Nanao
七尾市37°03′ N 136°58′ ECityPop. 44,480Hokuriku and Noto
Nanao is the city on Nanao Bay where most visitors to the Noto Peninsula sleep, because Wakura Onsen's reopened inns and the island of Notojima both sit inside it. Roads north of the city still carry earthquake repairs, so check Ishikawa Prefecture's road map before you drive or ride on.
Road closure
Roads on the Noto peninsula still carry closures and detours after the 2024 earthquake
Ishikawa Prefecture's live road map on 11 October 2026 showed 150 restrictions in the Noto towns, 35 of them full closures and about 100 one-lane sections. Route 249 has been closed in Suzu between Utsuyama and Umagase since January 2024, the Noto Satoyama Kaido runs one lane between Nanao and Nakajima until 25 December 2026, and the Hakui to Ganmon cycle path is closed at Shika. Check the prefecture's map before you plan a ride, and travel with care for towns that are still rebuilding.
Checked 2026-10-11 · douro.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp
Photo Daderot · Wikimedia Commons · CC0 and others, credited in the gallery
Who should base here
Sleep at Wakura Onsen for the bay-front inns and the public bath, and drive or ride up the peninsula from there.
Nanao counted 44,480 residents at the end of September 2026, by the city's own figures. Wakura Onsen lies on the bay north of the centre, and the association of its inns says 11 of them take tourists today. Out in the bay, Notojima Aquarium opens every day except 29 to 31 December, and its own directions take you there from Wakura Onsen across the Notojima Ohashi bridge in about 15 minutes.
Ishikawa's road map on 11 October 2026 showed the Noto Satoyama Kaido running on one lane between Otsu in Nanao and Tagishi in Nakajima until 25 December 2026 while crews repair it. On the prefectural road from Wakura to Notojima, paving work in Sennandai closes the Wakura IC direction to traffic until 10 March 2027, and a signed detour carries you round. The island's own coast road has several one-lane stretches through December 2026.
The city stages the 17th Minato Oasis Sea-kyu Gourmet national contest on 31 October and 1 November 2026, from 10:00 to 16:00 each day, with the main site at the Wakura Onsen sports park yacht harbour. Shuttle buses carry visitors to the main site.
Worth knowing
- Ring your inn before you travel, because several Wakura inns still work around rebuilding and seawall repairs.
Quick answers about Nanaoよくある質問
Is Nanao a good place to stay?
Sleep at Wakura Onsen for the bay-front inns and the public bath, and drive or ride up the peninsula from there.
Within 12 km
Places to stay nearby宿
Within 12 km