Toyama

A series of small cultural museums. Each of them is in a traditional house and they feature a large number of crafts, tools, toys and furniture. There is also a beautiful shop full of traditional Toyama clay crafts made on the premises.

Also known as the "Hills of 500 Buddhas", is next to the Toyama Folk Village. Even from a short distance away, nothing is visible but a few trees and a small, dilapidated temple. When you get closer however, you find yourself surrounded by hundreds of eerie and atmospheric Buddha statues, dressed in multi-colored ribbons. The statues are disciples of Buddha.

A small residence dating from the 15th century, and Toyama Castle Park, are a short walk south from the station. Along the way are showcases of local artworks.

From which you can see the whole city.

To see some pre-war Japan and get a taste of Toyama's shipping history, take a walk through Iwase town. Take the lightrail to Higashi Iwase to visit the Mori residence (1878), or to Iwasehama for the beach.

A ten-minute walk north from Toyama Station, this large park is split by a large canal from which some sightseeing boats arrive and depart. A bridge crossing over the canal provides panoramic views of the area. The park also has a Starbucks Cafe that has been recognized as the most beautiful store of the Seattle-based chain.

One of the highlights of a trip to Toyama is a riverboat ride around the center of the city. The 30-minute round-trip cruise is extremely popular (and charges extra) in spring when the cherry trees above the river are in bloom. Boats leave at regular intervals from a stand next to Toyama Castle. Tours in Japanese, but when the boat has only English speakers they have a prerecorded audio guide they can play. You can also book additional activities such as making artistic sushi rolls to eat on the cruise, or trying your hand at shamisen music and listening to a performance on the boat.