Himi — Fish Market, Glass Art & Kan-buri

Himi City lies about 35 kilometers northwest of Toyama City and is reached in 50 to 60 minutes by taking the Ainokaze Toyama Railway to Takaoka Station and transferring to the JR Himi Line to Himi Station, a total fare of ¥760 ($4.80); a rental car covers the same distance in about 40 minutes with parking available near the main sights. The Himi Banya-gai fish market, a 20-minute walk from the station or a short ride on the Himi City Sightseeing Bus, sells the day's catch from Toyama Bay alongside casual seafood restaurants serving fresh sashimi and grilled fish sets. Himi is best known for kan-buri, winter yellowtail caught December through February and considered among the finest in Japan, drawing visitors specifically for the season's sashimi and hot-pot dishes. Beyond the market, the city has several glass art studios where visitors can watch glassblowing demonstrations or try a short hands-on session, part of a craft tradition established alongside Himi's fishing industry. A typical day starts with a mid-morning arrival at the fish market to browse before the lunch rush, followed by lunch at one of the market's seafood counters, then an afternoon at the glass studios or a walk along the harbor. The city also offers views of the Tateyama Range across Toyama Bay on clear days, similar to nearby Amaharashi Coast, and the two destinations are often combined into a single day trip on the same JR Himi Line. Outside the kan-buri season, the fish market and glass studios operate year-round, making Himi a reliable day trip regardless of month, though winter weekday mornings tend to be quieter than weekend visits.