How to Get to Toyama
As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line running from Tokyo to Tsuruga through Kanazawa, Toyama Station is a convenient point from where to explore Central Japan. Located nearby the popular Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, Kurobe Gorge and Gokayama UNESCO World Heritage Site and as an access point to Japan’s north coast including the beautiful Noto Peninsula, Toyama has a lot of offer. On this page you will find the following information:
— 25 Things to Do Around Toyama & Where to Stay
— Tours & Charters Around Toyama
Located nearby the popular destination of Kanazawa, Toyama tends to be overlooked by international visitors who flock to its more famous neighbour. Visitors who do make the effort to head to Toyama discover an energetic, modern city with lots to offer starting with its fantastic seafood. The topography of Toyama Bay creates a natural fish tank, as the sea floor drops away sharply, creating a submerged canyon which forms a natural boundary for sea life. Nutrients wash down from the North Japan Alps creating bountiful fishing grounds which feed the nearby coastal markets.
For visitors heading to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, Toyama is the most convenient access point from the western side of the mountain range, while the popular historic old town of Takayama sits to the south, readily accessible using the Limited Express ‘Hida’ service. Nestled between the coast and Japan’s highest mountain range, Toyama has plenty to offer.
WHERE IS TOYAMA?
Toyama is located on Japan’s north coast, around 400KM / 6-hours to the north-west of Tokyo. Despite being located at quite some distance from the capital, as a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Tsuruga through Kanazawa, Toyama Station is easy to reach – taking around 2.5 hours using the train. Located only a short distance from Kanazawa, Toyama is also within easy reach of more distant cities including Kyoto and Osaka thanks to the Limited Express Thunderbird service which runs to Tsuruga Station, from where its an easy and quick onward journey to Toyama. Best-known for its outstanding seafood – considered some of the best in Japan – Toyama is a great destination for foodies while also a convenient launching point from where to head to the nearby Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, the historic old town of Takayama and explore the many attractions of Japan’s highest mountain range, the North Alps.
HOW TO GET TO TOYAMA
In this section you will find information on how to reach Toyama from the following starting points:
NAGANO CITY – JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK – KANAZAWA – KARUIZAWA – TOKYO – NARITA AIRPORT – HANEDA AIRPORT – TATEYAMA-KUROBE ALPINE ROUTE – SHIRAKAWA-GO & GOKAYAMA – TAKAYAMA – KAMIKOCHI – NAGOYA – KYOTO & OSAKA
We endeavor to keep this information as up-to-date as possible and in recognition that most international visitors will be using the train network to move around Japan, most directions are for using the trains. If there is alternative option i.e. express or local bus, that is notably faster or economical, we also include that information.
FROM NAGANO CITY / between 45 to 65 minutes
Nagano City is the most convenient access point for destinations in northern Nagano Prefecture. Toyama Station and Nagano Station are both stops on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line along with the following station`:
Tokyo / Ueno / Omiya / Kumagaya / Honjo-Waseda / Takasaki / Annaka-Haruna / Karuizawa / Sakudaira / Ueda / Nagano / Iiyama / Joetsu-Myoko / Itoigawa / Kurobe-Unazukionsen / Toyama / Shin-Takaoka / Kanazawa / Komatsu / Kaga Onsen / Awara Onsen / Fukui / Echizen-Takefu / Tsuruga
There are four services on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line – the Kagayaki, Hakutaka, Asama and Tsurugi – however only the Kagayaki and Hakutaka services connect Toyama and Nagano. Using the Kagayaki, the journey from Nagano to Toyama takes about 47 minutes or 59 minutes using the Hakutaka. For the daily train schedule, see our ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen Timetable’ page.
FROM THE JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:35 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
To reach Toyama from the Jigokudani Monkey Park takes time but is relatively straight-forward when done via Nagano Station. From the park, you have the option of: 1. a direct express bus from the park to Nagano Station or 2. a local bus to Yudanaka Station followed by an express train to Nagano Station. Starting from the park, the express bus takes 55 minutes to reach Nagano Station. In comparison, taking the local bus from the park to Yudanaka Station followed by the train, takes 15 minutes before the limited express train to Nagano takes 45 minutes – a total journey of around 60 to 70 minutes. Once at Nagano Station, simply transfer to the shinkansen bound for Toyama.
FROM KANAZAWA / 20 to 25 minutes
Kanazawa is the northern terminus of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, and as such, it’s quick and easy to move between Kanazawa and Toyama, From Kanazawa Station, take the Hakutaka or Tsurugi services – 20 to 25 minutes. The Kagayaki can also be used and is faster but a bit more expensive and also requires a reservation.
