Toyama, a popular area in the Hokuriku region, is easily accessible from Tokyo or Osaka in about two to three hours. In 2025, it was selected as one of “The New York Times’ ‘52 Places to Go in 2025,’” making it a destination that is now attracting attention from around the world. In this article, a local writer carefully selects and introduces recommended spots where you can fully enjoy Toyama’s natural beauty and scenery.
To help you make the most of your first trip to Toyama, we’ve also included a model itinerary for a 1-night, 2-day trip at the end of the article.
What Is Toyama Like? Where Is It in Japan? How to Get There from Tokyo or Osaka
Toyama is located in the Hokuriku region of Japan, facing the Sea of Japan and blessed with abundant natural beauty. In winter, the area is covered in snow, offering a different atmosphere from cities on the Pacific side. In spring, firefly squid are harvested, and throughout the year, you can enjoy a wealth of fresh seafood. The majestic Tateyama Mountain Range offers hiking and trekking opportunities, allowing visitors to enjoy seasonal landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities.
Toyama also has a history of developing as the “city of medicine,” and its glass culture has flourished alongside its pharmaceutical bottle-making techniques. The Toyama Glass Art Museum, designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, is a symbol of this culture and a popular spot where you can enjoy both art and architectural beauty.
Access is also convenient: you can reach Toyama from Tokyo in about two hours on the Hokuriku Shinkansen without transfers. If you want to save on costs, there are overnight buses from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku that take about seven hours.
From Osaka, take the Limited Express “Thunderbird” to Tsuruga Station, then transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen “Tsurugi” for a total journey of about 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are also highway buses from Osaka/Umeda, with daytime buses taking about five hours and 40 minutes, and overnight buses about eight hours and 10 minutes.
Toyama Airport operates both domestic and international flights, including direct flights to Haneda and Sapporo. In addition to connections throughout Japan via Haneda, there are also international flights to countries in Asia such as South Korea, Taiwan, and China.
5 Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Toyama City
Here are some recommended sightseeing spots you shouldn’t miss when visiting Toyama.
Toyama Glass Art Museum
Located on the 2nd to 6th floors of the “TOYAMA Kirari” complex in central Toyama City, the Toyama Glass Art Museum features contemporary glass art from both Japan and abroad. The building was designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma. Its striking exterior uses aluminum, glass, and stone, while the interior is bright and modern, with abundant use of wood. If you look up at the atrium from the second floor, on sunny days, light pours in from the rooftop, creating a mystical photo spot.
The café “Cafe Komachi Kirari” on the second floor is the second branch of a long-established Toyama coffee shop. From the counter seats at the back of the café, you can sometimes see the city’s streetcars and the Tateyama Mountain Range—if you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to a spectacular view.
Toyama Glass Art Museum
- Address: 5-1 Nishicho, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
- Access: About 2 minutes on foot from Grand Plaza-mae tram stop, about 1 minute from Nishicho tram stop
- Opening hours: 9:30–18:00 (last admission 17:30)
- Closed: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, New Year holidays
- Admission: [Permanent Exhibition] Adults/University Students: ¥200 *Special exhibition fees vary by event
Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art & Design
Located within the grounds of the popular Toyama attraction Fugan Canal Kansui Park, the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design is a cultural facility that introduces modern and contemporary art and design, mainly from the 20th century onward. It is a place where visitors can experience art and design in an accessible and enjoyable way. The museum staff uniforms were designed by the world-renowned designer Issey Miyake, making them another detail worth paying attention to during your visit.
In addition to its many fascinating exhibitions, you will also find white bear sculptures by Atsuhiko Misawa placed throughout the museum. These playful artworks have become popular photo spots for visitors.
The museum complex also includes a museum shop, as well as a restaurant and café where you can enjoy dishes made with local ingredients while overlooking the park and the beautiful scenery of Toyama. It’s a wonderful place to experience both the natural beauty and artistic charm of Toyama at the same time.
Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design
- Address: 3-20 Kibamachi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
- Access: About a 15-minute walk from the north exit of Toyama Station
- Opening hours: 9:30–18:00 (last admission 17:30)
- Closed: Wednesdays (or the following day if Wednesday is a public holiday), New Year holidays. Temporary openings or closures may occur
- Admission: [Collection Exhibition] Adults 300 yen *Special exhibition fees vary depending on the exhibition.
※ Information current as of March 2026. Admission fees are scheduled to be revised starting July 1, 2026
Fugan Canal Kansui Park
This urban park spreads along the canal on the north side of Toyama Station. With its open waterfront scenery and views of the Tateyama Mountain Range, it is a popular spot for both locals and visitors from outside the prefecture. Inside the park, you’ll find the “Starbucks Coffee Toyama Kansui Park,” which has been called one of the most beautiful Starbucks in the world, and it is always bustling with people. If the store is crowded, it’s also recommended to take a walk outside or relax on the lawn with a picnic blanket.
There is also the “Fugan Suijo Line” canal cruise, which offers about a one-hour boat trip from Kansui Park to the port town of Iwase. Along the way, you’ll pass through the nationally designated Important Cultural Property “Nakajima Lock,” where you can observe up close the mechanism known as the “water elevator.”
Fugan Canal Kansui Park
- Address: 1 Minatoirifune-cho, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
- Access: About 10 minutes on foot from Toyama Station
Toyama Castle (Toyama Municipal Folk Museum)
Toyama Castle, located along the Matsukawa River, a famous cherry blossom spot, is known as the castle where the Sengoku-period warlord Narimasa Sassa served as lord. Today, the castle ruins have been developed, and the surrounding area is known as Toyama Castle Ruins Park, a place loved by both locals and tourists. The castle tower was reconstructed in 1954, and its interior now houses the Toyama Municipal Folk Museum, which introduces the history of Toyama and the development of the castle town. At the Toyama Municipal Folk Museum, you can learn about the history and culture of Toyama’s castle town. At night, the castle tower is illuminated, offering a magical view different from the daytime.
Toyama Castle (Toyama Municipal Folk Museum)
- Address: 1-62 Honmaru, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
- Access: About 10 minutes on foot from Toyama Station
- Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30)
- Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays (12/28–1/4)*
- May be temporarily closed for exhibition changes or maintenance
- Admission: Adults 210 yen
Toyama City Hall Observation Tower
The Toyama City Hall Observation Tower is a free observation facility located on the top floor of the main Toyama City Hall building in the center of Toyama City, about 70 meters above ground. You can access this scenic spot by entering through the main entrance of City Hall and taking the elevator up.
With an open observation space offering 360-degree panoramic views, this hidden gem lets visitors enjoy Toyama City’s tranquil cityscape. You can overlook the entire city, and on clear days, you can even see the Tateyama mountain range.
Toyama Castle and Toyama Castle Ruins Park are nearby, making it easy to stop by while sightseeing.
Toyama City Hall Observation Tower
- Address: 7-38 Shinsakuramachi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
- Access: About 10 minutes on foot from Toyama Station
- Opening hours: 9:00–21:00 (10:00– on weekends and public holidays) Until 18:00 from November to March
- Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays (12/29–1/3)
5 Nature and Experience Spots You Can Visit on a Day Trip from Toyama City
Toyama Prefecture is home to spectacular natural attractions such as the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, and offers plenty of breathtaking scenery and outdoor experiences just a short trip from Toyama City. Here are five recommended spots where you can fully enjoy nature, all accessible as day trips from Toyama City.
Kurobe Gorge Railway (Kurobe Gorge Area)
Departing from Unazuki Station, the Kurobe Gorge Railway is a sightseeing train that runs through the Kurobe Gorge and is one of Toyama's signature outdoor activities. The train weaves through a deep V-shaped gorge, offering close-up views of sheer rock walls and the emerald-green Kurobe River from open-air carriages without windows.
