History / Culture / Tour Spots in Toyama Area

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Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Toyama Glass Art Museum

4.5

333 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Toyamashi Nishichou 5-1

The Toyama Glass Art Museum, which opened in 2015, is a museum that aims to spread awareness of the beauty of modern glass art and of its future potential. The Museum has displays of modern glass art works from the Museum’s own collection (which were collected by Toyama City Government over a period of 30 years), along with a glass art garden, and also holds a variety of special exhibitions and other events. The Museum is located around one-minute walk from the Nishicho Station on the Toyama Chihou Railway “Shiden” tram line.

We hurried to this muzium toward the end of our visit to toyama. Pleasant surprise to find out they have nice glass exhibition especially on the 4th floor. Truly colourful and pleasing. In fact...
Takaoka Daibutsu (Takaoka Great Buddha)

3.5

361 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Pref. Takaokashi Otemachi 11-29

The Takaoka Daibutsu (Takaoka Great Buddha) is a large statue of Amida Nyorai (the Amitabha Buddha) in a seated posture, approximately 16 meters high, located in the Hotoku-san Daibutsu-ji Temple near Takaoka Station in Toyama Prefecture. The circular halo that rises up behind the Buddha’s back makes this a particularly distinctive statue; it ranks alongside the Great Buddha of Nara and the Great Buddha of Kamakura as one of the “Three Great Buddhas of Japan.” The original statue and its replacement were both destroyed in fires; in 1933, local people built the third statue that visitors see today. Since it was first created, the Takaoka Daibutsu has become an iconic symbol of Takaoka; locals refer to with a mixture of respect and familiarity as “Daibuttsuan.”

In Toyama for 2-nights, with a couple of hours to spare before dinner; this proved to be sufficient time to make a detour to Takaoka to see the Great Buddha. It only takes about 17-mins to travel...
Zuiryu-ji Temple

4.5

287 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Pref. Takaokashi Sekihonmachi 35

The Zuiryu-ji Temple is a temple in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture belonging to the Soto school of Zen Buddhism. The Temple was built by Maeda Toshitsune, the third lord of the Kaga Domain, to offer up prayers to the Buddha for the repose of the soul of his brother Maeda Toshinaga, the second lord of the Kaga Domain. The Butsu-den hall, Hatto (Lecture Hall) and San-mon gate have all been designated as National Treasures; the So-mon gate, Zen-do (Zen meditation hall), Taka-roka (High Corridor), Kairo (Gallery) and Dai-sado (Large Tea Hall) were the first Prefectural Important Cultural Properties to be designated as such by Toyama Prefectural Government. Zuiryu-ji Temple is widely recognized as a masterpiece of early Edo Period Zen Buddhist temple architecture.

The temple is a worth a visit if you are in Kanazawa. One station by Shinkansen from Kanazawa. A beautiful zen meditation room. You can have a green tea inside the main building for 500 joy.
Hotaruika Museum (at Roadside Station Wave Park Namerikawa)

3.5

109 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Namerikawashi Nakagawara 410

The Hotaruika Museum at the Wave Namerikawa roadside station is an experience-oriented museum where visitors can enjoy a “Luminous Light Live Show” at the Live Theatre featuring the bioluminescent Firefly Squid or get up close to the living creatures of Toyama Bay at the “Mysteries of the Deep Ocean” zone, having the opportunity to learn about Firefly Squid and Toyama Bay in an enjoyable way. The Hotaruika Museum is located around 10-minute drive from the Namerikawa Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway.

Nice building and great museum for children and whoever loves squids Nice view of the sea from the museum and nice cafeteria with great view.
Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design

4.5

76 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Toyamashi Kibamachi 3-20

The Museum of Modern Art, Toyama displays its international collection through various new perspectives, themes, and exhibitions. With a nice view of Kansui Park and the Tateyama Mountains, people come here to enjoy not only the museum, but also the restaurant and café. And, this museum features many ways to interact with the art, through seeing, creating, and learning. Approximately 15 minutes by car via Toyama Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway.

MUST, MUST and again MAST ! One of the nicest museums I have seen. Lots of art, including famous artists. Beautiful building, beautiful roof and lots of activity.
Toyama Municipal Folk Museum, Toyama Castle

3.5

58 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Toyamashi Honmaru 1-62

This castle also known as Ukishiro (The Floating Castle), which stands in a corner of Toyama Castle Ruin Park, was chosen for the second selection of Japan's best 100 castles. Toyama Castle is believed to have been constructed by Mizukoshi Katsushige on the orders of his lord, Jinbo Nagamoto, around 1543. While the castle tower is a post-war reconstruction built in 1954, the castle's moats and stone walls are still original. The interior of the castle serves as the location of Toyama Municipal Folk Museum. The museum features exhibits on the history of Toyama Castle from when it was built during the Warring States Period until now. The observation deck at the top of the four-story castle keep gives visitors a feel for the size and scope of Toyama Castle at its peak in the Edo period. The 140 centimeter-tall helmet said to have been used by Maeda Toshinaga is well worth seeing.

