The capital of the Toyama Prefecture, Toyama is found on the western coast of Honshu, on the Sea of Japan. The amazing natural environment and bounty of the sea have helped this city become a unique destination in Japan.
There’s so much to see and do in Toyama! Let’s take a look at some of the amazing things you can do in this historic city:
1. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
This amazing alpine route extends 90 kilometers, with an altitude variation of 2000 kilometers. It’s an amazingly beautiful path every step of the way. To travel this route, you’ll ride on trolley buses, ropeways, cable cars, and more. You’ll get to see huge snow walls and look over Kurobe Dam.
The iconic snow walls of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is great place to behold. Towering up to 20 meters in height, you can experience them up close usually from mid-April to mid-June.
Be sure to take time to explore beautiful Mikurigaike Pond. There is no better way to see the Northern Japanese Alps. The route is typically open from mid-April to late November every year.
2. Toyama Castle Park
Toyama Castle was built in 1543 to serve as the headquarters in the area for the warlord Mayeda clan. During the Edo Period, the castle was dismantled, but a recreation made of ferro-concrete was erected in 1954.
Parts of the original walls and the moat remain, as well. Today, the castle contains the Toyama Municipal Folk Museum and an observation deck at its top. The surrounding park is lovely and is a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in April. There is also a traditional Japanese garden located behind the park’s Sato Memorial Art Museum.
Toyama Castle Park is a 15-minute walk from Toyama Station. The entry fee ranges is210 yen per adult.
3. Matsukawa Riverside Cherry Blossoms
Throughout April, cherry blossoms bloom all along the Matsukawa Riverside. Located near the Toyama Castle Park listed above, you’ll find hundreds of cherry trees here. The best way to enjoy their bloom is by cruising down the river that once served as Toyama Castle’s moat.
You’ll board at Matsukawa Tea House and gently float beneath a canopy of fragrant white blossoms. Whether you go during the day or at night, you’re in for a treat. It’s rare to enjoy cherry blossom viewing by boat, so be sure to enjoy this amazing experience if you are in Toyama for April!
4. Jinzu River Gorge Prefectural Park
This picture-perfect cruise offers even more great views of the April cherry blossoms. More than 800 cherry trees are planted along the levy of Jinzu river northeast of the Yatsuo District, with 50 trees also planted on the other bank.
In autumn, visitors can see the incredible display of autumn foliage along the river. It’s a perfect place for those looking to enjoy fall foliage in Toyama.
The result is an amazing canopy of blooms every spring. While you could walk, the best way to see them is by taking a cruise along the Jinzu River.
5. Asahi Funakawa Spring Quartet
Local farmers have cultivated several different springtime flowers in the Funagawashin area. The cherry trees, the tulips, and the nanohana flowers all bloom around the same time. These flowers have the gorgeous backdrop of the Japanese Alps, especially Mt. Shirouma and Mt. Asahi.
The 280 cherry blossoms create a tunnel that is reflected in a river. At night, fires will be lit for a unique nighttime cherry blossom viewing experience. The Asahi Funakawa Spring Quartet can be reached by walking 15 minutes from Tomari Bus Station. Entry is free.
6. Kurobe Gorge
This beautiful, forested gorge is cut through the Northern Japanese Alps by the Kurobe River. The gorge is renowned for its incredible scenery. One of the best spots to see it is from Yamabiko Walkway, which offers a great view of the bright red and lovely Yamabiko Bridge that spans the gorge.
The bridge is crossed by the Kurobe Gorge Railway, which is another wonderful way to see the gorge. These small trains run 20 kilometers of winding track for 80 minutes, with a few stops that offer opportunities to explore the area.
Most of the cars are open cars with bench seating, though for an extra fee you can ride in enclosed cars with more comfortable seating. The train leaves and ends at Unazuki Station.
7. Tonami Tulip Park
Tulips are the official flower of Toyama prefecture. If you’re visiting Toyama in spring, seeing tulips in bloom is a must and few places are wonderful for that than Tonami Tulip Park. The tulip festival here hosts 2.5 million tulips.
