- Kinkengu Shrine - Travel to Tsurugi. We will use the local trains to get out of the city and into the mountains.
Arrive at Tsurugi and walk around the area near the station. Here you will see Kikengu Shrine and other traditional buildings. After getting a feel for the town, we will head out to the next spots. It is a nice walk near the river as we see the water systems and old train stations.
- Shirayama Hime Shrine - After a short walk from seeing the water system we will arrive at the sando or ‘approach’ to the shrine. The often moss covered stairs that lead into more forest gives an almost mystical feel. The surviving records say that this shrine has existed in some form since the year 297, with the first building on Mt. Hakusan as early as 91 BC, and is the head shrine for all Shirayama shrines all over Japan. This shrine worships the god of the mountain Hakusan and is prayed to for clean and clear life-giving water. Feel the connection to history, tradition and the mountains.
After leaving the shrine, you will be given time to have lunch in the area
- Park Shishiku - Arrive at Shi-Shi World Museum, the entrance to the gondola. You’ll learn about the history of making the lion heads from the dragon dances. Afterwards, we’ll head up the mountain on the gondola and soak in the excellent views.
- Ishikawa Insect Museum - The next stop is the Ishikawa Prefectural Bug Museum and the Butterfly Garden. Take your time learning about Japanese and local bugs and then enjoy the over 1,000 butterflies up close and personal.
After the museum, the tour will start heading back to Tsurugi Station and Kanazawa Station
- Transportation to and from Tsurugi
- English speaking guide
- Gondola roundtrip ticket
- Guided Tour at Kikengu Shrine, Shirayama-hime Shrine and all other locations
- Entry fee at Ishikawa Prefecture Insect Museum (includes Butterfly House)
- Lunch
A short distance outside of the city center of Kanazawa is Tsurugi, a small town often overlooked by tourists to the area. Tsurugi has 2,000 years of history as an important site for religious worship and two of the shrines in the city have been attested to being local centers since at least the 60s BC. The shrine approach to Shrayama-hime Shrine still maintains that mystical feel as you walk through the forested and moss covered stairs. Nearby is a gondola that takes you to the top of one of the local mountains and gives you a stunning view of the town beneath and as far as the Sea of Japan. The final stop of the day is to see the butterfly house with over 1,000 butterflies. The mix of history and nature so close to the city is epitome of what makes Japan so great.
- The remaining 30 minutes is for the travel time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
