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Toyama, the City of Rivers and Glass: 7 Wonderful Must-Visit Places
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Toyama, often called "the Venice of the East", has many wonderful points of interest that reveal the fascinating history and rich culture of the city. This article introduces seven destinations in Toyama that come highly recommended by the locals.
Written by
Tokyo
Ramona, English content editor at MATCHA since 2016, has been practicing ikebana flower arrangement (Ikenobo School) and tea ceremony (Omote Senke) since 2012. She arrived in Japan in 2012 as a graduate student with a focus on Japanese literature and performing arts. As a travel editor and writer, Ramona has visited and documented 40 of Japan's prefectures with a focus on art, history, traditional Japanese crafts, and performing arts.
Toyama city is probably best known for being the gateway to the awe-inspiring Tateyama Mountain Range, also known as Japan's Northern Alps, a popular destination for mountain climbing.
Seven rivers fed by the clear alpine waters cross the city from south to north, flowing into the Sea of Japan. They stand at the origin of Toyama's renown of being a "water city", often called even "the Venice of the East".
Easily accessible from Tokyo, in around 2 hours and 10 minutes by Shinkansen, Toyama is an ideal destination for a leisure trip. With its vibrant culture, delicious local food, and beautiful surroundings, this city is one of Japan's well-kept secrets when it comes to sightseeing destinations.
Because of it being a port city, with waterway access to the southern regions and even to Kyoto, Toyama has been a strategically important area and several feudal lords fought for it during the so-called Warring States Period (15th-16th century). The city flourished in the Edo Period (1603 - 1868) and was especially known for the good quality of the medicine produced locally.
Unfortunately, few traces of Toyama's history can be seen today, as the city was severely damaged during WWII. In fact, 99% of the city was destroyed in the bombings on August 1st, 1945. However, Toyama has risen from the ashes after the war. It is now a modern, majestic city with abundant greenery and many brand new buildings.
Thanks to the flourishing local glass industry, Toyama's buildings have wide glass windows or are made entirely out of glass. This results in an overall brightness and transparency which are enhanced by the clear waters of the rivers, making Toyama an indescribably beautiful, light-filled city.
The Glass Art Museum and Toyama Castle are two famous sightseeing destinations in the city. In addition to those, this article will introduce to you great places to visit and leisure activities in Toyama that are known only to the locals.
1. Matsukawa River Cruises
The best way to start your exploration of Toyama is to go on a Matsukawa River Cruise - a leisure boat ride on Matsukawa River, which flows right through the heart of the city. Matsukawa is a branch of the larger Jinzu River (*Jinzu means "the path of the gods"), which connects the Northern Alps with the Sea of Japan.
Both sides of the river are lined with cherry trees, making these river cruises a most sought-after leisure activity in spring. In the summer, the emerald-like color of the surrounding greenery offers just the right amount of freshness for one to overcome the heat. While in the autumn, the passengers get to go through a tunnel of warm, beautiful fall colors against the background of the city.
* The river cruises are not held in the winter months from December through mid-March. Check the official schedule for details.
During the 30-minute ride on Matsukawa River, the boatman will tell you the story of Toyama - how it flourished during the age of the shoguns (1603 - 1868) and into the modern era, and how it rose from the ashes after WWII.
The tale of the city is told with vivid details and humor worthy of an old storyteller. Before you know it, the way you look at the city will change because of the boatman's story and you'll find yourself looking at each bridge and each building as a symbol of Toyama's revival.
Each bridge along Matsukawa has its own story and features associated with an episode in the history of the city.
Not only historical landmarks, the bridges are extremely visually pleasing too, offering views that can be only enjoyed on a leisurely river cruise.
The river cruise boats can also be reserved for private dinner events. If you come in a group and wish to enjoy the best of Toyama cuisine in the special atmosphere of a candle-lit boat cruise, do consider the Matsukawa River Cruises. You will make wonderful memories of the water city!
The place where you can purchase tickets and make reservations for the river cruises is Matsukawa Chaya, a tea room by the river in Toyama Castle Park.
At Matsukawa Chaya, you can rest during your explorations of the city, while enjoying a light meal or sweets and drinks.
This facility houses the Taki Rentaro Memorial Museum, a collection of objects and documents related to composer Taki Rentaro who spent a part of his youth in Toyama. Taki died very young, at the age of 23, of tuberculosis, but is remembered as an extremely talented pianist and prolific composer. "Kojo no tsuki" ("The Moon in the Heights"), one of the best-known songs composed by Taki, is said to have been inspired by the landscape of Toyama.
