Shiroebi (white shrimp)白えび
Tiny, sweet, translucent shrimp from Toyama Bay, eaten raw as sashimi or fried as tempura.
Chubu
Toyama Travel Guide
Local tips, regional food and places off the tourist trail
A compact prefecture between Toyama Bay and the Northern Alps. Main draws are the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the gassho-zukuri villages of Gokayama, and superb seafood.
Open Toyama on the map37 places on the map · 16 local favourites
Local tips
- TipThe Hokuriku Shinkansen stops at Toyama, which works well as a base between Kanazawa and the Alps.
- Heads upThe Alpine Route is closed through winter; check its opening season before you plan around it.
- DoGo in spring to walk between the towering snow walls near Murodo on the Alpine Route.
- TipGokayama’s thatched villages are quieter than nearby Shirakawa-go; buses connect them, but a car is easier.
- TipToyama City’s trams are an easy way to get around the centre and out to the port area.
What to eat
Hotaru-ika (firefly squid)ほたるいか
Small glowing squid caught in spring, usually boiled and eaten with vinegared miso.
Toyama black ramen富山ブラック
Ramen in a very dark, salty soy broth with lots of black pepper, meant to go with rice.
Local favourites
Places mostly visited by people who live here — quieter, and often the highlight of a trip.
Toyama Municipal Folkcraft Village
富山市民俗民芸村 Sights & HistoryA hillside cluster of small museums on folk crafts, pottery and Toyama's traditional medicine-peddling trade, with city views from Mt Kureha.
● Mostly localsZentokuji Temple, Johana
城端別院善徳寺 Temples & GoshuinchoLarge Jodo Shinshu temple in the old silk town of Johana, a quiet place of big wooden halls and an interesting treasure hall.
● Mostly localsKintaro Onsen
金太郎温泉 Hot SpringsBig old hot-spring inn near Uozu known for its strong, salty water and day-bathing in large indoor and outdoor baths.
● Mostly localsSakuragicho, Toyama
富山市 桜木町 NightlifeToyama City's main drinking district, packed with izakaya and bars serving local sake with Toyama Bay seafood. Very local and friendly.
● Mostly localsKaizuya (Himi Udon)
海津屋 Local FoodMaker of Himi udon, a thin, hand-stretched udon with a firm, silky bite. The shop's restaurant is a good place to try it cold with dipping sauce.
● Mostly localsKanaya-machi Casting Town
金屋町 Sights & HistoryTakaoka's old bronze-casting quarter, a quiet street of latticed houses paved with bricks and old moulds. The heart of Takaoka's metalwork tradition.
● Mostly localsMori House, Iwase
北前船廻船問屋 森家 Sights & HistoryThe preserved house of a Kitamaebune shipping merchant in the old port town of Iwase. Rich woodwork and a guide explains how coastal trade built Toyama.
● Mostly localsNissekiji Temple
大岩山日石寺 Temples & GoshuinchoMountain temple in Kamiichi with a large Buddha carved into a rock face and waterfalls where practitioners do cold-water purification. Nearby shops serve somen.
● Mostly localsOyama Shrine Maetate Shadan
雄山神社 前立社壇 Temples & GoshuinchoThe lowland hall of the shrine to sacred Mount Tateyama, in Tateyama town. For centuries pilgrims began their climb to the summit shrine from here.
● Mostly localsUozu Aquarium
魚津水族館 ExperiencesOne of Japan's oldest aquariums, focused on Toyama Bay and alpine river life, with a tunnel tank. Small, affordable and loved by local families.
● Mostly localsYamacho-suji Street
山町筋 Sights & HistoryMerchant street in Takaoka lined with fireproof earthen storehouses, one of the finest in Hokuriku. The float museum shows off the city's festival floats.
● Mostly localsInami Yokamachi Woodcarving Street
井波 八日町通り ShoppingStreet of woodcarving workshops leading to Zuisenji, where you can watch carvers at work behind open windows and buy small pieces.
● Mostly localsThe famous sights
The places most visitors come for. Worth it — just go early.
Murodo (Tateyama Alpine Route)
室堂 Nature & SceneryAlpine plateau at the top of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, with the Mikurigaike crater lake, volcanic vents and walking trails at nearly 2,450 m.
Kurobe Dam
黒部ダム Sights & HistoryNature & SceneryJapan's tallest dam, deep in the Northern Alps on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. In summer and autumn it releases a huge, roaring water curtain.