If you want to not just watch but also challenge yourself in Toyama, this is the place! 9 Experience Spots in Toyama

Toyama Prefecture is full of attractive spots not only for its blessed natural scenery, but also for food and craftsmanship. In addition to sightseeing, there are many experience spots where you can actually try things for yourself. Many of these experiences allow you to take home a souvenir of your creation, making it a recommended way to enjoy Toyama sightseeing. This time, we’ll introduce recommended spots where you can enjoy hands-on experiences in Toyama!

1. A fantasy of light on the Sea of Japan: Firefly Squid Boat Tour

Firefly squid is a culinary delight from Toyama Prefecture that is famous across Japan. Many people love it as the perfect pairing for sake. During the spring spawning season, they rise from the deep sea to the Toyama Bay coastline. The fishing grounds for firefly squid are not very large, which is why they’ve become a Toyama specialty! Firefly squid glow bluish-white because their bodies contain about 1,000 light-emitting organs.

However, their fishing season only lasts for a few months each year. And the period during which you can actually see live, glowing firefly squid at sea is limited to about one month. “Firefly Squid Boat Tour” is the spot where you can enjoy this rare and mysterious light fantasy show. Even before dawn, you’ll witness a natural pageant of glowing lights across Toyama’s sea.

You’ll have to wake up quite early, but it’s definitely worth the effort! The sight—like brilliant LED lights embedded in a fixed net—can only be experienced at this spot.

2. Try making Toyama’s nationally famous kamaboko at Umekama Museum U-mei-kan

Toyama Prefecture has a kamaboko (fish cake) museum that also serves as a hands-on experience spot. Toyama Bay, known for its abundant seafood, supports a thriving fishery and seafood processing industry. Toyama’s kamaboko-making tradition, essential for both New Year’s cuisine and daily life, has long been highly regarded. Inside the museum, there are four zones: “Tasting Zone,” “Exhibition Zone,” “Decorative Kamaboko Viewing Zone,” and “Skill & Tradition Zone,” each offering various ways to enjoy the experience.

It also features the nationally renowned art of decorative kamaboko, a skill so captivating you’ll forget the time. One of the highlights is the opportunity to try making these decorative kamaboko yourself! You can use a piping tool to freely design colorful kamaboko from fish paste dyed in vivid hues. While your creation is being steamed, you can tour the factory or learn about the history of kamaboko—there’s no idle time! Once your vibrant, original kamaboko is done, you might find it too beautiful to eat!

3. Fully enjoy the charm of Toyama craftsmanship at Nanairo KAN

Comprising seven different buildings, this is one of Toyama’s representative hands-on experience spots where you can see, create, and taste everything Toyama has to offer. It’s a multi-purpose facility that offers tours and hands-on experiences, including exhibits of picture book artists' works, pottery making, visits to glass studios, and displays of rare carpentry tools and old household electronics.

Each building has a unique character, allowing you to fully enjoy based on your preferences and interests. Just walking around enriches the soul, but you can also immerse yourself in creative activities as a memorable part of your Toyama visit or a full-scale hands-on experience spot—as long as time permits!

There’s also a morning market selling local vegetables and seafood, and a dining area with beautiful views of the Northern Alps, making the day fly by. “Nanairo KAN” is a perfect spot for those interested in craftsmanship, as well as couples and families.

4. Get inspired by the works of Toyama artists and create your own! Toyama Glass Studio

The city of Toyama aims to become “Toyama, the City of Glass,” and is home to many shops and studios selling glassware. Among them, “Toyama Glass Studio” is well known as a base for glass artists active in Toyama Prefecture. It plays a vital role in connecting technique and art, industry and culture, while continuing daily glass production.

This facility is not only for viewing and purchasing glass works but also serves as an experience spot where you can try making your own glass creations. People of all ages, from children to adults, can casually take on the challenge. Blown glass and paperweight workshops are available starting from elementary school age, and with the kind and attentive guidance of the staff, there's no need to worry about failure!

If you get tired from the work, you can relax in the café and enjoy tea while gazing at the brilliantly shining works by glass artists. This is a highly recommended experience spot where you can create a one-of-a-kind glass piece as a memory of your Toyama trip.

5. Learn traditional Japanese techniques and make a souvenir at Roadside Station Taira – Gokayama Washi Village

Roadside Station Taira – Gokayama Washi Village is a facility located in Gokayama, one of Toyama’s most globally renowned tourist destinations, and is attached to a roadside station. This facility includes three attractions: the “Washi Craft Museum” where you can learn about the storied history of Gokayama’s traditional paper-making, the “Washi Experience Center” where you can make washi paper by hand, and the “Taira Local History Museum” where you can discover the history of Gokayama.

