5 recommended sightseeing spots to relax and unwind at Shogawa Onsen in Toyama Prefecture!

This time, we will introduce Shogawa Onsenkyo in Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture, as a recommended sightseeing area. Located in the northwestern part of Toyama Prefecture, this hot spring village is scattered along the Shogawa River. Known as one of Toyama’s top hot spring areas, it is filled with attractive tourist spots where you can experience the rich nature, culture, and history of Shogawa Onsenkyo.
Please use this as a reference when traveling to Shogawa Onsenkyo.

1. Roadside Station “Shogawa”

The first recommended sightseeing spot in Shogawa Onsenkyo is “Roadside Station Shogawa.” Located along National Route 156, it offers convenient access and serves as a useful travel base. Here, you can obtain various information about Shogawa Onsenkyo, including events and lodging details.

There are also plenty of souvenirs to purchase when visiting Shogawa Onsenkyo! From Toyama’s local specialties to locally produced sake and vegetables, there is a wide selection. In the food court, you can enjoy Tonami’s local dish “Yogoshi” and special menus using local ingredients. Pizza, curry, and cakes are also available, making it convenient for family breaks.

2. Shogawa Great Buddha

Located along National Route 156, the “Shogawa Great Buddha” is an easily accessible sightseeing spot for those driving. Situated in the precincts of Koshouji Temple, it offers a sense of Shogawa Onsenkyo’s history. Constructed in 1933, this Great Buddha was created by the master artisan Genzo Takeuchi.

The Great Buddha is said to be about 10 meters tall in total, with the face measuring around 2 meters. Along with the Takaoka Great Buddha in Takaoka City and the Kosugi Great Buddha in Imizu City, it is one of the “Three Great Buddhas of Toyama,” making it a popular sightseeing destination. If you are interested in history, culture, or Buddhist statue appreciation, this is a must-visit.

3. Uritsu Spring Water

One spot you should visit when sightseeing in Shogawa Onsenkyo is “Uritsu Spring Water.” Selected by the Environmental Agency as one of Japan’s “Top 100 Famous Waters,” this spring is said to have gushed forth about 600 years ago when the monk Shakunyo from Kyoto’s Honganji Temple visited the area. When he tried to chill a gourd melon in the spring, it split open, and he was so impressed by its delicious taste that he named the spring “Uritsu (Split Gourd) Spring Water.”

Uritsu Spring Water has long been cherished as sacred water in Shogawa Onsenkyo. It is a tourist spot where you can experience beautiful nature and abundant negative ions, making it perfect for healing daily fatigue.

4. Funato Park

This open park is adjacent to the Funato-Aiguchi Dam Lake and is recommended for families with children. Many cherry trees are planted here, and in spring they bloom beautifully. The park also features walking paths, making it enjoyable to take a leisurely stroll while feeling close to nature.

The majestic mountains spreading around are called “Tonami Arashiyama,” and you can enjoy different landscapes each season. The autumn foliage is breathtakingly beautiful. If you want to enjoy the natural scenery of Shogawa Onsenkyo, this park is a must-visit.

5. Komaki Dam

The “Komaki Dam” was built in Shogawa Onsenkyo in 1930. This impressive gravity concrete dam was said to be the tallest in the Orient at the time of its completion. In 2002, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology designated it as a “Registered Tangible Cultural Property,” making it a popular attraction for many tourists.

This dam in Shogawa Onsenkyo features 17 radial gates and was the first dam constructed using the “design method for storage-type gravity weirs and their rational construction.” Built with earthquake resistance in mind, it became the first river dam to be registered as a tangible cultural property. Highly valued in various fields, this is a site you should definitely visit when coming to Shogawa Onsenkyo.

◎ Summary

In this article, we introduced 5 recommended sightseeing spots in Shogawa Onsenkyo, Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture. Shogawa Onsenkyo offers a wide variety of attractions, from refreshing nature spots to places where you can experience its history and culture, as well as parks where children can enjoy themselves. Be sure to visit and experience it for yourself.