Unmissable Places to visit
in Takayama-Hokuriku Area

Challenge your athleticism at Tree Picnic Adventure! This massive adventure park offers a variety of courses and thrilling elements all nestled within a forest in the Japanese countryside. The main feature of Tree Picnic Adventure is their zipline which stretches for almost 1km over pristine, lush forest.

Echizen-gani, or snow crab, is a treasure of the Fukui area. This succulent crab is only caught during the colder months and can fetch quite a high price. This crab is so revered, that it is the only kind of crab presented to the Japanese imperial family every year.

Kanazawa prides itself on its refinement and heritage, and since it was spared bombing during World War Two many of its historical buildings and artefacts have been preserved to this day. A wander into any of the city's three chaya districts (Higashi, Nishi and Kazue-machi), the home of Kanazawa's geisha, will transport you into another world where you can slip into a teahouse and enjoy a few moments' rest and relaxation.

While you're there, why not see what all the fuss is about and try on a kimono of your own? With a kimono experience, you can see for yourself what it's like to wear the colorful traditional clothing of Japan.

No trip to Kanazawa is complete without exploring Omicho Market. Not far from the train station, this is Kanazawa’ kitchen, where professional chefs and domestic cooks come to buy fresh fish and local produce. There are several small restaurants where you can sample the food including some of the freshest sushi in Japan. A famous local delicacy is snow crab, but the season is very limited and short so if you see any on the menu, give it a shot!

Almost 90% of all of Japan's gold leaf comes from the Higashi Chaya district in Kanazawa. Of course, this means the area, and the whole town, has been fairly wealthy since samurai times. If you'd like to see gold leaf even further up close, you can always buy a gold leaf soft-serve ice cream, a local delicacy. It may not be the most expensive meal you'll have on your trip, but it may well be the fanciest and most picture-worthy!

No stay in a hot springs town is complete without a soak in the baths! The Greater Kaga Onsen area's water has been touted over the centuries as having restorative and curative effects. The area has an almost sleepy feel, as it has retained a lot of its olden charm, with wooden architecture and picturesque streets. Pair this experience with a fantastic dinner of locally-sourced ingredients and you have a perfect night!

Inside Tulip Park you'll find Tulip Marche, the newest edition to the ubiquitous flower culture in Tonami. Over 20 shops, including cafes and goods, can be browsed in the area. With almost 300 different varieties produced, Tonami is Japan's largest producer of the colorful flower. Taking place over two weeks in April, the Tulip Fair is held in homage to the long history of flower cultivation in Tonami.

Known as the "Diamonds of Toyama Bay", Japanese glass shrimp are only found in one place in the world - Toyama Bay. This rare shrimp is highly regarded for its delicate sweetness and can only be caught in the summer months. Eaten either as part of a larger sashimi set or simply on top of a bowl of rice, this unique dish is one to put on your bucketlist!

You'll start today off with a 25-minute journey via light rail to Iwase Beach. Along the way you will be able to see dramatic landscapes out of both sides of the train. On one side you'll be gliding silently along the seaside, with Toyama Bay a stone's throw away. From the comfort of your train you can see the Sea of Japan out in the distance. Opposite, you'll see the Tateyama mountain range.

The Fugan Suijo Cruise is a leisurely canal cruise which connects Toyama Kansui Park with Iwase-hama Beach. This historic canal can be seen in all its glory from the comfort of one of several different boat types offered on the Fugan Suijo Line. This is also a great opportunity to explore Toyama and the beach itself.

With techniques developed over generations, the Shirakawa-go villagers designed unique gassho-zukuri buildings: farmhouses, barns and sheds with steeply pitched, thatched roofs designed to withstand the heavy winter snowfall.
Gassho-zukuri means "like praying hands", as the tall triangular roofs are said to resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in worship.

A food that truly pleases all age brackets, ramen is more than a hearty bowl of noodles. A perfect combination of saltiness, savouriness, and the mysterious umami, a bowl of ramen should be at the top of your list any time of the day or night, but tastes especially good after a night out. The mountain town of Takayama has put its own unique spin on the soulful dish by combining the broth and soy sauce and boiling them together to create a tasty, warming dish.

