from October 16 the garden switches to 8:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) — not the 18:00 closing of the warmer months. The experience of slowly walking through the hushed, silent garden in the crisp morning air, with few crowds, shows a completely different face from the daytime. The moment when the morning sun gradually dyes the surface of Kasumigaike Pond golden is so beautiful your hands holding the camera tremble. To avoid regretting "I wish I'd come 30 minutes earlier," by all means take the plunge and visit early.

Ways to enjoy it like a local After making one loop around the garden, extend your steps to the adjacent Kanazawa Castle Park. The contrast between the gleaming white stone walls and the autumn leaves has a rugged charm different from Kenrokuen, and it is a walking course beloved by locals as well. Furthermore, in the "Katamachi/Korinbo area" below Kenrokuen, long-established Japanese sweet shops continuing since the Edo period are scattered about, and it's one of the joys of travel to walk around buying Kanazawa's famous "rakugan" and seasonal fresh sweets. A set of matcha and a fresh sweet shaped like an autumn leaf, enjoyed in a corner of the garden, is the finest combination for feeling Ishikawa's autumn with all five senses. It is no exaggeration to say it's worth coming to Kanazawa just to taste this.

Access

• Train + bus: From JR "Kanazawa Station," take the Hokuriku Railway bus and get off at the "Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa-jo" stop, about 15 minutes. With frequent service and easy to use, this is the most recommended option.
• Taxi: About 10 minutes from Kanazawa Station, around 1,000 yen. Convenient for those with a lot of luggage or traveling in a group.
• On foot: About 25 minutes from Kanazawa Station. If you walk while stopping by the Omicho Market along the way, your sense of travel will be heightened even further. A morning stroll while gazing at fresh seafood is a luxurious time that lets you feel like a local.

Tips for travelers

• On foliage-season weekends, lines for admission can form even before opening. Visiting early on a weekday is the most stress-free way to enjoy it.
• On mid-November weekends, the surrounding roads also become heavily congested, so we strongly recommend using public transportation rather than a car.
• After rain and in the early morning, the ground is often wet, so visit in slip-resistant sneakers or comfortable walking shoes. Heels and leather shoes can cause unexpected falls on the cobblestones.
• Since this is a period when mornings and evenings suddenly turn bitterly cold, be sure to bring layerable warm clothing. Especially for early-morning visits, it can be far colder than you'd imagine at departure.

Mt. Hakusan

Mt. Hakusan, the sacred peak straddling the three prefectures of Ishikawa, Gifu, and Fukui. In the Hakusan National Park, nestled in the bosom of this mountain that has been revered as a "mountain of faith" since ancient times, coloring begins from early October, ahead of the lowlands, and you can experience the grand autumn-foliage scenery of the entire mountain dyed as if aflame. The ravine beauty around Bettodeai spreading out below, and the contrast between the white peaks bearing perennial snow and the blazing red, orange, and yellow -- this contrast of "white and brocade" is a one-of-a-kind spectacle you can only encounter at Mt. Hakusan. Once you lay eyes on this scenery, you'll want to return to Mt. Hakusan every autumn -- it's no wonder there's an endless stream of travelers who feel this way.

Along the mountain trails are several well-maintained hiking courses, and another charm of Mt. Hakusan is that you can choose a route to match your fitness and goals. Even without full-scale mountaineering equipment, the Bettodeai to Nakahanba section of the "Sabo Shindo" route (about 2 hours round trip) is relatively gentle and is a popular course where you can fully enjoy the autumn leaves along a pure mountain stream. The time spent treading on colorful fallen leaves amid sunlight filtering through the trees makes you completely forget the hustle of everyday life. The sense of accomplishment after moving your body, and the comfort of being wrapped entirely in nature -- that is the essence of Mt. Hakusan hiking.

Best viewing: early October to late October (higher-elevation areas) Near the summit, coloring begins as early as the end of September, and around Bettodeai (altitude about 1,260 m), the most beautiful time is around mid-October. Since the best viewing time differs by elevation, checking the latest coloring conditions at the Hakusan Visitor Center or via local social media before your visit will greatly raise your travel satisfaction.