The inside of Toyama Castle is Toyama Folk Museum, which displays the history of Toyama. And if you enter this museum, you can go up the top of the castle. However, if you look over the city, the...
Uozu Buried Forest Museum

4.0

63 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Uodushi Shakadou 814

Visitors to this museum a 10 minute drive from Uozu Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway can explore the natural mysteries of Uozu such as the buried forest and mirages. The passageway that extends from the museum's entrance exhibits 3.75 billion year-old artifacts of the geological history of eastern Toyama Prefecture. The museum also features easy-to-understand exhibits about the Uozu buried forest, a Special Natural Monument, how mirages work, the water cycle, and more. The wondrous underwater exhibit hall where the buried forest is preserved and displayed is a must-see. Visitors can also enjoy a panoramic view of Toyama Bay and the surrounding area from their rooftop observation platform.

魚津市の特色である「埋没林」と「蜃気楼」を展示紹介してある「魚津埋没林博物館」です。私は「埋没林」目的で訪れました。青森県の「猿ヶ森ヒバ埋没林」、島根県の「三瓶小豆原埋没林」と訪れたことがあり、私にとって3つ目の「埋没林」です。どの「埋没林」も地形的特色があり、こちらの魚津は、土砂により原生林を埋め、さらに豊富な「湧水(伏流水)」の影響を受けて現在の形として生き残ったと考えられているそうです...
Imizu-jinja Shrine

4.0

59 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Pref. Takaokashi Kojou 1-1 inside the old castle park

This shrine is located inside of Takaoka Kojo Park. Thought to have been built in the Nara period or earlier, this ancient and honorable shrine is the only shrine in Etchu Province selected as a Myojin Taisha, the highest rank of shrine in the Engi-Shiki. The shrine venerates Ninigi-no-mikoto, said to grant blessings of bumper crops and prosperity in business. 200,000 people visit the shrine each year during their annual new year's day festival. Imizu Saryo, a cafe area added during renovations of the shrine's event hall, is a place to enjoy the seasonal scenery along with exclusive items such as their original blended coffee, herb tea, Futan matcha tea au lait, and more.

高岡古城公園の中にある神社です。読み方がすぐにはわかりませんでしたが「いみず」とのことです。境内に大きな紅梅がありました。城跡と博物館とあわせて散策しました。ここの神社自体の駐車場もありました。
Ainokura Folklore Museum

4.0

32 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Pref. Nantoshi Ainokura 352

This folk history museum sits in a corner of the Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village, a World Heritage site located in the mountains east from Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway's Gokayama Interchange via the Hietsukyo Gassho Scenic Route. It is notable for its two gassho-zukuri style buildings with straw-thatched roofs which were once a residence of the old Ozaki Family. The museum exhibits articles once used by villagers, as well as historical materials that convey the village's tradition of mutual aid. On the second floor, guests can get a close look at the unique framework and internal construction of gassho-zukuri buildings. The museum's second building, the Ainokura Traditional Industry Museum, contains historical materials about washi (Japanese paper) and saltpeter, two of Gokayama's traditional industries. Visitors at the museum can learn about the history of Japan through the wisdom and hardships of ancestors.

世界遺産に登録されている相倉合掌造り集落。その入り口にある駐車場から、集落の中心を通っている道を進んで行くと、相倉民族館がありました。民族館自体が合掌造りの建物で、入館料は300円。おとなりの相倉伝統産業館との共通券/は500円です。館内には、五箇山の江戸時代の生活道具などが展示されています。階段を上って屋根裏にあがることもできます。屋根裏に上がると、合掌造りの骨組みや内部構造を間近に見...
Kurobe River Electric Memorial Museum

3.5

83 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Kurobe-shi Kurobe

"This memorial museum is dedicated to the theme of water that connects the people and nature-wrapped town of Kurobe, with its connection to the ""treasure chest of water,"" the Kurobe river. In addition to the theme of water, it also exhibits information on the trolley railway, the history of electric power development, and the construction of the Omachi Tunnel and Kurobe Dam. The rest theater offers a variety of films on the people who have protected Kurobe, and connected legends."

A small museum right in front of the Unazuki Torokko Station (youll see red banners around it). We went here to kill time before our train to the gorge. Some of the displays are interactive but...
Inami Betsuin Zuizenji Temple

4.5

49 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Pref. Nantoshi Inami 3050

This temple of the Ohtani sect of Shinshu is a branch of Kyoto's Higashi Honganji Temple. During the Warring States Period, it served as a base for the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist uprising. It is notable for the stout stone walls surrounding the temple buildings. Located in a residential area a 15-minute drive from Hokuriku Expressway's Tonami Interchange on Route 156, the temple's biggest attraction is the carvings located all over its buildings. All of the decorative carvings were created by craftspeople from the wood carving district in Inami, part of present-day Nanto City. Visitors can bear witness to the superior skills of the expert carpenters and wood carvers who built the temple.

