Best Day Trips From Toyama [2026]

Name: Toyama
Address: JP

Toyama Prefecture sits on the Sea of Japan coast of central Honshu, framed by the dramatic Tateyama mountain range and the deep waters of Toyama Bay. Home to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, one of the world's great high-mountain crossings, and the UNESCO-listed gassho-zukuri thatched-roof villages of Gokayama, Toyama pairs alpine scenery with a coastline famous for firefly squid and glass shrimp, plus a proud tradition of glassmaking and sake brewing in its historic port town of Toyama City.

Top day trips

Handpicked excursions within easy reach.

17 km west of Toyama City

Takaoka — Zuiryuji Temple, Great Buddha & Kanayamachi

Ainokaze Toyama Railway local train from Toyama Station to Takaoka Station (about 20 min, ¥360/$2.30). Zuiryuji Temple is a 15-minute walk south of the station; the Takaoka Great Buddha and Kanayamachi ironware district are a 10–15 minute walk north and east respectively.

Highlights: Zuiryuji Temple's National Treasure sanmon gate and hondo hall · 15.85-meter bronze Takaoka Great Buddha · Kanayamachi ironware district's Edo-period foundry streets · Live copperware casting demonstrations · Traditional soba and Toyama Bay seafood lunch spots

25 km northwest of Toyama City

Amaharashi Coast

Ainokaze Toyama Railway from Toyama Station to Takaoka Station, then transfer to the JR Himi Line to Amaharashi Station (about 45–55 min total, ¥760/$4.80), then a 5-minute walk to the shore.

Highlights: Toyama Bay view framed by the snow-capped Tateyama Range · Kojima Shrine on its small pine-covered offshore rock · Roadside Station Amaharashi's lookout deck and local shops · Coastal promenade walking path · Himi kamaboko fish cake and seasonal produce stalls

60 km south of Toyama City (Gokayama); Shirakawa-go a further 25 km south

Gokayama & Shirakawa-go Gassho-Zukuri Villages

Hokuriku Shinkansen or Ainokaze Toyama Railway to Shin-Takaoka/Takaoka Station, then the World Heritage Bus direct to Gokayama (about 1 hr, ¥1,800/$11.30 one-way). A direct Nohi Bus also runs 3 times daily from Toyama Station to Shirakawa-go (3 hr, ¥3,000/$18.90, reservation recommended); the World Heritage Bus continues on from Gokayama to Shirakawa-go in about 20–30 min.

Highlights: Gokayama's Ainokura and Suganuma gassho-zukuri hamlets · Shirakawa-go's Ogimachi village and valley observation deck · Farmhouse folk museums showing former silk and gunpowder production · World Heritage Bus route linking both villages · Winter illuminated snow season (reservation required)

45 km east of Toyama City

Unazuki Onsen & Kurobe Gorge Railway

Toyama Chihou Railway Main Line from Dentetsu-Toyama Station to Unazuki Onsen Station (about 90 min, ¥1,870/$11.80 one-way), then the Kurobe Gorge Railway open-air trolley train departs from the adjacent station (round-trip ¥2,710/$17.05 to Keyakidaira in normal seasons; check current shuttle terminus).

Highlights: Kurobe Gorge Railway open-air trolley train through granite gorge scenery · High trestle bridges and tunnels above the Kurobe River · Unazuki Onsen riverside footbaths and day-use hot spring bathing · Autumn foliage viewing in October and November · River fish and mountain vegetable dining near the station

55 km southeast of Toyama City to Tateyama Station, then the alpine route continues to Murodo and Kurobe Dam

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Toyama Chihou Railway Main Line from Dentetsu-Toyama Station to Tateyama Station (about 1 hr, ¥1,270/$8), then the Tateyama Cablecar to Bijodaira (7 min, ¥1,090/$6.90), a bus to Murodo (50 min, ¥3,000/$18.90), and onward ropeway/cablecar connections toward Kurobe Dam; a same-day Tateyama–Kurobe Dam round trip costs roughly ¥16,000 ($100.60) in combined fares.

Highlights: Yuki-no-Otani Snow Wall at Murodo, up to 20 meters high (mid-April–June) · Kurobe Dam, Japan's tallest dam, with scheduled water releases in summer · Alpine hiking around Mikurigaike Pond at 2,450 meters · Fixed sequence of cable car, bus, ropeway, and trolley connections across the Alps · October alpine autumn foliage along the route

35 km northwest of Toyama City

Himi — Fish Market, Glass Art & Kan-buri

Ainokaze Toyama Railway from Toyama Station to Takaoka Station, then transfer to the JR Himi Line to Himi Station (about 50–60 min total, ¥760/$4.80). The Himi Banya-gai fish market is a 20-minute walk from the station or a short ride on the Himi City Sightseeing Bus.

Highlights: Himi Banya-gai fish market seafood and Toyama Bay sashimi · Kan-buri winter yellowtail season (December–February) · Glass art studios with glassblowing demonstrations · Harbor views of the Tateyama Range across the bay · Combinable day trip with nearby Amaharashi Coast on the JR Himi Line

35 km south of Toyama City

Johana & Inami — Temple Town & Woodcarving Village

Hokuriku Shinkansen to Shin-Takaoka Station, then transfer to the JR Johana Line to Johana Station (about 50 min total). From Johana Station, a local Nan-bus or taxi covers the roughly 20–25 minute ride to Inami's Yokamachi Dori woodcarving street and Zuisenji Temple.

Highlights: Zuisenji Temple's 1390-founded Jodo Shinshu architecture and wood carvings · Inami's Yokamachi Dori woodcarving workshop street · Johana Festival (Iomote-sai) float procession each May · Traditional ranma transom carving demonstrations · Johana's preserved temple-town merchant houses

60 km southwest of Toyama City

Kanazawa

Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tsurugi shuttle or Kagayaki/Hakutaka) from Toyama Station to Kanazawa Station, about 20–25 min, ¥2,860–3,600 ($18–22.60) depending on train type and seat class.

Highlights: Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three great landscape gardens · Kanazawa Castle Park's reconstructed gates and turrets · Higashi Chaya geisha district's teahouses and gold-leaf crafts · Omicho Market seafood and produce stalls · 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Day trip tips

Make the most of your excursions.

Tip

Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.

Tip

Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.

Tip

Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.