UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage - Festival traditions passed down through the generations

Houses built in the traditional dozo-zukuri (earthen-wall) style line the former Hokuriku Road in this classic neighborhood. The historic townscape has been selected as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Floats are paraded against this scenic backdrop during the Takaoka Mikurumayama Festival.

Lavish Mikurumayama floats are displayed at this museum throughout the year. Each one incorporates various Takaoka crafts, which are further detailed in exhibitions showcasing the crafting tools and methods. Visitors can also view karakuri puppets, listen to the Mikurumayama festival music, and relive live footage of the festival in a 4K high-definition theater.

Kanayamachi is the oldest district in Takaoka. The rows of houses boast a beautiful retro atmosphere, with a thousand lattices that perfectly complement the quaint cobblestone-paved streets. The town is also the birthplace of Takaoka's casting industry, and there are stores where visitors can try their hand at making castings.

This temple was built to commemorate Toshinaga Maeda, the second head of the Kaga domain’s Maeda clan. The extravagant temple buildings are truly a sight to behold, with the Sanmon gate, the Buddha Hall, and the Lecture Hall all designated as National Treasures. Visitors to Zuiryu-ji can immerse themselves in the architectural beauty of Zen Buddhism temple architecture from the 17th century.

The iconic Takaoka Great Buddha was completed over a period of 26 years utilizing only the best in local copperware manufacturing technology. It is one of the three Great Buddha statues in Japan and is often nicknamed "the most beautiful man in Japan" due to the excellent workmanship.

Takaoka Kojo Park houses ruins of once great Takaoka Castle, built by Toshinaga Maeda, the second head of the Kaga domain’s Maeda clan. The old castle grounds are now a park, popular for strolling and sightseeing. The park is centered around Honmaru Square, where a number of sculptures and other works showcasing Takaoka craftsmanship have been installed. It is also famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms.
 

The 530-year-old Zentoku-ji Temple is a member of the Otani sect of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. The temple owns more than 10,000 pieces of temple treasures, including the 'Yuishinsho' written by Shinran, the very founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism himself. Some of these pieces are open to public viewing during the ‘Mushiboshi Houe’ airing ceremony every July. In spring, the temple holds the ‘Weeping Cherry Blossom Festival’. The 370-year-old ‘Itozakura’ cherry tree is a must-see.

Johana Hikiyama Kaikan is a museum dedicated to the history of the Hikiyama Festival, with Hikiyama floats, Ioriyatai floats, traditional umbrella poles, and more on permanent display. In the lobby, visitors can watch a moving video of the festival set to 'iori' songs.

Four tasteful storehouses once owned by the wealthy merchant Nomura stand side by side in this beautiful part of “Etchu’s little Kyoto”. The Katsurayu building, with its retro stylings and copper plate walls, was once a public bathhouse, but now operates as a gallery displaying handmade accessories.

A weaving experience facility in a brick Western-style house built in 1928. Even beginners can enjoy authentic weaving at ease. The facility also has a store, café, and gallery. The building is registered as a national tangible cultural property.

A mirage is is a naturally occurring optical phenomenon that causes the scenery to shimmer and move due to the refraction of light. Uozu is famous throughout Japan for its amazing mirages. From late March to early June, many people flock to the beaches around Uozu Port to observe the fantastic scenery that stretches out across the sea.

This museum is nicknamed 'Nekkoland' (“nekko” meaning “root” in Japanese). The museum preserves and exhibits the roots of a 500-year-old cedar trees that were buried approximately 2,000 years ago. In the underwater exhibition hall, the trees are displayed immersed in water, casting a mysterious appearance.

This dessert take-out store is located in the Uozu Buried Forest Museum. The luxurious cakes are carefully crafted from whole foods and look and taste fantastic. Enjoy them as a snack at the museum's eat-in space or on the open terrace.

This cozy roadside station sells fresh fish landed at Uozu Port, Toyama's specialties, famous confections, and folk crafts. The 'Hamayaki' grill event held every weekend is very popular, as well as the Uozu Fish Dealers Cooperative Association-run fresh seafood restaurant, 'Gengenbo'.

Located just in front Ainokaze Toyama Railway Uozu Station is the largest concentration of restaurants in Uozu, known as 'Kaki no Kiwari'. There are more than 200 restaurants, including fish and sushi restaurants that use fresh fish caught at Uozu Port, as well as casual izakayas. There is food to suit every taste here!