Avoid the dense crowds and enjoy the spacious Hida-Furukawa area with this cycling experience. You'll have a knowledeable guide with you throughout the day to help you get beneath the surface of this fascinating, and traditional, village. This is your chance to really feel the rhythm of daily life in the Hida area as you pedal around rice fields around this picturesque faming village. Good for all ages and cycling experience.

After all that sightseeing it must be time to indulge in some of the local speciality cuisine! The famed Hida beef is what is highly recommended by visitors and locals alike. Some say the pristine water of Takayama is the secret of why the beef is so good, and others say it's gotta be the intense marbling of the beef itself.

Once alighting at Gifu Park, make your way towards the river and you'll quickly find yourself stepping back in time. The Kawara-machi District, on the banks of the Nagara River, is famous for becoming rich off merchants hundreds of years ago and the area still retains that feeling today. The old merchant houses with latticed doors and imposing black walls call back to a time only learned about in history books.

Gifu City is one of the few places left in Japan that still practices the ancient art of cormorant fishing. For over 1300 years, this traditional technique has used trained birds of prey, the cormorant, to swoop down and catch the local delicacy, the ayu, or sweetfish. The ayu is typically grilled and lightly salted before being eaten whole. The fish has a subtle, delicate flavor and is definitely worth trying!

Probably the most famous (and cutest!) food item in the station, Piyorin is a many-layered dessert. Shaped like a chick, the first layer is made from soft sponge cake, while the body is then dusted in cake crumbs. This gives it an almost fluffy texture. Inside is the true star of the show: rich Bavarian cream custard, wrapped within a mouthwatering egg pudding. Using only the finest ingredients, the creamy egg pudding is made from local Nagoya Cochin eggs.

With over 40 restaurants along Umaimon Street in Nagoya Station, you'll definitely be able to find something that tickles your fancy! Eat many of the dishes famous around the city without leaving the station. Recommendations include breaded miso-infused pork cutlets, chicken wings, and sumptious eel in a sweet tare sauce. Just be sure not to miss your train!

Nagoya has countless hotels and lodging options. However, what better way to end the adventure then to be in the middle of it all, connected to Nagoya Station? The Nagoya Gate Tower Hotel is ideal after a long day of travel. The rooms start at the 18th floor, ensuring birdseye views of the dazzling city lights. The Nagoya Gate Tower Hotel is a fine option for those needing to take the journey to the airport in the morning.

Wakasa lacquerware is unique to the Fukui area and dates back to the Edo Period almost 400 years ago. Because of the way the Wakasa lacquerware technique is applied, no two items are the same, with each piece being fittingly handmade. Because Obama City provides more than 90% of Japan's lacquered chopsticks, visitors can easily find a provider that offers a Wakasa-nuri chopstick making experience.

Echizen-gani, or snow crab, is a treasure of the Fukui area. This succulent crab is only caught during the colder months and can fetch quite a high price. This crab is so revered, that it is the only kind of crab presented to the Japanese imperial family every year.

In a city already known for its culture and traditional crafts, Yuzen dyeing may be Kanazawa's most respected art. Dating back over 500 years, the art of Yuzen dyeing is a technique distinct to the Kaga district. Characterized by its use of nature and the elements in the design, Yuzen dyeing uses five basic colors (indigo, crimson, ochre, dark green, and royal purple) to createthe intricate designs it is known for. Under the eye of a master artist, you can give the ancient craft a shot for yourself!

No trip to Kanazawa is complete without exploring Omicho Market. Not far from the train station, this is Kanazawa’ kitchen, where professional chefs and domestic cooks come to buy fresh fish and local produce. There are several small restaurants where you can sample the food including some of the freshest sushi in Japan. A famous local delicacy is snow crab, but the season is very limited and short.

Almost 90% of all of Japan's gold leaf comes from the Higashi Chaya district in Kanazawa. Of course, this means the area, and the whole town, has been fairly wealthy since samurai times. If you'd like to see gold leaf even further up close, you can always buy a gold leaf soft-serve ice cream, a local delicacy. It may not be the most expensive meal you'll have on your trip, but it may well be the fanciest and most picture-worthy!

No stay in a hot springs town is complete without a soak in the baths! The Greater Kaga Onsen area's water has been touted over the centuries as having restorative and curative effects. The area has an almost sleepy feel, as it has retained a lot of its olden charm, with wooden architecture and picturesque streets. Pair this experience with a fantastic dinner of locally-sourced ingredients and you have a perfect night planned in Kaga Hot Spring Resort.

