Cradled between the Sea of Japan and the Northern Japan Alps, Toyama Prefecture blends coastal bounty with alpine drama. Namerikawa is famed for Hotaruika—ethereal firefly squid that shimmer in spring—while nearby Toyama City hums with artful architecture, soothing canals, and craveable bowls of Toyama Black Ramen. Eastward, the Kurobe River cleaves a spectacular gorge where cedar forests, aquamarine waters, and historic onsen towns invite unhurried wandering.

Historically, Toyama prospered on medicines, glass crafts, and maritime trade; today you’ll find an easygoing rhythm, efficient transport, and food so fresh locals call it “kittokitto”—straight from the sea. From March to May, dawn boats depart Namerikawa to witness the glowing squid; mid‑April to November, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Kurobe Gorge Railway open gateways to highland panoramas and scarlet bridges.

This 7‑day itinerary keeps costs moderate (budget 42/100) with smart transport, business hotels, and value‑minded meals, while still splurging once on a ryokan stay and alpine day trip. Expect friendly service, seasonal seafood, pristine nature, and short travel times between bases. Trains are frequent and punctual, and most sights are walkable from stations.

Toyama City

Toyama is your rail hub and urban base: a compact city with a riverside castle park, Kengo Kuma–designed Glass Art Museum, and Fugan Unga Kansui Park—home to one of the world’s most scenic Starbucks. The station area is packed with sushi counters and ramen shops serving regional specialties like shiro‑ebi (sweet white shrimp) and inky Toyama Black.

• Top sights: Toyama Castle Park & Museum, Toyama Glass Art Museum, Fugan Unga Kansui Park, Iwase Canal Town (old merchant quarter), Matsukawa River boat cruise (seasonal).
• Eat and drink: Try Menya Iroha (award‑winning Toyama Black Ramen), Sushiei Honten (classic Edo‑style sushi with local shiro‑ebi), and Shiroebitei (white shrimp tempura and nigiri). For coffee, head to Starbucks Kansui Park at sunrise or an indie roaster near the station.
• Where to stay (value to mid-range): Business hotels around Toyama Station (e.g., on‑site hot spring chains and simple breakfast buffets) keep costs down. Browse stays on Hotels.com (Toyama) or apartment‑style options on VRBO (Toyama).
• Getting there: From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama (~2 hr 10 min, ~¥13,000 one‑way reserved). Search fares and timings on Trip.com Trains. For flights into Toyama or nearby Komatsu, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Namerikawa

Namerikawa is a modest port city with outsized fame: its Hotaruika (firefly squid) glow electric‑blue in spring, a phenomenon celebrated at the Hotaruika Museum and on dawn viewing boats. The bay road is flat and breezy—ideal for a rental bike or seaside stroll punctuated by seafood lunches.

• Top sights: Hotaruika Museum (interactive squid exhibits; seasonal live shows Mar–May), Wave Park Namerikawa (roadside station with coastal deck), and easy coastal cycling routes toward neighboring Uozu.
• Eat and drink: Try the museum’s restaurant for hotaru‑ika sashimi, marinated squid, and miso‑based hot pots in season; off‑season, go for grilled seafood teishoku. Local sake labels pair beautifully—ask for dry styles to complement umami‑rich squid.
• Stay nearby: Overnight choices in Namerikawa are limited; base in Toyama City and day‑trip (15–20 minutes by local train). If you do stay, check small inns via Hotels.com (Namerikawa) or VRBO (Namerikawa).
• Getting there from Toyama: Ainokaze Toyama Railway local train to Namerikawa (~15–20 min, ~¥330). Timetables on Trip.com Trains.

Unazuki Onsen (Kurobe)

At the mouth of the Kurobe Gorge, Unazuki Onsen is a century‑old hot‑spring town and the gateway to one of Japan’s most scenic narrow‑gauge railways. Steam in open‑air baths, cross vermilion bridges, and, in season, ride the Kurobe Gorge Railway to cedar‑clad valleys and suspension bridges.

• Top sights: Kurobe Gorge Railway (late Apr–Nov), Yamabiko Bridge and lakeside promenades, evening footbaths and onsen hopping.
• Eat and drink: Most ryokan include kaiseki dinners highlighting river fish, mountain vegetables, and Toyama sake. Casual lunch spots by the station serve soba, curry rice, and river‑view set meals.
• Where to stay: Mid‑range ryokan with half‑board offer great value midweek. Compare options around Kurobe/Unazuki on Hotels.com (Kurobe) and VRBO (Kurobe).
• Getting there: From Toyama, take the Toyama Chiho Railway from Dentetsu‑Toyama Station to Unazuki Onsen (~1 hr 30 min, ~¥1,900). Check schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive Toyama City (afternoon) — Castle, Canals, and Comfort Food

Morning: Travel into Toyama. From Tokyo, the Hokuriku Shinkansen makes it an easy ~2 hr 10 min ride; book seats on Trip.com Trains. Flyers can compare routes into Toyama or Komatsu on Trip.com Flights.

