Top Things to do in Toyama Prefecture
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10 Things to do in Toyama Prefecture That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Toyama Prefecture, Japan including Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Zuiryuji Temple, Ainokura Gassho Community, Kurobe Gorge, Kurobe Dam, Toyama Glass Art Museum, Amaharashi Coast, Cross Land Oyabe, Himi Banyagai, Kurobe Gorge Railway.
Restaurants in Toyama Prefecture
1. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,028 reviews
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine (pronounced “Alpen”) Route is known as the “Roof of Japan”. The route passes through the dynamic scenery of Mt. Tateyama in the Japan Alps. It is traversed using a variety of vehicles with an elevation change of 2400 meters from Toyama Prefecture to Nagano Prefecture.
Reviewed By sweetie_inc - Singapore, Singapore
I bought a local tour via Viator and went there with my 6yo daughter. The tour was travelling East direction, from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station. We noticed that there is lesser crowd if u start from Ogizawa to Tateyama when we were there in May 2018. The snow wall was by far the highlight though all the other points were very beautiful. Also the ropeway with 360 degree views of the snow clad mountains on all sides was a beauty. I would highly recommend this to everyone visiting Japan, and especially in April when the snow wall is at its highest point. We wish that we have more time at the Murodo as my daughter loves playing with snow and the walk along the snow wall was very amazing.
2. Zuiryuji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 285 reviews
Reviewed By NigelG407 - Singapore, Singapore
I had a most remarkable visit to this temple. The heritage masterpiece of Takaoka. The temple was constructed by the third head of the Kaga Domain, as the family temple of founder of Takaoka Maeda Toshinaga. Typical Zen layout with Sanmon Gate and Budsiden Main Hall. The complex is a dedicated National Treasure. Lots of awe inspiring architecture to see here. Manicured lawns so impressive. Entry is 500yen. I asked on my way out if they could call a taxi so I could return to my hotel. Much to my surprised they brought the temple van and took me to my hotel, refusing to take any payment for the journey. Such kindness. I am very much indebted to their kindness and consideration.
3. Ainokura Gassho Community
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 291 reviews
Reviewed By sarahl588 - Brisbane, Australia
I read about Ainokura in Lonely Planet and from that point on I made sure that I had to go out to visit there. I stayed in Toyama, not far from the train station, hired a car for the day and drove out to Ainokura. It was so worth it! It's such a beautiful village and was a beautiful way to experience traditional Japanese hospitality and living. It really is a must! It's like you've stepped back in time into a fairytale. Make sure you visit the Gokayama tourist information centre and Murakami House before you make the drive to Ainokura. When you're at the visitor centre make sure you put a sticker on the map of where you're from, my family were the first visitors from Samoa to place a sticker there.
4. Kurobe Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By Lanitooots
I like that you get to enjoy nature at its best just by sitting on a train. This activity is perfect specially for those who travel with kids and seniors. The sceneries are so breathtaking... we get to see the different autumn colors. We also get to see some monkeys along the way. It is best to enjoy the ride by taking the "open-air" car. They also allow change of cars and sched in their ticket counters as long as seats are available. Do not forget to explore the Unazuki Station before riding the train. There is an observatory deck near the car park where you can see the top view of Yamabiko Bridge and we almost did not see the blue stairs between the Unazuki Station and the car park where you can go down and have the perfect view of the old and new Yamabiko Bridge. It is the perfect spot for taking the photo of the train passing through the bridge. This activity is perfect for all ages!
5. Kurobe Dam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 757 reviews
Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea
Over the space of a few days, I managed to extract the maximum value from a JR Central Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area 5-Day Pass by making two separate visits to the Kurobe Dam; each from opposing directions. The first visit (from Toyama) was memorable for the sheer variety of transport; the Toyama Chiho Railway Alpine Route, Tateyama Cable Car, Tateyama Highland Bus, Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus, Tateyama Ropeway & Kurobe Cable Car. Each mode of transport unique and entertaining in its' own right, and having set-off from Toyama before 08:00am on a day that started overcast with a light drizzle, it was only fitting that my first glimpse of Kurobe Lake and Dam (some 3 1/2 hours later) was in the exhilarating descent from the zero visibility of Daikanbo on the Tateyama Ropeway into the beautiful sunshine that bathed Kurobe Dam. Limiting myself to only an hour at the Dam, I headed back on the long trek to Toyama. With the improved visiblity, I was able to spend more time at each of the interchanges (e.g.: Kurobedaira, Daikanbo & Murodo), viewing and photographing the sights/scenery. 2-days later I revisited Kurobe Dam; this time from the Shinano-Omachi side. The Dam can be reached from Matsumoto in a little over 2-hrs using JR Oito Line, Local Bus & Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. Arriving from Ogizawa by Electric Bus, you are faced with a choice; walking in a general downward direction to the tunnel entrance at top-of-dam-level (est. 5-mins), or ascending up some steps to the Dam Observation Deck (est. 7-mins). I would recommend the latter as it gives by far the best vantage point to view the dam itself and the ability to then descend the external stairs back to top-of-dam-level and the Rainbow Terrace below that. The shorter journey to the dam from the Shinano-Omachi side is less interesting that the journey from Toyama but enabled more time to be spent at the dam itself as well as the opportunity to revisit the Tateyama Ropeway up to Daikanbo (the highlight of my visit 2-days before). Despite spending 2-hrs at the Kurobe Dam, I wished in hindsight that I had spent longer and explored the Kurobe Lake further. Maybe next time!
6. Toyama Glass Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 323 reviews
Reviewed By BlueTak - Frankfurt, Germany
Colourful visual spectacle from the permanent "Glass Art Garden" exhibition on the top floor by Dale Chihuly (American Glass Sculpture). Works are dotted around on the 6th floor. Cost of entry is Y200 for adults / Y170 for kids. The building itself is architecturally stunning, and has a cafe/small gift shop on the 1st floor. Many of the other floors are temporary exhibits or function rooms, and they also house a small public library. The museum was voted by TripAdvisor commentary/word of mouth count as top to visit in 2019 (came 13th). Worth a short visit!
7. Amaharashi Coast
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 196 reviews
Reviewed By NigelG407 - Singapore, Singapore
Absolutely impressive coast line between Takaoka and Himi. Can be observed from the train or explored on foot by alighting at one of the stations. The journey by train does not last so long adjacent to the sea, but it’s certainly worth a ride. Remember the windows of the train carriage open upwards completely if you want to take photos. Makes for a nice half day excursion. Himi at the end of the train ride is generally uninteresting.
8. Cross Land Oyabe
9. Himi Banyagai
10. Kurobe Gorge Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 416 reviews
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