Toyama is one of only a few locations in Japan where the general public is allowed to observe auctions; the midday auctions at Shinminato are an excellent chance to take advantage of this authentic experience. The highlight of the auction is the serious interaction between auctioneers and buyers, as they battle it out for the best of the port's wide variety of fish and high catch volume. After observing the auction, make your way to the Shinminato Kittokito Market, where you can sample the catch of the day and taste Toyama’s famous seafood for yourself!

Known as the "Diamonds of Toyama", Japanese glass shrimp are only found in one place in the world - Toyama Bay. This rare shrimp is highly regarded for its delicate sweetness and can only be caught in the summer months. Eaten either as part of a larger sashimi set or simply on top of a bowl of rice, this unique dish is one to put on your bucketlist!

Reknowned for its glass making, Toyama is definitely the place to be if you'd like to delve into the illustrious history of this popular art. At the Toyama Glass Art Studio, you can watch master glassmakers as they create masterpieces, as well as check out completed works in the studio space. If you'd like, you can even give glass making a shot and make your own souvinir to bring back home.

Hidden deep in the pine-covered mountains of Hakusan National Park, Shirakawago was once a refuge for the persecuted. With techniques developed over generations, the villagers designed unique gassho-zukuri buildings: farmhouses, barns and sheds with steeply pitched, thatched roofs designed to withstand the heavy winter snowfall.
Gassho-zukuri means "like praying hands", as the tall triangular roofs are said to resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in worship.

A food that truly pleases all age brackets, ramen is more than a hearty bowl of noodles. A perfect combination of saltiness, savouriness, and the mysterious umami, a bowl of ramen should be at the top of your list any time of the day or night.

Dekonaru-za is a unique musical experience in that it combines different traditional Japanese arts into one amazing show. Incorporating the Japanese shakuhachi flute, the shamisen banjo, and the powerful taiko drums, just to name a few, these local performers bring traditional Japanese folk music from the Hida area to the forefront. Along with music, you can see performances of the Japanese sword and lion dances. Truly, performances worth seeing!

After all that sightseeing it must be time to indulge in some of the local speciality cuisine! The famed Hida beef is what is highly recommended by visitors and locals alike. Some say the pristine water of Takayama is the secret of why the beef is so good, and others say it's gotta be the intense marbling of the beef itself.

Mino City in Gifu Prefecture is one of the three most famous villages to still make washi, a Japanese paper. Processed by hand and using traditional techniques passed down through generations, Mino washi is famous around the world for its beauty and quality. After you're done trying your hand at making your own washi paper, take a stroll around this charming village, which still has streets boasting preserved buildings and architecture from the time of the samurai.

Gifu City, the capital of Gifu Prefecture, is one of the few places left in Japan that still practices the ancient art of cormorant fishing. For over 1300 years, this traditional technique has used trained birds of prey, the cormorant, to swoop down and catch the local delicacy, the ayu, or sweetfish. The ayu is typically grilled and lightly salted before being eaten whole. The fish has a subtle, delicate flavor and is definitely worth trying!

Probably the most famous (and cutest!) food item in the station, Piyorin is a many-layered dessert. Shaped like a chick, the first layer is made from soft sponge cake, while the body is then dusted in cake crumbs. This gives it an almost fluffy texture. Inside is the true star of the show: rich Bavarian cream custard, wrapped within a mouthwatering egg pudding. Using only the finest ingredients, the creamy egg pudding is made from local Nagoya Cochin eggs.

With over 40 restaurants along Umaimon Street in Nagoya Station, you'll definitely be able to find something that tickles your fancy! Eat many of the dishes famous around the city without leaving the station. Recommendations include breaded miso-infused pork cutlets, chicken wings, and sumptious eel in a sweet tare sauce.

Nagoya has countless hotels and lodging options. However, what better way to end the adventure then to be in the middle of it all, connected to Nagoya Station? The Nagoya Gate Tower Hotel is ideal after a long day of travel. The rooms start at the 18th floor, ensuring birdseye views of the dazzling city lights. The Nagoya Gate Tower Hotel is a fine option for those needing to take the journey to the airport in the morning.