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Why Komatsu ?

Komatsu City sits upon the southwestern plains of Ishikawa prefecture. On one side lies the Sea of Japan, and on the other the sacred Mt. Hakusan. These natural resources contribute to the rich nature and have influenced the local history and culture. Symbolic of this culture are the living traditions of Kutani ceramics made from Komatsu stone, and children’s kabuki performed at yearly festivals.

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Back in Business: Kokufu Sweets🌈 While the Kok

Gambare, Komatsu!❣️🙏 Our heart goes out to

Gambare, Komatsu!❣️🙏

Our heart goes out to everyone whose lives have been disrupted by the flash floods last week.

Being blessed by nature means we sometimes have to face its destructive side as well...

But just like how lotuses bloom strong and beautiful even amidst the mud, we know the community will come out of this stronger together! ❤️💪

Thank you to the many people lending their hand in the recovery work 🤗

And local furniture maker @taketosi_katou for this lovely photo 🥰

Little Local Finds: Summer in Seiryo-machi 🌞 N

Little Local Finds: Summer in Seiryo-machi 🌞

New post up on
❗explorekomatsu.com❗

In our next article of the Little Local Finds series, we introduce one of our favorite summer hangouts: the idyllic hamlet of Seiryo-machi 🏡

Depending on the season, you'll find either rolling fields of golden Barley 🌾 in May-June, or cheery sunflowers 🌻 in July-August! 😍

While the Sunflower Hill (ひまわりの丘 Himawari no Oka) of Seiryo-machi is of a smaller scale with daintier sunflowers than most other sunflower parks, we love it precisely for it's humble background: a ground-up project by the local community to give new life to abandoned fields 🥰

Getting to enjoy this hidden local spot all to ourselves, minus the crowds, is also a big plus 😌

Seiryo-machi is also where you'll find riverside vegetarian cafe @la_petite_porte 🌱 and a buffet spread of homecooked dishes prepared by the local grandmas @seseraginosato.komatsu 🍲, both healing spaces where you can nourish body and soul 🤗

Find out more about this place we love so much in our latest article on
👉explorekomatsu.com👈

It is summer and Ishikawa Prefecture is experienci

It is summer and Ishikawa Prefecture is experiencing a heat wave with apparent temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. ☀️
Water attractions are very welcome in such hot months.

This time, our destination is two waterfalls in Komatsu that not only refresh the skin but also soothe the mind.

On National Highway 416 from the Komatsu city area towards Nishimata and Okuradake Kogen Sky area, you will come to the Gotani River. In the middle of this river is the Junigataki Waterfalls.
In Japanese, the word junigataki means “twelve waterfalls”, and as the name suggests, the stream of the Gotani River divides into 12 streams and drops down here. The spectacle of the waterfalls cascading down with a powerful gurgling sound is a sight to behold any time of the year. The waterfall is popular as a casual stopover.

We then went on to Masudome Waterfall further along the road.
It is a small but quite beautiful branching waterfall that falls in two halves.
The beauty of the mosses that spread over the rocks is a spectacle in itself.

Hydrate well and make the most of the summer!

📍Junigataki Waterfalls

Nunohashimachi, Komatsu, Ishikawa 923-0164

📍Masudome Waterfall

172 Nishimatamachi, Komatsu, Ishikawa 923-0176

Rojo Park is an urban park built in the Meiji era

Rojo Park is an urban park built in the Meiji era on the site of Komatsu Castle, where Maeda Toshitsune, the fourth son of the war lord Maeda Toshiie and the third lord of the Kaga Domain, retired to live. The grounds include a Japanese garden with a circular pond and a tea ceremony house, Senso Yashiki and Gen-an, donated by Sen Genshitsu, the 15th head of the Urasenke tea ceremony family.

The current Rojo Park was opened in 1904. In addition to the Japanese garden, the park contains the Komatsu City Museum, a library, the Honjin Memorial Art Museum, a public hall and a primary school. It is a large park in itself, but the original castle tower of Komatsu Castle still stands about a 10-minute walk to the north-west. This gives a sense of the size of the castle. There is also a bronze statue of Lord Maeda Toshitsune in the park.

How about taking a quiet, relaxing walk through the park while you see before your eyes the history of Komatsu and Japan?

📍Rojo Park

19 Marunouchikoenmachi, Komatsu, Ishikawa 923-0903

Open 24 hours a day

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the sist

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Komatsu and Suzano (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Explore Komatsu issues a commemorative post this month.

This is Loja Uniao, a shop specializing in Brazilian products. The shop was founded 27 years ago, in 1995, and was originally part of a chain of shops in Ishikawa Prefecture and Toyama Prefecture. Currently, the shops are no longer part of the same chain, but the shop in Toyama is still in operation, and both share the same original name, despite not having any commercial relationship.

'Uniao' (portuguese for union) is not only a shop, but also a hub for the Brazilian community of Ishikawa to gather. Bank agencies and contractors' agencies eventually make available service counters on the shop premises, facilitating the access of Brazilians to various administrative services.

