Apart from Hokkaido, Toyama is also one of Japan’s popular winter destinations, mainly thanks to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the snow corridor and Mount Tate, one of the Three Holy Mountains of Japan. Toyama is one of the many prefectures in Japan that is included in the Japanese Alps route. If you are looking for an itinerary to the Japanese Alps, click here. Where else can you go in Toyama aside from the two mentioned? If you must know, Toyama has plenty of awe-inspiring places that many don’t know about. We suggest you spend around three days in Toyama, just so you can tour in a hassle-free way.
Snow corridor. Image Source: HIS-Canada.
Toyama Glass Art Museum
They said Toyama is the ‘City of Glass’, which is true because you can see Toyama’s finest glassware collection showcased in Toyama Glass Art Museum. The glass museum is located inside Toyama Kirari which can be accessed from Grand Plaza-Mae Station. It is designed by Japan’s most popular architect, Kengo Kuma. The building itself is already unique because he combined both wood beams and glass throughout the ceiling and wall to create a natural atmosphere when the sun shines from the clear ceiling.
The museum has a total of six floors, but the main and permanent exhibition is located on the fourth floor. For special exhibitions, it is usually held in the second or third floor. On the sixth floor is a Glass Art Garden created by Dale Chihuly, an eccentric American sculpture.
Image Source: Arch Daily.
Toyama Glass Art Museum
Address: 5-1 Nishicho, Toyama, 930-0062, Japan
Operating Hours: 9:30AM–6:00PM
Admission Fee: ¥200 (General Admission for Permanent Exhibition)
Contact Number: +81 76-461-3100
Closest Train Station: Grand Plaza-Mae Station
Website: http://toyama-glass-art-museum.jp/
Fugan Canal Kansui Park
Also known as the landmark of Toyama, Fugan Canal was constructed as early as the 19th century despite its modern façade. However, the canal came later in 1928 and completed its whole structure in 1935. Shortly after, in 1950, Fugan Canal was no longer put to use until it was restored in the 1980s. Then, they built the bridge and a 9-hectare park which is now known as Kansui Park. At both ends of the bridge, there are two towers with observation decks where you can even see Tateyama on a clear day.
Along the canal, you will notice a one-of-a-kind Starbucks which has been regarded as one of Japan’s most beautiful Starbucks. Like any other canals in Japan, you can go on a boat ride trip from the canal all the way to Iwase and Nakajima Lock. Those who want to go to Iwase, you can return to the canal by taking Toyama Light Rail in which the ticket can be purchased altogether with your cruise ticket. But, those who want to go to Nakajima Lock, the cruise fee already includes a round-trip ticket.
Image Source: Tokyo Narita.
Fugan Canal Kansui Park
Address: Minato Irifune-cho, Toyama-shi, Toyama 930-0805
Admission Fee for the cruise: ¥1,500 (Kansui Park → Iwase Canal Hall) + Light Rail ticket, ¥1,200 – Round Trip (Kansui Park ↔ Nakajima Lock)
Contact Number: +81 76-444-6041
Closest Train Station: JR Toyama Station
Website: https://fugan-suijo-line.jp/en/ (Cruise)
Takaoka Great Buddha
The three Great Buddha statues in Japan can be found in Todaiji Temple (Nara), The Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura) and the other one is in Takaoka, Toyama. Takaoka Daibutsu’s stood up to 16 meters and weighs 65 tons. It is constructed entirely using special copper casting technique. Previously, the statue was made out of woods in 1745, but it caught fire several times and had to rebuild over and over. Then, they decided to use fire-resistant materials to overcome the problem. The original wooden head bust is displayed inside the base of the Great Buddha statue.
Image Source: Fast Japan.
Takaoka Great Buddha
Address: 11-29 Otemachi, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture
Operating Hours: 6:00AM–6:00PM
Admission Fee: Free
Contact Number: 0766-23-9156
Closest Train Station: JR Takaoka Station
Website: https://foreign.info-toyama.com/en/spot/?spot_id=43
Kurobe Dam
It’s impossible for anyone not to fall in love with the place although it’s just a dam. Kurobe Dam is the largest dam in Japan and one of the largest in the world, standing at 186 meters tall. Completed in 1963 after seven years of construction, this dam is tourist’s favourite stopover when they are heading towards Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route as it is situated quite close to the attraction. Similar to any other dam, Kurobe Dam is mainly used for hydroelectric power generation and water supply for most of the main parts in the Kansai region.
To capture an amazing sight of water discharging, you can visit Kurobe Dam from June until October. Each second, over 10 tons of water will come pouring out of the wall. You can walk along the dam to take in the beautiful landscape, go on a 30 minutes boat ride around the area or go hiking along the green area as these activities are recommended for the first-timers.
Image Source: Is Japan Cool?
Kurobe Dam
Address: Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama
Operating Hours: 7:30AM–5:00PM
Admission Fee: Free
Contact Number: +81-261-22-0804
Closest Train Station: Kurobeko Station
Website: https://www.kurobe-dam.com/
Tonami Tulip Gallery
It’s not always you get to witness a sea of tulips in Toyama. Tonami Tulip Gallery is located near Takaoka and it held one of the biggest tulip fairs in April until May, yearly. The fair usually runs for two weeks long and features three million colourful tulips in one show. Not only the field, but you can also take a walk along a promenade adorned with pretty tulips on the wall. Plus, there is an indoor hall that exhibits a brief history of tulips, which is quite interesting to read. Other attractions in Tonami Tulip Gallery are their pink tulip ice-cream, souvenir shop, a tulip bulb theatre and tulip terrace.
Image Source: Shoryudo.
Tonami Tulip Gallery
Address: 100-1 Nakamura, Tonami, Toyama Prefecture
Operating Hours: 9:00AM–6:00PM
Admission Fee: ¥310 (Adult aged 16 and above), ¥150 (Children aged 15 and below), ¥250 (Senior aged 65 and above)
Contact Number: 0763-33-7716
Closest Train Station: Tonami Station
Website: http://www.tulipfair.or.jp/en/
Taiki Nezukaten
Taste Toyama’s signature black ramen at Taiki Nezukaten, where the black ramen was first served here. It is called black ramen because the broth is made with black soy sauce, fish and chicken stock, thus making it saltier than other ramens. Meanwhile, the ramen comes with pork slices and soft noodles. Black ramen is usually eaten with a bowl of rice so the taste would balance. Taiki Nezukaten is one of Toyama’s leading black ramen restaurant and it would be a complete loss if you don’t get to taste the best black ramen here.
Image Source: Voyapon.
Taiki Nezukaten
Address: 4 Chome-2-8 Nezukamachi, Toyama, Toyama Prefecture 939-8204, Japan
Operating Hours: 11:00AM-8:00PM
Contact Number: 076-491-2929
Closest Train Station: Grand Plaza-Mae Station