A temple opened in 1390 is the largest wooden Buddhist temple in Hokuriku region. The woodcraft was spectacular. Worth a visit.
Ooiwasan Nissekiji Temple

4.5

39 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Pref. Nakanikawagunkamichimachi Oiwa 163

"This temple, a 15-minute drive from Hokuriku Expressway's Tachikawa Interchange, was built by Gyoki in 725. Part of the Tateyama mountain worship faith, it had become a large, well-known temple with 21 shrines and 60 monks by its peak. The temple declined after being set ablaze by Uesugi forces and losing many of its treasures and records to the fire. However, the temple hall was later rebuilt and served as the as the family temple for many generations of the Maeda Clan. The temple grounds contain a great deal of sights to see. These include Buddhist carvings and statues such as the Oiwa Nissekiji Sekibutsu, a nationally designated historic site, and the Oiwa Nissekiji Magaibutsu, an important cultural property. The temple, which venerates Fudo Myoo as the main object of worship, is beloved by the nickname ""Oiwasan no Ofudosan."" "

Interesting place to visit but didnt manage to explore the area fully . Although they had a area map , it is not as clearly label at site. If they would put up more directional signage on site , it...
Fujiko・F・Fujio Hometown Art Gallery

4.0

18 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Takaokashi Nakagawa 1-1-30 Takaoka Municipal Museum of Art 2F

"This art museum a two-minute walk from the JR Himi Line's Etchu-Nakagawa Station features exhibits on the life and works of manga artist and Takaoka City native Fujiko F. Fujio. In the gallery, guests can read every page of ""Yokaijima"" (Phantom Island), a story book that Fujiko F. Fujio created by hand at the age of 14. The museum exhibits the artist's belongings, as well an area that shows how his original drawings compare with their final published versions. Other exhibits include a statue of Doraemon (one of Fujio's characters) made from Takaoka ceramic, a traditional industry of the region, as well as an original short animated film."

ドラえもんをはじめとした藤子F不二雄の作品を味わうことのできるギャラリー。入り口からしてワクワクです。何せどこでもドアですからね。そこをくぐり抜けると、藤子F不二雄の歴史を知ることができる展示物がたくさんあります。そして、ここでしか見ることのできないアニメビデオの上映は楽しいです。大人も子供も夢中になることでしょう。高岡駅からは氷見線で１駅の越中中川駅、または万葉線で広小路駅で下車し...
Hie-jinja Shrine

3.5

23 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Pref. Toyamashi Sannoumachi 4-12

"This shrine located in the city center of Toyama City was highly revered by generations of the Maeda clan, the lords of Toyama Castle. Beloved by locals with the nickname ""Sanno-san,"" the shrine's primary enshrined deities, Oyamakui-no-kami and Onamuchi-no-kami, are worshiped as gods of matrimony. They are also said to grant prayers for things including success in business, safe childbirth, and passing exams and interviews. Every May 30th, the shrine sees huge crowds at its annual spring festival, the Sanno Matsuri, one of the biggest festivals in Toyama Prefecture. The shrine also hosts a number of other seasonal festivals and other events, including the Sannou-kou, a tranquil and harmonious Buddhist lecture group. "

ガラス美術館へ行く時に、時間があったので立ち寄った。全国各地にある日枝神社は山王権現をお祀りする日吉大社の末社なので、ここも多分そうなのだろう。赤い社殿と雪景色の対象が美しかった。
The Suiboku Museum, Toyama

4.5

52 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Toyamashi Gofuku 777

"This art museum primarily exhibits ink wash paintings from the Japanese modern era and later. It is a 10-minute walk north from Toyama Toyopet Honsha-mae Station (Gofukusuehirocho) on Prefectural Route 56. It is notable for its single-story Japanese-style building. The museum's permanent exhibits include the works of notable modern-era painters such as Yokoyama Taikan and Takeuchi Seiho, as well as paints with ties to Toyama Prefecture such as Kaho Akira. The ""Suiboku"" in the museum's name refers not just to ink wash paintings, but more broadly to Japanese aesthetics as a whole. As such, the museum is complete with a Japanese garden and tea room where guests can quietly commune with the natural environment."

