Looking for the most Instagrammable location in Toyama? Head to 'Onomatopoeia Rooftop' at the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design to capture some stunning photos!

Just 15 minutes’ walk from the North Exit of Toyama Station lies the perfectly photogenic 'Onomatopoeia Rooftop' at the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design, featuring a garden with unique playground equipment. This prime panoramic viewpoint offers scenes of the magnificent Tateyama Mountain Range to the east and the setting sun to the west, culminating in a glorious night view after dark.

Open from March 16 to November 30
Hours: 8:00 - 22:00
*Closed in case of rain or bad weather.
*Accessible even when the museum is closed.
*The playground equipment can be used until sunset.

This beautiful spot entices visitors back time and time again, including myself! For this article, I went to see how many ‘Instagrammable’ photos I could snap there. Let's check it out!

The Tateyama Mountain Range in summer, when the snow had melted. This photo was taken in June. I also recommended snapping a photo of the ‘Fugan Suijo Line’ canal cruise that weaves through Fugan Canal Kansui Park.

Tateyama Mountain Range in winter. This winter version of the Tateyama Mountain Range can be seen from November to April, when the peaks are covered with snow. Just after sunset, the ridges sometimes become colored with a light pink glow. This is an atmospheric phenomenon called the ‘Venus Belt’, in which sunlight is projected to the sky on the other side of the horizon for a short time after the sun sets, turning it a light pink. This photo was taken in November.

The ‘Fuwa-Fuwa (Fluffy)’ playground equipment is for children ages 3 to 12. On this day, the clouds painted a striking picture, so I took the chance to capture photos of happy kids against the beautiful blue and white backdrop! I also included a bit of the cityscape of Toyama City, taken around 6:00p.m. at the end of July. For a summer visit, I recommend going during the evenings when it is a little cooler.

Children under 3 years old can play under the supervision of their parents. Why not take a whimsical photo with your baby here?

The ‘Fuwa-Fuwa (Fluffy)’ area is open until sunset, creating the ideal chance to capture a silhouette photo with the setting sun in the background. One particular merit of the 'Onomatopoeia Rooftop’ is that the sky seems so close. There are moments when children jumping high in the sky seem to reach for the clouds! Try taking photos from a low position, framing the wide-open sky and jumping children without adding unnecessary objects. All photos taken at the ‘Fuwa-Fuwa (Fluffy)’ area were taken with a wide-angle lens.

The ‘Hiso-Hiso (Whisper)’ playground area really captures the essence of a faint whisper. This fun installation is constructed from numerous intertwining tubes, inspiring curiosity to find out where they lead. This artistic and playful piece is sure to be a hit on Instagram.

On this day, I visited at dusk, when there were no clouds at all. I positioned my camera just above the ground and snapped shadowy silhouette photos of the “whispering” children playing freely.

I also tried experimenting by capturing ‘Fuwa-Fuwa (Whisper)’ in view behind ‘Hiso-Hiso (Whisper)’. I had fun waiting to press the shutter at the perfect moment to make sure the kids weren’t obscured by the tubes of the structure in the foreground. This photogenic playground equipment really inspires creativity!

I noticed an area where the Japanese character was written on jagged pipes creating interesting textures and patterns. “Why is there a bench here?”, I wondered. However, as soon as I sat down it all made sense – this is an ideal photography spot. Be sure to give it a try! It was beautiful both on a sunny day and at dusk.

When the sun starts to set, you can sit and contemplate the view or stand to watch from a higher perspective. Most of the children basked in the dusky orange from the ‘Boko-Boko’ playground equipment. In the evenings, a flock of crows can sometimes be seen flying by, creating a fantastic view. The playground is bumpy, as the Japanese onomatopoeia ‘Boko-Boko’ implies. Kids often treat it like an obstacle course, trying their best to get from one end to the other. Small children should take care not to fall!

‘Uto-Uto (Doze)’ is a mushroom-shaped object with a net over it that both adults and children can lie down on.

Why not relax on the rooftop, feeling the wind in the air and watching the ever-changing sky? If the weather is clear, you may even be able to “doze off” while watching the sun set.

‘Tsuru-Tsuru (Smooth)’ is one of the most popular playground installations for children due to its slippery surface. It is a fun place to sit and enjoy the view of the Tateyama Mountain Range and chat with others.

As the name suggests, ‘Puri-Puri’ are certainly plump! These unforgettable colorful structures add a touch of mischief and fun to the rooftop experience.

Then, there is the playground equipment that catches the wind and spins “round and round”, captured in the Japanese onomatopoeia ‘Guru-Guru’. The children seemed to enjoy playing together, sitting or standing on the playground equipment.

Experience the fun world of Japanese onomatopoeias with ‘Fuwa-Fuwa (Fluffy)’, ‘Hiso-Hiso (Whisper)’, ‘Are-Are (What?)’, ‘Boko-Boko (Bumpy)’, ‘Uto-Uto (Doze)’, ‘Tsuru-Tsuru (Smooth)’, ‘Puri-Puri (Plump)’, and ‘Guru-Guru (Round and Round)’!
Let’s go take some Insta-worthy photos! How did you like this special feature?
This rooftop garden is not only fun place for kids, but a great outing for adults too! For those visiting Toyama or even living in the prefecture, be sure to check it out if you can.
 

On this day, I got the ‘Tiramisu’ and ‘Sakura Apricot Pudding’. The seasonal cakes were on sale, and my kids gladly ate them up in no time!
*The menu varies depending on the season.
 

Swallow Cafe has been around since the museum opened. It is best known for its large, open windows and delicious bagels. There is a terrace where you can have lunch or cake while enjoying the view of Fugan Canal Kansui Park, and the take-out menu also looks delicious. Visit for yourself and give it a try!