The Toyama Glass Art Museum is located nearby Toyama Station and exhibits a large collection of stunning glass artworks from around the world. Both permanent and temporary exhibitions provide stunning examples of this most skillful of artforms, spread across six floors.
If you're planning a trip to Toyama prefecture, don't forget to check out our other guides, such as "25 Things to Do Around Toyama," "Toyama's Famous Foods," and "Best Onsen Hot Springs in Toyama." You'll be able to get the most out of your visit to this incredible region with the help of these guides. Enjoy Toyama!
Where is the Toyama Glass Museum?
The Toyama Glass Art Museum is located in Toyama City in the Hokuriku region of Japan. The museum stands at the center of modern Toyama City, surrounded by the city hall, shopping areas and the nearby Matsugawa river. It is easily accessible from Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka via the Hokuriku Shinkansen with the stop in Toyama Station. If you are coming from Takayama and Nagoya, the Hida Limited Express is one shot up through the mountains of Central Japan.
A Short History
Opened in August 2015, the museum was built as the centerpiece of the "Glass Art City, Toyama" initiative, a project designed to revitalize the city's 300-year-old history of glass medicine bottle production. The building, known as TOYAMA KIRARI, was designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma and features a striking facade of granite, glass, and aluminum meant to reflect the jagged peaks of the Tateyama mountain range. Inside, Kuma utilized local cedar louvers and a massive diagonal atrium to transform the space into a "forest of light" that serves as a shared home for the museum, the city library, and a local bank.
The Museum Exhibitions
Special exhibitions are held on the second and third floors, the permanent collection is housed on the fourth floor with the acclaimed ‘Glass Art Garden’ by American artists Dale Chijuly, located on the sixth floor. The museum itself is designed by acclaimed architect Kengo Kuma and includes a beautiful timber and glass atrium and also includes a gift shop, restaurant/café and Toyama City Library.
Visiting the Toyama Glass Art Museum
The Glass Museum is conveniently located in central Toyama City, easily accessible from Toyama Station. You can reach the castle park with a pleasant 15-20 minute walk from the station, or take the tram to the Nishicho stop, which are just a minute walk away.
If you want to get the most out of your time at the castle and in Toyama City in general, join us for a tour! You'll have a guide take you around the castle, the city hall view spot and a traditional medicine shop before heading into the glass museum. In the afternoon you'll walk around Ecchu Yatsuo, the picturesque little town just outside of Toyama City proper. Check it out below!
Also, if you are interested in a private or charter tour, feel free to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the best time to go?
The best times to visit the Glass Museum is probably summer or winter when you can escape the heat/cold. There really isn't a "best season" per say though.
How long should I spend here?
If you want to go deep into the history and museums, you can typically expect to spend 30 minutes to an hour at Toyama Glass Art Museum.
Is there food nearby?
Yes, there are numerous food options conveniently located near the Glass Museum, especially given its central location in Toyama City. You'll find a variety of restaurants, ranging from casual eateries to high-end dining, offering local Toyama specialties like fresh seafood from Toyama Bay and Toyama Black Ramen.
