Recommended by JR East Travel Service Center, travel professionals who have visited Toyama Prefecture!
Toyama Prefecture offers spectacular scenery, delicious seafood, and traditional culture that still remains today! In this issue, the JR East Travel Service Center actually traveled to Toyama last December, presents a 2-day/1-night model course that includes many noteworthy spots! Please check each article for detailed information on the attractions, access, and ways to enjoy the sightseeing spots.
1) 11:10 Start your trip at Shin-Takaoka Station.
This trip starts at Shin-Takaoka Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line. Other Hokuriku Shinkansen stations in Toyama Prefecture include Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Station and Toyama Station. This time, we will travel to each spot by car!
(2) 11:40 Rare "daytime auction"! Shin-Minato Fishing Port and Shin-Minato Kitto Market
It takes about 30 minutes by car from Shin-Takaoka Station. Shin-Minato Fishing Port, where the "noon auction" is held from 12:30 p.m., a rarity in Japan. From September to May, the public can visit by advance reservation, and the rows of red snow crabs look like a "red carpet! Nearby is the Shinminato Kitto Market, which has a seafood market, restaurants, and souvenir stores, where you can taste fresh seafood from the fishing port.
*The Shinminato Kittokito Market was closed for business due to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake of 2024, but some stores reopened on Saturday, March 2 (as of 2/29). Lunchtime auction tours are scheduled to resume in early March. （Please check the facility website for the latest information (as of 1/29). LUNCH SERI Courtesy of Toyama Tourism Organization
Approximately 8 minutes on foot from Higashi Shinminato Station on the Manyo Line
Approximately 40 minutes from Toyama Station by "Burikani Bus".
3) 13:50 Uchikawa, a port town known as the "Venice of Japan
About 5 minutes by car from Shinminato Kitto Market. A port town in the city of Imizu, it is also called the "Venice of Japan" because the scenery of houses lining the river and fishing boats docked along the riverbank reminds one of Venice, Italy. On a fine day, the magnificent Tateyama Mountain Range can be seen beyond the river. There are also cafes and other facilities in renovated old private homes where visitors can spend a relaxing time. Courtesy of Toyama Tourism Organization
Approximately 8 minutes on foot from Shinmachiguchi Station on the Manyo Line
4) 15：00 Experience the traditions and history of Takaoka [Takaoka Mikurumayama Kaikan
It takes about 25 minutes by car from Uchikawa. The Takaoka Mikuruma-yama Festival is held every year on May 1 and is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In addition to year-round viewing of the Mikurumayama, visitors can experience the tradition and history of the festival through a 4K high-definition "theater" that allows them to relive the preparation for the festival and the day of the festival. Courtesy of Toyama Tourism Organization
About 12 minutes on foot from "Takaoka Station" of Aino-fu Toyama Railway
⑤16：15 A rare spot with a spectacular view of the mountains seen over the sea! Ameharu Coast】 【Utsukushimachi Beach】⑥ 17：10 Relax and enjoy the beautiful view
It takes about 20 minutes by car from Takaoka Mikurumayama Kaikan. This is a world-class scenic spot with a view of the 3000-meter Tateyama mountain range over the sea. The view with the orange train of the Himi Line running with the sea in the background is also popular. Roadside station "Ameharu" along the coast has a store selling local confections and craft products and a café with an ocean view. Courtesy of Toyama Tourism Organization
Approximately 5 minutes on foot from "Amehara Station" of JR Himi Line
⑥17：10 Relax and enjoy the hot springs with a spectacular view 【Himi Onsenkyo
It is about a 25-minute drive from Ameharu Beach. This time, we stayed at Himi Onsenkyo. At "Kutsurogi no Yado Umiakari," you can relax in an open-air bath that makes you feel as if you are immersed in the sea, while enjoying a spectacular view of Toyama Bay. The fresh seafood meals are another attraction. Kutsurogi-no-yado Umiakari Example of an open-air bath
About 10 minutes drive from "Himi Station" of JR Himi Line (Shuttle bus is available. Please inquire locally for details)
⑦ 9：30 Himi Banya-gai (Himi Banya Street) where you can enjoy all the delicacies of Himi.
It takes about 10 minutes by car from "Umiakari." This roadside station offers a variety of fresh seafood and local gourmet meals all in one place, where you can enjoy the delicious foods of Himi. Next to the station is "Himi Onsenkyo Soyu" where you can also enjoy a one-day hot spring bath, and a footbath where you can view the Tateyama Mountain Range and the sea.
Approx. 5 minutes by car from "Himi Station" on the JR Himi Line. Approximately 5 minutes by car from "Himi Station".
⑧10：30 Newly designated as a national treasure in 2022 【Katsuko-ji Temple
About a 20-minute drive from Himi Banyagai, Shokoji Temple is a temple of the Honganji sect of Shinshu Jodo, and in December 2022, its main hall, hall and ceremonial platform were designated as national treasures. The temple is also known for its historical background, as Harunaga, the 11th head of the Kaga Maeda family, served as its chief priest from the ages of 10 to 23 during the Edo period (1603-1868). Courtesy of Toyama Tourism Organization
17-1 Fushikikokunifu, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture
Access
Approx. 5 min. walk from "Fushiki Station" of JR Himi Line
9：9 Enjoy the delicacies of Toyama Bay 【Toyama Bay Sushi
Toyama Bay Sushi is known as a "natural fish tank" and offers a wide variety of fresh local fish from Toyama Bay. The rice is also made with rice produced in Toyama Prefecture, making Toyama Bay Sushi a luxury that only visitors to Toyama can enjoy. It can be enjoyed at 43 restaurants in Toyama Prefecture! Photo courtesy of Toyama Bay Sushi, a natural fish tank
Toyama is a town that prospered as a transit point for Kitamae-bune, and while retaining the atmosphere of those days, restaurants, sake bars, and Japanese confectionery shops that have renovated old private houses have opened one after another in recent years in this remarkable area. The elegant townscape is perfect for walking around the town♪ It is accessible by streetcar from Toyama Station. Standing sake tasting bar Saseki
About 10 minutes on foot from "Higashi Iwase Station" or "Iwasehama Station" on the Toyama Port Line
11：16：00 Souvenir stores and restaurants are also available! Toyama Station
It takes about 15 minutes by car from Iwase. Toyama Station is the gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, transferring to the Himi area, and is served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, local trains, and conventional lines. The station also has a wide variety of souvenir stores and restaurants, such as Kitto Market and Kitto Marche! Please stop by not only to change trains. Courtesy of Toyama Tourism Organization
1-225, Meiwa-machi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
Access
About 2 hours from Tokyo Station by Hokuriku Shinkansen Line
⑫If you are planning to stay one more night! Unazuki Onsen Hot Spring Unazuki Onsen Hot Spring
Unazuki Onsen is famous for its hot springs and as the departure point for the Kurobe Gorge Torokko train. In the vicinity, there is a footbath that you can casually enjoy and the Kurobe River Electricity Memorial Museum, where you can learn about the power development of the Kurobe River, the nature of the Kurobe Gorge, and hydroelectric power generation. At Onsen ryokan, you can enjoy a relaxing time while admiring the beauty of the gorge. Courtesy of Kurobe Unazuki Hot Springs Tourism Bureau
