Toyama may not be as famous as Tokyo or Kyoto, but it’s quickly gaining international attention. Named one of The New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2025, Toyama combines dramatic mountain scenery, traditional villages, local sake, and some of Japan’s freshest seafood.
In this episode of Japan Story, we count down five reasons Toyama deserves a place on your Japan itinerary.
#5 Toyama Bay — Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
Discover the spectacular contrast of Toyama Bay and the towering Tateyama mountain range.
#4 Tateyama Kurobe — A Dramatic Mountain Experience
Explore the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, famous for breathtaking mountain scenery and its spectacular seasonal Snow Walls.
#3 Gokayama — Step Into Old Japan
Visit traditional mountain villages filled with distinctive gassho-zukuri houses and experience a quieter side of Japan at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bonus: Toyama Glass Art Museum
Discover Toyama’s modern side through glass art and design inside the striking TOYAMA Kirari building.
#2 Toyama Sake — Mountains, Rice & Water
Learn how Toyama’s natural environment, pure water, and rice contribute to its local sake culture—and why sake pairs so well with the region’s cuisine.
#1 Sushi & Seafood — The Taste of Toyama Bay
From shiro-ebi white shrimp and hotaru-ika firefly squid to seasonal yellowtail and masu-zushi, Toyama is an unforgettable destination for seafood lovers.
Mountains, sea, traditional Japan, sake, and incredible sushi—Toyama might just be one of Japan’s best-kept travel secrets.
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