Toyama Prefecture lies in the Hokuriku Region, on the Sea of Japan coast. From Osaka to Toyama Station, it is about 3 hours by limited express and Shinkansen (Bullet Train). From Tokyo, it is about 2 hours by Shinkansen to Toyama Station, or about 1 hour by plane to Toyama Airport. Toyama’s terrain is wonderfully diverse- there is a 4,000-meter difference in height between the magnificent 3,000-meter-high Tateyama Mountain Range and the 1,000-meter-deep Toyama Bay into which snowmelt from the mountain range flows. This unusual geologic feature creates dreamlike sceneries and even delightful local gourmet.

Crab and yellowtail in winter, and firefly squids in spring… You can also enjoy rare glass shrimp, caught only in Toyama from spring to autumn. We recommend “Toyama Bay Sushi” (sushi topped with a variety of locally caught seasonal fish) along with two items available throughout the year: “Toyama Black Ramen” and Somen noodles. These noodle dishes can be enjoyed on site or brought home as souvenirs.

Toyama offers a multitude of amazing tourist attractions.

In “Gokayama Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village” (a World Cultural Heritage site) you can enjoy beautiful unspoilt Japanese landscapes in each season. Meanwhile, “Himi” is a hot-spring resort with bounteous seafood. The “Amaharashi Coast” has spectacular scenery of the sea, sky, and the Tateyama Mountain Range over Toyama Bay. Likewise, “Kurobe Dam” and “Kurobe Gorge Railway” also offer dynamic nature vistas of a different kind. “Unazuki”, one of the biggest hot-spring resorts in Toyama, is also the base for a fun trip out via electric trolley car. With so many must-visit places, you would definitely be spoilt for choice when planning a visit.

Another worthy mention amidst Toyama’s hotspots is the “Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route” running from Toyama to Nagano. Your main destination here would be the “Yuki-no-otani” walls of snow, where you can enjoy superb snowscapes from April to June.

Enjoy grand views of the Tateyama Mountain Range from your transport of choice

Cutting across the range of 3,000-meter-high mountains forming the Northern Alps, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of the world’s leading mountain sightseeing routes. Using different modes of transport, you can travel the route from Tateyama Station in Tateyama City, Toyama to Ogisawa Station in Omachi City, Nagano. Located along the route are many scenic spots including “Tateyama Murodo” and “Kurobe Dam”. No need to sigh about switching vehicles; the journey itself is key for enjoying the surrounding nature of the Tateyama and Kurobe areas.

Your journey starts from Dentetsu-Toyama Station in Toyama City at 8:00 am, where you take the Toyama Chihou Railway.

You will arrive at Tateyama Station in about an hour. Private cars are not allowed on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route between Tateyama Station and Ogisawa Station. Instead, you take a cable car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira Station, then transfer to a bus to Murodo Station. While riding the cable car and bus, you can enjoy viewing gigantic Tateyama Cedars, which are 6 meters in circumference around their trunks. You will also see Shomyo Falls, Japan’s tallest waterfall, with a spectacular drop of 350 meters. The waterfall is designated both a National Site of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Treasure.

If conditions permit, you could even catch a sea of clouds below you. This fantastic sight appears only when weather conditions are just right. Pro tip: your best chance to view this natural phenomenon is in June or thereabouts. Gazing down upon the sea of clouds, it will feel as if you are floating above them. The view is everchanging depending on where you are, so do not miss the chance to snap the perfect shot.

Your journey should take you to Murodo Station by noon. The station is referred to as “the station closest to the stars”. Why not take a break and enjoy lunch at “Hotel Tateyama” in Murodo? At an altitude of 2,450 meters, it is the highest hotel in Japan. Available at “Restaurant Tateyama” and the “Café Rindo”, which are two of the hotel’s in-house restaurants, is the Muslim-friendly menu item “Tomato Chicken Curry”.

Located near the hotel is the crater lake “Mikurigaike”, formed when the mountain erupted 10,000 years ago. The lake’s perimeter is 631 meters, and its depth is 15 meters. There is a walking path around the lake. Three mountains on the Tateyama Mountain Range reflect on the water surface, creating an extremely beautiful and mysterious sight.

Hotel Tateyama
Address: Murodo, Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama
Access: Take the Tateyama Cable Car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira Station, the transfer onto the Tateyama Highland Bus.
Usually takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Tateyama Station. The front desk at the hotel is directly accessible from the 2nd floor of the Murodo Terminal.

