2025 Takaoka Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Hey everyone! Today, I'm sharing an amazing 2-day trip to Toyama Prefecture, focusing on capturing breathtaking snowy mountain views! I happened to visit during a rare stretch of clear winter skies in Toyama. I took the train directly from Kyoto to Toyama Station, kicking off my snow mountain photography adventure. Over the weekend, I managed to photograph the mountains from every angle. 1️⃣ Preparation: Toyama's official website offers Tateyama scenery forecasts and 24-hour live camera feeds. I finalized my trip the day before departure after seeing an 80% and 60% chance of clear views of Tateyama over the weekend. 2️⃣ Iwasehama Area: Take the Toyama Tram directly from JR Toyama Station. Here, you can capture photos of the beach and fishing bridge with the snowy mountains as a backdrop. It's relatively less crowded, allowing you to fully enjoy the scenery and photography. 3️⃣ Glass Art Museum Area: Stunning snow mountain views can be captured from the road in front of the Glass Art Museum. 4️⃣ Toyama City Hall Observation Deck: This is the most recommended viewing spot in Toyama City. You can enjoy a free 360-degree panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains from the observation deck, tens of meters high. It's earned the nickname "Toyama's Premium Viewing Seat." 5️⃣ Fugan Canal Park: Within walking distance from Toyama Station, the canal's connecting bridge features two three-story towers. Here, you can capture the perfect combination of the canal, Starbucks, and the snowy mountains. 6️⃣ Inside Toyama Station: You can also capture unique perspectives of the snowy mountains from within the station. The following are attractions in the Takaoka area, easily accessible by train from Toyama. 7️⃣ Amaharashi Coast: This is arguably one of Toyama's most famous spots. Watching the sunset at Amaharashi allows you to capture the snow-capped mountains bathed in golden light – absolutely stunning! 8️⃣ Manyo Line Tram: I woke up early the next day to catch the first Manyo Line tram from Takaoka. Near Shinminato, I witnessed a beautifully layered sunrise against the backdrop of the snowy mountains – simply breathtaking! 9️⃣ Kaiwomaru Area: From the Shinminato Bridge observation deck, the Coast Guard ship, and the Kaiwomaru, you can witness the sunrise over the snowy mountains. Each location offers unique photo opportunities. 🔟 Himi Area: Himi is just two stops from Amaharashi on the Amaharashi Line. Unlike Amaharashi and Iwasehama, Himi Coast features a long breakwater and offers views of the Shinminato Bridge in the distance, providing excellent photo opportunities. Bonus Hidden Gem: Bell Monta Sightseeing Train Every Sunday, two Bell Monta sightseeing trains run between Himi, Amaharashi, and Takaoka. Compared to the often-dirty windows of regular Himi Line trains, the sightseeing train's windows are cleaner and larger. The driver even makes a special stop midway at Amaharashi for passengers to take photos. Enjoy this experience for just the regular fare plus a 530 yen reserved seat fee.

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 As you leave Takaoka Station and head toward Takaoka Castle, you can see the Takaoka Great Buddha, one of the three largest Buddha statues in Japan, from afar. Takaoka itself is a place with a developed foundry industry, and Takaoka bronze ware is famous throughout the country. Therefore, with the combined efforts of various industries, the rare Amitabha Buddha statue was completed. The bronze Buddha is 16 meters tall and took 26 years to cast. He sits on a lotus seat with his hands in meditation, looking solemn and dignified. You can enter the interior of the Buddha's base and visit it, which houses many paintings and Buddha statues. However, the space is not large, so you can just walk around and come out. #ToyamaTravel #TakaokaCity #TakaokaDafo

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 Zuiganji Temple is the only national treasure temple in Toyama Prefecture, located in Takaoka City. If you want to go to the Ameharu Coast, you must change trains in Takaoka and take a tour of this temple, which represents the ascetic tradition of Japanese Zen Buddhism and the customs and customs of the Edo period. The main gate and mountain gate of Ruilong Temple are tall and majestic, with two majestic and angry Vajra statues standing on both sides of the gate. After crossing the two gates, you will reach the pure land of the temple. There is a statue of Sakyamuni enshrined in the courtyard. The wall reliefs are of different styles, which are mixed and integrated with each other, making the temple particularly magnificent. The ticket price is ¥500. If you want to drink tea in the teahouse, you can buy a combined ticket for ¥900. Chinese maps and explanations are provided. Zuiryuji Temple has an inseparable relationship with the Maeda family, so the family crest decorated with plum petals can be seen everywhere. #ToyamaTravel #TakaokaCity #Zuiryuji Temple

