Toyama Castle

The castle tower, which is the center of Toyama Castle, boasts one of the highest heights in Toyama City. From the tower, you can overlook the city of Toyama, the Sea of Japan, and the Tateyama Mountain Range, feeling as if you were a lord. However, in fact, there was no castle tower in Toyama Castle during the Edo period. It was built as a symbol of earthquake recovery in conjunction with the Toyama Industrial Exhibition held in 1954. After the exhibition, it has been active as a museum introducing the local history and as an observatory overlooking the city.

Toyama Castle has existing stone walls of historical value. Originally, Toyama Castle was a fortress mainly made of earthen walls. The existing stone walls are made by breaking Tamaseki stones from the Hayatsuki River and Joganji River in Toyama Prefecture, and piling them up using the "Nomotezumi" technique, where the stones are left in their natural shape with the round side facing outward. In the Uchimaru square gate, there are also parts where the square-shaped stones are horizontally piled up using the "Nunokumi" technique. The most eye-catching feature is the mirror stones in the huge Uchimaru square gate. There are six of these mirror stones remaining in Toyama Castle, and it is said that they were installed to show the power of the lord. There are signs explaining these stone walls installed in various places, so please take your time to admire the stone walls and read the descriptions.

At Toyama Castle, the local museum showcases the history of the castle and the castle town. Visitors can also see models of the castle town, weapons, and armor. The museum leads to an observation deck, where visitors can look down on the city of Toyama and experience the feelings of the lords who once ruled the castle. Admission is 210 yen (170 yen) for adults and free for high school students and younger.

The area around Toyama Castle has been developed as a castle park. The park covers a vast area of 7.06 hectares and is abundant with greenery. Throughout the seasons, various flowers bloom, such as cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas during the rainy season, and autumn leaves in the fall. The park's facilities are also well-equipped, including the main symbol of Toyama Castle (Toyama City Folk Museum), the Sato Memorial Art Museum, which exhibits Oriental antiques, and the Japanese garden and Matsukawa Tea House, where you can experience the four seasons. This park is full of attractions.

The "Sato Memorial Art Museum," which looks like a small castle, is an art museum that was opened in 1961 by the late Sukekuro Sato, the founder of Sato Industry Co., Ltd. in Toyama Prefecture. In 2002, the building and all of its works were donated to Toyama City, and it became a publicly-run art museum. On the first floor, mainly Oriental antiques are displayed, and on the second floor, a tea room and a study room with a tatami mat are displayed as they were relocated from the Sato family. In addition, there is a cafe inside the museum where you can enjoy tea and Japanese sweets while looking out at the beautiful Japanese garden and Toyama Castle through the window.

Matsukawa, which flows beside the ruins of Toyama Castle, was once a natural moat of the Jintogawa River. Nowadays, pleasure boats operate leisurely, carrying tourists and others, while unique boat captains guide them through the history and tourist spots of Toyama for about 30 minutes. The most bustling season is during cherry blossom viewing, where you can enjoy the cherry blossom tunnel selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots" overhead. The Matsukawa Tea House, where the boats depart and arrive, is a popular oasis in the city, offering Toyama Castle matcha parfait, matcha sets, and light meals.

The "Toyama Samurai Experience" is a new initiative aimed at tourists. At the "Toyama City Downtown Tourist Information Center" located in Toyama Castle Park, visitors can experience putting on helmets, jinbaori, kimonos, and even authentic armor, as well as horseback riding. This event is popular not only among overseas and out-of-town tourists, but also among local children. In addition, there is also an opportunity for small children to try feeding the horses.

Toyama Castle is illuminated every day from sunset until 10pm, transforming into a fantastic atmosphere different from daytime. On the moat side, the "Amazing Toyama Frame" appears to frame the castle at different angles, making it a perfect photo spot. In winter, it competes with the illumination that continues from the station, delighting the eyes of passersby. If you visit for tourism in winter, be sure to stop by after sunset.