The first free spot on the list is the rooftop garden atToyama Prefectural Museum of Art & Design. This vast roof garden welcomes you day and night, even after the museum closes. The play equipment here was designed by legendary graphic designer Taku Satoh. Go and play barefoot!

While you'll be charged an admission fee to see the temporary exhibitions at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, it's free to stroll around the expansive common areas. The library, café and museum shop all offer a great chance to enjoy the unique structure of this round building.

Located in Fukui Prefecture, Awara City is a popular hot spring resort. To prove the point, there's a big foot spa just in front of Awara-Yunomachi Station. There's plenty of space for a number of visitors, so you can enjoy free foot bathing with your traveling companions!

Shinminato Bridge in Toyama stands at 600 meters (1,968 ft) from shore to shore, the largest cable-stayed bridge on the west coast of Japan. Pedestrians can enjoy the view from the all-weather Ainokaze Promenade beneath the main span, accessed by elevators at either side. The magnificent view can be enjoyed completely free!

You can find this aviation pavilion just in front of Komatsu Airport in Ishikawa Prefecture. Popular with children and adults alike, you can see 18 real aircraft up close completely free!

Hokuriku has other free spots such as the Kurobe River Electric Memorial Hall; the free Kairyu and Koshinokata ferries in Imizu City, Toyama; Kanazawa City Ashigaru Museum; and Reinan Ranch in Fukui.

There's plenty to find for free in the Hokuriku region! And the Hokuriku Shinkansen makes it all easier to access than it's ever been!