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Tour from Kanazawa & Toyama: Snow Wall and Mysterious Valley | |
| Period | April to June |
| Time | 08:00 – 19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station / Toyama Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
On this day tour of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine route, you can choose to get on at Kanazawa but get off at Toyama on the way back, saving you the trouble of transport on your own. Instead, you will be accompanied by a guide all day, who will bring you from Kanazawa to the top of Tateyama and back again, all while making sure everything runs smoothly and accordingly to plan so you don’t have to worry.
FROM KARUIZAWA / 90 to 95 minutes
One of Japan’s most popular mountain resorts towns, Karuizawa is also a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. To reach Toyama, take the shinkansen from Karuizawa Station to Toyama Station – 90 to 95 minutes and follow the directions above. If you are looking for other day trips from Karuizawa Station, start with our listing below:
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Karuizawa: Unwind in Kusatsu Onsen | |
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| Period | April – November |
| Time | 09:30 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Karuizawa Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥15,500 |
FROM TOKYO / between 155 to 165 minutes
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa : Traditional Tokyo, Culinary Delights and Nature | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:30- 17:00 |
| Meeting Place | Outside the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Centre |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Most international visitors will spend at least some time in Tokyo during their visit to Japan, from where, it’s a easy journey to Toyama. Tokyo Station is the southern terminus of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, making it easy and convenient to travel from the capital to Toyama. Using the Hakutaka, the journey from Tokyo to Toyama takes 155 to 165 minutes. For further details, see our ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen’ page and ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen Timetable’ page.
FROM NARITA AIRPORT / between 4 to 5 hours
Toyama can be reached in a two-stage journey from Narita via Tokyo Station. Two rapid train services connect Narita Airport to central Tokyo, from where you can use the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to reach Toyama.
1 / the Narita Express (NEX) runs from Narita to Tokyo Station. It takes 55 minutes to reach Tokyo Station (depending on the service) with trains departing every 30 to 60 minutes. Once at Tokyo Station, follow the directions above.
2 / the Keisei Skyliner runs from Narita to Ueno Station. It takes between 40 to 55 minutes to reach Ueno Station with trains departing every 30 to 40 minutes. Once at Ueno Station, transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Toyama.
FROM HANEDA AIRPORT / between 3.5 to 4.5 hours
Toyama can be reached in a two-stage journey from Haneda via Tokyo Station. Two train services connect Haneda Airport to central Tokyo, from where you can use the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to reach Toyama.
1 / the Tokyo Monorail connects the airport to Tokyo Station via Hamamatsucho Station in around 30 minutes. From the airport take the monorail to Hamamatsucho Station (20 min) and then switch to the JR Yamanote Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku/Negishi Line Rapid bound for Tokyo Station (5 min) – a total journey of around 30-minutes one-way. Once at Tokyo Station, follow the directions above.
2 / the Keikyu Railway connects the airport to Tokyo Station via Shinagawa Station. Take the Keikyu Airport bound to Shinagawa Station (approx.11 min) and transfer to the Yamanote Line bound for Osaki to reach Tokyo Station – 13 min or a total journey of around 30 min. Once at Tokyo Station, follow the directions above onto Toyama.
FROM THE TATEYAMA-KUROBE ALPINE ROUTE / approx. 60 minutes
1 Day Tour
| [Spring Only] 1-Day Tour from Nagano: Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route | |
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| Period | April to June |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
The Toyama Chiho train line connects Tateyama Station – gateway to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route – with Dentetsu-Toyama Station, a brief walk from Toyama Station. Taking approximately 60 minutes, regular services run to and from Tateyama.
FROM SHIRAKAWA-GO & GOKAYAMA / approx. 60 minutes
The Nohi Bus company also operates several daily services from Ogimachi – the main village of the Shirakawa-go and Gokayama grouping – to Toyama Station. This bus service also continues on to nearby Takayama. It takes approximately 60 minutes to reach Toyama from Ogimachi.
FROM TAKAYAMA / approx. 90 minutes
Takayama is one of Central Japan’s most popular destinations and located with easy reach of Toyama. Most visitors choose to use the Limited Express ‘Hida’ on the Takayama Main Line from Takayama Station to Toyama. Covered by the Japan Rail Pass, this train line is particularly beautiful making the journey itself part of the experience. Taking approximately 90 minutes, there are only two or three convenient services each day and the line is popular with tourists, so if you have the chance to book ahead it can be helpful. If you are looking for other day trip options from Takayama, our listing below is a great place to start:
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Takayama: Explore Scenic Old Japan in Takayama and Shirakawa-go | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:00 – 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Takayama Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥20,800 / 22,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥12,000 / 14,000 |
FROM KAMIKOCHI / between 3 to 4 hours
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle | |
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| Period | April to November |
| Time | 08:15 – 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Matsumoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥23,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,900 |
To reach Toyama from Kamikochi you must first head to Takayama. From the Kamikochi Bus Terminal, take the bus to the Hirayu Onsen Bus Terminal – 25 to 30 minutes – and then switch to the bus headed to Takayama – another 60 minutes. Please inquire with us for information including timetables and fares to and from Takayama. Once in Takayama, follow the directions above.
