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A complete look at Toyama Prefecture, a prefecture that attracts foreign tourists: 10 inspiring experiences and the best travel route revealed
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Located in the northwestern center of Japan, Toyama Prefecture is a treasure trove of travel experiences yet little known worldwide. However, its beauty is undeniable to anyone who has visited. The mystical Tateyama mountain range, the tranquil fishing port scenery, the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage-listed woodcarving festival, and one of Japan's clearest coastlines—it's all packed into one place. This article offers a clear yet in-depth guide to the essential charms of Toyama Prefecture, providing travel tips for international travelers. Starting with basic questions like "Where is Toyama?", "What's there?", and "Is it difficult to access?", we delve into specific tourist spots, delicious local cuisine, accommodations and tourist facilities that cater to foreigners, and experiential activities. Discover "another side of Japan," different from the already well-known cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. We've systematically compiled useful travel information to help you fully experience Toyama's charms.
Table of Contents
Basic information and access to Toyama Prefecture
Where is Toyama Prefecture?
Toyama Prefecture is located in the Chubu and Hokuriku regions of Honshu, facing the Sea of Japan. It borders Ishikawa Prefecture to the west, Gifu Prefecture to the south, and Niigata Prefecture to the east. Due to its geographical features, it is known as a "land of spectacular views surrounded by sea and mountains," and the scenery that spreads out between the Tateyama mountain range and Toyama Bay changes dramatically with the seasons.
Access for foreign tourists
Toyama Prefecture has become more accessible to foreign tourists in recent years. The following routes are available:
– From Tokyo: Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes on the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama Station without changing trains
– From Osaka: Take the Thunderbird Express via Kanazawa, then take the Shinkansen to Toyama (approximately 3 hours)
– From Nagoya: Take the Shirasagi Limited Express via Kanazawa, then the Shinkansen (approximately 3 hours)
You can also use Komatsu Airport (Ishikawa Prefecture) or Toyama Kitokito Airport to take direct flights from Seoul, Taipei, Shanghai, and other international destinations.
Introducing areas popular with foreign tourists
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: The gateway to a journey through the sky
This is a dynamic mountain sightseeing route that crosses the 3,000-meter-high Tateyama mountain range, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent nature while changing between cable cars, buses, trolley buses, ropeways, etc. In particular, the "Snow Valley Walk" in spring is a rare experience worldwide, and you will be overwhelmed by the snow walls that reach up to 20 meters.
Kurobe Gorge: Japan's deepest V-shaped gorge
Don't miss the Kurobe Gorge, where you can enjoy the beauty of the deep valley and hot springs. The Kurobe Gorge Trolley Train, a tourist railway, was renovated from a construction railway built in the 1920s for tourism purposes, and offers spectacular views throughout the seasons.
Gokayama Gassho-style Village: Living in a World Heritage Site
The Gokayama Gassho-style Village, which is also registered as a World Heritage Site, is a place where you can feel as if you have traveled back in time to the Edo period. Gassho-style houses have steeply angled roofs, forming a "V" shape, and are an architectural style unique to areas with heavy snowfall. It is also a popular photo spot for foreigners.
The charm of Toyama Bay and its seafood
Toyama Bay: a rare natural fish pond
Toyama Bay is so deep that it's called a "natural fish tank," and is a place where an abundance of seafood can be caught. Particularly famous are firefly squid, winter yellowtail, and white shrimp. For foreigners who want to taste fresh seafood, this is a paradise.
Local cuisine that foreigners also enjoy
– White shrimp tempura bowl
– Yellowtail Shabu-Shabu
– Marinated firefly squid
– Masu sushi (pressed trout sushi)
These are available in many tourist destinations with English menus, and vegetarian options are on the rise.
Experience history and traditional culture
Takaoka City: Toyama's cultural center
Takaoka City is an area in Toyama Prefecture that is steeped in history and culture. In addition to historic temples and shrines such as the Takaoka Great Buddha and Zuiryuji Temple, it is also known as a town of metal casting, and its "Casting Experience Classes" where visitors can observe and try their hand at the craft are popular with foreign tourists.
