Hakusan

Hakusan is a city in Ishikawa Prefecture that spreads between the coast and the highlands, uniting several formerly independent settlements. The towns lie scattered along valleys and river plains, with the flatter areas more densely built.

The city formed in February 2005 through the merger of several municipalities, including Matto. This reorganization followed a nationwide trend toward administrative simplification in rural areas.

The name refers to the mountain that rises above the entire region and has been considered sacred for centuries. Visitors still notice how the mountain shapes the architecture and layout of many neighborhoods.

Visitors planning to explore different districts should use a car or bicycle, as public transport runs less frequently. Roads in the valleys are generally well maintained, while access to mountain areas may close during winter.

A museum here displays insect collections from many countries and maintains a butterfly house with living specimens. Many visitors overlook that the exhibition also documents regional biodiversity.

Location: Ishikawa Prefecture

Inception: February 1, 2005

Shares border with: Kanazawa, Komatsu, Nomi, Nonoichi, Kawakita, Ono, Katsuyama, Takayama, Shirakawa, Nanto

Website: https://city.hakusan.lg.jp

GPS coordinates: 36.51442,136.56558

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:45