Snow-tipped Snow-tipped mountains back ancient towns decorated with artisan workshops. Paddy fields tumble into the ocean. Fertile farms and fishing boats laden with seafood make their way to lively morning markets.

Situated on Japan's rugged northern coast, Ishikawa showcases all of Japan's best bits: culture, craftsmanship and exceptional cuisine. As destinations go, it flies relatively off the radar of travellers who beeline for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. But they'll be missing out on the prefecture's culture-packed cities, thriving craft scenes and a smorgasbord of regional delicacies.

While there's no one right way to tackle Ishikawa, we recommend kicking off your itinerary in Kanazawa, Ishikawa's capital and home of the Maeda clan for 14 generations from the 16th century. Through generous funding, the family established the city's reputation as an artistic enclave. Today, dip in and out of Kanazawa Castle and museums stacked with precious wares before rolling up your sleeves get stuck in the vast array of workshops. Kanazawa's residents are keen to share the knowledge passed through generations. Slow-paced travel reigns supreme here. Drive along the Mitsuboshi Kaidou, or so-called "Three-star Road" - to connect with Ishikawa's cultural heritage.

Cultural appetite satisfied, whisk yourself to the Noto Peninsula, where you'll find artistry of a different kind: in the buzzy kitchens, on plates piled high with sashimi and in markets stalls teeming with farm-fresh produce. Fuelled up, sink into a slower pace of travel courtesy of Kaga's rejuvenating hot-spring villages, where steamy baths are said to hold restorative properties.

Intrigued? We've scoured museums, gorged on seafood suppers and bedded down in rejuvenating ryokans across Ishikawa to bring you the prefectures's best hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions.

For more information and to get planning, visit www.ishikawatravel.jp.