Chubu advice

It doesnft matter much doing Noto Peninsula in either direction. Knowing the exact date of travel I may be able to dig up some festive event to look out for, and that may prove to be a deciding factor as to which direction to take !

Kurobe Gorge and the Alpine Route are popular destinations, but again it depends on what time of the year you will be going. Kurobe Gorge is best visited from late Oct to early Nov for autumn foliage. The Alpine Route is best from late Apr to late May for the mighty snow corridor. You could also enjoy koyo during the latter half of Oct in the Alpine Route, especially around the Kurobe Dam area.

Canft offer much help for Norikura-dake as I stated earlier that we gave it up due to the inconvenience of an additional shuttle bus connection. The closest place we drove by is Shirahone Onsen. Below are some more references for Norikura Kogen.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6046.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6041.html
http://welcome.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/uploads/NorikuraMultiLang.pdf
https://norikura.gr.jp/
http://www.hida-norikura.com/pdf/Norikura.pdf
http://www.hida-norikura.com/mycar/ (driving restriction)

Aloha Glimpi,

Great ideas; I will definitely research Hirayu Onsen as it seems to be on the way to Norikura. Is there a bus connecting Okuhida, Hirayu Onsen and Norikura?

The link to Shin-Hotaka you included is excellent!! Unfortunately, a lot of it is in Japanese. But, I briefly looked into accommodations and am excited about minshuku or small ryokan options! Are there bus options around the area. For example, Minshuku Takuzawa and Shin-Hotaka ropeway?

I'm so excited! Thank you for your time, efforts and suggestions! ph

Here you will find the bus lines needed:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/

Thank you William5 and Glimpi,

So kind of both of you to assist me with plans. Sorry to keep changing, so many places interest me!

Now looking at mid-Oct. But, if accommodations are difficult to book we will move dates to early Oct.

Considering--Nagoya to Kanazawa, Noto 2 nights, Takaoka 1 night/ Ainokura 1 night, Kurobe Gorge (day train trip), overnight Takaoka, Alpine Tateyama/Matsumoto 2 nights, Norikura 2 nights, Okuhida 2 nights, Nagoya

Adding Kiso valley might be too much. Looks very rushed and hectic as it is. May want to add nights to Okuhida, Hirayu Onsen or Norikura.

Thank you very much, ph

I wouldnft bother with Kurobe Gorge if going during the first half of Oct. Under normal condition even by mid Oct it would be too early for any autumn colour. As mentioned the time for koyo in Kurobe Gorge is from late Oct to early Nov (early Nov is best). Without autumn foliage it is not worth taking the train ride, IMO.

Seeing Matsumoto now on the list, between Takayama and Matsumoto worth considering is scenic Kamikochi. If you go mid Oct there is a good chance seeing autumn colour as the koyo season in Kamikochi is said to be best from mid-late Oct.

William-thanks for your input!

I hope to book a room in Kurogane Onsen, end of Kurobe Gorge train ride, looks fun, especially when day visitors depart.

I added Matsumoto because of the transportation to Norikura, but am sure we can find activities in Matsumoto.

I toured Kamikochi on a previous visit. But, it is so near to Shin-Hotaka, Hirayu Onsen, it may deserve a second look.

Thank you, ph

If you havenft been there before another worthwhile side trip from Matsumoto is scenic Daio Wasabi Farm, the largest of its kind in Japan.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6056.html
https://www.daiowasabi.co.jp/

William-I saw your Noto and Matsumoto photos, beautiful!! Thanks for sharing.

I notice some Noto spots had "movie" site, how did you know that?

Thanks, ph

Ah PH, our passion for Japan extend to some nice Japanese movies we saw, so whenever possible we seek out some location sites to have a look ourselves. There are 2 location sites in Noto Peninsula we managed to visit, namely Kinoura Marine Park and Yase Cliff.

The hut in Kinoura Marine Park appears in the 2015 film gThe Furthest End Awaitsh.
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/112285044257279560015/album/AF1Qip...

full movie with English subtitle: http://kissasian.ch/Drama/Saihate-nite-Kakegae-no-Nai-Basho/Movie?id=2...

Yase Cliff appears in the 2009 film gZero Focush which is a re-make of 1961 B/W version.
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/112285044257279560015/album/AF1Qip...

trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl3JsA_ZMrg

William, you are fortunate to visit Japan so frequently to fulfill your passions!

Where did you stay on Noto? I am trying to book Lamp no Yado for second night, and am looking for another lodging for first night. Of course we would like to visit Wajima morning market, but do not have to stay there. Definitely do not want Wakura Onsen.

Thanks, ph

I did want to stay in Lamp no Yado but a friendfs wife who had spent a night there said the place gave her a creepy feel after dark. My wife didnft like that so we ended up skipping it and just visited during daytime.

On the peninsula we had overnight stays in Wakura and Wajima. Not the prettiest town we had come across but Wakura is still OK. What negative input have you read about Wakura !?

I read that Wakura is over-developed. I get the same feeling about Kaga Onsen. The Vogue article really stood out and depicted Yamashiro and Yamanaka Onsen towns as "magical, remote". I saved the article and had it on my wishlist, but when I look into the 2 towns they also seem over-developed. They are so close to Kanazawa.....

I found an excellent site with detailed maps of Noto, but not sure if they're accurate, the maps are dated from 2014.

So many appealing places in Japan!

When you say Kaga Onsen is "overdeveloped " and "close to Kanazawa", it sounds like your impressions are that Kaga Onsen has become a Kanazawa suburb or something. That is not true. Kaga Onsen is within the same prefecture as Kanazawa, but by no means is it close enough to be affected by any sort of urban sprawl from Kanazawa. The Kaga Onsen area consists of a few onsen towns (Yamanaka, Yamashiro, Awazu, and Katayamazu Onsens), all of which are featured on Japan-Guide:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4275.html

I have been to all except Awazu Onsen. I think Yamanaka is probably the best. The small nature walk near the onsen is unique and pleasant. Yamashiro Onsen's Ko-Soyu had the hottest water I think I've ever experienced at an onsen. Yamanaka Onsen and Yamanshiro Onsen combined with Natadera Temple is definitely a relaxing onsen experience and the nature is nice. I didn't personally find either to be over-developed. I think there were enough visitors that I didn't feel they were dying areas but not enough to feel like they were overrun with tourists. I think any hot spring lover would enjoy them.

Rabbit-thank you for your input and information.

Sorry, confusion about "close to Kanazawa" I mean that I'll be in Kanazawa so going to Kaga would be very easy. And your post may convince me to change my mind.

Thank you, ph

Oh no, deeper research into Yamashiro and Yamanaka is enticing.....yikes!

Rabbit-thanks, we will stay in Yamanaka 2 nights