Recommended time: morning Since mountain weather tends to deteriorate from the afternoon, visiting from early morning to noon is best. The breathtaking scenery of the mountainside blazing in brocade colors, appearing after the morning mist slowly clears, is fantastical in a word. To aim for "a clear morning," the local connoisseurs' way is to stay at an inn at the foot of the mountain the night before and tackle it in perfect condition.

Ways to enjoy it like a local After hiking, soothing your tired body at the foot-of-the-mountain Shiramine Onsen or Chugu Onsen is a local pleasure. Chugu Onsen in particular has water so gentle on the skin it's called the "beauty bath," warming a body chilled by autumn's cold air gently from deep within. The comfort of soaking in the bath while gazing at the autumn leaves from an open-air bath simply cannot be conveyed in words. Also, at roadside stations around Mt. Hakusan, locally produced new rice, processed wild-vegetable products, and fermented foods unique to Ishikawa are sold, making them perfect for souvenir hunting. By all means, take home a product packed with the bounty of the "Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark" as a gift for family or friends.

Access

• Car: About 60 minutes from the "Hakusan IC" on the Hokuriku Expressway to Bettodeai. However, at the height of the foliage season private cars are barred from Bettodeai and you must use a shuttle bus from Ichinose. The restricted dates and the shuttle timetable and fare change from year to year, so check the current announcement from Hakusan City or the Hakusan Tourism Association before you travel. On restricted days the Ichinose car park fills early.
• Train + bus: About 1 hour by Hokuriku Railway bus from JR "Kanazawa Station" to "Hakusan-shita," then transfer to a taxi or shuttle bus. Check the bus timetable in advance.

Tips for travelers

• Since this is a mountainous area, prepare thoroughly for cold, wind, and rain. On the mountain in October, there are days when the minimum temperature drops below 5 degrees -- a cold that's a world apart from the city. Consider down jackets and rainwear essential.
• On days the shuttle operates, earlier departures mean shorter waits; later in the day it gets busy. Check the timetable in the official announcement.
• Since the trail has some steep sections, wear trekking shoes. Sandals and leather shoes can cause falls and injuries and are very dangerous.
• As Mt. Hakusan is a bear habitat, we strongly recommend carrying a bear bell. They can be purchased or rented at outdoor gear shops and the Ichinose Visitor Center, so if you don't have one, by all means get one locally.

Natadera Temple (Komatsu City)

Different again from Kanazawa's famous garden and from the wilderness of Mt. Hakusan, Natadera wraps a landscape of pale volcanic-tuff crags — the "Kigan Yusenkyo," or Wonder Rock Cliffs — in autumn colour. White rock, green moss, red maple, all in a single frame. Not many places give you those three colours at once.

You walk the approach, pass through the rock-cave "womb passage," and take in the garden from the shoin. Official guidance puts a general visit at 30 to 40 minutes, so it fits easily into a day trip from Kanazawa or a stop on the way to the Kaga hot-spring resorts.

Visitor information (Natadera official, revised November 1, 2023)

One important caveat. Natadera's "special viewing" (the new garden, the Sanzon-seki and the Ryoryo-an) is currently closed for garden maintenance, and the temple states this is "planned until the end of March 2026" — meaning it is expected to remain closed through autumn 2026. Older articles promising a paid add-on tour will lead you astray.

On peak foliage: the temple's official visitor-information page gives no dates for peak foliage or for any illumination. Call Natadera on 0761-65-2111 if you need to confirm.

A local tip

About 20 minutes by car from Natadera, in Yamanaka Onsen, the Kakusenkei riverside terrace (kawadoko) juts out over the gorge. From November 1 to 30 it opens 10:00–15:00 (last orders 15 minutes before). A seat costs 700 yen for adults and 600 yen for primary-school children, including Kaga bocha tea; the kawadoko set with a sweet is 1,000 / 900 yen. Guests of member inns of the Yamanaka Onsen Ryokan Association pay 200 yen (500 for the set). Reservations are not accepted, service is cancelled in rain or when the river is high, November has irregular closing days, and the terrace shuts entirely from December 1 to March 31. You may bring your own food but not alcohol. Parking is the Ayatorihashi car park — only 12 spaces (Yamanaka Onsen Tourism Association, 0761-78-0330).