As you travel deeper past Kanetsuri Station and Keyakidaira Station, the scenery becomes even more dynamic, offering a special experience far removed from everyday life.
Kurobe Gorge Railway
- Address: 11 Kurobekyokokuchi, Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture (Unazuki Station)
- Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Toyama Chiho Railway "Unazuki Onsen Station"
- Operating hours: Varies by season (generally from 8:00 to 16:00)
- Closed: Service suspended annually from December to mid-April
- Fare: [Unazuki–Keyakidaira round trip] Adults approx. 3,960 yen (varies by season)
Kurobe Dam (Kurobe Gorge Area)
Located on the border between Toyama and Nagano Prefectures, Kurobe Dam is one of the largest arch dams in Japan. It is a highlight of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a 37.2 km mountain sightseeing route crossing the Northern Alps from Tateyama Station in Toyama to Ogizawa Station in Nagano. The massive 186-meter-high dam and the grand scenery surrounded by the Northern Alps are truly impressive. During the sightseeing water discharge, held annually from late June to mid-October, powerful sprays of water shoot up, creating a spectacular sight. You can also walk across the top of the dam, and from the observation deck, you can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Kurobe and the surrounding mountains. The new observation plaza is a perfect photo spot.
Kurobe Dam
- Address: Ashikuraji, Tateyama Town, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama Prefecture (on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route)
- Access: Via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (transfer between cable car, ropeway, etc.)
- Operating period: The entire route operates annually from mid-April to the end of November (varies by season)
- Closed: Annually from December to mid-April
Snow Corridor (Kurobe Gorge Area)
The Snow Corridor (Yuki no Otani) is a famous springtime attraction around Murodo on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. The towering snow walls, created by snow removal, reach heights of 10 to 20 meters and stretch along both sides of the road, forming a massive corridor—a rare sight even in Japan that fascinates visitors. During the annual "Snow Corridor Walk," held from mid-April to around June, you can actually walk between these walls and experience the overwhelming snowy landscape up close. The contrast between the blue sky and the pure white snow walls makes for stunning photos, offering a special experience unique to this season.
Snow Corridor (Yuki no Otani)
- Address: Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture (Murodo area)
- Access: Take the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and get off at Murodo Terminal
- Event period: Annually from mid-April to around June (Snow Corridor Walk)
- Closed period: The Alpine Route is closed for winter from December to mid-April each year
Amaharashi Coast (Takaoka Area)
Amaharashi Coast is a scenic spot where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Tateyama Mountain Range and Onna-iwa (Woman Rock) across Toyama Bay. On clear days, you can see a rare landscape where 3,000-meter-class mountains line up beyond the sea—a sight unique even on a global scale. The JR West Himi Line runs along the coast, and it’s also popular among railway enthusiasts for the chance to photograph trains with the mountains in the background.
At sunrise and sunset, you can enjoy the magical scenery created by the interplay of sea and mountains. The nearby Roadside Station Amaharashi also offers spectacular views, and with its café and shops, it’s recommended as a base for sightseeing.
Amaharashi Coast
- Address: Ota, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture
- Access: About a 5-minute walk from Amaharashi Station
Gokayama (Nanto Area)
Gokayama, nestled in the mountains of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, is a region rich in nature, surrounded by steep mountains. Traditional lifestyles and culture are still alive here. Among them, the Ainokura and Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Villages, with their thatched-roof houses, are registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site together with Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture as the "Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama." The steeply pitched roofs, designed to withstand heavy snowfall, are a testament to the wisdom unique to this region.
Along with the ever-changing mountain village scenery throughout the seasons, you can feel the history and tradition in this iconic Hokuriku landscape.
