Let us introduce the appeal of Toyama’s new landmark, the “Toyama Glass Art Museum”!

Opened in 2015, the “Toyama Glass Art Museum” quickly became one of Toyama City's leading tourist attractions. Its uniquely designed exterior is impressive enough, but visitors are especially captivated by the open, light-filled atrium, a wide array of rare exhibits, and exclusive original goods that can only be found here. As a place where you can truly experience “Toyama, the City of Glass,” the museum also offers a variety of special exhibitions and events, adding to its charm.
In this article, we will introduce the highlights of the “Toyama Glass Art Museum.”

What Kind of Place is the Toyama Glass Art Museum?

When people think of Toyama, they often think of "medicine" or the "selling of medicine (baiyaku)." Toyama has long been a major producer of medicine bottles, and since around 1980, it has focused on developing a glass industry, branding itself as the “City of Glass.”
Opened in 2015, the “Toyama Glass Art Museum” is the culmination of that vision. Located on the 2nd to 6th floors of the multi-use facility “TOYAMA Kirari,” the museum offers three permanent exhibitions and regularly holds special exhibitions throughout the year.
The museum shop on the 2nd floor sells a wide variety of glass items, along with original goods such as postcards. Particularly popular on social media are the fruit-themed glass ornaments “Riko,” “Mika,” and “MOMO,” which also make great souvenirs.

Highlights

◆ Glass Art Garden

The most popular area in the Toyama Glass Art Museum is the permanent exhibit “Glass Art Garden” on the 6th floor. This space was created by American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, who has been recognized as a Living National Treasure in the U.S. It features five of his works, including pieces from his most iconic series.
The colorful yet dreamlike pieces are all stunning, especially “Toyama Mille Fiori” and “Toyama Float Boat,” both named after Toyama and exclusive to this museum. Don’t miss them!

◆ Glass Art Passage

Displayed in the public spaces from the 2nd to 4th floors is the “Glass Art Passage,” a collection of works by glass artists with ties to Toyama. About 50 pieces are integrated into the walls, brilliantly decorating the space. The best part? It’s free to view.

Pay Attention to the Building Itself!

The sparkling building that catches the eye in downtown Toyama is covered with around 1,000 panels of aluminum, glass, and white granite. It was designed by Kengo Kuma, one of Japan’s leading architects.
The exterior, inspired by the mountain surface of the Tateyama mountain range, reflects different lights depending on the weather and viewing angle—almost like a work of art itself. In addition to its beauty, it’s also worth noting that local materials like aluminum and glass were used to represent Toyama’s identity.

Facilities Inside TOYAMA Kirari

In addition to the Toyama Glass Art Museum, TOYAMA Kirari houses the headquarters of Toyama First Bank, the main branch of the Toyama City Public Library, and a café. Located in the city center, it’s a great place to take a break while sightseeing. You can relax at the café while reading a book borrowed from the library.

The Toyama City Public Library is located on the 3rd to 6th floors of TOYAMA Kirari and holds around 450,000 volumes of general and children’s books. It’s a beloved community hub that also hosts children’s workshops, storytelling sessions, and concerts.
To borrow books, you’ll need a designated library card. Tourists can also get one as long as they can present ID showing their name and address. Books can be returned at any public library in Toyama City, making it very convenient.
On the 2nd floor is “FUMUROYA CAFÉ,” a Japanese-style café run by the long-established Kaga-fu brand “Fumuroya,” founded in 1865. The café serves unique dishes incorporating wheat gluten (fu), such as cutlets and curry, as well as desserts like parfaits and French toast.

Access

【Tram】
• From Toyama Station, take the loop line tram and get off at “Grand Plaza-mae” after about 12 minutes, then walk about 2 minutes.

• Or take the tram bound for Minami-Toyama and get off at “Nishicho” after about 10 minutes—just a short walk away.

【Bus】
From the Toyama Station Bus Terminal, take a Chitetsu bus and get off at “Sougawa” after about 4 minutes. From there, it's about a 4-minute walk.
Available lines:
• (Route 20) bound for Arisawa
• (Route 30) bound for City Hospital/Toyama Airport
• (Route 40) bound for Minami-Toyama
• (Route 50) bound for Oizumi Station
• (Route 60) bound for Ishikane
•(Route 70) bound for Nishicho/Soutaicho
• (Route 80) bound for Eirakucho/Okui
• (Route 90) bound for Hatanaka

【By Car】
About 15 minutes from the Toyama IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. Take National Route 41 toward Toyama Station and turn right at the Ichibancho intersection. There is no dedicated parking lot.

◎ Don't Miss the Popular Special Exhibitions

The Toyama Glass Art Museum also hosts various limited-time exhibitions. These range from the first solo exhibitions in Japan by international glass artists to showcases of well-known works from other museums—offering an exceptional lineup you won’t often see elsewhere. Although admission to these special exhibitions requires a separate fee from the permanent exhibitions, they are well worth a visit. Gallery talks and guided tours by curators are also available, so be sure to check the schedule on the official website if you’re interested.

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Let us introduce the appeal of Toyama’s new landmark, the “Toyama Glass Art Museum”!