Last Updated: Dec 2, 2023

Explore Komatsu City

A Hidden Gem in Ishikawa Prefecture

This story was originally published on donnykimball.com and has been syndicated here on Medium

When I started producing content many years ago, Kanazawa, the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, was still largely unknown to inbound tourists. While die-hard fans of Japan were likely aware, few first-timers had any real notion that such a place even existed. Alas, things have changed a lot in the past few years. Brought about by the surge in tourism that Japan saw up until the coronavirus pandemic, the “Mini Kyoto of the Hokuriku Area” is now just as overcrowded as its namesake.

Luckily, you don’t need to go far to find some peace and tranquility. Just 30 minutes to the south of Kanazawa, you’ll find Komatsu. Officially the second-largest city in Ishikawa Prefecture, Komatsu boasts a truly shocking amount of hidden allures. In fact, when I recently went on a visitation at the behest of the local government, I was shocked to learn that a full three days were nowhere near enough to see all the Komatsu city attractions. It’s truly a wonderful place for anyone looking to get off the beaten path.

Historically, Komatsu was part of Kaga Province and has long been known for being home to the sacred Nata-dera complex. Additionally, it housed the retirement castle of one of the Maeda lords. Even to this day, the city is also famed for…