Toyama
A mountain corridor that cuts straight through the Japanese Alps at 3,000 metres, flanked by 20-metre snow walls — the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is Japan’s most dramatic journey.
立山黒部アルペンルートの雪の大谷、世界遺産・五箇山の合掌造り、ほたるいかと白えびの宝庫——富山は日本の壮大な自然と食の宝庫です。
Toyama Prefecture wedges between the Japan Alps and the Sea of Japan, creating a dramatic geography that produces some of Japan’s finest seafood and most spectacular mountain scenery. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route traverses the Northern Alps from Toyama to Nagano via cable cars, tunnels and a trolleybus — in late April, the ‘Snow Wall Walk’ through 20-metre-high snow corridors is one of Japan’s most breathtaking experiences. UNESCO-listed Gokayama village, deep in mountain forest, preserves the same gassho-zukuri thatched farmhouses as Shirakawa-go.
標高3,000mの立山連峰を越えるアルペンルート、4月の雪の大谷20m、世界遺産の五箇山合掌造り集落、富山湾のホタルイカ・白エビ——富山は日本の自然と食のスケールが他を圧倒する県です。
Recommended Omiyage
おすすめおみやげ 5選
Hotaruika
Luminescent firefly squid from Toyama Bay — simmered in soy or eaten as sashimi in season
富山湾名物の発光するホタルイカ。3〜5月が旬。酢味噌や沖漬けが絶品。
Shiro Ebi Senbei
Delicate crackers made from Toyama Bay’s prized white shrimp — Japan’s only source
富山湾でしか獲れない幻の白エビを使ったサクサクのせんべい。
Toyama Sake
Alpine snowmelt sake from Toyama’s high-mineral spring water — clean, soft and refined
立山の雪解け水と豊かな伏流水が育む、やわらかくすっきりとした純米酒。
Takaoka Copperware
Japan’s foremost traditional bronzeware — from tiny Buddhist bells to elaborate incense burners
日本の銅器生産量の95%を占める高岡の伝統工芸。仏具から食器まで多彩。
Masu Sushi
Pressed trout sushi in a round cedar box — Toyama’s most famous ekiben (train station bento)
曲げわっぱに詰めたサクラマスの押し寿司。富山の顔ともいえる駅弁みやげ。
Must-Visit Spots
おすすめスポット 5選
Tateyama Alpine Route
Japan’s most dramatic mountain crossing — cable cars, tunnels and 20m snow walls at 2,450m
ケーブルカー・トンネルバスを乗り継ぎ標高2,450mを越える日本最大の山岳観光ルート。
Gokayama
UNESCO World Heritage gassho-zukuri village even more remote than Shirakawa-go
白川郷よりさらに深い山中に残る世界遺産の合掌造り集落。静寂の中に日本の原風景がある。
Toyama Bay
‘Natural fish tank’ bay with the deepest shelf in Japan — unique seasonal seafood bounty
山と海が接近した「天然のいけす」富山湾。ホタルイカ・白エビ・ブリが特産。
Zuiryuji Temple
Perfectly proportioned Edo-period Zen temple — a National Treasure in Takaoka
江戸初期建立の壮麗な禅寺伽藍。国宝に指定された高岡の誇り。
Unazuki Onsen
Gateway to Kurobe Gorge — one of Japan’s most spectacular narrow-gauge railway gorge rides
黒部峡谷トロッコ電車の出発点。渓谷の絶景と名湯が楽しめる温泉地。
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I see the Snow Wall Walk at Tateyama?
The Yuki-no-Otani (Snow Wall Walk, 雪の大谷) is open mid-April to late June, with the tallest walls (15–20m) in late April. Book ahead — the route sells out during Golden Week.
雪の大谷ウォークは4月中旬〜6月下旬。最大20mの雪壁は4月下旬が見頃。GW期間は混雑するので早めの予約を。
What is masu sushi?
Masu-no-sushi (ます寿司) is cured rainbow trout pressed into a round cedar box lined with bamboo leaves. It’s Toyama’s most iconic souvenir — sold at Toyama Station and on shinkansen routes.
ます寿司は桜マスの酢漬けを笹の葉で包んで曲げわっぱに詰めた押し寿司。富山駅と新幹線でお土産として人気。
How long does the Tateyama Alpine Route take?
The full crossing from Toyama City to Shinano-Omachi (Nagano side) takes about 7 hours. Most visitors do the Toyama–Murodo (snow wall) section as a day trip (4 hr round trip).
富山市から長野・信濃大町まで全線走破で約7時間。日帰りなら富山〜室堂（雪の大谷）の往復が約4時間でおすすめ。
Travel Tip
Pre-book your Tateyama Alpine Route tickets online at least 2 weeks ahead in April–May — the route limits daily visitors and tickets sell out for popular dates. The Toyama City Tourist Association website has English booking.
