Nanao is a city located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 January 2018, the city had an estimated population of 53,819 in 22212 households, and a population density of 170 persons per km². The total area of the city was 318.32 square kilometres (122.90 sq mi). Nanao is the fifth largest city by population in Ishikawa, behind Kanazawa, Hakusan, Komatsu, and Kaga.