Woodcarving Festival and Traditional Crafts
The Inami area is home to some of Japan's leading woodcarving artisans, and traditional techniques are still alive today. Tourists can try their hand at carving, or watch artisans demonstrate their skills with an English guide, making it an attractive place to "see, hear, and experience" the culture.
Accommodation information for a comfortable stay
Hospitality for foreigners
In recent years, Toyama has seen an increase in accommodations that focus on facilities and services for foreign tourists. There are hotels with foreign language speaking staff and lodgings with restaurants that cater to vegetarians and vegans, so you can stay with peace of mind.
Recommended areas to stay
– Toyama City Center: Convenient transportation and ideal as a base for sightseeing
– Unazuki Onsen: Many relaxing inns where hot springs and nature are one
– Gokayama area: Experience Japanese life at a Gassho-style guesthouse
Transportation and travel tips in Toyama
IC cards and transportation convenience
You can also use IC cards (Suica, ICOCA, TOICA, etc.) within Toyama Prefecture. This is compatible with many trams and buses, making travelling around the city a breeze. There are also navigation apps and tourist maps available in foreign languages, so even unfamiliar travelers can enjoy their trip with peace of mind.
Recommended travel times for each season
The charm of Toyama's four seasons
– Spring: Snow Valley, famous cherry blossom spot (Matsukawa River)
– Summer: Firefly squid cruise, festival season
– Autumn: Autumn leaves in Kurobe, colorful Mt. Tateyama
– Winter: Toyama Prefecture, which displays different faces in each season with its cold yellowtail fishing, snowy scenery and hot springs, offers a fulfilling trip no matter what time of year you visit.
Local tours and activity information
An experience that foreigners can easily participate in
Many English-speaking activities are offered in Toyama Prefecture, including guided tours of Mt. Tateyama, white shrimp fishing experiences, and traditional craft experiences. Guided tours are a great way to break down language barriers for foreign tourists who want to experience local culture on a deeper level.
Local etiquette you should know before traveling
Cultures and customs to be aware of
– Scenes where you need to take off your shoes: You will need to take off your shoes at inns and some restaurants.
– Garbage sorting: Strict rules for sorting garbage
– Quietness in public places: Don't shout on the train or in restaurants.
– No tipping culture: Tipping is generally not required.
By knowing these unique Japanese customs, you can avoid any problems with local people.
Foreigner-friendly tourism infrastructure
Multilingual tourist information center
Toyama Station and other major tourist facilities and roadside stations often have multilingual (English, Chinese, Korean) guide staff on hand, and systems linking with electronic pamphlets and translation apps are also in place.
There are also many free Wi-Fi spots
Free Wi-Fi is available at tourist facilities, stations, downtown areas, roadside stations, and other locations, providing an environment where foreign tourists can instantly check information.
Toyama Prefecture's future tourism strategy
Initiatives to attract inbound tourists
Toyama Prefecture is promoting "sustainable tourism," "community-based experiences," and "digital tourism" in order to further increase the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan. The prefecture is also attracting attention as a port of call for large-scale cruise ships and developing tourism resources that can be enjoyed by individual travelers.
summary
Toyama Prefecture is not yet well known as a tourist destination, but it is a hidden gem where you can experience the unique and profound Japanese culture. Just hearing about the breathtaking views of the Tateyama mountain range, exploring the natural beauty of Kurobe Gorge, the Gokayama Gassho-style villages, a World Heritage Site, and even the fresh seafood of Toyama Bay will surely whet your appetite. The development of infrastructure for foreign tourists is improving year by year, making this region undoubtedly one to be named as one of Japan's best travel destinations. We hope that this article will serve as a guide for foreign travelers to Toyama Prefecture and help convey the depth and beauty of Japanese culture.
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