Yamanaka Onsen "Yuge Kaido" Street Guide | Walking Ishikawa

Yamanaka Onsen is one of the hot spring towns in Kaga Onsen-kyo, Ishikawa Prefecture. Its main street, Yuge Kaido (Yuge Street), is a popular strolling spot that blends nostalgic hot spring town charm with refined traditional crafts and a rich food culture.

Stroll leisurely through the atmospheric hot spring town streets in a yukata. Why not enjoy this extraordinary experience while discovering the folk crafts, traditional arts, and delicious food that Yamanaka Onsen is proud of?

Here, we introduce a few spots well worth a visit: a beautiful lacquerware shop, a bar offering an excellent sake experience, and a handy coin laundry.

Yuge Kaido is characterized by its elegant streetscape lined with buildings styled after traditional old houses. Lacquerware galleries and eateries line the street, letting visitors stop in to experience the skill of Japanese craftsmanship or enjoy some food-while-walking (there's no shortage of ice cream!) — a feast for all the senses.

(Photo: Views along Yuge Kaido)

The street stretches about 600 meters, a compact size that's easy to fully enjoy in roughly one to three hours. Since many shops close or reduce their hours in the evening, the best time to visit is from midday through early evening.

From JR Kaga-Onsen Station, take a Hokutetsu Bus on the Onsen-Yamanaka Line (or similar route) for about 30 minutes. Get off at the "Yuge Kaido" or "Kikuno-yu / Yamanaka-za" bus stop and you'll be right there.

Kikuno-yu / Yamanaka-za Bus Stop

Major nationwide transit IC cards (such as Suica) are also accepted.

• Boarding (from the rear door)

  • Cash: Be sure to take a numbered ticket issued at the entrance.

  • Credit card: Tap your card on the reader.

• Exiting and paying (from the front door)

  • Cash: Check the fare on the display at the front of the bus, then put your numbered ticket and the exact fare in cash into the fare box beside the driver's seat.

  • Credit card: Tap your card on the reader to complete payment.

Please note that transportation IC cards such as Suica are not accepted.

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Yamanaka Onsen is also known as a production center for traditional crafts such as Yamanaka lacquerware (Yamanaka Shikki) and Kutani ware (Kutani-yaki). Here are some traditional craft shops, sake spots, and convenient stops you can visit while strolling along Yuge Kaido Street.

This is a shop we highly recommend visiting during your stroll along Yuge Kaido Street, where you can encounter truly exquisite and moving traditional craftsmanship.

• Address: 〒922-0128 Ni-3-7 Korogi-machi, Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MAJWtvCZc4erjVJ47

(Exterior of Gato Mikio Shoten)

This is no ordinary souvenir shop—step inside, and it feels just like an art museum.

(Interior of Gato Mikio Shoten)

Founded in 1908, this venerable Yamanaka lacquerware (Yamanaka-shikki) workshop draws on more than 400 years of traditional craftsmanship to create lacquerware that blends practicality with beauty. Its refined pieces, tailored to modern lifestyles, have earned high acclaim both in Japan and abroad, including the Good Design Award and Germany's Federal Design Award. The exquisite taste and quality on display here are simply captivating — these are true works of art!

(Beautiful tableware from Gato Mikio Shoten)

(Refined products from Gato Mikio Shoten)

(Like a museum of tableware)

(Refined tableware)

(Beautiful tableware from Gato Mikio Shoten)

This bar occupies a calm space in a renovated old Japanese house, tucked down a side street just off Yuge Kaido. It stocks around 30 varieties of Ishikawa Prefecture sake and pays close attention to the sake vessels as well.

• 82 Minamimachi-ro, Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa 922-0129, Japan

https://maps.app.goo.gl/JvnzXEAMY1y7tayJ6

• You can sample local sake from Ishikawa Prefecture in small pours, making it enjoyable for everyone from sake beginners to connoisseurs.

• The owner holds the title of Shusho (an advanced sake sommelier certification), and even a short chat about the sake or its vessels becomes a memorable part of your trip.

• It sets the stage for a relaxing night of sake in a hot spring town.

• Yukata are welcome, so you can drop by straight from your ryokan and make the outing even more enjoyable.

(Exterior of Engawa)

A tastefully renovated old private house (kominka) gives the space real character and style.

(A wide selection of distinctive sake)

With so many sakes to choose from, we asked the owner for a recommendation. The master selects one inspired by the season, the weather, and the conversation.

(Careful attention to the sake vessels)

Each sake is served in an artistic vessel chosen to complement it. Tasting sake with all five senses makes it truly special—it's a moving experience.

(A private room in the back)

Chatting at the counter seats is fun, and it also looks like a great spot to catch up with friends!

There are times during a trip when having access to laundry facilities brings real peace of mind. The Yugekaido area also has a coin laundry.

• 1 Yunodemachi, Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa 922-0124, Japan

https://maps.app.goo.gl/aSxfmcvBkfGzzEND9

Nearby is "Kikuno-yu," a public bathhouse in Yamanaka Onsen. While your laundry is running, we recommend enjoying a soak at Kikuno-yu.

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(Exterior of the coin laundry)

The washing machines and dryers accept cash (coins). Simply insert coins to get them started. Bring plenty of 100-yen coins! Operating hours are 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

• Wash: ¥400

• Dry: ¥100 per 8 minutes

• Detergent: ¥30

(You can do a wash for ¥400. Bring plenty of 100-yen coins!)

(This is the dryer. It's coin-operated, and the price varies depending on the duration.)

(Detergent is also available for purchase — 30 yen, cash only.)

(Open from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM)

Yuge Kaido offers the quintessential hot spring town experience while staying pleasantly compact. It's the perfect place for a relaxed stroll before or after checking in to your hotel. With craft shops, bars, and handy facilities like a coin laundry, it has everything travelers need to feel right at home. Be sure to explore the variety of shops and enjoy everything Yuge Kaido has to offer!

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