The washi-making experience accepts walk-ins even for individuals, so you can casually stop by for a spontaneous workshop while taking a driving break during your Toyama travels. As a spot where you can experience the charm of traditional Japanese crafts, it will surely add great value to your Toyama sightseeing.

You can create items such as postcards, fans, and bookmarks, making it a perfect memento of your trip. The experience will make you feel as though you're inheriting traditional craftsmanship directly from the artisans. Before you leave, you can also purchase unique washi stationery from the roadside station—making it a great spot for souvenirs too.

6. Just steps from Toyama Station! Have fun with science at Hokuriku Electric Power Energy Science Museum (Wonder Lab)

Hokuriku Electric Power Energy Science Museum is a Toyama experience spot that both kids and adults can enjoy together. Located right in front of JR Toyama Station, it’s easy to access even during sightseeing. Here, you can gain a deeper understanding of electricity and energy, which we all rely on daily.

The facility has two floors where you can explore the wonders of how electricity—something we use without much thought—is generated and delivered to our homes. Featuring interactive exhibits like a ball circus, sound tubes, and an ascending bicycle, this spot near Toyama Station is a family favorite.

They also regularly host events where expert experimenters and facility staff perform unique science demonstrations. This is an excellent hands-on science spot for experiencing experiments that are hard to try at home, even for those with an interest in the subject! It’s also a great place to visit while waiting for a train at Toyama Station.

7. Enjoy creative activities in the village of wood carving: Inami Wood Carving Composite Center (Inami Kibori-no-Sato Sōyūkan)

Inami Kibori-no-Sato Sōyūkan is a facility located in the Inami area of Toyama Prefecture, known as Japan’s top wood carving region. It’s no exaggeration to say that here, you can fully immerse yourself in all things wood carving. At the workshop, you can observe artisans who continue to carry on traditional techniques creating their pieces. The wood carving and woodworking experience workshop is a popular spot in Toyama where you can interact deeply with wood.

While enjoying the warmth and aroma of wood, you can create your own items such as coasters. There are five different course lengths, from 10 minutes to half a day, allowing you to choose according to your sightseeing schedule.

Craftsmen will gently guide you through the process, so even those who aren't confident in woodworking can participate without worry!

Aside from the experience area, there are also restaurants, local specialty shops, and even a bathing facility to help you relax after your creative efforts. This is the perfect spot for anyone interested in craftsmanship.

8. Toyama’s Hidden Healing Spot: Deep Sea Water Experience Facility Thalassopia

Have you ever heard of the unfamiliar word “thalassotherapy”? It refers to a natural therapy that helps restore balance to the entire body by absorbing the blessings of the sea. At Thalassopia, located in Namerikawa City, Toyama Prefecture, you can experience this natural therapy using deep ocean water from Toyama Bay. It has become one of Toyama’s most popular experience spots.

The beautiful waters of Toyama are known to contain high-quality mineral components. Here, you can walk through a mineral-rich jacuzzi pool or use various equipment to slowly refresh your body. The significant relaxation effects have received glowing praise from those who have tried it.

With the option to do full-body packs using seaweed and marine mud, Thalassopia has become a healing spot popular among women in Toyama, with many repeat visitors. Since swimsuits, swimming caps, and bath towels needed for the experience are all available for rent, this facility is an easy and convenient place to stop by while sightseeing. “Deep Sea Water Experience Facility Thalassopia” is definitely a spot to check out!

9. Learn, Taste, and Experience Soba: Toga Soba-no-Sato

Toyama Prefecture is known for its pure spring water. At “Toga Soba-no-Sato,” you can encounter delicious soba—one of the soul foods beloved by the Japanese. These days, more people are quitting their office jobs to open soba restaurants or attending soba-making classes as a hobby, showing just how captivating soba can be. This facility is Japan’s first soba museum and fully showcases the charm of soba.

It introduces soba from two perspectives: as a plant and as a food, providing broad and detailed information. The building is styled like a traditional Toyama folk house, with stunning interior furnishings. Even first-time visitors will be overcome with a nostalgic feeling.

This is not only a calm and relaxing spot where you can try your hand at soba-making—it’s also a place where the taste is exceptional! Don’t worry if it’s your first time; the staff will teach you from the very beginning. If you find yourself captivated by soba’s charm, you can even buy soba-making tools from the on-site shop and try your hand at it at home.

◎ Summary

What did you think? In Toyama, not only are there long-standing traditional techniques, craftsmanship, and delicious ingredients, but also cutting-edge facilities that make use of nature and science. It would be a shame to only watch—so why not visit these experience spots and challenge yourself to learn the depth and joy of craftsmanship!

Toyama Prefecture offers a wide variety of experience spots to suit your travel schedule, and many of them are conveniently accessible. Take this opportunity to visit and enjoy everything Toyama has to offer!

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If you want to not just watch but also challenge yourself in Toyama, this is the place! 9 Experience Spots in Toyama