Toyoma, Japan

Toyama is the capital city of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the Chūbu region on central Honshū, about 200 km north of the city of Nagoya and 300 km northwest of Tokyo.

Attractions in Toyama include the Toyama Folk Village, which is a series of small cultural museums located about half an hour from the station. Each museum is located in a traditional house and they feature a large number of crafts, tools, toys and furniture. There is a also a beautiful shop full of traditional Toyama clay crafts made on the premises. Gohyaku-rakan, also known as the "Hills of 500 Buddhas", is located right next to the Toyama Folk Village. Here visitors will find hundreds of Buddha statues dressed in multi-colored ribbons. The statues are disciples of Buddha.

Things to See & Do

* Toyama fold village
* “Hills of 500 Buddhas”
* Toyama Castle
* Toyama City Hall
* Riverboat ride around city center

General information

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Yen (JPY)
Language - Japanese
Population - 417,325 approx
Land Area - 1,241.85 km2
Electricity - 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code - 81

Port Location - The port of Toyama is located approximately 10 km from the city center.

Travel Links - Toyama has its own airport, from which buses run to the city center (25 min), Toyama Airport has international flights to Shanghai, Seoul, Vladivostok, and Dalian and local service to Tokyo, Sapporo, and Fukuoka.

From Tokyo Station, Toyama can be reached by taking the Joetsu Shinkansen (Tanigawa, Max Tanigawa, Toki or Max Toki) to Echigo-Yuzawa (越後湯沢) and then transferring to the Hakutaka (はくたか) limited express train for the run to Toyama. This ride lasts about 3 1/2 hours with a good connection in Echigo-Yuzawa.

Seibu runs three daily buses (one of which is overnight) to Toyama from Ikebukuro and the Sunshine City Prince Hotel. It takes seven hours to make the journey.