At Loja Uniao shop it is possible to find everything from typical Brazilian ingredients, such as beans, corn couscous, manioc flour, etc. to a few books in Portuguese, official language of Brazil.

If you are curious to learn more about Brazilian culture, why not visit Loja Uniao?

Loja Uniao 🇧🇷253-2 Doihara-machi, Komatsu Ishikawa
Business hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
Saturdays: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
Sundays: 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Closed on Mondays.

💖A New Hub for Community & Nature💖 On 14 Ju

💖A New Hub for Community & Nature💖

On 14 July, a former school building in the Japan Heritage site of Kanagaso will reopen its doors as, eaufeu.

Meaning 💧water & fire🔥 in French, this hotel/community space symbolizes the fusion of the locality's traditional roots and rich natural resources
(the way water serves as the spring of life) with the fiery innovation of future generations and visitors.

A hub for the appreciation of both art and nature, the entire compound, including the guestrooms, is adorned with art works by Kiichiro Ogawa @barracks_anonymous_design_gang, which were created while immersed in the natural landscapes of Kanagaso, such as Junigataki Falls and the Kanagaso Quarry. You can even purchase pieces that are to your liking!

You can also admire the golden stone of Kanagaso Quarry infused into the spaces, nationally-prized stone that has been used in famous buildings such as the National Diet Building.

And at the restaurant, both staying guests and day visitors can enjoy culinary masterpieces crafted from local produce by Shota Itoi @shota__itoi, the youngest chef to ever win RED U-35, Japan's biggest culinary competition for next generation chefs.
And the best sake, from local brewery Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute next door @noguchi_naohiko_official 😋

It is a community space open to all,
so do come be a part of this collaboration between the old and new, art and nature, and local and international! 🤗
Of course, you may pamper yourself with a luxurious stay too 😉
Bookings can be made via their homepage: https://eaufeu.jp/

🚗 Access 🚌
20 mins by car or 40mins by bus from Komatsu Station.
(Take the Ogoya Line 尾小屋線 bus at 8am/1.20pm and get off at Hasaramachi 波佐羅)
DM us for directions!

Thank you @tomostagram.n_n.8888
for the lovely photos 🥰

#komatsu #ishikawa #hokuriku #unknownjapan #japantravel #visitjapan #ilovejapan #japantrip #komatsucity #traditionaljapan #小松市 #石川県 #北陸
#localjapan #discoverjapan #japantraditional #japaneseculture #japanexperience #japanlovers #kanazawa #ryokan #myjapan #inaka #everydayjapan #japanhistory #japanculture #japanhotel #satoyama #里山 #japancountryside

🚗Japan' Biggest Car Museum🚙 When it comes t

🚗Japan' Biggest Car Museum🚙

When it comes to car museums in Japan, most people would immediately think of Nagoya.

But did you know that Komatsu actually has a car museum with Japan's largest car collection?! 😮
The Motorcar Museum of Japan, with over 500 cars on display! 🤯
(and hundreds more regularly rotated in)

In fact, it was Japan's very first car museum when it was built in 1978 at its original location in Oyabe City.

Even today, the museum continues to expand its collection and freshen up the experience with new exhibits🤩
From famous cars that escorted celebrities 🌟 or featured in films and anime 🎞️, to one-of-a-kind custom-made cars, classics that reveal stories of the past, cute Doraemon cars, and even an educational corner on eco-friendly cars 🌱, there is something fascinating for everyone 🤗

Why not escape the heat this summer by stepping into the cool world of automobiles? 😎
Located near Awazu Onsen, Natadera Temple @natadera_temple, and the Traditional Handicrafts Village Yunokuni no Mori @yunokuninomori, it is also a convenient spot to drop by while exploring other charms of Komatsu City! 😉

(accessible by CAN Bus 🚌 from Kaga Station, which also connects Awazu Onsen, Natadera Temple and Yunokuni no Mori)

Mark the Date: Himuro Manju Day! 1 July is a spe

Mark the Date: Himuro Manju Day!

1 July is a special day for us.
It is when we get to enjoy sake-infused steamed buns called Himuro Manju, a tradition unique to Ishikawa! 🥳

Himuro stands for the "ice houses" used to store ice, back when fridges did not exist ❄️
Ice were precious goods then, and the lord of the Kaga Domain (as Ishikawa was known) would carry them to Edo Tokyo on 1 July every year, as an offering to the shogun ruler.
In turn, the townsfolk made these sake buns and offered them at shrines as prayer for the safe delivery of the ice 🙏 And of course eat them, since they were thought to ward off illness 😋

While Himuro Manju traditionally contain red bean paste encased in green, pink and white buns, as with many Komatsu traditions, locals are constantly innovating! Such as @anyatosunday with a rainbow of flavors, including matcha and sweet potato pastes, and brown sugar-infused buns! 🌈

