For most Filipino travelers, Japan comes as a top dream destination. Many are quick to consider visiting the two main draws of Tokyo and Kyoto, but these areas tend to be busy and filled with tourists in peak travel seasons. If you’re looking to explore the beauty of the land of the rising sun without dealing with crowds, consider visiting hidden gem locations like Toyama.

Where is Toyama located?

Toyama is a coastal city located in the northern center of Japan, just northwest of Tokyo. It’s a relatively quieter side of Japan, with not many tourists being spotted during our visit. If you’re looking for a cool refuge during the ’ber season, Toyama’s cool temperatures are an enticing experience. For our stay, the weather was often under 10°C, offering a chilly refuge from our country’s scorching weather. Here are a couple of destinations worth checking out when you visit.

Toyama Castle Park

One of the first destinations you’ll likely spot is the Toyama Castle Park. This attraction dates as far back as 1543, though the castle itself is a reconstruction built in the ’50s. Here you’ll also encounter two museums showcasing the local history of the castle and Toyama, the Toyama City Local History Museum and the Sato Memorial Art Museum of Toyama. Sato Memorial Art Museum of Toyama is best known for its display of various tea set utensils. There are several picture-perfect areas in the park area, especially during the spring season when it becomes a popular destination for its cherry blossoms around April.

Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route

You don’t need to fly all the way to Europe to enjoy an alpine experience. Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is a full-day trip that is perfect for those who want to feel the icy goodness of snow. Much of the beauty of this experience comes from the various cable cars and bus rides showing off the pristine environment surrounding the area. At the highest point, if you time your visit right so that the view won’t be hampered by heavy fog, you’ll be treated to a magnificent view of the hot spring area. One of the best spots to marvel over is the Kurobe Dam. Those of you familiar with kaiju movies might recognize the area as it is one of the shooting locations used in Ghidorah, the Three-headed Monster. There’s also a rest station that offers a curry dish shaped similarly to the dam, tasty and Instagram-worthy!

Fugan Canal Kansui Park

Yet another hot spot around springtime for its cherry blossoms, the Fugan Canal Kansui Park is a serene location for a special day out in the park. Pokémon fans can hunt down the special manhole cover containing the art of Generation Six’s Inkay. This place is also home to a scenic Starbucks branch where you can enjoy a hot cup of coffee while enjoying the sights. A short walk away from the park, you’ll find yourself at the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design. Here you can find works by Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall on display. There’s also an interactive playground known as the Onomatopoeia Rooftop on the top floor. Fans of anime can also check out the special furniture exhibit which contains chairs spotted on some covers from the Spy X Family manga. The exhibition content is regularly updated, so some items may not be on display depending on the time of your visit.

Inami, the town of wood carving

Inami is recognized throughout Japan for its wood carving. For our visit to the area, we met with a wood carving craftsman and learned how to make our own sake cups. It’s a fun activity that lets one channel their inner creativity and earn an appreciation of the craftsmanship that goes into wood carving. Of course, we tested our sake cups by visiting a nearby sake store to see how different drinking from a wooden cup is from glass. There’s an earthier taste to the wooden cup and the scent of the wood adds to the flavor of the drink.

Amaharashi Coast

During our brief stay at the Amaharashi Onsen Isohanabi, a travel inn known for its peaceful onsen offerings, we managed to take a short detour along the Amaharashi Coast. Though it was a brief visit, the view of the sea and the Tateyama mountains that it offers is truly breathtaking. One of the standout features of this location is an islet with trees on top known as Meiwa Rock. Local tales mention that the scenic coast got its name after a warlord known as Yoshitsune no Minamoto took shelter from the rain in the area.

Gokayama

Toyama is also known for being home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, Gokayama. This historic village offers a glimpse into simpler times, showcasing the Self-sustaining life of farmers. If you time your visit right, you’ll find yourself visiting a winter wonderland as the iconic houses find themselves covered in snow, making it look akin to a scene from a snow globe. Also, a short distance from these villages is the Gokayama Washi no Sato (Gokayama Japanese Paper Village) where you can learn firsthand how Gokayama washi paper is made. Their store offers a variety of wallpapers, postcards, and stationery sets perfect for filling your drawers.

Tonami Tulip Gallery

Another highlight of Toyama is its annual Tulip Festival. This year it will be held from April 22 to May 5. Expect to see over three million tulips of over 300 varieties to bring color to the Tonami Tulip Park. If you can’t time your visit in time for the Tulip Festival, you can still visit the Tonami Tulip Gallery where you can enjoy various displays of the beautiful flower all year round. Those with a sweet tooth will especially enjoy the tulip-flavored soft-serve ice cream.