Iwase Tour

Historic streets lined with shipping buildings from the Meiji Period

The Iwase district of Toyama was a thriving port town from the beginning of the Edo Period (1603-1867), serving 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 now, preserving much of the district’s history. Attractions: Morike Kitamae Shipping Building, Morike earthen warehouses (Tajiri Brewery, glass studio, ceramics studio, etc.) Restaurants: Shogetsu (Japanese food) Souvenirs: Otsukaya (triangle dora-yaki cakes), Imaeda Fukusukedo (triangle dora-yaki cakes), Shichifukutei (tobi-dango dumplings), Nomura Shoten (kelp), Masudashuzo (Sake Brewery)

Amaharashi Coast

A view that has captivated poets since ancient times

The iconic view of Toyama Bay against the dramatic backdrop of the snowy Tateyama mountains is unforgettable. The Amaharashi Coast is said to be the best location to enjoy the view, which has been celebrated by poets and writers since the eighth century. Like a scene from a painting, Onnaiwa Rock—a charming islet topped with pine trees—emerges from the sea in the foreground, and the mountains loom 3,000 meters high in the distance. Photographers often visit the area at sunset to capture the island and mountains silhouetted against the golden light of the setting sun. The Amaharashi Coast has sandy beaches lined with pine trees, and is popular for swimming in summer, thanks to its family-friendly shallows and breathtaking views.

Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design

A museum dedicated to art and design, that treats the surrounding environment as art

Art and design are given equal importance in this modern museum at Fugan Canal Kansui Park. The attractive space, designed by renowned architect Hiroshi Naito, makes the most of the canal and mountain views, with floor-to-ceiling windows that treat the view like another piece of art. The museum’s permanent collection comprises a wide variety of modern and contemporary art from around the world, including works by Picasso, Chagall, and other masters of the early twentieth century, as well as works by artists representing Japan and Toyama. Design is represented through iconic works including Gerrit Thomas Rietveld’s Red and Blue chair, and Yusaku Kamekura’s powerful poster designs for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Changing exhibitions aim to help visitors look at art and design from different perspectives.  The museum includes a cafe, restaurant, shop, and a rooftop garden. The garden is designed to introduce visitors to the joys of onomatopoeia. Art installations and children’s playground equipment are designed to embody Japanese onomatopoeia such as “fuwa-fuwa” (fluffy) and “guru-guru” (round and round). The rooftop also affords sweeping views of the Tateyama mountains.