Sitting just above the water with the sound of the river around you turns autumn from something you look at into something you sit inside.

Best Viewing Times and Ways to Enjoy the Autumn Leaves

Ishikawa's foliage season is a long and rich autumn story spanning about two months, beginning at the summit of Mt. Hakusan in early October and concluding at the old temples of Kaga in late November. This "autumn relay," made possible precisely because Ishikawa has elevation differences and geographic breadth, will reward you with fresh emotion no matter how many times you visit, if you make good use of it.

"Where in Ishikawa should I begin this year?" -- the moment you spread out a map while pondering such a happy dilemma is also one of the joys of travel. The majestic nature of Mt. Hakusan, the refined garden beauty of Kenrokuen, the quiet of Natadera where pale crags meet red maple. Each has a completely different expression, yet all weave together a single story called "autumn in Ishikawa." This autumn, find your very own foliage journey in Ishikawa.

📚 Sources

This article draws on official tourism information from Ishikawa Prefecture and its municipalities, information published by facilities and areas such as Kenrokuen, Natadera, and the Hakusan foothills, and autumn-foliage information from local tourism associations, organizing the highlights of Ishikawa's foliage spots and how to tour them from a general perspective. Peak foliage shifts with the climate, and facilities' hours, entry fees, and closed days may change. Note that the Noto region still bears effects of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and the status of facilities and roads may have changed. Please check the latest peak, recovery, and operating status on the official facility and local-government information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Allow one to two hours for a foliage stroll at a single spot, or half a day to a full day to tour several spots by car.
• What to bring / prepare: Prepare comfortable walking shoes and a jacket for the morning and evening chill. Mountain valleys and gardens can be cooler than the city.
• Suggested route: Tour Mt. Hakusan (October), then Kenrokuen and Natadera (mid to late November) — peak foliage moves downhill as the elevation drops.
• Ways to enjoy the surroundings: Warming up at a nearby hot spring after a foliage stroll makes for a relaxed autumn day.
• Points to note: Peak foliage shifts by year, so check the latest color reports before visiting. If heading toward Noto, also checking the recovery status of roads and facilities is reassuring.

Practical Information for the Autumn Foliage Season (Based on Official Announcements)

Ishikawa's foliage spots are an area where official websites are particularly prone to retaining information from previous years. Trusting search results at face value risks picking up out-of-date figures from the wrong year. Below is a summary of official announcements confirmed as of 6 September 2026.

⚠️ Before You Click Any Link

The domain that was once the official website for Shiroyone Senmaida (the name begins with "senmaida" — the old address) now belongs to a completely unrelated third-party website. Old links to it remain in search results, so please do not click them. The current official site for Wajima City is wajima-senmaida.jp.

In addition, some pages on the Ishikawa Prefecture tourism website still carry illumination schedules that were last updated in 2019, and search engines sometimes present these as the latest information. Please verify dates against announcements that explicitly state "2026," as described below.

① Kenrokuen: Opening Hours Change from 16 October

Opening hours and admission (Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Management Office)

During the foliage season the garden closes at 17:00. If you go with the assumption that it closes at 18:00 as it does from March to 15 October, you risk being locked out.

Payment is accepted in cash as well as by credit card (JCB / VISA / Mastercard / AMEX / Diners / UnionPay), transit IC cards (Suica, ICOCA, and others), Rakuten Edy, QUICPay, iD, WAON, nanaco, and PayPay.

