Wakura Onsen is a hot spring area facing Nanao Bay in Nanao, Ishikawa, and its biggest feature is that 80-degree high-temperature source water rises close to the sea, creating a salty “sea hot spring” experience. Unlike mountain valley hot spring resorts, it is known as a famous Noto Peninsula bath because of its bay views, Noto seafood, and the inn culture of long-established ryokan.

What you should know first, however, is that Wakura Onsen suffered severe damage in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake on January 1, 2024, and is still in the middle of recovery. All ryokan in the inn cooperative were forced to close temporarily, and even in 2026 only some have reopened. This article organizes Wakura Onsen’s spring quality, history, and how to enjoy the area, while also summarizing the current situation you must check before visiting, based on official information from the Wakura Onsen Tourism Association and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Sodium-Calcium Chloride Spring: the “Sea Hot Spring”

The first thing to understand about Wakura Onsen is its spring quality. According to the Wakura Onsen Tourism Association, the water is a sodium-calcium chloride spring (a hypotonic weakly alkaline high-temperature spring), and a colorless, transparent high-temperature source springs up at around 80 degrees. Its defining feature is its abundant salt content, true to its identity as a “sea hot spring,” and it tastes distinctly salty.

Salt-containing water forms a thin salt film on the skin, and chloride springs tend to keep the body warm even after bathing, which is why they are also called “hot waters.” Wakura’s water is also described as “hypertonic,” meaning the dissolved mineral concentration is higher than body fluids. That makes the components easier to act on the skin, but it can also place more stress on the body. Because a hot, hypertonic chloride spring warms you strongly, long soaks can easily cause dizziness or fatigue, so it is safer to limit bathing by time and take breaks with hydration in between.

It is sometimes introduced as a “beauty bath,” but it is more appropriate to think of it as a spring with a pleasant bathing feel and strong heat retention rather than as something that guarantees major cosmetic benefits. If you want to compare the differences among spring types, including chloride springs, see the guide to onsen spring types. Exact spring names and components can be confirmed in the hot spring analysis sheets posted at each facility.

The White Heron Legend and the Name “Wakura”

Wakura Onsen has a long history. According to the Wakura Onsen Tourism Association, its opening dates back roughly 1,200 years to the Daido era (806–810). Later, during the Eisho era of the mid-Heian period (1046–1053), tectonic movement reportedly shifted the spring outlet 60 meters offshore into the sea, and the original hot spring dried up.

At that time, a fisherman couple living in Wakura reportedly found an injured white heron healing itself at a place where the sea surface was bubbling, and the underwater source was rediscovered. This became the “white heron legend” passed down in Wakura, a story that symbolizes the area’s identity as a hot spring that springs from the sea. The place was originally called “Wakuura,” meaning “the inlet where hot water springs up,” but it is said to have been changed to the current “Wakura” in 1674 because the old form was easy to miswrite.

Knowing both the origin of the water rising from the sea and the legend of the white heron changes the way you see the hot spring by the shoreline.

Inn Culture Represented by Kaga-ya and Wakura Onsen Sō-yu

One essential part of Wakura Onsen is its inn culture. In particular, Kaga-ya is widely known across Japan as a long-established ryokan that has repeatedly ranked first overall in the annual “Top 100 Japanese Hotels and Ryokan Selected by Professionals.” It has become a symbol of Wakura’s hospitality culture. Wakura is less a hot spring town for simple public-bath hopping and more a destination where the value lies in bay-view baths and the quality of a ryokan stay.

If you want to try the water without staying overnight, Wakura Onsen Sō-yu is an easy option. According to the Wakura Onsen Tourism Association, Sō-yu is a public bath that both locals and visitors can use, offering 100% source water that has long been protected. Its atmosphere differs from a ryokan’s large bath, so it is best thought of not as luxury, but as a convenient place to get to know the sea hot spring of the area. The differences between ryokan, day-use baths, and public baths are summarized in types of Japanese bathing facilities.

In Wakura, where the time spent at the inn itself is often the main purpose of the trip, satisfaction tends to change depending on factors such as whether the room faces the sea, whether there is a bay-side large bath or open-air bath, how the source water is used, and what seafood is served for dinner. As noted below, operating conditions and facility status vary widely by inn, so it is especially important now to check each inn’s latest information directly before booking.

A Hot Spring Town Still Recovering from the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake

The most important thing to know before visiting Wakura Onsen is the damage caused by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake on January 1, 2024, and the subsequent recovery situation. According to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism materials, the quake caused cracks in exterior walls, broken hot-spring pipes, and water outages at ryokan in Wakura Onsen. In addition, inns along the coast suffered damage when the Nanao Bay seawall collapsed, and all ryokan belonging to the inn cooperative were forced to close temporarily. Although Wakura accounts for only part of the total number of accommodations on the Noto Peninsula, it is said to represent about half of the peninsula’s large inns with 100 or more rooms and half of total overnight stays, so the closures have had a major impact on tourism across Noto.

