I went on a two-night, three-day trip to Toyama Prefecture. Initially, I planned to use the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route to reach Kurobe Dam, but the round-trip transportation cost from Toyama City to Kurobe Dam was around 20,000 yen, so I decided against it. Instead, I opted to visit Amaharashi Coast to view the Tateyama Mountain Range by switching from Toyama City to the Himi Line in Takaoka City. Additionally, in the southwestern part of the prefecture, there is the world heritage site of Gokayama's gassho-zukuri villages, and in the eastern part of the prefecture, there is the Unazuki Onsen. Toyama Prefecture is a hidden paradise in Hokuriku. (October 30 – November 1, 2023)

Day 1

Depart from JR Osaka: 09:42, Thunderbird 13

Arrive in Kanazawa: 12:20

Depart from Kanazawa: 12:31, Shinkansen Tsurugi 710

Arrive in Toyama: 12:54

After having ramen for lunch at "Toya Marche Noren Yokocho" inside the station, I took the Toyama City Tram, Line 3, which operates in a loop around the city center, to reach my hotel. I got off at Kokusai Kaigijo-mae, dropped off my luggage at the "ANA Crowne Plaza Toyama," and then walked to the observation deck at Toyama City Hall. Unfortunately, the Tateyama Mountain Range was covered in clouds, making visibility poor. I decided to visit again tomorrow and headed to the Fugan Canal Kansui Park instead.

Fugan Canal Kansui Park is an urban park in Toyama City. It features Tenmon Bridge, which spans the canal, and an observation tower that provides a panoramic view of the entire park. There is also a Starbucks Coffee store, making it a popular spot for families and couples. The park is beautifully illuminated after sunset. Before the illumination, I visited the nearby Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design. The museum showcased a diverse range of modern and contemporary art, including works by early 20th-century masters such as Picasso and Chagall, as well as surrealism and abstract art. The admission fee for the collection exhibition is 300 yen.

I returned to Fugan Canal Kansui Park to enjoy the illumination and then had a seafood bowl at "Toya Marche Noren Yokocho" inside Toyama Station. Afterward, I went back to the hotel, concluding today’s sightseeing. [Steps: 19,800]

                                  【ANA Crowne Plaza Toyama】






Day 2
For breakfast at the "ANA Crowne Plaza Toyama," you can choose from Japanese, Western, or buffet options. I opted for the Japanese breakfast, which included firefly squid marinated in soy sauce, squid jerky, tofu, grilled fish (two kinds), tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), kamaboko (fish cake), steamed vegetables, stewed beef tendon and daikon, rice, miso soup, pickles, onsen tamago (hot spring egg), roasted nori (seaweed), and fruit. It was very delicious and a truly blissful experience.
Today's plan was to explore Toyama Castle Ruins Park, visit the Toyama City Hall observation deck, and Iwasehama Beach in the morning. In the afternoon, the main event was to visit Amaharashi Coast to view the Tateyama Mountain Range.
The Toyama Castle Ruins Park is right in front of the hotel. It was the residence of the Maeda clan for about 230 years and is now maintained as a public park. There is also a museum within the park that you can visit. From here, it’s about a 7-minute (500-meter) walk to the Toyama City Hall observation deck. Unlike yesterday, the weather was clear today, allowing me to take some great photos of the distant mountain ranges.
From Toyama Station, I took Line 3 or Line 6 of the streetcar to Iwasehama. Iwasehama prospered as a port for northern ships during the Edo to Meiji periods. Many historically valuable buildings remain, and it was designated a Japanese Heritage site in 2018. I also stopped by the Toyama Port Observation Deck nearby to enjoy the view of the Tateyama Mountain Range. Afterward, I returned to Toyama Station for lunch.
At 13:14, I boarded the "Ainokaze Toyama Railway" to Takaoka and then transferred to the train heading to Amaharashi, arriving at 14:07. The journey took about an hour. Amaharashi Coast is renowned for its beautiful view of the Tateyama Mountain Range across Toyama Bay. In late autumn and early winter, a natural phenomenon called "kigarashi," where mist looks like steam, can sometimes be seen.
Upon exiting the station and heading right, there was a large photo board showcasing the view of the Tateyama Mountain Range from Amaharashi Coast. The coast is a cycling path, and I walked to the viewing spots, but unfortunately, the Tateyama Mountain Range was obscured by clouds, despite the clear weather. Although I was disappointed, it couldn’t be helped.
On the way back, there was a roadside station shaped like a large ship. I returned to Toyama on the 16:14 train. For dinner, I went to the second location of the famous Kurobe restaurant "Hakkaku," which had recently opened in the food hall on the first floor of Marie Toyama. I enjoyed the Tonkotsu set meal (1500 yen), which was very delicious. Afterward, I returned to the hotel, concluding today’s sightseeing. [Steps: 20,000]
                                        【ANA Crowne Plaza Toyama】









Day 3
For breakfast, I chose the buffet option instead of yesterday’s Japanese breakfast. After a relaxed morning at the hotel, I checked out around 10:30. I took my camera and strolled to the station, taking photos of the ginkgo tree-lined streets and buying souvenirs at the station. I then proceeded to return to Osaka.
Departure from Toyama: 12:46 Shinkansen Tsurugi 715
Arrival in Kanazawa: 13:09
Departure from Kanazawa: 13:20 Thunderbird 24
Arrival in Osaka: 16:04