Wajima: Coastal Landscapes, Shrine, and Lacquer Art

These are different perspectives on the destination. First consider whether you want to focus on the landscape, a central urban site, or the history and techniques of lacquer art.

Coastal Landscape in Shiroyone

Shiroyone Senmaida is in the town of Shiroyone within the municipality of Wajima, not in the urban area of Wajima. Located on the Sea of Japan, this landscape of rice terraces is designated as both a National Place of Scenic Beauty and a Tsunagu Tanada Heritage site. It therefore represents a focus on landscape at the municipal level. If you choose Wajima primarily for its coastal scenery, Shiroyone is the specific place where you can experience this interest. Its location is clearly distinct from the urban sites in the destination. Rice terraces are stepped plots of land used for rice cultivation. Here, the term refers to the terrain of Shiroyone Senmaida, not to a building or exhibition. Both designations—as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and a Tsunagu Tanada Heritage site—refer to the same landscape in the municipality of Wajima.

A Shrine in the Urban Area

Juzo Shrine is located roughly in the center of Wajima’s urban area, in Kawai-chō, which borders the Sea of Japan. Its location combines a central connection to the urban area with Kawai-chō’s coastal setting. For your travel plans, this offers a different perspective from the rice terraces of Shiroyone: here, the focus is a shrine in an urban context. If you would like to make a religious site a distinct part of your trip, Juzo Shrine is the specific point of interest in Wajima.

Lacquer Art and Wajima-nuri

The Ishikawa Wajima Urushi Art Museum specializes in lacquer art and permanently displays lacquer art works. Its permanent exhibition clearly introduces the techniques and history of Wajima-nuri using production tools and videos. The museum’s subject matter therefore ranges from lacquer art works themselves to the processes and historical background associated with Wajima-nuri. Its focus is clearly defined for travel planning: the museum offers something for anyone interested in both lacquer art works and their techniques and history.

Exhibitions and Hands-on Craft

At Wajima Kobo Nagaya, you can take part in an experience making your own chopsticks. It uses the characteristic Wajima-nuri techniques of chinkin and maki-e. Compared with the museum, the focus shifts from lacquer art works on permanent display and their historical and technical context to making an object. This gives you two different ways to explore lacquer art: a permanent exhibition featuring works, techniques, and history, or an experience in which you make your own chopsticks. If you plan to take part, check the booking details before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kanazawa, Kaga, Hakusan, Nanao, Komatsu, Kahoku, Nonoichi, Nomi

For the main travel overview: Ishikawa Prefecture.