His story and many others related to Toyama await you on the Matsukawa River Cruises. Please check the information below for details on how you can embark on one of these memorable boat trips.
2. Toyama Municipal Folk Museum
The Toyama Municipal Folk Museum is located within the main tower of Toyama Castle, which was partly rebuilt after the war. Through the exhibitions on the first and second floors, visitors can learn about the history of Toyama, from the earliest settlements in the area until the modern period.
Toyama Castle was built in 1543 and its history, which spans over four centuries, is quite fascinating. The location of the castle and the city that developed around it made it strategically important during the late medieval times (the last half of the 16th century). As a result, Toyama often ended up being the battleground of the powerful feudal leaders who were disputing their authority during those times.
The maps and other exhibits on display show the tumultuous history of the castle before the Edo period (1603 - 1868), as well as how the city thrived in the latter half of the 17th century and afterward, until the Meiji period (1868 - 1912). By 1873, the castle was abandoned and its ruins gradually left the place to the modern city of Toyama to develop. The main tower of the castle, which can be seen today in the heart of the city, was built as a symbol of revival after WWII.
The area surrounding the museum is the Toyama Castle Park, a recreational space for the citizens, full of seasonal flowers and plants that enchant the eye. The park includes a beautiful Japanese garden, where visitors can enjoy exquisite miniature landscapes of the mountains and the sea.
3. Ikedaya Yasubeie Shoten
Toyama is famous for its production of medicine, an industry that has flourished in this area since the 17th century. During the Edo era (1603 - 1868), medicine sellers used to travel from Toyama to all the regions of the country to sell their products.
One of the pharmacies that have been in business ever since the Edo era is Ikedaya Yasubeie, renowned for producing Hangontan, a medicine effective against stomach pain and digestive disorders. Hangontan and all the medicine made by Ikeda Yasubeie follow the principles of traditional Chinese medicine , being produced with organic ingredients.
At the main store of Ikeda Yasubeie, which is located in the heart of the city, visitors can see a display of traditional tools, as well as containers and drawers with hundreds of ingredients used for making medicine. Several times a day, a member of the staff explains how Hangontan is made and even performs a demonstration. The visitors are invited to try their hand at cutting the medicine using traditional tools.
The first floor of the store is also a shop where the medicine, herbal teas, and other pharmaceutical products made at Ikedaya Yasubeie can be purchased.
The second floor of the store is occupied by Kenkozen Yakuto, a dining space specialized in healthy dishes made based on the old Chinese principle that food itself is a type of medicine. All the ingredients used in preparing these dishes are chosen with the utmost care, creating a well-balanced combination that is believed to have good effects on the body.
Customers can choose between 2000 yen courses and 3000 yen courses. Please note that a prior reservation is needed for a meal at Kenkozen Yakuto.
4. Toyama Glass Art Museum
The glass industry is another representative branch of Toyama's culture and economy. It has developed since the Edo period, in close connection to the local pharmaceutical production, as glass containers were needed in order to store the medicine. As a result, Toyama is home to several glass art studios.
At the Toyama Glass Art Museum, visitors can enjoy exhibitions of the finest glass artwork made by artists from all around Japan and from overseas. In addition to the temporary exhibitions which display the latest developments in glass art, there is also a permanent exhibition dedicated to the world history of glass art and crafts.
The Toyama Glass Art Museum occupies the floors between the 2nd and the 6th of TOYAMA KIRARI, a complex designed by architect Kuma Kengo. In addition to the museum, the building contains the Toyama City Library and an elegant cafe with a view over the city.
For more information on the features and highlights of the Toyama Glass Art Museum, please refer to our articles:
Toyama Glass Art Museum: The Beauty of Kengo Kuma's Architecture
Toyama Glass Art Museum: Contemporary Glass Art Exhibitions
Once you reach Toyama, after enjoying sightseeing in and around the city, you will probably want to try some of the local dishes. Toyama is renowned for the quality of its seafood, rice, and vegetables, as well as for its local sweets. The facilities introduced below are places where you can actually taste Toyama's specialties and even purchase them as souvenirs.
5. Umekama Museum U-mei Kan
One of Toyama's specialties is kamaboko, a product made of kneaded fish paste. Umekama is Toyama's leading brand in kamaboko production, being in business since the early days of the 20th century.