Conditions for free admission (as stated officially)

• Visitors aged 65 and over enter free (proof of age required — driving licence, health insurance card, etc.; copies accepted)
• Holders of a disability certificate enter free, together with one carer (Mirairo ID is also accepted)
• Ishikawa Prefecture residents enter free every Saturday and Sunday ("Kenmin Kansho no Hi" — Residents' Appreciation Day / proof of residence required)

During the foliage period, the only free admission day is 3 November (Culture Day). On all other days, entry during the illumination hours described below is free.

Early-morning admission (free) — a hidden gem during the foliage season

Entry gates open at the Renchi-mon and Zuishinzaka entrances only, and visitors must leave by 15 minutes before the start of paid admission hours.

• 16 Oct–31 Oct: 5:00–7:45 (last admission 7:30)
• 1 Nov–end of Feb: 6:00–7:45 (last admission 7:30)

In other words, during November you enter at 6:00 and must leave by 7:45. Please note this is not a "7:00 opening" — do not confuse the times.

Illumination "Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Shiki Monogatari — Aki no Dan" — The 2026 schedule has been announced

• 19 Sep (Sat)–22 Sep (Tue, public holiday) 2026
• 7 Nov (Sat), 14 Nov (Sat), 15 Nov (Sun), 21 Nov (Sat), 22 Nov (Sun), 28 Nov (Sat), 29 Nov (Sun) 2026

Concerts are held in the Uchihashi-tei pavilion (approx. 15 minutes each). On 7 and 14 November: string quartet at 18:15 and 19:00; on 21 November: flute and koto; on 28 November: shamisen.

※ It is not possible to say "this schedule is typical of previous years." The official pages listing the 2024 and 2025 schedules can no longer be confirmed to exist; instead, old pages from 2019 and 2021 remain. The dates above are for 2026 only.

Car parks

Kanazawa Castle Park has free admission. The only paid facility is entry to the Hishi Yagura turret, Gojikken Nagaya storehouse, Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki-yagura turret, and Hashizume-mon gate (adults ¥320 / children ¥100; 9:00–16:30, last admission 16:00). If you are combining this with a visit to Kenrokuen, that is the only thing you need to know.

Other information: The garden is non-smoking; no pets; no cyclists through the garden. The garden paths are surfaced with pebble-mix (jari-tatamai) and can be slippery — please watch your footing. Wheelchairs are available free of charge at 4 ticket booths (Katsura-zaka, Renchi-mon, Kodatsuno, and Zuishinzaka; electric wheelchairs also available; no reservation required).

Peak timing: The Ishikawa Prefecture official website states only that "the garden contains approximately 300 maples and Japanese maple trees that typically turn red and yellow in late autumn" — no specific peak dates are given. The mid-to-late November illumination schedule provides the best indication.

② A Reliable Foliage Option in the Hakusan Area: Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road

Hakusan's hiking trails depend on weather and fitness, but White Road lets you drive through a 1,000-metre difference in altitude and take in the foliage all at once. The road links Hakusan City in Ishikawa Prefecture with Shirakawa Village in Gifu Prefecture; the total length is 33.3 km (the tolled section runs between Nakamiya Tollgate and Makari Tollgate), is fully paved with two lanes throughout, and takes approximately one hour to drive from end to end.

2026 operating period (official)

• Full opening: Friday 12 June 2026
• The official description of the operating period is "early June to 10 November" (with a note that this is subject to change)
• Operating hours: June–August 7:00–18:00 (exit gate closes 19:00) / September–November 8:00–17:00 (exit gate closes 18:00)

Official operational status as of 6 September 2026

Normal operation (entry 8:00–17:00) / motorcycles prohibited / Oyatani-no-yu open-air bath out of service / single-lane alternating traffic in some sections

Motorcycles cannot use this road. The famous open-air bath, Oyatani-no-yu, is also currently out of service. Some information websites mention "morning entry from 7:00 in autumn," but the operational information on the official homepage states "entry 8:00–17:00." As this could not be verified, please plan on the basis of an 8:00 entry.

Toll charges (effective 1 April 2020, tax-inclusive)

Cash payment only (no credit cards or highway cards). Return tickets are valid for 5 days; if you turn back within the tolled section, you pay the one-way rate. Disability discounts are available at the tollgate by presenting a disability certificate or Mirairo ID.