I thought Kamakura was beautiful enough, until I came to Amaharashi Coast🎉Attraction Name: Amaharashi Coast ✈Address: Ota, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture 🔍Worth seeing 🌈White sandy beaches, green pine forests, and azure seawater. Stroll along the beach, enjoy the gentle sea breeze, and feel the comfort and joy. 🌈The famous general Minamoto no Yoshitsune once sheltered from the rain under a rock on the shore, waiting for the sky to clear. Later generations named the rock Yoshitsune Rock, also known as Amaharashi Rock, in his memory. You can see the rock where he sheltered from the rain. 🌈Trains run along the coastline here. Choose a window seat and enjoy the magnificent view of the Tateyama Mountain Range and Onna Iwa Rock. 🌈Distant mountains, early mornings, sea fog, and sunrise create a breathtaking wonderland. The beautiful scenery of mountains and waters complementing each other is truly unforgettable! 🌈Another must-see is the sunset view from the mountaintop, where you can encounter romantic sunsets. ❤The chance to see the mountain range from the sea is a rare and precious opportunity. The best viewing months are from November to March. Train services are limited, so please check the timetable in advance if you plan to visit. 🌄 Experience: · Visit the seaside on a sunny day and admire the Sea of Japan up close 🍂🌼 · Take stunning photos of Onna Iwa Rock with Mt. Tsurugi in the background 🏞📸 · Explore the Noto Peninsula 🏝🚶‍♂ 📷「Nearby Attractions」: · Visit the World Heritage villages of Suganuma and Ainokura 📸🏞 · Check in at Kurobe Dam, Japan's highest dam 💧📸 · Visit the 20-meter-high snow wall corridor in Tateyama Kurobe ❄🚶‍♂ · Climb the Tateyama Mountain Range and visit the crater lake 🌋🏞🚠 🚗 Transportation: · By car 🚗: Get off the highway at Takaoka Interchange and drive for 15 minutes 🛣 · By train 🚆: Take the JR Himi Line to Amaharashi Station and walk for 5 minutes 🚉

The main reason for traveling to Toyama Prefecture is to avoid the tourist hotspots like Kyoto and Tokyo! Due to the overwhelming number of tourists, their service attitude has shown a noticeable decline. Especially in Kyoto!!! Foreign tourists in Toyama Prefecture are significantly fewer, much less than in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture next door. In Toyama Prefecture, besides checking in at Takaoka City, the hometown of Doraemon's author, there is a place I recommend again and again. It is the Amaharashi Coast and the train running along the coast. If you are lucky, you can see the distant Tateyama Mountain Range. Unfortunately, I didn't see it this time. Fortunately, I have seen it before when I was lucky. If you really want to see the Tateyama Mountain Range, it is recommended to visit from January to March every year, when you can also see the snow on the mountain range! 🚃Transportation: Take the Himi Line train from JR Takaoka Station, get off at Amaharashi Station, and walk for less than 5 minutes to reach.

Take the Himi Line in Toyama to Amaharashi, where you can see the ocean and the mountains. At the Amaharashi Roadside Station, you can enjoy stylish drinks and ice cream. Enjoy the ocean breeze during your summer vacation.

Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture is the hometown of manga artist Fujiko F. Fujio, and there is a statue of Doraemon in the square across the road from Takaoka Station. I took a photo with Doraemon and Dorami-chan. If you go by train, the ticket gates at Takaoka Station are on the second floor, so you can either go to the Furushiro Park side, take the escalator down to the first floor, and cross the road to the square, or you can cross the road from the second floor. 1-8 Suehirocho, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture Doraemon's Walking Path #Free Spot

A roadside station on Amaharashi Coast in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture It's a new building with a great view, making it a great photo spot. There's a shop and observation terrace on the second floor, and an observation deck on the third floor. It was very crowded when I went, and you had to wait a while for the parking lot. Amaharashi Roadside Station 24-74 Ota, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture #Free Spot

The station was named "Amahare" because of the rock where Minamoto no Yoshitsune waited for the rain to stop. This place also appears in the music video of Yorushika, a popular singer among young people. There is only a beach nearby and no shops, but there were many tourists, mainly young people. We were blessed with good weather and had a very pleasant time. #2021c #FreeSpot

Amaharashi Beach, a popular spot in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture If the weather is good, you can see beautiful scenery. You can get to the beach from the Amaharashi Roadside Station by crossing the railroad crossing. It is an inland sea of ​​Toyama Bay, and if the weather is good, you can get a full view of the Tateyama mountain range. We highly recommend this place when sightseeing in Toyama. #FreeSpot

