Located near the Sea of Japan on the Japanese mainland, Fushiki-Toyama is a gem of tourism sitting on the Matsukawa River.  A great start would be a riverboat trip to see the sights, especially in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. With year-round festivals, such as the Yotaka Matsuri festival and the Yosakoi dance festival, there’s plenty to explore and experience.

Toyama Folkcraft Village is an adventure in history.  A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, the village is a series of small cultural museums and each museum is a traditional house featuring crafts, tools, and other items from the historic time that each house represents. Visitors can purchase traditional clay crafts made on the premises. Just next door is the Gohyaku-rakan, also known as the “Hill of 500 Buddhas.” This forest hill is covered in hundreds of Buddha statues that are known as disciples to Buddha, leading to a small temple at the top. They are a wonder to behold.

Keep exploring with a trip to Toyama Castle. This small castle was built in the 15^th century and has a beautiful walkway that features local art along the sides. Fugan Canal Kansui Park is a huge park split by a large canal used for sight-seeing boats. It is filled with panoramic views of the area and has the small charm of including what is known as the most beautiful Starbucks location in the world. Views of the city from the top of Toyama City Hall are spectacular.  It offers a 360-degree view of the city below.

With stunning nature, fascinating history, tons of activities, and even more to discover as you branch out, Fushiki-Toyama is a great way to discover the beauty of Japan.