Several rivers and canals flow through this former castle town, with boat rides especially popular in the spring when cherry blossoms line the banks. Toyama is also famous as the northern entrance to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
Browse & Book hotels in Toyama
1. Toyama Castle Park
This spectacular green park is the site of the iconic Toyama Castle, once home to the Maeda clan. It is a popular relaxation spot and a famous cherry blossom destination for the locals.
The park offers a striking view of the castle’s moat and tower.
Toyama Castle Park
1 Honmaru, Toyama, 930-0081
2. Fugan Canal Kansui Park
This park sits by a canal just 9 minutes from the North Gate of JR Toyama Station.
It is filled with fun things to do, including a square with a spring and waterfall, a playground for kids, and the Tenmon-kyo Bridge. Take a cruise along the canal, or relax with a beverage at the incredibly stylish Starbucks. At night, there are sometimes firework displays.
Fugan Canal Kansui Park
1 Minatoirifunecho, Toyama, 930-0805
3. Fugan Suijo Line
You can enjoy a canal cruise from Kansui Park to Iwase.
The trip takes around one hour. Nakajima Komon Lock Gate, known as the “Water Lift,” is an extraordinary landmark found only in Toyama. Guides are provided. The cruise is operated on two boats, the Sora (capacity 55 persons) and the Momiji (capacity 11 persons). Regularly scheduled cruises can be enjoyed every Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday, with charter services provided on weekdays.
Fugan Suijo Line
1-1 Nishinomiyamachi, Toyama, 931-8571
4. Iwase
Once a port town of great importance to merchants and businesses, Iwase served the Kitamae cargo ships that crossed the Sea of Japan.
An important highway called the Hokkoku Kaido used to run through this area, lined with Kitamae shipping buildings with the riverbed as a backdrop. Many buildings from the Meiji Period (1868-1912) remain, preserving much of the district’s history.
Iwase Canal Hall Boarding Dock of Fugan Suijo Line
71 Iwasehakusanmachi, Toyama, 931-8361
5. Matsukawa River Cruises (Toyama Sightseeing Cruise, Inc.)
The Matsukawa River Cruises provide enticing nature experiences year-round.
On the river, you can float through a tunnel of gorgeous cherry blossoms in spring, vivid green in summer, or colorful leaves in autumn. At sunset, the cruise is especially nice, giving travelers a wonderful view to enjoy.
Matsukawa River Cruises
1-34 Honmaru, Toyama, 930-0081
6. Kurobe Dam
Kurobe Dam is the largest dam in Japan. The Japanese take pride in this as a crowning achievement in engineering and architecture.
You can walk down the observation deck of the dam at 186m and enjoy an absolutely magnificent sight. It is here you can get a first-rate view of Toyama's stunning nature as well as the enormous clouds of spray produced by the dam!
Kurobe Dam
Ashikuraji, Tateyama, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama 930-1406
7. Alps Express
Following the Toyama Chihou Railway line, this sightseeing train gives travelers a breathtaking ride through the Japanese countryside.
Inside the train is a high-quality sen…
