A Taste of Culture

Bounty of the Sea

With four coastal prefectures, Hokuriku has strong ties to the sea and the many culinary treasures found within its depths. In Toyama Prefecture, Toyama Bay is a prized seafood destination due to its broad variety of fish and shellfish, as well as its proximity to the region’s nearest ports, ensuring the freshest catches. The bay reaches depths of up to 4,101 feet (1,250 meters), hosting both warm and cold-water species, including rare bioluminescent firefly squid and glass shrimp.

This treasure trove of aquatic ingredients has given rise to the delicacy known as Toyama Bay Sushi, known for its exceptionally fresh selection of seafood, which is further enhanced by Toyama-grown rice. This grain is grown using clear, mineral-rich water that makes its way down from the almost 10,000-foot-high (about 3,000 meters) peaks of the Northern Japanese Alps and Tateyama Mountain Range.

Another ocean delicacy—salted mackerel—can be found in Fukui Prefecture’s Obama City, and is so vital to the region that many historic travel routes between the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto have collectively been named Saba Kaido, or ‘Mackerel Road’. For many years, Obama Port served as a hub to the Asian continent and as a cultural gateway, communicating Buddhist traditions, arts, and literature between the regions.

Several shrines and temples can still be found along the ancient Saba Kaido, including Myotsuji Temple, a Buddhist temple founded in the 9^th century. Enveloped in deep forests in the mountains of Obama, it houses several National Treasures, including a three-tiered pagoda that can only be entered on special occasions.

Legacy of Cultural Exchange

Hokuriku’s famed culinary culture was formed in part due to the influence of the so-called kitamaebune ships. Translating to ‘northern-bound boats’, these trade vessels traveled across the Sea of Japan from the mid-1600s to the early 1900s. They went back and forth between Hokkaido and Osaka, stopping at many harbors along the way. They not only spread domestic culture between the regions through the exchange of goods, food, and crafts, but also intangible cultural heritage such as folk songs.

One of the many travel hubs along the kitamaebune route was Ishikawa Prefecture’s Kaga Hashitate, where ship owners, shipwrights, and many others related to the kitamaebune routes lived. This made Kaga Hashitate one of the most prosperous areas in the region—maybe even in Japan—at the time, and that legacy is still visible when walking through the town’s meandering streets.

The Hashitate District boasts several well-preserved wooden mansions formerly owned by ship owners and other wealthy individuals, and are easily spotted by their distinctive red-tiled roofs. A visit to the Kitamaebune Ship Museum in the area is a must to learn more about this rich history. The museum itself is housed inside a large mansion where you can see the luxurious lacquered wood accents up close. Hashitate Fishing Port is still active today, and brings in some of Japan’s most delectable catches: snow crab and sweet shrimp.

Further north in Niigata Prefecture’s capital of Niigata City, Furumachi also showcases a wealth of Hokuriku’s kitamaebune culture. Much like Hashitate, the district flourished during the golden age of the kitamaebune trade routes, and the townscape remains much like it was 200 years ago, with traditional residences and historic buildings lining the streets.

During its heyday, Nabejaya Street, located within Furumachi, attracted sailors and merchants from all over Japan to its geisha quarter. Today, visitors can experience captivating performances by geigi (as geisha are known in this region) at venues in the area. Nabejaya Street is also an ideal destination to sample some of Niigata’s finest seasonal fare, which can be found at one of the many fine kappo establishments—restaurants that serve omakase-style meals.

From ancient paths to seafaring trading routes, Hokuriku has long been both a desirable sightseeing destination and an important cultural exchange center in Japan. Today, the region has even more magnificent places to explore and gourmet experiences to enjoy, making a visit to Hokuriku a must for those expanding their horizons beyond Tokyo.