A UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy on the Sea of Japan, gateway to the Dewa Sanzan three-mountain pilgrimage. Yamabushi mountain ascetics still walk these forests; preserved seed varieties feed shojin temple cuisine.

Best season

May–October (Dewa Sanzan trails close in winter)

Crowd level

Hidden gem

Japanese needed

Intermediate

Opening hours

Hagurosan trail dawn–dusk; pilgrim lodgings book early summer