FROM NAGOYA / approx. 4 hours
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Guided Garden Walk through Nagoya’s Castle, Gardens, and Historic Estates | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 9:00 – 17:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Nagoya is the largest city in Central Japan. The Limited Express ‘Hida’ service runs from Nagoya Station to Toyama. It takes approximately 4 hours. This is a beautiful train journey through the forests and mountains of Central Japan. The train stops at Takayama, making it worthwhile to spend at least one night in the historic town from where you can also easily visit Shirakawa-go and Gokayama along with Kamikochi, before heading onto Toyama.
FROM KYOTO & OSAKA / between 125 to 155 minutes
1 Day Tour
| Kyoto Heritage Path – From Fushimi Inari’s Mystery to Kiyomizu Temple Majesty | |
| Period | All year round |
| Time | 09:00-17:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Kyoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,000 |
From Kyoto and Osaka, take the Limited Express ‘Thunderbird’ service to Tsuruga Station and then transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Toyama. Frequent services run between the cities and involve the following travel times and costs: 150 to 160 minutes from Osaka and 125-145 minutes from Kyoto.
25 THINGS TO DO AROUND TOYAMA & WHERE TO STAY
Though easy to get to using the Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ network, the port city of Toyama is often over-looked by international visitors. That’s a mistake. Located nearby Toyama Bay, the city and region are known throughout Japan for its fantastic seafood – best enjoyed at a coastal market or at one of the city’s many restaurants. The city itself is modern and energetic and an ideal launching point from where to access the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, Takayama, Gokayama, Takaoka and the North Alps. For tips and suggestions of what’s on offer, see our ’25 Things to Do Around Toyama’ page.
TOURS AND CHARTERS AROUND TOYAMA
At Snow Monkey Resorts we have tours operating around Japan – and that includes the Toyama area. With so much going on, and so much natural beauty, there is no chance that we would ever have left this area out of our line up. If you’ve been convinced that visiting Toyama is a good idea (and it really is), then the following tours will be just what you are looking for.
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Tour from Kanazawa & Toyama: Snow Wall and Mysterious Valley | |
| Period | April to June |
| Time | 08:00 – 19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station / Toyama Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
One of Toyama’s biggest international attractions is the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, without a doubt. The towering snow walls here are truly unique and are something that is hard to see outside of Japan. The easiest way to make it up to this magnificent natural beauty is through one of our tours. Hop on one of our buses as we head up the mountain, stopping in a mysterious village before reaching the top where you can explore the Snow Walls and other areas. Check the link above for our Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route from Kanazawa and Toyama.
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Kurobe Gorge and Unazuki Onsen | |
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| Period | May to November |
| Time | 08:00 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 / 24,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥24,000 / 21,000 |
Accessible from Toyama Station via Unazuki Onsen, Kurobe Gorge is quickly emerging as a popular destination for international visitors. Regarded as one of the three most beautiful gorges in Japan, Kurobe is best experienced riding the Kurobe Gorge Railway which covers a meandering and winding 20km span in approximately 80 minutes. The open-air carriages allow visitors an intimate experience of the surrounding landscape with stations along the route allowing access to walk trails, onsen, restaurants and accommodation. On our day tour of the area, you will have a day to enjoy the train ride and stunning scenery of the area, with a guide to help you make the most of it.
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Takaoka’s Temples, Metalworking Experience and Stunning Toyama Bay Views | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 08:00 – 18:15 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥21,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥18,000 |
While a little out of the way, the Amaharashi Coast is a famous sight for many Japanese – known for its pristine beauty and Onnaiwa (Woman’s Rock) set against the background of the North Japan Alps including Mt Tate., and having inspired artists and poets for countless years. The spectacular view of the mountains against Toyama Bay may be difficult to access so join us for a tour! It combines other sites in Takaoka such as the Japan Heritage Site of Zuiryuji, the Big Buddha of Takaoka and a metalworking workshop. If you’re interested, find more information above on our Takaoka Tour page.
For a more personalized experience, private charters are also available. We can pick you up from a location of your choice anywhere in Central Japan, and bring you to your preferred destination. Airport pickup from Tokyo or Nagoya, even Osaka, is also possible. Our services may be used for taking day trips that include a few hard to reach destinations as well, removing the hassle of using often infrequent public transport options. A guide can be requested for an additional fee to turn the day into a completely private tour, where you decide the itinerary and our guides show you around in a timely and engaging manner. For more information concerning pricing and availability, please see here.
