Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions - Toyama Tourist Information Center

Q : What is the climate like in Toyama?
A:

Toyama has four distinctly different seasons that transform from the cool snowy winter to hot humid summer in a few months. In Spring and Autumn, you could sense changing climate of the season by enjoyable weather with a lot of sunny day.

*Click the link below for more details and current weather in Toyama.

Q : Where can I get maps and brochures of Toyama?
A:

Some downloadable files of tourist information in English are available from the website of both Toyama City and Prefecture. If you prefer a printed-version, please stop by the Toyama Tourist Information Center (TTIC) located in Toyama station. Please refer to the links below for more information.

Q : Where can I book a room in Toyama?
A:

We regret to inform you that we are unable to make accommodation arrangements for visitors. Please refer to the link below for booking your room in Toyama.

Q : Where can I use Wi-Fi?
A:

A free Wi-Fi service called ''Toyama Free Wi-Fi'' is available around Toyama station. Also, other Wi-Fi signals provided by ''Japan Free Wi-Fi'' can be found at selected locations around the city and Toyama prefecture.

*Click the links below for more details!

Q : Where can I leave my luggage around Toyama station?
A:

There are 5 coin-operated lockers around the station. A short-term luggage storage is also available. Please go to the link below for more detail!

Q : Where can I rent a bike in Toyama?
A:

A bike sharing system called "Cyclocity" is available in the central area of Toyama City. Please refer to the link below for more information.

Sightseeing Attractions and Transportations in Toyama

Q: How can I get to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route?
A:

The only public transportation available to go to the Tateyama Station, the beginning point of the alpine route, from the Toyama station is a local railway called "Toyama Chiho Railway as know as Chitetsu". It takes approximately 65 minutes by taking "Tateyama line". You could also drive up to the Tateyama station. However, personal vehicles are prohibited on the alpine route so you must park your vehicle around the Tateyama station.

Please refer to the link below for more information. Also, guide pamphlet of the alpine route is available from the link bellow bottom for download.

Q: How can I buy a ticket to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route?
A:

There are 3 ways to buy a ticket to the alpine route.

1) Purchasing "a ticket sold on the day" at a ticket counter located in the Dentetsu Toyama Station is the most simple and easy way. Because the most of the tickets are sold as "a ticket sold on the day" and they adopt their sales policy as "first come, first serve", this simple way works really well if you could get up early in the morning such as 6am or earlier.

2) If the alpine route is already on your Japan trip agenda, booking a ticket online is the best way to purchase it. Please note that you could only make a reservation from the midnight (00:00)(JST +9:00hours) the 30 days prior to boarding date until 23:59pm(JST +9:00hours) 2 days prior to boarding date. Please refer to the link below for more information.

3) There is a special-priced ticket called "Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket" available only for international visitors with a JR-Pass. Please refer to the link below bottom for more information.

Q: Should I reserve a ticket for Kurobe Gorge Railway?
A:

Yes. To make your trip more fulfilling, making a reservation is highly suggested, because it takes approximately 1 hour by car and an hour and a half to more than 2 hours by train to get to the Unazuki station, the starting point of the railway.
Please refer to the link below for more information, timetables, ticket and fare.

Q: How can I get to Gokayama and Shirakawa-go?
A:

The most easy way to get to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gokayama Historic Village and Shirakawa-go is the Workd Heritage Bus. You could take the bus from either Takaoka Station (the station only for conventional Railway "Ainokaze-Toyama Tetsudo") or Shin-Takaoka Station (the station only for JR Shinkansen). If you would like to go directly to Shirakawa-go from Toyama station, an Express Bus operated by Nohi Bus is highly recommended.

*Click the links below for more details and a time table for each bus line!

Q: What is special about Toyama bay?
A:

Toyama bay, one of the most beloved place in the prefecture, is now a member of the Most Beautiful Bay in the World (MBBW) club! Please go to the link below to find out what is special about Toyama bay!!

Q: When is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Toyama?
A:

Toyama's cherry blossoms bloom between the end of March and the beginning of April. The peak bloom period depends on the place and climate. To know the best time to see the cherry blossoms in Toyama, please go to a blooming forecast website provided by JNTO from the link below! (Unfortunately, the forecast for the cherry blossoms in Toyama is not available from the website, but it can be said that it is really similar to the forecast for Kanazawa.) For viewing spots in Toyama, please click the another link below.

Q: Where is the best spot to view Tateyama Mountain Range?
A:

If the following 3 conditions are satisfied you could command a stunning view of Mt. Tate from almost every place in Toyama City.
1) A sunny day with NO clouds or fog
2) Clouds should be in the sky above the mountain range (elevation more than 3,000m)
3) Less airborne dust and water vapor in the air

*Click the link below to download a detailed map of the viewing spots!

Shopping and Dining in Toyama

★Questions Regarding Restaurants and Local Foods

Q: Where do you recommend to eat sushi?
A:

"Toyama Sushi Guide Map" created by the Toyama City Tourism Agency provides a detail information of 15 sushi restaurants around the central area of Toyama city.
It also comes with a sushi-ordering guide, a terminology of sushi, and a seafood calendar. Please go to the link below for downloading the guide map for free!

Q: Where do you recommend to eat local cuisine of Toyama?
A:

Asking Locals is always the best way to find a restaurant that serves a local cuisine of Toyama. However, if you would like to check out restaurants before you arrive at Toyama, we recommend you to visit these 2 websites below. You are always welcome to our information center to ask questions regarding restaurants and local foods.

★Questions Regarding Shopping

Q: What gifts and souvenirs do you recommend?
A:

The easiest way to know the good souvenirs and gifts of Toyama is asking locals like us, staff at Toyama Tourist Information Center. We always love to answer your questions regarding our specialties, souvenirs, and gifts! Please refer to the links below for exploring Toyama's specialties.

Q: Where can I buy gifts and souvenirs of Toyama?
A:

There is a building called "Kitokito Ichiba TOYA-marché" is located in the east side of the station. It provides 30 of souvenirs and gift shops and 5 of restaurants that offer a variety of local foods. Please refer to the link for more information!

Q: Where are tax-free shops?
A:

There are 158 tax-free shops in Toyama prefecture. Please go to the link below for a list of the shops and a map.