Highlights of my visit was a special exhibition focussed on blossom, an interactive film and poetry screen, a section on Manga art and the pleasing gardens and modern architecture. The biggest...
Gokayama Minzokukan (Gokayama Folklore Museum)

3.5

27 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Nantoshi Suganuma 436

Gokayama Minzokukan (Gokayama Folk Museum) is situated in Sugunuma, a village of traditional Gasshozukuri-style farmhouses in Gokayama village, Toyama Prefecture. The Museum is located in the oldest Gasshozukuri-style house in the village, which was specially renovated for the purpose. On display inside the Museum are around 200 living utensils etc. that embody the wisdom of past generations. The adjacent “Potassium Nitrate Hall,” focused on the production of potassium nitrate (which was formerly an important industry in the Gokayama district), uses models and shadow-pictures to show how the raw material was collected, the process by which the potassium nitrate was made, and how the finished product was transported for sale.

１０棟ほどの合掌造りが点在する五箇山の菅沼合掌造り集落。その集落内に、五箇山民族館がありました。この五箇山民俗館も、合掌造りの建物です。すぐ近くにある「煙硝の館」との共通入館券300円を購入して、建物内に入りました。１階の中央には囲炉裏があって、先客が１組。担当の方のお話が始まるところでした。この地方の暮らしや合掌造りのお話に続いて、日本最古の民謡とも言われる「こきりこの唄」を、ささらと...
Toyama Science Museum

4.0

33 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Toyamashi Nishinakanomachi 1-8-31

This science museum adjacent to the north side of Toyama City's Jonan Park primarily deals with the theme of Toyama's natural environment and characteristics. At the museum's entrance, visitors are greeted by skeletal and anatomical models of the Naumann's elephants that roamed the lands of Toyama long ago. The museum's large dynamic models, including one of a tyrannosaurus rex, are sure to catch the attention of visitors. In one of the museums booths introducing the Tateyama mountain range and other elements of Toyama's natural environment, visitors can experience rare natural phenomena such as diamond dust. On the third floor, the museum presents the latest information on space through exhibits including a meteorite. The museum also has regular planetarium shows.

What a wonderful collection of exhibits and information! Enjoy the 3D cinema! Stroll around the parkland.
Takaoka Art Museum

4.0

30 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Takaokashi Nakagawa 1-1-30

This art museum is located a 10-minute drive from Noetsu Expressway's Takaoka Kita Interchange. The museum holds world-class special exhibitions with a focus on artistic handicrafts and metallic sculpture. Designed by architect Shozo Uchii, the museum was selected as one of the best 100 public buildings in Japan. The first floor features three special exhibit rooms centered on a vaulted art hall. The second floor features a gallery exhibiting local art as well as the Takaoka City Fujiko F. Fujio Hometown Art Gallery. The basement features a shop, a tea lounge, and more.

Gallery one on the main level was closed. Disappointed but that sometimes happens. Not able to understand why. Second floor gallery was open - admission ¥500, which houses a rotating collection on...
Crossland Oyabe

4.0

27 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Pref. Oyabeshi Washigashima 10

This event hall is a 10-minute drive from Hokuriku Expressway's Oyabe Interchange. The Main Hall, which seats 932, features Japan's first rotating seating system. This allows the hall to operate as both a circular theater and a circular arena. The Serena Hall, a relaxed space which seats 365, features a rectangular shoebox-style layout intended to provide superior acousitics. The facility also offers Japanese-style rooms, conference rooms, and a studio. People using the studio can borrow items such as practice mirrors.

クロスランドタワーに登りました。地上100mの展望エリアまで、エレベーターであっという間です。周囲は高い建物が何もないので360°見渡せて開放感があります。恋人の聖地にも登録されていました。平日にいったせいか、他のお客さんは誰もおらず、展望室のカフェも休業していました。
Tateyama Caldera Sabo Museum

4.0

44 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Toyama Pref. Nakanikawaguntateyamamachi Ashikuraji Buna Saka 68

This museum is a one-minute walk from Tateyama Station, the last stop on the Toyama Chihou Railway Tateyama Line. It features exhibits on the special geological, topographical, and biological features of Tateyama, as well as the history and natural environment of Tateyama caldera, the site of one of Japan's largest landslides. Its indoor exhibit hall features a number of exhibits from which visitors can learn about erosion control at Tateyama caldera in an easy-to-understand manner, including a diorama that recreates the view inside the caldera, as well as a simulation game. Real-time information on the Alpen Route is also on display.

Would have been a 5 stars place to visit if they had a bit more English there... Really nice museum, but it is a pity that there is very little English in there.

Toyama

Toyama Takaoka Himi Imizu / Tonami Nanto / Gokayama Uozu / Namerikawa Kurobe / Asahi Tateyama

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Toyama Areas

Toyama is one of the three prefectures that house the Japanese Alps, with its southern and eastern borders comprising one long stretch of mountains, out of which the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is forged. While traditional crafts fill the northern coastal cities of Toyama and Takaoka, thatched roof houses offer unrivalled views against a backdrop of fantastic scenery at Gokayama in the mountainous area in the south of the prefecture.