Top 10 Things To Do

A Breathtaking Panorama - The Best View Of The City, In The City!

Toyama City Hall Panorama

Sitting right on top of Toyama City Hall is the Toyama City Hall Observation Deck, a free attraction which offers a 360 degree panorama view of the whole city. Observing the city from the deck gives you a great picture into the remarkable, rare geography of Toyama – surrounded by the Sea of Japan on one side, and the Tateyama Mountain Range on the other.

Speaking of which, on a clear day the magnificence of the entire mountain range can be seen in all its glory. Visiting between November and May gives you a chance to see the dramatic sight of them covered with snow – but if possible, try and go in the evening to see a dreamlike contrast of deep orange hues in the sky and stark white mountains on the ground.

The blend of urban cityscape and intertwined nature is very characteristic of Toyama, and this spot is highly recommended not only for its views but also for its ability to give visitors a chance to avoid the crowds, take a breath, and admire the scenery that makes Toyama so special.

Experience “Toyama, The City Of Glass” In An Area Overflowing With Art!

Toyama Kirari Glass Art Museum

Envisioned by famed architect Kengo Kuma, the beloved building has a characteristic granite-glass-aluminium composite exterior, designed to invoke thoughts of the Tateyama Mountain Range. The interior boasts a closed warm exterior utilizing a “louver” slat design made from wood from Toyama Prefecture itself.

The Glass Art Museum boasts a range of art from all around the world, but of particular note is the brightly coloured glass art installation by Dale Chihuly, a renowned American glass artist. It truly is an almost overwhelming sight to behold and a must-visit for anyone coming to Toyama.

Though the focus of any museum is inevitably the art itself, special mention should be paid to the other features of “Kirari” – its library, café, and museum shop. The café is a great space to have a break and bask in the atmosphere of the building itself, and the shop is a fantastic place to pick up a unique souvenir or memorial of your time in the city.

Just why is Toyama known as the city of glass? In fact it has a lot to do with the city’s history as a “city of medicine”, being one of the major providers for hundreds of years. The medicine used to be provided in glass bottles, and as such glass production ramped up in the city in order to satiate the demand, and as a result the connection was born. You can find more information here; https://www.toyamashi-kankoukyoukai.jp/?tid=100904 (Japanese)

Enjoy “Toyama, The City of Sushi” Like A Local!

Local Sushi Restaurants

By virtue of its proximity to the bay, residents of the city enjoy the best of its daily aquatic harvest, having fresh fish delivered directly from the sea to the table. However, it is not just the sea that makes the sushi in Toyama so delicious; there are three major factors that come into play.

First, as snow melts on the mountains of the Tateyama Mountain Range, mineral rich hard water cascades to the city below, greatly contributing to the agriculture and aquaculture of the area. Second, the water from the mountains then helps to make the rice more delicious, particularly the “Koshihikari” rice that Toyama is well known for. Third, as a “natural aquarium”, Toyama bay is filled with a diverse range of sea creatures; among them, the three most prized by Toyama locals being Japanese glass shrimp, yellowtail, and firefly squid.

It would not be unfair to say that the conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Toyama are some of the highest quality in the whole country. Sushi fans from around Japan gather to experience the freshness and fullness of the ingredients, the seasonality of the fish – enjoying the differing foods of each season is a pleasure most Japanese people love – and the very reasonable, local prices. Being able to see such highly skilled craftsmen prepare the best that sushi has to offer during your vacation is not to be missed.

For foreign tourists, the idea of going to a local sushi restaurant can be enticing but comes with its own set of concerns, with the image of sushi being highly rule based, strict, and formal. Eating sushi in Toyama city is a great way to overcome any fears you may have about disturbing the peace – you can enjoy sushi like a local and learn why it is such a beloved delicacy. And if you’re really worried about manners, why not watch this video produced by the Toyama City Tourism Association about how to enjoy it?

Visit “The Most Beautiful Starbucks in The World”, Right Here In The City!

Fugan Canal Kansui Park

Fugan Canal Kansui Park once laid claim to a Starbucks known as “the most beautiful in the world”, a wonderful glass walled café surrounded by greenery and water – and although the title now belongs to another Starbucks, many locals would say that the title truly belongs to stay in Toyama. Indeed, sitting on the deck and watching the world go by is a very pleasant way to spend an hour or two in the city.

But the café isn’t the only attraction of the park – it features two decorative towers connected by a bridge over the canal, offering fantastic views of the nature of Toyama, and has a canal boat station which allows you to take a slow ride up to the coast of Toyama (more on that later). The park itself is filled with all sorts of people – healthy joggers, young families with children, couples young and old alike - and is lit up at night, a fantastic chance to snap a picture and enjoy the mystical atmosphere.

Situated about a ten-minute walk north of Toyama Station, a visit to the park and a coffee is easy to slot into any travel itinerary. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the city!

See The City In A New Way – A Leisurely Ride On The Tram!

Toyama City Tram

Toyama City may be a tram lovers dream – a range of different carriages run throughout the city, from the sleek and stylish modern variants, to those decked out in wood, like a callback to a forgone era. Despite the hectic life associated with the modern image of Japan, the local trams are actually a great way to slow down and enjoy the city at a slower pace, taking in the sights as you go.

Toyama prides itself on being a compact and easily navigable city, with most major tourist destinations easily accessible from the tramline. At a reasonable 240 yen per journey (for adults) regardless of the number of stops you go, it’s absolutely worth giving it a try if you are adventuring round the city.

For those staying in hotels in the city, many hotels offer two free tram tickets to foreign tourists staying in Toyama. Ask at the front desk of the hotel you are in and you may be able to ride for free! Toyama City Tourism Association also has a great video on how to ride the trams here.

