13Toyama, the City of Water | Walking Tours Exploring Water
The snowmelt from the Tateyama mountain range and other mountains flows through forests and land, becoming rivers, groundwater, and springs in towns and cities, nourishing life in Toyama.
This walk takes us from Toyama Station through the area around the Itachi River, to Toyama Castle Park, and along the Matsukawa River in central Toyama City. We will visit pristine springs, Jizo statues, and water shrines, experiencing the life and history of Toyama that has been nurtured by water.
Along the way, you'll find long-established Japanese confectionery shops and cafes with ties to the area's famous spring water. Why not take a half-day stroll through Toyama, listening to the murmur of the river, touching the cool, clear water, and enjoying the local flavors?
Recommended season
spring - autumn
In spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom; in summer, when the cool spring water feels refreshing; and in autumn, when the trees change color, you can enjoy the scenery by the water in each season.
Recommended for
Leisurely strolling around town / History and culture / Sweets and cafes / Half-day sightseeing
Toyama Station
Itachigawa Jizo Statue Pilgrimage
Water from the Enmei Jizo statue in Ishikura town
鈴木亭
Ichibanmachi Coffee
Toyama Castle Ruin Park
Matsukawa Riverside
Toyama Station
Departing from Toyama Station in search of waterside scenery.
Toyama is a city nurtured by the snowmelt from the Northern Alps and the Tateyama mountain range. Let's take a walk from Toyama's gateway and experience its waterside scenery, history, and way of life.
In the plaza in front of the building at the south exit of Toyama Station, there are several fountains that welcome visitors with sparkling water spray and the soothing sound of water.
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Free to drink at Toyama Station! Delicious tap water from Toyama City
Enjoy a taste of the bounty of the Northern Alps at Toyama Station. You can sample delicious tap water from Toyama City for free. "Toyama Water," bottled with Toyama City's tap water, has also won the Grand Gold Award at the Monde Selection. Water refill locations: Next to the entrance of "Clarté" and near the Toyama Tourist Information Center.
Itachigawa Jizo Statue Pilgrimage
Greetings to the Jizo statue at Itachigawa River
Numerous Jizo statues are scattered along the Itachi River, which flows through the heart of Toyama City. Start your stroll from "Kimachi no Hama," marked by a stone lantern. This area, once devastated by floods, is home to many Jizo statues, each with its own unique history, including those dedicated to commemorating the victims of past disasters. Enjoy the riverside atmosphere as you visit these expressive Jizo statues.
Reference Map | Itachigawa Jizo Statue Pilgrimage Map (PDF)
*The information presented here is current as of the time of creation. It may differ from the current situation. Please use it as a reference for your walk.
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Suijin Shrine
On the banks of the Itachi River is the Suijinja Shrine, dedicated to the god of water. It has been cherished since ancient times as a place to express gratitude for the blessings of water and to pray for water safety and a prosperous life.
Water from the Enmei Jizo statue in Ishikura town
Toyama's representative spring water spot
Around the Itachi River, numerous springs are scattered, where snowmelt from the Tateyama mountain range emerges as pure groundwater. This cold, delicious spring water is deeply rooted in the lives of the local people. Within the grounds of the Enmei Jizo-son temple in Ishikura-cho, water flows from the mouth of a dragon, and it is said to be "sacred water that cures all diseases."
Across the river is the "Izumi-cho Childbearing and Longevity Jizo Statue," where clear water flows from a rare carp-shaped faucet within the temple grounds.
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A perfect summer stop | Yamakawa Main Store, Izumi-cho
This traditional sweets shop is located right next to the Izumi-cho Kodama Enmei Jizo-son (a Jizo statue believed to grant fertility and longevity). From around June to the end of September, you can enjoy their famous shaved ice. Take a break from your summer stroll through town while listening to the gentle murmur of the Itachi River.
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Take home some traditional Japanese sweets made with pure spring water as a souvenir.
Suzuki-tei is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop with a 160-year history. They continue to make Japanese sweets using water from the Enmei Jizo-son temple in Ishikura-machi. Their signature confection, "Mokume Yokan," is a beautiful yokan (sweet bean jelly) that depicts the annual rings of Tateyama cedar using white bean paste and red bean paste. The mini size is recommended as a snack to enjoy while strolling around town or as a souvenir.
Ichibanmachi Coffee
Take a break with coffee brewed with pure spring water.
This coffee shop and roastery in the heart of town offers freshly roasted coffee and Romanian home-style cooking. The coffee and cakes are made using water drawn daily by the owner from the Enmei Jizo-son temple in Ishikura-cho. Enjoy a carefully brewed cup of coffee made with this pristine water while taking a break during your stroll.
Toyama Castle Ruin Park
A "floating castle" surrounded by a river and a moat.
Toyama Castle Ruins Park is located on the site of Toyama Castle, which was ruled by the Sengoku period warlord Sasa Narimasa and later by the Maeda family. It was also known as "Ukishiro" (Floating Castle) because water from the Jinzu River was used to fill its moat. The stone walls and moat still retain traces of its former glory, and the reflection of Toyama Castle on the water's surface is a sight to behold.
Matsukawa Riverside
Enjoying cherry blossoms and the waterfront: A stroll along the Matsukawa River
The banks of the Matsukawa River, which flows through the heart of Toyama City, are a popular spot for strolling and enjoying the waterside scenery. In spring, approximately 500 cherry trees line the riverbanks, and the reflection of the blossoms on the water is a sight to behold. When the river is in operation, enjoying the waterside scenery from a Matsukawa pleasure boat is also highly recommended.
Here's the route for this time!
Enjoy the waterside scenery, touch the pure water, and discover the flavors born from its bounty. As you walk through the town, you'll feel how Toyama's way of life and history have been nurtured together with "water."
In spring, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms; in summer, the cool spring water and the refreshing coolness of the waterside; and in autumn, the colorful trees—each season offers its own unique pleasures.
Please experience the allure of the water that thrives in Toyama with all your senses.