The park hosts a two-week tulip festival that not only features the many tulip flowerbeds but also numerous performances, booths, and food vendors. Even if you miss the festival, the indoor Tulip gallery is open year-long. A small river runs through the park and helps accentuate the blooms. Be sure to check out the Tulip Aroma Garden and ride the mini-scale bullet train.
To get to the Tulip Park, take the JR Johana Line to Tonami Station and walk 15 minutes to the Tulip Park. There is a free shuttle from the station to the park during the festival.
Read our guide on: Tonami Tulip Fair
8. Tateyama Mountain Ski Resort
This is the largest ski area in the Hokuriku region. While it is an excellent place to ski in season, with runs for all levels, it offers amazing views of Toyama Plain, Toyama Bay, and the Noto Peninsula all year long.
You can ride a gondola up the mountain for the view or hike all around. The Takeyama Zipline is an excellent activity for thrill-seekers. The ski resort is 10 minutes by bus from Tateyama Station on the Toyama Chiho Railway.
9. Gokayama
The carefully preserved villages in Gokayama allow you to step back into the past. The unique gassho-zukuri buildings are shaped like “praying hands” with tall pointed thatched roofs that can withstand the area’s heavy winter snows without caving in.
Very few of these buildings can be found today. Visiting the villages of Ainokura and Suganuma feels like walking through an open-air museum. Today, many of these buildings host traditional restaurants and lodging.
To get to these villages, head to Takaoka and Shin-Takaoka stations. From Shin-Takaoka Station, take the World Heritage Bus for a one-hour trip right to Gokayama. From Takaoka Station, take the Johama Train Line to Johana Station for50 minutes and then take a 25-minute bus to Gokayama.
10. The Great Buddha of Takaoka (Takaoka Daibutsu)
This bronze Buddha statue was started in 1907 and took 26 years to complete. It is one of the three great Buddha statues of Japan. Takaoka is famous for its bronze, so it makes sense that this one is made with local bronze forging techniques.
Experience the Takaoka Daibutsu Matsui, which is held every year on the autumnal equinox (September 23rd). It’s an annual cleaning ritual of the Takaoka Daibutsu participated by monks and many locals.
You can get to the Great Buddha by walking ten minutes from Ainokaze Toyama Railway Takaoka Station.
11. Toyama City Hall Observation Tower
This observation deck offers an incredible view of Tateyama Mountain Range and Toyama City. It stands 70 meters above ground level. No matter which way you look, you’ll get a beautiful view. To enjoy great views of the city and stunning mountain range in the distance, this place is highly recommended.
Entry is free and easy to get to from JR Toyama Station. The observation tower is located at city hall, a 10-minute walk from Toyama Station.
12. Mt. Kureha Park
To the west of Toyama City, you’ll find Kureha Hill and its park. There are around 500 cherry trees to be found here, making it an excellent place to view cherry trees when they bloom during April in Toyama.
Besides the cherry blossom bloom, you’ll also find the Toyama Municipal Folk Craft Village, a museum of pharmaceutical products located there, and the Toyama Family Park zoo, and Toyama glass studio.
The park is located a 15-minute drive from Toyamanishi I.C. on Hokuriku Expressway.
13. Fugan Canal Kansui Park
One of the must-see things in Toyama City is Fugan Canal Kansui Park. Famous for its views and its restaurants, there is so much to see here! Be sure to stop at Tenmon-kyo Bridge. Fugan Suijo Line cruises travel along the canal and learn about the sights and their history.
Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design is also well worth a trip with numerous unique exhibits, including a high-tech playground. Entry to the park is free. To get there, walk 9 minutes from the North Exit of Toyama Station.
14. Unazuki Hot Spring (Kurobe)
Found near the entrance to Kurobe Gorge, this is the largest hot spring village in Toyama Prefecture. The springs here are said to be the clearest in all of Japan. There are inns and hot spring baths all over the village.
Be sure to enjoy some of the fresh seafood at local restaurants as well as some amazing local sake and beer. To get here, take a train to Kuronagifrom Toyama Chihou Railway Shin-Kurobe Station.
