Of course, driving isn't the only thing that you can do at the beach! You can, of course, swim in the ocean anywhere along the beach. There are plenty of places to eat along the way, too. Drive your heart out, then take a quick dip in the ocean and grab some food from one of the stalls by the sea front.
Car enthusiasts may also recognise this beach from a famous episode of the BBC TV series Top Gear. This was the starting point for the show's "Race Across Japan" challenge in 2008. Fans of the show may want to come here to recreate the challenge themselves. Unfortunately, you'll have to rent the Nissan GTR yourself...
Chirihama Beach is most famous for the ability to drive along the beach, but the flatness lends itself well to hanging out and swimming. There are two major facilities along the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway where you can eat, shop and escape the eat. In the south there is the Michi-no-Eki Noto Chirihama which is just off the beach. At the northern exit there is Noto-Chirihama Resthouse that is right on the beach. In front of the Resthouse during the summer (July and August) pop-up restaurants are built on the beach for you to eat fresh seafood and drink the coldest drinks. This is also the same area where they make multiple sand sculptures for you to enjoy. They change it up every year but there is usually a mix of famous characters, something local and whatever the artists want to make. Chirihama is a must see for those who want to see the ocean's natural beauty, but also for those who want to relax in that natural beauty.
The easiest way to access this picturesque beach is by car and driving yourself to and on the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway. There are multiple entrances, with the one closest to Kanazawa being the Imahama Entrance. The exit is the Chirihama Northern Entrance, near the Noto-Chirihama Resthouse. There are no gas stations on the Driveway.
If you don't have a car, the main way to see it is to take the train from Kanazawa Station to Hakui Station. From Hakui Station there are occasional buses to stops nearby the beach but the easiest way is to walk. It takes about 20 minutes and goes through the town. There are some interesting things to see along the way, such as Hakui Shrine, which retells the story of the name of the city. So, it is definitely possible to get to the beach whether it is by car or by public transportation!
Even though it is possible to get here on your own, having a guide walk with you and take you around the town and to the beach will give you the deeper insight into what you are actually seeing. Visit and relax at Chirihama until lunch and in the afternoon visit Myojoji, a temple that has been standing since the 1600s, and Cosmo Isle, a space museum with original space craft that were used in actual space missions. Find more information about the tour below!
Looking for more to do around Kanazawa? Don't miss our "30 Things to Do Around Kanazawa" page to get the most of the sights in the region. Beach lovers may also want to take a look at our "Best Beaches Near Kanazawa" guide. Finally, once you've made the most of your time in this jewel of a city, it's only right to get some gifts for the loved ones back home. We'll help you with that, too, with our "Best Souvenirs to get from Kanazawa" page!