This is a factory and gallery run by the casting company "Nosaku." As soon as you enter, you'll see an exhibition of colorful castings and casting molds. The factory has apparently relocated relatively recently, but the building and interior are very modern. I think it is playing a major role in promoting tourism in the sense that it gets people interested in castings, who are attracted to the stylish and exciting space. The casting wind chimes are hung with construction paper cutouts that give a glimpse of the artist's sense, which makes you feel happy. And the icing on the cake is the stylish cafe attached to the shop. The view is also wonderful, making you feel like it was worth coming. It was like a factory in a #themepark. #2021c

I went to Takaoka Castle Park in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture. Because it was autumn foliage season, the parking lot was very crowded and we had to wait. It seems there are multiple parking lots, and the one I went to was small, so it might have been better to park somewhere else. #autumnfoliage #maple

First visit. All the museums I wanted to visit were closed, so I had to rearrange my itinerary and added this place. I didn't have high expectations, but it turned out to be very good. Especially the Zendo in the fifth photo. I've posted an explanatory photo in the sixth photo, and as it says, it's a room for practicing Zen, and it was my first time seeing such a room. Even an amateur could tell that the air was different from the other rooms, and although the temple was in a quiet area as a whole, this room had an even deeper silence, or rather, a unique atmosphere. I'm amazed at the wisdom of the people of the past, as the walls and ceilings were designed to keep the same brightness throughout the day. This is a place I would definitely recommend visiting. #2021c #Shrine #Temple and Shrine

Takaoka Otogi no Mori Park in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture This is a large park with a mascot statue of a Doraemon character inside, but there is also an observation deck that you can climb for free. There is also an elevator. The Shinkansen overpass is nearby, so if you're lucky, you might even be able to see the Shinkansen passing by. It was raining when I went, but if the weather is good, you can see the distant mountains and the view looks good. Address: 11-29 Otemachi, Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture #Free Spot

I went to Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture to see the Takaoka Daibutsu, one of the three biggest Buddha statues in Japan. I was surprised to see it in the middle of town. I went there by car, but we had to go through narrow streets, and there was a free parking lot. Address: 11-29 Otemachi, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture #Free Spot

I went to Imizu Shrine, located in Takaoka Castle Park, which is associated with Maeda Toshinaga, the first lord of the Kaga domain, in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture. The shrine is large, and perhaps because it was the autumn foliage season, it was crowded with people. Address: 1-1 Furushiro, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture #Shrine

In Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, there are statues of characters from Doraemon. Doraemon, Dorami, Gian, Shizuka, and Suneo. It's a free park, and it was crowded with many families, and Doraemon and his friends were very popular. Location 1342 Sano, Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture Takaoka Otogi no Mori Park #Free Spot

●Name Amahara Roadside Station ●Access It is located between Takaoka City and Himi City, so we recommend traveling by car to this roadside station You can also take the JR Himi Line and get off at Amahara Station ●Points This roadside station offers a beautiful view of the Tateyama mountain range over Toyama Bay There are restaurants and cafes that use local ingredients, and a wide variety of local specialties are sold In front of the roadside station is the rock "Yoshitsune Rock" where Minamoto no Yoshitsune waited for the rain to clear on his way to Oshu, which is the origin of the place name "Amahara" Otomo no Yakamochi, a poet of the Manyoshu, also visited this place several times and is famous for composing many poems here The majestic view of the snow-covered Tateyama mountain range and Toyama Bay is wonderful Himi is also famous for its winter yellowtail, but it is also a region with very delicious seafood and you can enjoy the food #Toyama #Seaside scenery #Breathtaking scenery #Breathtaking scenery

One of the most distinctive places in the area is the metal manufacturing industry. Many of the Japanese factory's mold prototypes are from here. You can not only enjoy the close-up of how these original embryos are made, but also try to make one's own unique ones. The metal accompaniment is quite special. At the time of production, it is necessary to wear the specified overalls for safety reasons. The middle part is a little close to the plasticine. The last part is to take out the original grinding tool and pour tin water (melting point 450°). It seems to have no temperature. Tin water, don't touch it, wait for the staff to complete the pouring, put the finished product into cold water, and take it out again, it is still very pleasant.

This is a popular izakaya in Takaoka 🍺 It opens from 3 PM, so you can start drinking early‼ They offer a variety of Toyama's local specialties, and every dish was absolutely delicious✨ Especially, their homemade firefly squid pickled in soy sauce was the best I've ever tasted‼ The counter seating has a nostalgic and relaxing atmosphere, and the staff are lively, making the dining experience very pleasant‼ Since it's a popular spot, reservations are recommended♪ 【Name】Izakaya Takamasa 【Address】42 Suehiro-cho, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, 933-0023

