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JAPALENS CITY GUIDE

Toyama travel guide

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the Kurobe Gorge Railway and Toyama Bay’s glowing firefly squid and fresh fish.

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01Tateyama Kurobe Alpine RouteFor snow walls and dam views.02Kurobe GorgeFor a scenic open-car train ride.03Toyama CityFor seafood, glass art and a canal park.
Model itinerary ↓Food, stays & transport ↓
Toyama
PLAN YOUR VISIT

A trip with room to explore

Toyama is on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. The alpine route opens from mid-April to November, so check the season before planning.

JapaLens editorial guide · Read in about 5 minutes

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01 / AREA

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

For snow walls and dam views.

A mountain route crossing the Northern Alps by cable car, bus, ropeway and trolley bus. In spring, the Yuki-no-Otani snow walls near Murodo can rise up to about 20 metres, and Kurobe Dam releases water in summer and autumn.

Book tickets in advance in busy periods and carry a warm layer: Murodo is about 2,450 metres high.

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02 / AREA

Kurobe Gorge

For a scenic open-car train ride.

The Kurobe Gorge Railway runs small trolley trains from Unazuki Onsen into one of Japan’s deepest V-shaped gorges, over red bridges and past emerald water.

Operating dates and the section open can change after landslides; check the railway’s notices.

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03 / AREA

Toyama City

For seafood, glass art and a canal park.

Toyama Bay is known for firefly squid in spring and white shrimp. The Toyama Glass Art Museum is in a building by Kengo Kuma, and Fugan Canal Kansui Park is pleasant at dusk.

Trams and the Portram connect the station with the city and the coast.

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A relaxed one-day plan

An editorial route idea, not a timed tour. Adjust it for weather, opening days and your walking pace.

  1. Morning

    Shinkansen to Toyama; visit the Glass Art Museum.

  2. Lunch

    Sushi with fish from Toyama Bay.

  3. Afternoon

    Walk Fugan Canal Kansui Park.

  4. Evening

    Toyama black ramen or white shrimp dishes.

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Before you go

Food

Try firefly squid, white shrimp, masu-zushi trout sushi and Toyama black ramen.

Where to stay

Toyama City is the base for the alpine route; Unazuki Onsen suits a Kurobe Gorge visit.

Getting around

Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama or Kurobe-Unazukionsen. The Toyama Chiho Railway serves Tateyama and Unazuki.