Official foliage peak by altitude

The approximately 1,000-metre altitude difference means the peak descends over more than a month.

Closure thresholds: hourly rainfall 25 mm / 24-hour rainfall 70 mm / cumulative rainfall 80 mm / fog reducing visibility to 20 m / maximum wind speed 15 m/s / snow or ice. Mountain weather can change rapidly — always check the official operational status before setting out.

Prohibited: motorcycles, pedestrians, overnight parking, camping in the tolled section (including campfires and similar), collection of plants or wildlife.

2026 campaigns: A "3rd Pass Free Campaign" is being offered for the first time this season, giving a free one-way pass to anyone who has already made two separate trips (standard and light vehicles only; pick up a special form at the tollgate). A "Stay in a Hot-Spring Inn for a Free One-Way Pass" campaign (Reiwa 8 (2026) edition) is also available, giving a free one-way pass to guests who stay at participating Ishikawa Prefecture accommodation.

③ Bear Precautions (Ishikawa Prefecture Natural Environment Division)

Ishikawa Prefecture has published its "Reiwa 8 (2026) Asiatic Black Bear Sighting and Trace Information (as of 2 September 2026)" with a 4 September 2026 update date. Autumn is the season when bears are most active all year, as they build reserves before hibernation.

The precautions the prefecture is calling for:

• Bears are most active in the early morning, evening, and at night. Avoid walks or jogging near forest areas at these times.
• When entering forest, go with at least one companion and carry a bell or radio.
• On forest roads, sound your car horn several times before getting out of the vehicle.
• If you encounter a bear, do not shout; instead, keep your eye on it and retreat slowly.

Enquiries to: Ishikawa Prefecture Living Environment Department, Natural Environment Division: 076-225-1477. This does not apply in the urban setting of Kenrokuen, but it is an essential precaution if you are hiking on White Road or in the Hakusan area.

④ For Those Visiting the Noto Peninsula (Please Read This Separately from the Foliage Information)

Let us be direct. None of the official websites for Wajima City, Suzu City, or Noto Town contains any information about foliage peak timing, foliage illuminations, or foliage events. For this reason, the article does not cover the Oku-Noto area as a foliage destination.

At the same time, Noto is not "off-limits." Ishikawa Prefecture is actively encouraging visits under the "Travel to Support Noto" initiative, and major transport links have been restored.

Transport (as of 6 September 2026)

• National Route 470 Noto Expressway and Noto Satoyama Kaido were open to two-way traffic on all sections from 17 July 2024, with the area around Noto Ohashi bridge also reopening to two-way traffic on 10 September 2024. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced on 12 December 2025 that "driving conditions equivalent to those before the earthquake will be restored within 2025 (Reiwa 7)."
• On 24 April 2026, the car park and toilets at Beppushidake SA (Wajima direction) on the Noto Satoyama Kaido reopened.
• However, an announcement on 3 August 2026 states that intensive overnight road closures are taking place between Anamizu IC and Tokuda-Otsu Junction. Confirm the situation before any night-time travel.
• Noto Railway is "operating as normal." However, service runs only between Nanao Station and Anamizu Station; there is no rail service to Wajima or Suzu (the line north of Anamizu no longer exists). Many articles misrepresent this — please be aware.
• Hokuriku Tetsudo long-distance buses to the Noto area are operating under the revised timetable from 15 March 2026, serving Kanazawa–Wajima / Suzu / Noto Town. Due to restoration work, the "Mii Ekimae" bus stop has been temporarily relocated (Hokuriku Tetsudo Telephone Service Centre: 076-234-0123, 8:00–18:00, open year-round)

Local conditions (only what has been officially confirmed)