“Yuki-no-otani Walk” through lofty snow walls

Now you are headed for the “Yuki-no-otani Walk”, the main event in your Toyama journey. “Yuki-no-otani” heralds the arrival of spring on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Snow lying on the Tateyama Highland Bus Road is removed to open a path, marking the opening of the Alpine Route. The removed snow is piled on each side of the route, like walls. Right after the route opens, the snow walls are as tall as 20 meters, and extends for about 500 meters. It takes about 35 minutes in total to walk these 500 meters and then back again. Open only while the snow is deep enough, you can also choose to walk on the snow on the limited-time “Panorama Road” to enjoy a magnificent view of a range of 3,000-meter-high mountains. You will surely be impressed by the beauty of nature born of otherwise intense cold.

After returning to Murodo Station, take the “Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus” through a tunnel to Daikanbo Station. Here, you transfer first to the ropeway and then to a cable car, heading for the Nagano Prefecture side of the Alpine Route. From Kurobeko Station, walk along the crest of the dam while viewing emerald-green Lake Kurobe. At a height of 186 meters, it is the tallest dam in Japan. Stretching from Kurobeko Station to the Kurobe Dam Rest House, its width measures 492 meters. Pause on your walk atop the dam wall wherever you wish to snap the splendid scenery of the dam and the Tateyama Mountain Range around it―a sight available only here.

If the stunning view gets you weak in the knees, head to rest at the Kurobe Dam Rest House located by the Kurobe Dam Station.

Lastly, hop on a bus at Kurobe Dam Station and arrive in the early evening at Ogisawa Station. This is the end of your journey on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Why not relieve the fatigue of your journey at Omachi Hot Spring Resort?

Kurobe Dam
Address: Ashikuraji, Tateyamamachi, Nakaniikawagun, Toyama

Prepare yourself with cold-weather clothing, gear and non-slip shoes.

By now, you already know how to access the Alpine Route for maximum sightseeing. However, keep in mind that the route is on the plateau of a 3,000-meter-tall mountain range. You must prepare cold-weather clothing, gear and shoes to protect yourself. Pay careful attention to the weather, and make sure your outfit is appropriate for mountain hiking in each season.

During April to June, which is when the “Yuki-no-otani” walk event is, the weather remains chilly with temperatures ranging from about 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. On top of that, conditions up on the mountain can be unpredictable, so it is important to remain vigilant to prevent injury.

When walking on snow, avoid wearing leather-soled shoes as they are slippery and unsafe. Instead, wear shoes with grooves to prevent slipping. High-cut shoes are a good idea, as they can prevent snow from getting into your footwear. The best option would be to bring trekking shoes or high-cut boots that are waterproof. Sunglasses and sunscreen are also necessary because the glare of the sun on the snow can be strong. Warm up while walking with button-front or zip-front jackets, convenient for both outdoors and indoors. Make sure to bring rain gear even if the weather is clear, to best combat sudden weather changes. Gloves, scarfs, caps and disposable pocket warmers are also recommended items to protect you from the cold.

Enjoy awe-inspiring nature throughout the year in Muslim-friendly Toyama

Toyama Prefecture has been diligently holding educational seminars for local restaurants to teach on how to offer meals suited to the needs of tourists who are Muslim or vegetarians. In 2018, the prefecture established a website titled “TOYAMA MUSLIM-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS”. The site introduces restaurants in Toyama Prefecture serving Muslim-friendly and/or vegetarian dishes. It also presents useful information covering souvenirs to ingredients, and not only on popular options such as soba, udon noodles, or sushi- but also dishes unique to Toyama such as Black Ramen.
Be sure to check it out!

TOYAMA MUSLIM FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS
RESTAURANTS LIST / TOYAMA MUSLIM FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS

Be sure to do your research for your trip well in advance, to not miss limited-time events like “Yuki-no-otani” or “Panorama Road”. If you’re on a loose schedule, you can still enjoy Toyama’s graceful nature and landscapes even in summer and autumn. The mountains here offer an opportunity to experience Japan’s four seasons in ways different from the more widely known Mt. Fuji, but just as outstanding.

Toyama is ever ready to welcome Muslim tourists. If you wish to make your very own special itinerary, why not add Toyama to your Golden Route travel plans?