The Four Seasons in Kaga
Kaga has four distinct seasons — spring, summer, autumn and winter — and each one can be enjoyed in various ways. On each visit you will make new discoveries.
Spring — Stroll through streets enveloped in pink
Cherry blossoms symbolize spring in Japan. The Kumasaka River, which flows through the center of Kaga, is lined with 250 cherry trees over a distance of about one kilometer. Every year, at the time of the cherry blossoms, the Kagashinmeigu Shrine holds a traditional festival, in which the locals dress up in formal samurai clothing and walk through town with a gorgeously decorated portable shrine.
Summer — Enjoy yourself in a natural setting that is teeming with life
Summer is the season of festivals. The city is livened up by vibrant festivals such as Yamashiro Hot Spring's Shobuyu Festival, which drives away evil spirits and brings good health, and Iburihashi's Guzuyaki Festival in which giant fish-shaped floats are carried through the streets. At Lake Shibayamagata, where Katayamazu Hot Spring is located, there are daily fireworks displays — typical of the refined Japanese summer. In addition, there is no shortage of outdoor activities and sports, such as golf, fishing and swimming in the sea.
Autumn —Stroll through beautiful Japanese scenery
Yamanaka Hot Spring's Kakusenkei Gorge, which appears in the poems of the haiku poet MATSUO Basho, is known for its beautiful autumn foliage. While strolling across atmospheric bridges and along 1.5 km of footpaths, you can enjoy the feeling of autumn advancing. The Daishoji area is dotted with temples — you will enjoy the formal beauty of Choryu-tei, as well as Jisshoin, the family temple of the Daishoji clan, which is known for its beautiful Japanese bush clover. It is the ideal place to get your fill of “Japanese beauty”.
Winter — Get your fill of sea and mountain delicacies
Winter in Kaga is a time of abundant flavors. In addition to the delicate, superbly tasting snow crab, deep-water shrimp with its melt-in-your-mouth sweetness, and fatty yellowtail, you will be able to get your fill of Japanese specialties such as sashimi, sushi and tempura made with fresh seafood. In addition, every year more than 2,000 ducks fly to Kamoike, a wetland area known for bird-watching, which has been registered as such under the Ramsar Convention.
Weather
It rains a lot in Kaga all year round, so an umbrella and other rain gear are indispensable. It is especially rainy and snowy from November to March. The roads may become muddy or freeze, so please bring warm, waterproof shoes with a good tread. The weather can be very changeable, so it is best to bring cold-weather clothing that can be layered.
Manners for Traveling in Japan
No Shoes Indoors
As a rule, you must remove your shoes before entering a Japanese home. Depending on the room, you may be expected to change into slippers. However, you must remover your slippers before entering a tatami room.
Use of Washroom Slippers
Sometimes there are special slippers for use only in the washroom. Please change into these before entering.
Sitting on the Floor
In a tatami room people sit on their knees, with their legs folded underneath them. The proper way of sitting is to have both legs and feet together, in the seiza position. In a casual situation, you may sit cross-legged, or in another more comfortable position.
No Tipping
There is no tipping custom in Japan. However, hotels, Japanese-style inns and high-end restaurants add a set service charge to the bill.
Bring Japanese Yen
Only a limited number of shops in Kaga accept foreign currency and credit cards. In addition, hotels and Japanese-style inns do not exchange currencies, so you are advised to buy Japanese yen at the airport or a bank before your arrival.
Manners for the Hot Spring Bath
Hot spring bathing is part of Japanese culture. In accordance with the proverb “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”, please follow the rules for hot spring bathing.
No Rowdiness
At Japanese hot springs many people share the same large bathtub. Please do not speak in a loud voice, splash one another or otherwise bother your fellow bathers.
No Drunken Bathing
Please take your bath before drinking, to avoid bothering other bathers and endangering your health.
Wash Before Bathing
Please be sure to wash yourself before entering the bathtub, even if you only take a quick shower.
No Bathing Suits or Towels in the Bath
Unless you have special permission, you are not allowed to wear a bathing suit in the bath. It is also bad manners to bring a towel with you into the bathtub.
No Cooling Down the Water
You are not allowed to add cold water to the bath, even if it is too hot for you.
No Soap or Shampoo in the Bath
Soap and shampoo are not permitted in a Japanese-style bathtub. Also, please be careful not to splash the person beside you when you are washing yourself.