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Hakui
ℹ️Practical info — Hakui
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Drive on the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway; it is the only beach in Japan where you can legally drive cars and bikes right on the sand.
- Visit Cosmo Isle Hakui, a high-quality space museum featuring genuine NASA artifacts and a quirky focus on UFO sightings.
- Look for UFO-shaped streetlights and alien-themed signs around the city center, reflecting Hakui's status as Japan's UFO capital.
- Stop by Keta Taisha Shrine, an ancient and prestigious site famous for helping visitors find luck in love and marriage.
- Check out the 'JOJO stones' in front of Hakui Station-sculptures of sound effects from the 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' manga.
🍽 Food
Large, succulent grilled clams often sold at rustic stalls right along the Chirihama beach stretch.
Hakui is famous for its wild boar meat; try it in a hearty curry or as grilled skewers in local eateries.
A unique ice cream made from Job's Tears (a local grain), offering a mild, nutty flavor.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
High-quality rice grown using natural cultivation methods in Hakui, available at local markets and the roadside station.
A great stop for local Noto wine, wild boar jerky, and fresh seasonal produce from the peninsula.
The Cosmo Isle gift shop sells unique alien-themed items, including blue-colored 'space' curry.
The 'sacred forest' at Keta Taisha where entry is forbidden; its ancient, untouched beauty is best admired from the edge.
A serene temple complex known for its five-story pagoda and quiet, forested surroundings.
Walk along the tide line as the sun sets for a peaceful experience away from the driving crowds.
Water temperature…
Hakui, located at the base of the Noto Peninsula, is a city that combines legends and modernity in a curious way. It is known as Japan's center for UFO sightings, which is celebrated at the 'Cosmo Isle Hakui' museum with real space exhibits. Additionally, the city is home to the venerable Keta Shrine, an important spiritual center of the region. The greatest attraction, however, is Chirihama (千里浜) Beach. This is part of the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, the only beach in Japan where cars, buses, and even motorcycles can legally drive on the firm sand right by the water. The sand here is so fine and evenly compacted that it forms a natural road. It is an unforgettable experience to feel the wind and spray of the Sea of Japan while driving. Hakui also provides excellent cuisine based on the treasures of the sea and the fertile coastal plain. The city is a well-suited stop for travelers exploring the Noto Peninsula who seek the extraordinary, from mysterious celestial phenomena to unique driving experiences along the ocean.
- Location: Japan
- Top sights: Yu Zha Shen She · Hakui City Hall · Yu Zhou Ke Xue Bo Wu Guan
- Nearby: Himi (22 km)
- Population: ~24.529 (2017)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 5 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 13 | 8 |
| Rain mm | 217 | 134 | 138 | 124 | 109 | 150 | 228 | 170 | 205 | 165 | 195 | 271 |
Geography
Facts
- Japan's UFO City
- Chirihama Beach
- Cosmo Isle Hakui
- Drivable beach
- Keta Shrine
- Noto Peninsula
- Space Museum
- Sand sculptures
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Hakui (7)
Si Jia Yi Ji🏺 historical
An archaeological site in Hakui containing remains from the Nara and Heian periods.
Frequently asked questions
What is Hakui known for?
Can you really drive on Chirihama Beach?
What is Cosmo Isle Hakui?
When should I visit Hakui?
Are there any religious sites in Hakui?
Hakui: where is it located?
Hakui: what is there to see?
Hakui: when is the best time to visit?
Hakui: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
