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Toyama Prefecture is in the Hokuriku Region on the Sea of Japan coast. From Osaka to Toyama Station, it takes less than 3 hours by limited express train and Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train). From Tokyo, it takes about 2 hours on the Hokuriku Shinkansen to reach Toyama Station, or about 1 hour by plane from Haneda Airport to Toyama Kitokito Airport.
Toyama’s diverse terrain is breathtaking. The snowcapped Northern Japan Alps and Tateyama Mountain Range surround the rich plains and rivers of Toyama, which sits on a deep-water bay. Even in summer, you can see snow on the mountain peaks. Pure snowmelt from the mountains feeds the rivers, and nurtures rice and other crops. Some 500 species of fish and shellfish are found in Toyama Bay, and fish in Toyama is renowned for its variety and freshness.
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Taste crab and yellowtail in winter, and firefly squid in spring, among the marine delicacies in Toyama. You can also enjoy rare Japanese glass shrimp (shiroebi), which are caught in Toyama Bay from spring to autumn. Try Toyama Bay sushi topped with a variety of locally caught, seasonal fish. You can also enjoy delicious local noodle dishes throughout the year: rich Toyama Black Ramen, and delicate somen noodles.
Toyama offers a variety of scenic attractions
The Gokayama Gassho-zukuri Village of Ainokura is a World Heritage site in a tranquil valley, where you can explore beautiful, unspoiled Japanese landscapes in each season. Himi is a coastal hot spring town that is famous for its abundant fresh seafood. The Amaharashi Coast has spectacular scenery of the sea, sky, and the Tateyama Mountain Range over Toyama Bay. Visit Kurobe Dam and Kurobe Gorge Railway for striking mountain and river views. At the gateway to Kurobe Gorge, Unazuki Onsen is one of the biggest hot spring towns in Toyama, and a great base for scenic rail trips. With so many must-see places, Toyama is an ideal place to start your exploration of the Hokuriku region.
Another notable destination in Toyama is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which stretches from Toyama to Nagano. From April to June, parts of the route are lined with spectacular snow walls that tower above the road.
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Enjoy grand views on a journey through the Tateyama Mountain Range
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of the world’s leading mountain routes for sightseeing. It traverses the range of 3,000-meter-high mountains that make up the Northern Alps. You can travel the route from Tateyama Station in Tateyama City, Toyama, to Ogisawa Station in the city of Omachi, Nagano, using various modes of transportation. There are many scenic spots along the route, including Tateyama Murodo and Kurobe Dam.
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Your journey starts on the Toyama Chihou Railway from Dentetsu-Toyama Station in Toyama City.
It takes about an hour to reach Tateyama Station. Private cars are not allowed on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route between Tateyama Station and Ogisawa Station. Instead, you take a cable car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira Station, then transfer to a bus to Murodo Station. From the cable car and bus, you can see gigantic Tateyama cedars. The tree trunks can reach 6 meters in circumference or more. You will also see Shomyo Falls, Japan’s tallest waterfall, with a spectacular drop of 350 meters. The waterfall is designated both a National Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument.
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If conditions permit, you may even catch a sea of clouds in the valleys below you, giving the impression that you are floating. This fantastic sight appears only when weather conditions are just right. One of the best months to view this natural phenomenon is around June.
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If you start your journey from Toyama City in the morning, you can reach Murodo Station around noon, in time for lunch. As the highest-altitude station in Japan, Murodo is known as “the station closest to the stars.” Hotel Tateyama is the highest hotel in Japan, at an altitude of 2,450 meters. At the hotel, Restaurant Tateyama offers the Muslim-friendly dish “Malaysian Chicken Curry.”
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Near the hotel is Mikurigaike Pond, a crater lake formed by a volcanic eruption around 10,000 years ago. Walk around the lake and see three mountains of the Tateyama Mountain Range reflected on the water surface.