Kamaboko itself has a long tradition in Japan, being enjoyed since ancient times. It is made of fish meat that has been minced and ground with spices, then shaped and steamed. At the Umekama Museum U-mei kan, the visitors can hear a short explanation of how kamaboko is made, of its history, and of its high nutritional value.
You also get to see the making process of decorative kamaboko products, such as red snapper-shaped kamaboko, which is popular as a gift on congratulatory occasions.
A great variety of kamaboko products lines the shelves of the Umekama shop. The konbu (seaweed) kamaboko rolls are a popular choice, being the favorite of the locals, who consume it on a daily basis. On the other hand, the sophisticated decorative kamaboko products make gorgeous souvenirs that are also very tasty.
Please keep in mind that kamaboko products have a shelf life of at least one week provided that they are kept in the refrigerator until served.
When in Toyama, do pay a visit to the Umekama Museum and taste their delicious kamaboko products. They offer precious insights on the food culture that developed in Japanese port cities such as Toyama.
6. Shimakawa Ame Shop
Candy made of malt syrup is another specialty of Toyama. Because it reduced the bitterness of medicine, malt syrup was put to pharmaceutical use in the old days. In close connection to Toyama's pharmaceutical industry, shops making candy out of malt syrup thrived in the area, ever since the Edo period.
Shimakawa Ame was opened as a branch shop of Shimakawa Seitai, a candy factory specialized in malt syrup products whose roots go back to 1663.
At Shimakawa Ame, visitors can learn about the stages of making candy from malt syrup through the pictures displayed in the shop. You can also sample the two main types of malt candy - mizuame (malt syrup), which can be enjoyed as is or used to sweeten drinks and foods, and solid malt candy, which comes in a variety of flavors.
What makes malt candy a long time favorite of customers of all ages is its moderate sweetness. Although it's candy, its natural, delicate sweetness doesn't make one thirsty. If you're looking for a souvenir that's representative of Toyama, the malt candy at Shimakawa Ame is one of the best choices.
7. Tsuki Sekai Confectionery
Tsuki Sekai is a famous sweets manufacturing company based in Toyama, boasting a history spanning over one century. Their refined sweets have fans all around Japan, who love them for their soft texture that melts in one's mouth.
Their main store, located in the center of Toyama City, offers many types of confectionery made at Tsuki Sekai, including the sophisticated sweets used in tea ceremony.
Their signature items are the "Tsuki Sekai" confections made with fresh eggs and wasanbon (refined Japanese sugar). Inspired by the "world on the Moon" which stands at the origin of their name, these sweets have a softness that is almost surreal. They are sure to bring joy to anyone who receives them as a gift.
Bonus! Stay in Toyama - Hotel Grand Terrace Toyama
With so much to explore and enjoy in Toyama, it is well worth staying overnight in the city. If you're looking for accommodation in Toyama, we can recommend Hotel Grand Terrace Toyama, which is conveniently located 10 minutes away by foot from JR Toyama Station.
Hotel Grand Terrace Toyama offers spacious rooms with a view over the city and toward the impressive Tateyama Mountain Range. English-speaking staff is positioned 24 hours a day at the reception desk and they will be happy to help you with information on what there is to enjoy in the city.
The beautiful, artistic interior of the lobby, which makes full use of Toyama's refined glass art, makes it an ideal place for meetings or for time spent leisurely reading a newspaper or admiring the works of art on display.
You will most surely enjoy your time at Grand Terrace Toyama, which brings the best that the area has to offer when it comes to architecture, interior design, art, and cuisine.
Enjoy Your Trip to Toyama!
Toyama has always been a popular destination for mountain climbing enthusiasts who would take on the challenge of hiking the Tateyama Mountains. However, Toyama City itself offers so much to explore and experience, as we have hopefully shown in this article.
Starting with the Matsukawa River Cruises, which are a great way to get acquainted with the story of the city, every place you visit in Toyama will offer insights into the fascinating culture and history of the area.
Ramona, English content editor at MATCHA since 2016, has been practicing ikebana flower arrangement (Ikenobo School) and tea ceremony (Omote Senke) since 2012. She arrived in Japan in 2012 as a graduate student with a focus on Japanese literature and performing arts. As a travel editor and writer, Ramona has visited and documented 40 of Japan's prefectures with a focus on art, history, traditional Japanese crafts, and performing arts.
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