• Shiroyone Senmaida: Free to visit. The car park is inside the Michi-no-Eki Senmaida Pocket Park — free, no reservation required (5 spaces for tourist coaches / 51 general spaces / 2 for people with disabilities). The field contains 1,004 terraced paddies and is a nationally designated scenic spot. Enquiries: Wajima City Tourism Division 0768-23-1146
• The illumination event "Aze no Kirameki" carries an official notice stating "The event will not be held in Reiwa 7 (2025) due to the effects of the earthquake." Whether it will be held in Reiwa 8 (from October 2026) has not been officially announced. Information stating "illumination from mid-October to mid-March" still circulates online — please do not take this at face value.
• Michi-no-Eki Senmaida Pocket Park operates at weekends only (stated in the spot name on the Ishikawa Prefecture official website)
• The Wajima Morning Market has not resumed on Asaichi-dori. It is currently operating as the "Traveling Wajima Morning Market at Y Plaza Wajima" (41 Takuda-machi, Wajima City), 9:00–13:00, closed Wednesdays (0768-22-8733)
• Wajima Kiriko Hall is temporarily closed indefinitely.
• Regarding Michi-no-Eki Suzu Enden-mura: the Suzu City official page has not been updated since January 2022, and the operating hours and charges shown reflect the pre-earthquake situation. Please call 0768-87-2040 directly to confirm before visiting.

Ishikawa Prefecture also posted a heavy rain and severe weather alert on 27 August 2026. Please check the latest information on the "Travel to Support Noto" website before you depart.

Checklist Before You Go

• [ ] Kenrokuen: 8:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) from 16 October. 18:00 closing applies only up to 15 October.
• [ ] During the foliage period, the only free daytime admission day is 3 November (Culture Day)
• [ ] Visitors aged 65 and over: free (proof of age required; copies accepted)
• [ ] Early-morning admission in November: 6:00–7:45. Renchi-mon and Zuishinzaka entrances only.
• [ ] Illumination "Aki no Dan" — 2026 dates: 7, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29 November, 18:00–21:00; free during illumination hours
• [ ] The garden is temporarily closed for one hour before illumination begins. Tripods are to be avoided.
• [ ] Kenroku Car Park: first hour ¥350, then ¥150 per 30 minutes
• [ ] Kanazawa Castle Park: free admission
• [ ] White Road: 8:00–17:00 entry in September–November; open until 10 November
• [ ] White Road: motorcycles prohibited; cash only (standard car one-way ¥1,700)
• [ ] Oyatani-no-yu open-air bath is currently out of service
• [ ] Natadera: 9:15–16:00, adults ¥1,000, parking free. Special viewing closed (non-public) until end of March, Reiwa 8 (2026)
• [ ] Kakusenkei riverside terrace seating in November: 10:00–15:00, no reservations, cancelled in rain or high water, parking for 12 cars only
• [ ] If entering the mountains, carry a bear bell or radio. Sound your horn several times before getting out of the car.
• [ ] Towards Noto: Noto Railway runs only between Nanao and Anamizu. There is no rail service to Wajima or Suzu.
• [ ] "Aze no Kirameki" was not held in Reiwa 7. Whether it will be held in 2026 has not been announced.

Information Sources

This section is based on official announcements (all as of 6 September 2026) from: the Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Management Office; Ishikawa Prefecture (Tourism Strategy Division / Natural Environment Division); Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League "Hot Ishikawa Tabi Net"; Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road; Natadera; Kaga Onsen-kyo official website (Kaga City Tourism Information Centre); Wajima City; Suzu City; Traveling Wajima Morning Market; Noto Railway; Hokuriku Tetsudo; and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau, Kanazawa River and National Highway Office.

The specific peak timing for autumn foliage at Kenrokuen and Natadera; Natadera's illumination; details of Kenrokuen's "+1 coupon"; the fares and service frequencies of Hokuriku Tetsudo Oku-Noto buses; and whether Tarumi-no-Taki Falls is accessible or has a car park are not written here because no official information is available. The 2026 private car restrictions and shuttle bus services for Hakusan trailheads (Betsudan Deai and Ichinose) have also not been verified in this section. Please check the latest details with the relevant official websites and by telephone before visiting.

*Dates and prices are subject to change. Please check the latest information on each official website before you set out.*