Gokayama
- Address: Ainokura & Suganuma, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture
- Access: About 40 minutes by bus from Johana Station
Tour Toyama by City Tram and Bus! Recommended Sightseeing Model Course
By making use of the city trams and buses running through Toyama City, you can efficiently enjoy sightseeing even on a 2-day, 1-night trip. Here, we introduce a model course for first-time visitors to Toyama, allowing you to fully experience the area’s diverse charms, including its great outdoors, Japanese culture, and art.
① 2-Day, 1-Night Model Course: Enjoy Nature and Japanese Culture
This 2-day, 1-night plan lets you experience both magnificent mountain scenery and traditional culture. It’s recommended for those who want to enjoy outdoor activities or savor local gourmet dishes made from the region’s natural bounty. While immersing yourself in Toyama’s landscapes and culture, you’ll have a fulfilling and memorable trip.
Day 1: Explore the Great Nature of Tateyama and Enjoy the Nightlife
Toyama Station → Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route → Return to Toyama City for Overnight Stay
On Day 1, you can enjoy both the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Toyama City—a packed itinerary for those who want it all.
It takes about one hour from Toyama Station to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Take the Toyama Chihō Railway from Dentetsu-Toyama Station to Tateyama Station, then transfer to the Tateyama Cable Car to enter the mountainous area. As you transfer between ropeways and other transportation, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views above the clouds and dramatic mountain scenery. In winter, you can see the famous Snow Corridor, while in summer, you’ll encounter alpine plants—each season offers its own unique landscapes.
In the evening, return to Toyama City and enjoy local cuisine around Toyama Station. As a local, my top recommendation is Toyama Black Ramen. This dish is known for its rich soy sauce flavor and strikingly black appearance. Pair it with rice for a perfectly balanced meal.
Day 2: History × Art × Park Stroll
Toyama Station → Gokayama → Return to Toyama City for Sightseeing
On Day 2, take a bus to the World Heritage Site of Gokayama. It’s about 20 minutes by train from Toyama Station to Takaoka Station, then about 1 hour and 30 minutes by World Heritage Bus to reach your destination. In this mountain village, where traditional gassho-zukuri houses remain, you can experience scenery and culture that represent the original landscape of Japan. There are restaurants and souvenir shops scattered throughout the village, so you can also enjoy lunch here.
In the afternoon, return to Toyama City via the same route and visit the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design. After viewing the exhibits, take a leisurely stroll through the adjacent Fugan Canal Kansui Park. Within the park, you’ll find the Starbucks Coffee Toyama Kansui Park store, often described as the “most beautiful Starbucks in the world.” There are also shops selling Masu Sushi and local sweets inside Toyama Station, making it easy to pick up souvenirs and enjoy sightseeing until your departure.
② One-Day Model Course: Toyama City Art Tour
Toyama Station → Toyama Glass Art Museum → Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design → Fugan Canal Kansui Park
Start from Toyama Station and head first to the Toyama Glass Art Museum. Take photogenic pictures and admire world-class glass art for a truly special experience.
After your visit, have lunch in the surrounding area. There are many popular local restaurants serving soba, ramen, sushi, and more, so feel free to stop by any place that catches your eye.
Next, cross to the other side of the station to visit the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design, where you can enjoy the exhibitions and artistic spaces. Finish your day with a relaxing stroll along the beautiful waterside at Fugan Canal Kansui Park. It’s the perfect way to end a day in Toyama, where nature and art blend harmoniously.
Discover the Many Attractions of Compact Toyama
If you’re traveling in Japan, Toyama is a destination worth visiting at least once. Toyama City is easy to get around, with convenient trams and buses, and most attractions are concentrated in the city center, making it possible to see a lot even with limited time. Venture a little further and you’ll find the majestic Northern Alps, the beautiful scenery of Toyama Bay, and traditional architecture, including the World Heritage gassho-zukuri villages. The unique luxury of Toyama is having both urban comfort and rich nature right at your doorstep. Why not choose Toyama for your next trip?
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