Nanao

Welcome to Nanao, a city whose very name—meaning 'Seven Tails' after the seven mountain ridges that descend toward the bay—hints at its complex and beautiful topography. As a scholar of Japanese maritime history, I find Nanao to…

Our first destination is Ipponsugi-dori, a street with over 600 years of documented history. As we walk along this thoroughfare, imagine the bustling merchant activity of the Edo and Meiji periods. …

One of the most remarkable institutions on Ipponsugi-dori is the Takazawa Candle Shop, the only remaining maker of traditional Japanese candles, or wa-rosoku, in the Noto Peninsula. To understand the significance of these…

We now turn our attention to one of Nanao's most awe-inspiring traditions: the Dekayama. These are massive festival floats, standing 12 meters high and weighing a staggering 20 tons, that are pulled through the narrow streets…

Nanao is the home of a unique and poignant custom known as Hanayome Noren, or 'Bride’s Curtains.' This tradition, found only in the former Kaga, Noto, and Etchu domains, involves the bride’s family commissioning a beautiful silk…

A short journey from the city center brings us to Wakura Onsen, one of Japan's most prestigious hot spring resorts, with a history stretching back 1,200 years. The waters here are famously salty, a result of the hot springs…

We conclude our exploration of Nanao at the intersection of its transport and culinary traditions. Nanao Station is the starting point for the Noto Railway, which offers scenic views of the bay as it travels toward Anamizu. …

Our journey through Nanao has taken us from the ancient merchant routes of the Kitamaebune to the resilient modern-day recovery following the 2024 earthquake. We have seen how the city's identity is forged in the fire of its…