The Takaoka Great Buddha is one of the three great Buddhas of Japan, along with the Great Buddhas of Nara and Kamakura. It is also a symbol of Takaoka, and the locals call it "Daibutssan" with affection and respect. The Great Buddha is very impressive, has a beautiful face, and is truly handsome! You can also see under the base of the Great Buddha, so you can spend your time leisurely. Many people came to pray👍️ [Name] Takaoka Great Buddha [Location] 11-29 Otemachi, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture 933-0039 #0 yen travel #Toyama sightseeing

#aprilblooms The symbolic existence of Takaoka, the best copperware in Japan. The sitting statue of Amida Nyorai, which is about 16 metres high, was built by gathering the best of local copperware manufacturing technology. He is counted as one of the three major Buddhas in Japan, and is also called "Japan's most handsome man" because of his beautiful face. The Great Buddha of Takaoka is a Buddha statue in the precincts of the Great Buddha Temple, which was originally built about 800 years ago. Despite many crises such as devastation and burning, it was repeatedly rebuilt and became what it is today. When the sun goes down, it is lit up, and a fantastic figure emerges in the darkness.

In the morning, the light will be backlit and you will not be able to see the Tateyama mountain range, so it is best to head there on a clear afternoon. The roadside station broadcasts a live camera 24 hours a day, so it is a good idea to check that you can see the Tateyama mountain range on your smartphone while sightseeing at the nearby sights before heading out. If you want to take photos that involve the Himi Line, the roadside station is the best place. Yoshitsune Rock is the most popular spot for tourists, and you can take photos from the closest position to Onnaiwa. From there, head towards JR Amahara Station and walk for about 5 minutes along the coastline to the point behind the station where there are few tourists, there are simple benches where you can relax, and it is also a good spot to easily get Tsurugidake and Onnaiwa together. It is a good idea to bring a camera or smartphone with a 200mm telephoto lens.

Doraemon Tram is a light rail tram in Takaoka City. It belongs to the Manyo Line. It starts at Takamago Station and ends at Koshigashita Station (near Kaioen Park). The whole journey takes about 45 minutes and you can get on and off at the intermediate stations. The Doraemon Train runs every 2 hours on average, and the timetable can be found on the Manyo Line website. This tram is a new model, so it looks more fashionable. There are stickers of various Doraemon characters on the windows inside the car, and there is a Doraemon stuffed doll near the driver's seat. It is very popular among girls and children.

#Spring0yentrip 6am Asahifunakawa 1,200m of about 280 Yoshino cherry trees were blooming along the bank, and in the foreground, it was supposed to be a quartet of tulips, rape blossoms, cherry blossoms, and the Tateyama mountain range, but this year the rape blossoms were late, so it didn't form a quartet, but it was still very beautiful. 11am Amaharashi Beach A train like the one in the world of Ghibli passes along the coast. When it was time for the train, many people were pointing their cameras at it. On a clear day, you can see the Tateyama mountain range in the distance, but this time we could only see it faintly. 2pm Starbucks Toyama Kansui Park This is said to be the best Starbucks in Japan, and the stylish exterior and the Tateyama mountain range in the background were very beautiful. This time, it was a collaboration of the Tateyama mountain range and cherry blossoms. It was the best combination! 4pm Back to Asahifunakawa! In the morning, the Tateyama mountain range was hidden by clouds and I couldn't see it, so I tried again! It looked so beautiful! However, I didn't make it in time to cut down the tulip flowers... But the combination of cherry blossoms and the Tateyama mountain range was delicious. It was a view I wanted to see with my own eyes, so I'm glad I went, even though it was just a day trip! On the way back, I visited the service areas✨#Toyama #Breathtaking views of Japan you want to see before you die #AsahiFunakawaSpringQuartet

#springwander A park located about 2 km from the city centre of Kajiki-cho, Aira City. Located on a hill at an altitude of 155 metres, there is an observation deck in the park, and it is known as a superb scenic spot with a panoramic view of the city centre and Kinko Bay beyond. Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima, also looks beautiful, but the triangular form, which is slightly different from the generally image of a traezoid-like shape, gives a smart impression.

#Spring0yenTrip Takaoka is a town where history and culture live on, and the presence of the Takaoka Great Buddha was particularly impressive. I was overwhelmed by its enormous size, and the quiet atmosphere around it helped calm my mind. I also visited Zuiryuji Temple, and was moved by its majestic architecture. Zuiryuji Temple is a Zen temple built by Maeda Toshinaga, the first lord of the Kaga domain, and has a vast grounds and beautiful garden, where I was able to spend a quiet moment. At Takaoka Castle Park, I was able to feel the historical background while strolling through the nature of the four seasons, and also experience the tradition of Takaoka copperware. There are plenty of shopping and gourmet spots in the center of town, so you can enjoy delicious local cuisine while sightseeing. Takaoka was a charming town that successfully blended historical sites with modern facilities.