A variety of museums are spread out across Kaga Onsen. They include museums dedicated to the local handicrafts, commerce and history, as well as those about more whimsical subjects. Below is a selection of some of the museums found in the area:
Arts and Crafts
Kutaniyaki Art Museum
5 minute walk from Daishoji Station, served by Can Bus Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Mondays (except holidays) Admission: 560 yen
The Kutaniyaki Museum is an art museum displaying collections of Kutaniyaki pottery, a famous style of pottery characterized by the use of green, purple, yellow, red and blue glazes, which developed during the Edo Period.
Kutaniyaki Exhibition Hall
Just outside central Yamashiro Onsen, served by Can Bus Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Tuesdays, December 31 to January 1 Admission: 350 yen
Located just outside central Yamashiro Onsen, this pottery museum displays a variety of antique and modern kutaniyaki pieces as well as the ruins of a large, multi leveled kiln from the Edo Period. Hands-on workshops are offered as well.
Rosanjin's Hut Iroha
Central Yamashiro Onsen, served by Can Bus Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Wednesdays (except for holidays) Admission: 560 yen
Rosanjin, one of Japan's most famous ceramicists, lived in Yamashiro Onsen for a short period of his life. This is his restored former residence with a small attached museum displaying some of his work.
History and Commerce
Kitamae Ship Museum
Near Hashidate Port, served by Can Bus Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: No closing days Admission: 350 yen
Hashidate Port near Kaga Onsen served as a stop along the shipping trade route along the Sea of Japan coast during the Edo Period. Housed in a large former residence of a ship builder, this museum is devoted to the ships built in Hashidate and to the trade route they were employed on.
Airport and Aviation Plaza
Across the street from Komatsu Airport Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: December 29 to January 3 Admission: Free
The Airport and Aviation Plaza is a free aviation museum just across the street from Komatsu Airport. It has an interesting selection of decommissioned aircraft in its enclosed hanger as well as flight simulators, models and other exhibits.
Motorcar Museum of Japan
Near Awazu Onsen, served by Can Bus Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 from December to March) Admission ends 30 minutes before closing Closed: December 26 to 31 Admission: 1200 yen
The Motorcar Museum of Japan has an impressive display of over 500 cars, trucks and motorcycles from Japan and around the world, including many vintage models. The museum also has a funny (and functional) "toilets from around the world" display.
Others
Museum of Snow and Ice
Katayamazu Onsen, served by Can Bus Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Wednesdays Admission: 560 yen
Near central Katayamazu Onsen, the snow and ice museum displays the work and equipment of Nakayama Ukichiro, a local scientist who devoted his life to the study of snow crystals. The museum also offers interesting hands on activities and experiments.
Matsui Hideki Baseball Museum
10 minutes by taxi from Komatsu Station Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:50) Closed: Tuesdays, December 31 to January 2 Admission: 400 yen
The Matsui Hideki Baseball Museum is an interesting museum displaying the life and career of Matsui Hideki, a native of the Kaga Onsen region and one of Japan's most successful baseball players. A hands on section allows visitors to handle his glove, bat and other equipment. A lot of information is available in English.
Ishikawa Insect Museum
20 minute walk from Tsurugi Station Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (until 16:30 Nov to Mar) Closed: Tuesdays (or the next day if Tues is a holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 1 Admission: 410 yen
The well designed Ishikawa Insect Museum provides visitors with a variety of live exhibits as well as mounted insects from around the world. The museum includes a beautifully done butterfly house and hands on experiences with living insects.
Genuine traditional ryokan in the heart of Yamashiro Onsen. Enjoy the refined cuisine with its esthetic tranquility. Complementary shuttle from JR Kaga Onsen Sta.