Become A Samurai! A Unique Experience In The Heart Of Toyama City!

Toyama Castle /
Toyama City Tourist Information Center & Samurai Experience

The ruins of Toyama Castle, located right in the middle of Toyama’s downtown area, still retain traces of its origin in the Warring States period of Japanese history and are home to a unique attraction – the Memorial Samurai Photo experience! You can apply at the Toyama City Tourist Information Center – it costs 500 yen per person and only takes around 10 minutes in total.

The experience can be enjoyed from kids to adults, and is very popular with tourists. With the modern Toyama Castle as a backdrop, wearing the samurai armor might even make you feel as though you’ve gone back in time…

After you’ve finished your transformation, you can also take a look around the Japanese garden in the castle grounds, enjoying the different flowers in each season. Strolling down the paths and observing stone walls and castle tower, the vibrant beauty of the urban park should send you back home with a fantastic memory of the city.

The Saltiest Ramen In Japan…? Toyama “Black Ramen!”

Black Ramen shops around the city

I bet you’ve never had ramen like this before! Used as a kind of salt supplement for the blue collar workers of the city after World War 2, “Black Ramen” was initially designed to be a side dish to white rice. It features plenty of dark soy sauce added to the soup to give it its signature taste, but otherwise simple ingredients - roast pork “chashu”, bamboo shoots, and green onions.

There are quite a few different restaurants specializing in Black Ramen throughout the city, and although each have their own charms and attractions, the unmistakeable dark, salty broth will leave an impression on you one way or the other. Absolutely worth giving a try if you want to try a local food that is hard to find outside of the prefecture.

A Retro Port & Local Breweries – A Match Made In Toyama!

Iwase Port Area

Iwase Area is situated at the north side of Toyama city, on the coast of the Sea of Japan. Since the late Edo Period (i.e. the late 18th century), Iwase has been a port of call for “Kitamaebune”, or cargo ships that sailed the seas at that time. The Iwase area is home to retro styled streets, complete with old homes which have been renovated (but kept their classic exteriors) into cafes, shops, and art galleries.

Iwase itself is still relatively quiet, with few tourists being aware of its existence at the time of writing. You may find yourself as the only person walking down its streets on a quiet day! However, Iwase is actually home to large breweries of both Japanese sake and craft beer, both using locally cultivated hops. The freshly brewed beer is especially delicious! There are also Michelin starred restaurants using local ingredients, sake bars where you can stand and enjoy tastings, shamisen and other cultural additions…the list goes on.

If you’d like to enjoy delicious food and drink in a quiet Japanese town, Iwase is the place for you. From Toyama City, you can either go by boat from Kansui Park (which takes around 70 minutes) or take the tram (which takes about 30 minutes). Perfect for a half day trip!

Feel The “Spirit of Peace” In One Of Toyama’s Grand Shrines!

Gokoku Shrine / Hie Shrine

Toyama City is host to many, many shrines but among them two stand out like shining jewels in its crown – Gokoku Shrine and Hie Shrine. Each of them are characteristic in their own way; Gokoku Shrine featuring a historic “Torii” gate and magnificent buildings, and Hie Shrine with its beautiful stone steps and serene atmosphere.

Both are very easy to reach from Toyama City centre, and can be a great experience for people who have never visited a Japanese shrine before. You can enjoy buying “omamori” amulets and also take photos in the area to truly capture the Japanese “far east” experience. All are welcome to visit, but please be mindful of the area and respectful to others.

Shopping, Food, and Souvenirs In A Classic Japanese Arcade Shopping Street!

Sougawa Arcade / Daiwa Department Store

Sougawa was traditionally the place to be for shoppers and socialites in Toyama City, an arcade street lined with shops and restaurants of all kinds. With modern trends and changing times, many shoppers moved to more accessible and convenient malls, but in recent years Sougawa has been gradually redefining itself by establishing additions to itself such as Sougawa Base and Amayot, and over time is recapturing the young, trendy audience who temporarily left its clutches.

These days, Sougawa has a combination of old and new, but in the center you can always find Daiwa Department Store, a perfect place to spend time if you happen to encounter one of Toyama’s frequent rainy days. Next to the department store is a covered area which often has events, shows, and sometimes even markets. In addition to the traditional sake, sweets, and souvenirs that you can find collected in Daiwa, there are also cinemas (both modern and arthouse), bars, cafes, and restaurants all around the area. Make sure to go at least once before you leave the city!

SPECIAL EVENT

“Owara Kaze No Bon” - An Unmissable Local Event

During your visit to Toyama, you may see images of ladies in colourful Yukata and pointed “igusa” (soft rush grass) hats, dancing enchantingly down a traditional Japanese street at night. Should you be visiting Toyama between September 1st and September 3rd, it is definitely worth taking time to go down to Yatsuo town (about 25 minutes by car/train) to go and see the yearly festival “Owara Kaze No Bon”.

The festival opening day of the festival is called the “210th Day” in Japan, around September 1st, and in this season of frequent typhoons, people in Japan offered prayers to hope for minimal rice damage to the rice before harvesting. Eventually, it is said that the focus of the festival shifted to praying for a bountiful rice harvest, and it received the name “Kaze no Bon”.

The festival is held throughout the 11 towns of the area – unmistakeable from its large drawn-out crowds of visitors and locals alike, catching glances of the dancers and musicians parading throughout the town, stopping intermittently to perform set pieces for the onlookers. The festival gets extremely crowded, so be sure to plan your journey out in advance and set aside time to go – you won’t regret it!

For more detailed information on the origins of the festival, the naming, the traditions that surround it and more, please click the link button below.