Plizio Visual Lab

Hodatsushimizu

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

City

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Practical info — Hodatsushimizu

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Check weather conditions before heading to Chirihama Nagisa Driveway; the road closes if waves are too high.
Visit the summit of Mount Hodatsu for the highest vantage point on the Noto Peninsula.
Try Odamaki sweets at the small bakeries in the town center, where they are often served fresh and warm.
Take the JR Nanao Line for a relaxed train ride with scenic views of the rural landscape.
Keep an eye on the colored flags on the beach; they indicate which sections are safe for driving.

🍽 Food

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Grilled Shellfish

At the beach shacks along the driveway, fresh clams and shells are grilled directly over charcoal.

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Noto Beef

Look for local steakhouses serving this high-quality regional Wagyu variety.

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Odamaki

These triangular rice-flour sweets filled with bean paste are the town's signature treat.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Roadside Station Chirihama

A great spot for Noto salt, local sauces, and souvenirs from Ishikawa Prefecture.

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Traditional Odamaki Shops

Purchase handmade sweets in decorative packaging, well-suited for gifts.

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Mount Hodatsu Summit Plateau

Enjoy the silence and the expansive view over the Sea of Japan away from the traffic.

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Secluded Beach Stretches

South of the main driveway entrance, you can find quiet areas to enjoy the sound of the waves in peace.

Hodatsushimizu is a unique destination on the Noto Peninsula, best known for the Chirihama Beach (千里浜). The Chirihama Nagisa Driveway is one of the few places in the world where cars, buses, and motorcycles can drive safely on the hard-packed sandy shore for nearly 8 kilometers. This extraordinary road features a driving experience right next to the breaking waves of the Sea of Japan. The town is also home to Mount Hodatsu, the highest peak in the Noto region, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the sea. Local gastronomy features fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and locally grown figs. Visitors can explore quiet shrines and enjoy the rural tranquility of Ishikawa's coastline. Watching the sunset while driving along the shore is a highlight for any visitor. The beach is a popular spot for seaside barbecues and enjoying the natural sea breeze during the summer months.