13Why is Toyama City known as the "City of Medicine and Glass"?
Toyama City is nestled in the mountains of the Northern Alps and blessed with abundant water and nature.
A culture of craftsmanship that has supported people's lives since ancient times has been nurtured.
It has undergone its own unique development by incorporating new technologies and aesthetic sensibilities in each era.
The reason why Toyama City has come to have two faces, that of a "city of medicine" and a "city of glass,"
There are reasons for this, woven together over a long history.
Why is Toyama City known as the "City of Medicine and Glass"?
By tracing the stories behind it, the charm of this city becomes more three-dimensional.
I will now introduce the story to you in order.
table of contents
Why is Toyama City a city of medicine?
"Toyama's Medicine" began in the Edo period.
The medicine peddlers of Etchu Toyama have a history of over 300 years. Although nowadays Toyama is famous as "Toyama of Medicine,"
Toyama became famous for its medicine thanks to a particular incident: the "Edo Castle Stomachache Incident." When Maeda Masatoshi, the second lord of the Toyama domain, was attending Edo Castle, he gave a daimyo suffering from a stomachache "Hangontan," which miraculously cured him. This incident led to the reputation of "Etchu Toyama's medicine" spreading throughout Japan.
Even today, many people in Toyama Prefecture work as traveling medicine vendors, and they travel all over the country. In 2011, Toyama ranked first in the nation for pharmaceutical production value per capita, number of manufacturing plants, and number of employees, and the history of Toyama as a pharmaceutical capital continues.
Ikedaya Yasubei Shoten
| Address | 1-3-5 Tsutsumimachi-dori, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture 930-0046 |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 【store】 9:00～18:00 [Healthy Cuisine Yakuto (2nd Floor Restaurant)] 11:30-14:00 (last order 13:30) |
| Holiday | 【store】 New Year's Holiday [Pharmaceutical Capital] Tuesdays, Wednesdays, New Year's holidays |
The Kanaoka Residence, a Pharmacist's House
| Address | 1-5-24 Shinjo-machi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture 930-0992 |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9:30-17:00 (entry until 16:30) |
| Holiday | Every Tuesday and during the New Year's holiday period (December 29th to January 3rd) |
Why is Toyama City a city of glass?
Is it derived from "Toyama's Medicine"?
The origins of this tradition lie in the "Toyama medicine trade," which boasts a history of over 300 years. During the Meiji and Taisho periods, the manufacture of glass medicine bottles flourished as a related industry to medicine, boasting the top market share nationwide. Before the war, it is said that there were more than 10 glass factories with melting furnaces centered around Toyama Station.
However, during the Toyama air raid at the end of the Pacific War, most of the glass factories suffered significant damage.
Furthermore, after the war, with the advent of plastic, medicine containers were replaced from glass to plastic.
Although ties to glass gradually declined after the war, Toyama City was once home to many glass artisans. Recognizing the potential, international appeal, and affinity of glass with its citizens, the city established the "Citizens' University Glass Course" in 60. This course provided citizens with an opportunity to become familiar with glass, and marked the beginning of efforts to promote Toyama as a "City of Glass."
Then, as the culmination of approximately 30 years of efforts to create a city of glass, the Toyama Glass Museum opened in August 2015.
[Source: Toyama City Newsletter, September 5, 2016 issue]
A guide to spots where you can learn about "Toyama glass"
Toyama Glass Art Museum
| Address | 5-1 Nishimachi, Toyama City, inside TOYAMA Kirari |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9:30～18:00 (Entry to the exhibition room is permitted until 17:30 PM) |
| Holiday | Closed on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, and during the New Year holidays. *May vary depending on the exhibition (There may be temporary closures; please check the website for the latest information). |
Toyama Glass Studio
| Address | 152 Furusawa, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9:00～17:00 |
| Holiday | Year-end and New Year holidays (December 28th to January 4th) |
Thus, Toyama City has inherited a tradition of "medicine" culture that has continued since the Edo period, and the glass industry that stemmed from it. Now, a new culture of glass art is blossoming, further enriching the city's charm.
A skill for protecting lives, a glass art nurtured with an eye on the future.
Each of these elements has evolved over time, taking root as an important part of the city's culture and becoming a symbol of present-day Toyama City.
That's why Toyama City is now known as the "City of Medicine and Glass."
Exploring Toyama's pharmaceutical and glass industries
Introducing the model course
This guide introduces a leisurely 2-3 hour walking course through the heart of Toyama City, where you can enjoy spots related to "medicine" and "glass."
The tram is a convenient way to get around. Its compact size also makes it easy to explore on foot. You can easily experience Toyama's culture for around 1,000 yen, including tram fares and admission fees to art museums and museums.
Along the way,Glass Museum,Toyama Castle / Toyama City Local History Museum,Ikedaya Yasubei ShotenWe will visit various spots in Toyama City where you can experience its history and craftsmanship.
Furthermore, the old-fashioned atmosphere remainsShimakawa Candy ShopThere are also other places nearby, making it perfect for a quick stop.
Detailed routes and points of interest are available on the model course page.
We encourage you to take a short trip to experience the unique charm of Toyama.