Hotel Tateyama
Address: Murodo, Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama-ken
Access: From Tateyama Station, take the Tateyama Cable Car to Bijodaira Station, then transfer to the Tateyama Highland Bus to Murodo Terminal, which includes Murodo Station and the bus terminal.
The trip takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Tateyama Station. Access the hotel front desk from the 2nd floor of Murodo Terminal.
Yuki-no-Otani Walk among soaring snow walls
The highlight of a journey along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is the Yuki-no-Otani snow corridor. In winter, the route is blocked by heavy snow. In spring, a path is carved through the snow on the Tateyama Highland Bus Road, to open the Alpine Route. Right after the route opens, the snow walls reach a height of around 20 meters, and extend for about 500 meters. The route starts just near Murodo Station, and it takes about 35 minutes to walk along the route between the walls and back. The Panorama Road is another snow corridor, open for a limited time while the snow is deep enough. Walking along this road, you can enjoy a magnificent mountain views.
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After returning to Murodo Station, take the Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus through a tunnel to Daikanbo Station. Here, you transfer first to the Tateyama Ropeway, and then to the Kurobe Cable Car, heading towards Kurobe Dam and the border with Nagano Prefecture. Once you reach Kurobeko Station, you can walk along the crest of Kurobe Dam to see the emerald-green water of Lake Kurobe. At a height of 186 meters, Kurobe Dam is the tallest in Japan. The dam is 492 meters long and stands between Kurobeko Station and the Kurobe Dam Rest House. Enjoy the scenery of the dam and the Tateyama Mountain Range around it, then take a rest at the Kurobe Dam Rest House located near Kurobe Dam Station.
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Finally, take a bus from Kurobe Dam Station to Ogisawa Station, arriving early in the evening. This is the end of your journey on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Omachi Hot Spring Village is the ideal place to stay overnight, with a number of comfortable hot spring accommodations.
Kurobe Dam
Address: Ashikuraji, Tateyamamachi, Nakaniikawagun, Toyama-ken
Visit the following link for more information on Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: https://www.alpen-route.com/en/
What to wear when exploring the mountains
While the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is open in spring and summer, be prepared for cold weather and snow. The route is on the plateau of a 3,000-meter-tall mountain range, and the conditions are much colder than at sea level. Pack cold-weather clothing, appropriate outdoor gear, and water-resistant, non-slip shoes. Pay careful attention to the weather, and make sure your outfit is appropriate for mountain hiking in each season.
From mid-April to late June, when the snow corridors are open, temperatures range from about 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. Conditions up on the mountain can also be unpredictable, so it is important to remain vigilant to prevent injury.
When walking on snow, wear shoes with deep treads to prevent slipping. Waterproof hiking or snow boots are ideal. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen to protect from the strong reflections of the sun on the snow. It is a good idea to bring rain gear even if the weather is clear, in case of sudden weather changes. Gloves, scarves, hats, and disposable pocket warmers are also recommended to protect you from the cold.
Enjoy seasonal scenery and delicious cuisine in Muslim-friendly Toyama
Some local restaurants in Toyama Prefecture have received educational seminars on how to provide meals that meet the needs of visitors who are Muslim or vegetarian. The prefecture launched the Toyama Muslim Friendly Restaurants website to introduce restaurants in Toyama Prefecture that serve Muslim-friendly and/or vegetarian dishes. It also provides useful information on everything from souvenirs to ingredients. Learn more about popular options such as soba, udon noodles, and Toyama’s special dishes such as Black Ramen.
Visit the following link for more information on Muslim-friendly restaurants in Toyama: TOYAMA MUSLIM FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS
Plan your trip well in advance, to avoid missing seasonal events like the snow corridors. If you’re on a flexible schedule, you can still enjoy Toyama’s scenery in summer and autumn. Experience Japan’s four seasons in Toyama’s beautiful mountains.
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Toyama is ready to welcome Muslim tourists. Add Toyama to your travel plans for an unforgettable experience in Japan.
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