Maeda Toshinaga built Takaoka Castle in 1609. He’s wearing the “catfish helmet”, typical of his clan
In Takaoka, we were treated to a full day tour by the tourism department. This included one of the three ‘Great Buddhas’ of
Japan, a walk around Castle Park, a stroll through Yamacho—the commercial district with its historic eight-shuttered windowhouses, a chat with an iron-tea pot artisan in the Kanamachi district, and a special behind-the-scenes look at some of the
gigantic floats used in the Mikurumayama Festival that takes place in May. After a scrumptious multi-course kelp feast at
Kakinosho Restaurant we visited Zuiryu-ji Temple (designated a national treasure) and completed our day with a drive to the
coast to see the raging waters of the Sea of Japan and glimpse the mountains that form a backdrop to one of the star visual
attractions in all of Hokuriku.
Photo Key for Following Page
Top: The Great Buddha of Takaoka
1st Row L to R: Misshaku Kongo Anyozo—Temple Statue with mouth op