Enjoy a scenic stroll from Takaoka Station! Tour the historic city of Takaoka

There are plenty of cultural assets and historical sites within Takaoka City, as well as several places of interest around Takaoka Station itself, making it the perfect place to tour on foot.

A handy tourist information center is located at Takaoka Station, supplying pamphlets and maps.

The places I visited were within walking distance, but there are also convenient rental bikes available in Takaoka City.
Note: Rental bikes are available from April 1 to November 30 (closed in winter).

Free parking is also available, so visitors can easily tour by car or rental car.
In addition, special coupons are available for those who wish to visit multiple sites.

Takaoka City is most closely associated with the national treasure Zuiryu-ji Temple. This grand structure was built in 1614 to mourn Toshinaga Maeda, the second clan of the Kaga Domain, which occupied most of Kaga, Noto, and Etchu (present-day Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures) about 400 years ago.

The temple is designated as a national treasure thanks to its majestic Sanmon Gate at the entrance to the grounds, the Butsuden Main Hall, and the Hatto Lecture Hall. After learning this, it felt even easier to appreciate the beautiful symmetry of the buildings.
 

Even though I am not a history buff, I could feel the historical significants of the temple when I read the detailed pamphlets and materials. Exploring the intricately hand-sculpted buildings made me feel as if I had stepped back in time.

Zuiryu-ji Temple is not only impressive for its grounds and buildings, but also its approach, ‘Haccho-michi’. The view of the straight line connecting Zuiryu-ji Temple and the Mausoleum of Maeda Toshinaga is nothing short of spectacular.
 

Brewery Kinoi is located just outside the entrance to Zuiryu-ji Temple.
This unique spot sells fermented foods using koji, so I took the chance to try a miso soft-serve ice cream.
The store also sells unusual miso products such as pumpkin and tomato miso, which are particularly fun to browse. Kaburazushi, a local dish of Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures, and a special 'cured ham cheese Kaburazushi' which can be eaten even by those who do not like fish, are also available for purchase as souvenirs from Toyama! Be sure to try them when you are in the area!

Old townscapes really are something special, aren’t they? Kanayamachi in particular has a long and fascinating history, earning it certification as a nationally important traditional building preservation district.
I spent my time in the area strolling around and learning about how Kanayamachi grew from humble beginnings in Tetsubin-ya, the town's old station.
It was fun to read about the history of this quaint local town - not something you can easily find in schoolbooks.
 

This whimsical row of houses was built with excellent fireproof construction techniques after the great fire of the Meiji period, acquiring the name ‘Yamachosuji’ in reference to Takaoka’s largest festival, the ‘Mikurumayama Festival’, which is held there.
The huge doors on the second floor of the storehouses looked extremely heavy but painted an interesting picture of how citizens were trying to prevent fires with the technology and wisdom available at the time.
Come to think of it, I heard that at Zuiryu-ji Temple, the Great Tea Ceremony Hall also had fireproof walls where books and other precious items were stored.
 

Among the buildings on Yamachosuji street, this red brick building in particular caught my attention. Apparently, it was used as a bank until just a few years ago and is the only authentic Western-style building in the whole of Toyama Prefecture.

In front of the red brick bank is the Takaoka Mikurumayama Museum, where grand Mikurumayama floats are displayed.
‘Mikurumayama’ are designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property, and their namesake festival is also designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
 

This iconic landmark’s story began about 800 years ago. Originally, it was built out of wood, but after it was destroyed by fire twice, the current cast Buddha was built in the early 20th century. I had assumed that the statue was a relatively recent creation, so I was surprised to learn that it had a long history.
The Takaoka Great Buddha is counted as one of Japan's three great Buddha statues and is famously known as the “most handsome Buddha” in Japan. I couldn’t possibly comment on the attractiveness of Buddhas, but I suppose the statue did have a certain charm to it!

I have visited here several times before, and up until now, I thought it was just a big park.
Without a castle tower or other buildings, to the unsuspecting passer-by, it may seem like a sorry ruin. However, this time I realized for the first time that it actually showcases an amazing moat! Castle moats are not uncommon in Japan, but only Edo Castle, Hirosaki Castle, and Takaoka Castle have managed to preserve them in almost perfect condition.
Looking at the moat again, I reflected on its huge size and spread. This is no simple pond – it is a shining relic of the castle’s history! As soon as I noticed this, I got lost in thought, seeing the perfectly preserved layout of the castle grounds through the lens of this moat.
 

There are plenty of winding, narrow paths leading to no particular destination, perfect for a meditative stroll in nature.
The park is also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, popular for the beautiful sight of pale pink blossoms reflected on the moat’s surface.
 

Many places around Takaoka Station exude a sense of history and culture, making it the perfect location to get lost in old Japan. As I tend to walk wherever I go, I enjoyed the stroll, but I could have perhaps toured more smoothly if I had used public transportation or a bicycle.

There is also another historical spot in Takaoka City that caught my eye. ‘Shoko-ji Temple’ was certified as a national treasure in 2022 and is within walking distance from Fushiki Station on the JR Himi Line. The Fushiki and Amaharashi area would be a great addition to add on to your tour of the Takaoka Station area. Be sure to visit if you have time!