Top Things to do in Toyama Prefecture
Countries
What to do and see in Toyama Prefecture, Chubu: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
Discover the best top things to do in Toyama Prefecture, Japan including Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Zuiryuji Temple, Yuki no Otani (Snow Wall), Ainokura Gassho Community, Kurobe Dam, Kurobe Gorge, Shomyo Falls, Mikurigaike Pond, Gokayama, Fugan Unga Kansui Park.
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. Yuki no Otani (Snow Wall)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Yuki no Otani (Snow Wall) is the highlight of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in spring. "Yuki no Otani" would be open from middle of April to late of June and you can walk along the walls during the festival. This snow wall is located in Murodo where is 2,450m above the sea level and it reaches about 20m some times. Of course, this is the best photo spot!! ※Please note this event would be cancelled if the weather is bad.
Reviewed By shlomit100 - Nagano, Japan
Spectacular during April - May. Very impressive. Was there during the corona season, so very few people. I was there before, much less enjoyable with lots of tourists around...
4. 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.
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. 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!
7. Shomyo Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Shomyo Falls falls 350m and the difference in elevation is biggest in Japan. That's why it looks so powerful and it is valuable to see it. In autumn from late October to early November, Shomyo Falls are sYou can see a small part of Shomyo Falls from the parking space, but you should go to observation deck by walking about 30 minutes to see whole of the fall.urrounded by colorful leaves. This autumn season would be crowded, so sometimes it is difficult to find empty parking space in weekend. Besides, you can not go to Shomyo Falls from late Novemver to Spring because the road to there would be closed. You can see a small part of Shomyo Falls from the parking space, but you should go to observation deck by walking about 30 minutes to see whole of the fall.
Reviewed By unescotravelbug - Wooster, United States
Shomyo Falls situated in Tateyama, Toyama Prefecture, is considered the tallest waterfall in Japan by the period of running water and is one of the significant attractions of Tateyama Kuorbe Alpine Route. Shomyo Falls can be accessed by Tateyama’s sightseeing bus at outside of Toyama Chiho Railway Tateyama Station during the Spring to late Fall season when Alpine Route is opened to the visitors. Each year after the heavy snow begins to melt in the late Spring, visitors can view the magnificent scenes of high-volume water continuingly rushing down from 350 meters high above, created thundering effects and colorful rainbow sights on the sunny days. Hannoki Falls flows down beside it actually situated at the higher position at 497 meters but waterfalling is only limited to April through July due to the origin of the melting snow from Midagahara plateau wet land. It’s paired with Shomyo Fall as a twin-waterfall. The winter heavy snow sometimes would cause the Somen Waterfall to appear to the right of the Hannoki Falls after the snow melted. If you visit at the right time you might be able to catch such extraordinary phenomenon that three waterfalls are seen spontaneously flowing down beside each other. There are two separate viewing decks and a covered rest area where you can watch the waterfalls up close, but you must take stone steps going up which can be a challenging task for people with mobility concerns. After you get off the final bus stop there is a rest area and toilet facility. To reach the Falls from the bus stop you can enjoy approx. 30 min. scenic walk with the stream of rushing water and lush greenery or autumn foliage along the way. You will see the famous part of the mountain range in this area appeared to be in shear cut bold cliff faces due to the volcanic erosion. Shomyo Falls National Park is closed during winter but other three seasons’ natural scenery are not to be missed. Bus ride from Tateyama Chiho Railway Station is about 15 minutes served by Tateyama Kurobe Kankou (TKK) bus, and then 30 minutes by foot. Bus service schedules between the Falls and Tateyama Station are infrequent so be sure to keep track of time during the visit. The bus fare is 500 yens each way. I highly recommend that you include the Shomyo Falls visit as part of your Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route itineraries if time allowed. It’s difficult to manage the Alpine Routes and Shomyo Falls all in one day. So I recommend that you either stay extra day in Tateyama (which is a small charming town with relaxing atmosphere and plenty of greenery) or Toyama and make it a half day trip before or after the Alpine Route journey.
8. Mikurigaike Pond
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Mikurigaike Pond is a volcanic lake in Murodo that looks like a symbol of Tateyama. The circumference of the pond is 631m and there is a walking path, so you can walk in about an hour. You may see Raicho bird which is Japan Natural Monument near the pond. It is completely covered with snow from April to June.
Reviewed By AndyDingo
One of the stops on the Alpine railway. We did a day trip from Toyama. To get here it is via train, cable-way and bus. Note it is not open during winter.