In March 2025, the national government formulated the “Wakura Onsen Regional Tourism Recovery Support Plan Integrated with Seawall Restoration,” and is moving forward with seawall repairs and ryokan rebuilding together while sharing information on reopenings and construction progress. According to the Wakura Onsen Tourism Association, only some ryokan had reopened by 2026. Even among those that reopened, some are operating as temporary facilities because demolition or construction is still underway, with no front desk or lobby, and some have temporarily lost their sea-side views because of seawall work. Kaga-ya, once a symbolic presence, is also continuing to demolish its main lodging building, and a full-scale reopening is still some time away.

Recovery is moving forward, and simply visiting the area also helps support the region. At the same time, whether a facility is open, what amenities can be used, and what the scenery or meals are like differ greatly from inn to inn, and the situation is changing constantly. If you are planning a visit, be sure to check the latest operating status on each ryokan’s official website and the Wakura Onsen Tourism Association before booking. We also provide a facility list and a search page for finding open inns and day-use bathing facilities by area or budget, but we recommend confirming directly with each facility before booking to make sure the published information matches actual operations.

Access

The gateway to Wakura Onsen is JR Wakura Onsen Station. With the March 16, 2024 extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Tsuruga, access from the Tokyo and Kansai areas has improved. From Tokyo, the fastest trip takes about 3.5 hours with transfers, and from Osaka the standard is also in the 3-hour range. From Kanazawa, the basic route is to take a limited express on the Nanao Line to Wakura Onsen Station, then use a shuttle or taxi to reach the hot spring town. From Wakura Onsen Station, the Noto Railway continues toward Noto-Nakajima.

If you want to tour the Noto Peninsula broadly, a car is convenient, but because road and seawall construction is still continuing in many places due to the earthquake, routes and travel times may differ from normal. Whether you use public transport or a car, checking timetables, road conditions, and whether your inn provides a shuttle in advance will give you more flexibility. If you first decide whether Wakura will be your base for Noto sightseeing or your destination for a relaxed stay at an inn, it becomes easier to plan how to spend your limited time.

FAQ

What is the spring quality of Wakura Onsen?

It is said to be a sodium-calcium chloride spring (a hypotonic weakly alkaline high-temperature spring). The water is a colorless, transparent high-temperature source at around 80 degrees, and its defining feature is its salty “sea hot spring” quality. Chloride springs have strong heat retention and tend to keep you warm after bathing, so it is best to avoid long soaks and take breaks with hydration.

What is the opening legend of Wakura Onsen?

It is said to have opened around 1,200 years ago during the Daido era (806–810). Later, after tectonic movement shifted the spring outlet into the sea and the hot spring dried up, a fisherman couple found a white heron healing its wounds at a bubbling spot on the sea surface, and the underwater source was rediscovered. This is known as the “white heron legend.”

Can I visit Wakura Onsen now despite the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake?

The earthquake forced all ryokan in the inn cooperative to close temporarily, and as of 2026 only some have reopened. Some facilities are operating temporarily in provisional structures, and some are affected by seawall construction. Because conditions keep changing, please check the latest operating status on each ryokan’s official website and on the Wakura Onsen Tourism Association before making plans.

Can I stay at Kaga-ya?

Kaga-ya was also affected by the earthquake and is still in the process of rebuilding, including demolition of its main lodging building. A full-scale reopening is still some time away. Please check the latest status through the official announcements from Kaga-ya and the Kaga-ya Group.

How do I get to Wakura Onsen Station?

JR Wakura Onsen Station is the gateway. With the March 2024 extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Tsuruga, access from major cities improved, and from Kanazawa the basic route is to take a limited express on the Nanao Line. From the station to the hot spring town, use a shuttle or taxi. Because routes and travel times may change due to post-quake construction, advance confirmation is recommended.

Conclusion

Wakura Onsen is a famous hot spring in Nanao, Ishikawa, facing Nanao Bay and characterized by a sodium-calcium chloride spring with high-temperature source water at around 80 degrees. It is a “sea hot spring” shaped by the white heron opening legend and an inn culture represented by Kaga-ya. Its salty, hypertonic water, bay views, and Noto seafood combine to create a character unlike any other hot spring destination.

At the same time, Wakura is still in the middle of recovery from the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Operating conditions and facility status vary widely by inn, and seawall restoration work is still ongoing. Visiting also supports the region, but when planning, be sure to check the latest operating status from each ryokan and the Wakura Onsen Tourism Association’s official information. If you want to compare it with Yamashiro Onsen, another famous hot spring in the Kaga/Ishikawa area where you can stroll through the hot spring town, it can also help you plan a Hokuriku hot spring trip.

Sources

• Wakura Onsen Tourism Association: About Wakura Onsen
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Wakura Onsen Regional Tourism Recovery Support Plan Integrated with Seawall Restoration
• Tabirai: A sea hot spring with about 1,200 years of history! Wakura Onsen Sō-yu, source of Noto’s energy in Ishikawa
• Wikipedia: Wakura Onsen