Top Things to do in Toyama Prefecture
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What to do and see in Toyama Prefecture, Chubu: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
Discover the best top things to do in Toyama Prefecture, Japan including Yuki no Otani (Snow Wall), Kurobe Dam, Kurobe Gorge, Shomyo Falls, Fugan Unga Kansui Park, Daikanbo, Murododaira, Tateyama Ropeway, Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design, Kaiomaru Park.
Restaurants in Toyama Prefecture
1. 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...
2. 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!
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. Fugan Unga Kansui Park
6. Daikanbo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Daikanbo is a station located on a cliff. Therefore, you can enjoy magnificent scenery from a terrace in the station. Especially in the middle of October, the best autumn color can be seen from Tateyama Rope-Way between Daikanbo and Kurobedaira.
7. Murododaira
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Murododaira is located at an altitude of 2,450m, it is the center of the Alpine Route and a tourist base. There are magnificent mountains in front of you and a walking path is also in place. You can see beautiful “Mikurigaike Pond” the deepest alpine lake in the Japanese Alps, and “Hell Valley” where you can see volcanic activity. You should feel wonderful nature with great force. Murododaira is covered with snow until June, so you had better to bring snow boots to walk around.
Reviewed By kimitakas - Taichung, Taiwan
Murododaira is a highlight of Kurobe Tateyama alpine route and the final destination of many tourists. Panoramic view of mountains covered with snow is beyond description. It is amazingly beautiful. Such a scenery is like that of Switzerland or Canada. Good is that it is easily accessible for everyone. If you walk around just Murododaira, you don’t need special equipment.
8. Tateyama Ropeway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Tateyama Ropeway is running between Daikanbo station and Kurobeko station with 7 minutes. You can enjoy a large panoramic view on the usual ropeway which is no pillar between stations. Especially, the view from the ropeway is so amazing in autumn season(late Sep~ early Oct).