Some of our other faves include @minowa_kashiho (pic 3), @kouda_futaba (pic 4&5), @yukimatsu_7daime (pic 6), @tokuda_seikado (pic 7) & @okashidokoro_marunishi (pic 8) 🤗
(scroll to the end for a sneak peek of @minowa_kashiho steaming their buns 😍)

Every shop has their own unique taste, so why not have a tasting party? 🤤

Escape Above the Clouds: Mountaintop Inn, Ikumo ☁️

In Japan, summer is the season for mountains, where you can enjoy the cool air and rich greenery! ⛰️
But if hiking is not really your thing, there are more relaxing ways to enjoy our mountains! 😙

Like staying at mountaintop inn Ikumo, right here in Komatsu City 🏠

Literally meaning "life in the clouds", Ikumo 生雲 is where you can wake to the chirping of birds🐦, meditate to the backdrop of sunrise over the mountains 🌄 or sunset over the sea 🌅, and soak in an open-air bath beneath the stars ✨

Once a sacred hall at which monks gathered to deepen their knowledge and practice of nature worship, you can also engage with its spiritual past through a trek down a former pilgrimage route to Natadera Temple where you can join a prayer session.

Or try your hand at sutra-copying while contemplating the vast nature around you 🧘‍♀️ (scroll to the end for a tour of the view!) 😍

True to its nature-centered philosophy, eco-friendly resources such as solar energy ☀️, filtered rain water 💧, and natural construction materials are used, and CO2 emissions kept at minimum 💚 Meals are also prepared from organic local produce of the season! 🤤

All this in the comfort of privacy, with only one group of up to 4 people permitted at any time 😌

Yes, you can get there without breaking a sweat by rental car or taxi, or arrange for pick-up from Natadera Temple 🚙
Find out more from their English site @
👉ikumo-hakusan.jp/en/👈

Enjoy the rainbow at Lake Kiba Park now! 🌈💜

Enjoy the rainbow at Lake Kiba Park now! 🌈💜
(see previous post!)

Summer Escapes: Lake Kiba Park We may be approach

Summer Escapes: Lake Kiba Park

We may be approaching the season of rain and heat 🥵 but there are still many ways to enjoy Komatsu! 😌

As they say, after the rain comes the rainbow, and at Lake Kiba Park, that's certainly what you'll get: a rainbow of hydrangeas in full bloom 🌈

You'll find this charming rainbow along a little canal at the central park zone 中央園地!
(DM us for the exact pin)

Jog, cycle or stroll a quarter round the lake to the south zone (南園地) and you'll also encounter another rainbow at the iris garden 🥰

What better incentive to get some exercise in? 😋 And cool off both body and soul 😌

Relive the Past in a 90-Year Old Machiya Inn 🏠

Relive the Past in a 90-Year Old Machiya Inn 🏠

Machiya refer to wooden townhouses that populated olden Japan as the living quarters of artisans and merchants.
Many remain in Komatsu, repurposed as cafes and galleries.

But if you wish to experience living in them as the olden folk did, you can now do so at the newly-opened Ryusuke 25! 😍
@ryusuke25.komatsu

Renovated from a 90-year-old machiya with the intention of conveying the aesthetic, craft and culture of the ancestors that built up this city,
the owners have done their best to retain what was left, creatively repurposing and embellishing the space 🤗

The inn's name itself is a reflection of that:
Ryusuke is the name of its residing neighborhood, and 25 the house number ❤️

While located a convenient 10 min walk from Komatsu Station, you can be assured of private space with bookings limited to two groups at a time, one on each floor. 😌 A particular highlight is the sleek private bath hidden within a stone cellar! 🛀

At the same time, it also serves as a community space where small events can be held for intimate mingling with the locals 🥰
Feel free to reach out to the owners about using the share kitchen for cooking sessions, or even the rooms for exhibitions!
(check out @acortot for a sample of how the rooms were used to exhibit his papercut art pieces!)

Little Local Finds: Bakery With A View 🍞 With

Little Local Finds: Bakery With A View 🍞

With so many hidden gems in Komatsu that are off the tourist map (sometimes off the map entirely), we’ve decided to start sharing some of our everyday discoveries on the Explore Komatsu homepage! 🤗

For the very first article of this series, we introduce the most Instagrammable bakery we’ve encountered to date:
Yoshita Bakery (ヨシタベーカリー)

With a lovely view of Mt. Hakusan and shrouded in greenery 😍
A perfect resting spot whether you’re seeking to breakfast in quiet, or breakfast in style! 😌
Read more in our latest article on
👉 explorekomatsu.com 👈

🌹Roses are not just Red🌹 As you can see, it

🌹Roses are not just Red🌹

As you can see, it's an entire rainbow of roses at the "V" Road Friendship Rose Garden! 🌈
(see previous post)

And a rainbow of aromas too 😌
Like rainbows, they won't last long, so come down to catch the roses while they're around! 🤗