Hodatsushimizu Town in Ishikawa Prefecture is trying to “revitalize the town” with the three pillars of “Chirihama Nagisa Driveway,” “Tomb of Moses,” and “Omelette Rice.”

Hodatsushimizu Town is located at the western base of the Noto Peninsula, almost in the center of Ishikawa Prefecture. It is about 30 minutes by car from Kanazawa City, the prefectural capital. It is easily accessible to both Noto and Kanazawa.

Map around Hodatsushimizu Town

In the eastern part of Hodatsushimizu Town, there are a series of hills topped by Mt. Hodatsu (637 m above sea level), the highest peak on the Noto Peninsula. The view from the top of Mt. Hodatsu is one of the most spectacular in Ishikawa Prefecture, offering a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan and two of the three most beautiful mountains in Japan, Tateyama and Hakusan. It is accessible by car, but there are also well-maintained trails for easy mountaineering. It is said that “Hoppi-san,” a fairy of Mt. Hodatsu, lives in the “Mountain Dragon’s Palace” at the top of the mountain, and his favorite food seems to be omelette rice.

Chirihama Nagisa Draiveway

In the western part of the area, there is a series of sandy beaches facing the Sea of Japan, and the “Chirihama Nagisa Driveway,” the only sandy beach in Japan where automobiles can be driven. It has become a popular driving and sightseeing spot that attracts many tourists from all over Japan.

Tomb of Moses

At the foot of Mt. Hodatsu, there are Mitsukozuka burial mounds, which are said to be the “Tomb of Moses.” The tumulus group is maintained as “Moses Park” and is a mystery and B-class tourist spot that attracts occult fans and fans of unusual spots.

Town of Omelette Rice

Hodatsushimizu Town is called the “town of Omelette Rice (omu-rice)” because Mr. Shigeo Kitahashi, the founder of “Hokkyokusei (this name means the North Star),” a Western-style restaurant in Osaka Prefecture, who invented Japan’s first omu-rice, which is ketchup rice wrapped in a thinly fried egg, was a native of Hodatsushimizu Town. There are many restaurants in the town where omu-rice is served, and Hodatsushimizu Town’s original omu-rice supervised by “Hokkyokusei” is also available.

The following are sightseeing spots in Hodatsushimizu except for “Chirihama Nagisa Driveway,” “Tomb of Moses,” and “Omelette Rice.”

Kita family House Residence

The Kita family, which is the Kaga clan’s “Tomurayaku”, is the residence of a wealthy farmer who was granted privileges by the Kaga Domain (present-day Ishikawa Prefecture) during the Edo period. It is a national important cultural property and is open to the public. The “Tomurayaku” was the head of an organization that organized 10 villages under the agricultural administration system established by the Kaga Clan. The Kita family House Residence is visitors can see a prestigious house that retains many of the features of the Tomurayaku Residence, such as a large gate with a thatched roof and an entrance reserved exclusively for the feudal lord.

Sakura-no-sato Kofun Park

There are many ancient tombs in Hodatsushimizu Town. The “Sanda Kanaya Kofun (Ancient Burial Mound)” is a round burial mound built in the late 6th century and has a rare stone coffin in the stone chamber. It is a national historic site. You can see the inside of the stone chamber if you contact the Board of Education. Together with the neighboring Ishizaka Nabeshiyama Kofun Tumulus Group, the area is maintained as “Sakura-no-sato Kofun Park.”

Access to Hodadtsushimizu Town

From Tokyo

It takes about 3 hours from JR Tokyo Station to JR Kanazawa Station by Hokuriku Shinkansen.

From Osaka

It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from JR Osaka Station to JR Tsuruga Station by limited express train. Transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen at JR Tsuruga Station and it takes about 40 minutes to JR Kanazawa Station.

At JR Kanazawa Station, transfer to the IR Ishikawa Railway Line (bound for Nanao), which directly connects with JR Tsubata Station and takes about 40 minuetes to JR Nanao Line Hodatsu Station.