Afternoon: Drop bags and stretch your legs in Toyama Castle Park; the keep’s museum outlines the city’s samurai and merchant past. Stroll along the Matsukawa River paths, then continue to Fugan Unga Kansui Park for calm canals and that photogenic coffee stop.

Evening: Slurp your first Toyama Black Ramen at Menya Iroha (rich soy broth, peppery kick). Prefer seafood? Book a counter seat at Sushiei Honten for shiro‑ebi nigiri and local yellowtail in winter. Nightcap at a standing sake bar near the station—ask for Masuizumi or Tateyama labels.

Day 2: Namerikawa’s Firefly Squid and Seaside Cycling

Morning: Local train to Namerikawa (~15–20 min). Begin at the Hotaruika Museum: learn how the bioluminescent squid rise each spring; March–May often features short live shows. Rent a bike (from the station area or roadside facilities) and cruise the flat bay road.

Afternoon: Lunch at the museum restaurant or Wave Park: hotaru‑ika sashimi, vinegared squid, and miso‑based hot pot in season; otherwise, a grilled fish teishoku with pickles and rice hits the spot. If you’re curious about mirages over Toyama Bay (spring phenomenon), scan the horizon from the seaside decks.

Evening: Return to Toyama City for a casual izakaya crawl: try grilled masu (trout) skewers, white shrimp kakiage, and seasonal mountain greens. For dessert, a warabi‑mochi or matcha parfait near the station keeps budgets friendly.

Day 3: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (snow walls in spring) — or Art & Old Town Backup

Morning: Early start to Tateyama Station via the Toyama Chiho Railway (~1 hr). Ride the cable car to Bijodaira, then the highland bus to Murodo for crater lakes and, in April–May, the famous Yuki no Ōtani snow corridor. Expect cool temps even in summer; pack layers.

Afternoon: Walk the loop to Mikurigaike Pond (surreal cobalt) and warm up with curry rice or hot udon at a mountain hut. Budget tip: a Murodo round‑trip is cheaper than the full trans‑Alps crossing. Typical fares: Murodo round‑trip ~¥9,000–¥10,000; full route to Ogizawa ~¥12,000–¥13,000.

Evening: Return to Toyama. If the Alpine Route is closed (Dec–mid‑Apr), swap in a city day: Toyama Glass Art Museum (Kengo Kuma’s latticed wood interior), tram to Iwase Canal Town for warehouses and cafes, and a river cruise in sakura season.

Day 4: To Unazuki Onsen — Bridges, Footbaths, and Ryokan Dinner

Morning: Check out and ride the Toyama Chiho Railway from Dentetsu‑Toyama to Unazuki Onsen (~1 hr 30 min, ~¥1,900). Drop bags at your ryokan (mid‑range half‑board plans offer strong value).

Afternoon: Walk to the Yamabiko Bridge for classic river views. Browse small galleries and the Kurobe River electric railway exhibits. Enjoy a free ashiyu (footbath) before your soak.

Evening: Settle into a long onsen and kaiseki dinner: river fish (ayu in summer), local wagyu bites, mountain vegetables, and Toyama sake. Unplug—night skies are clear and quiet.

Day 5: Kurobe Gorge Railway and Riverside Trails

Morning: Board the Kurobe Gorge Railway (late Apr–Nov; buy tickets at the station). Open‑air cars trace turquoise waters and steep cliffs to Keyakidaira (~80 min one way).

Afternoon: Walk the gentle riverside paths, visit suspension bridges, and lunch on hot soba or mountain‑vegetable rice bowls at Keyakidaira. Return train mid‑afternoon; naps are guaranteed with that mountain breeze.

Evening: Second onsen soak, then a casual bar snack run near the station—karaage, croquettes, and local craft beers if you fancy. Or savor your ryokan’s lighter supper plan.

Day 6: Takaoka Stop and Back to Toyama — Temples, Sushi, and Night Views

Morning: Depart Unazuki Onsen back toward Toyama, stopping in Takaoka (via Toyama Chiho + Ainokaze Toyama Railway; ~2 hr total with transfers). Visit the Takaoka Daibutsu (one of Japan’s Big Three Buddhas) and Zuiryu‑ji, a Zen temple complex with symmetrical wooden halls.

Afternoon: Arrive Toyama City and check back into a station‑area hotel. Lunch on masu‑zushi (pressed trout sushi) from a renowned bento shop inside the station—perfect, budget‑friendly, and portable. Swing by the Glass Art Museum if you missed it earlier.

Evening: Treat yourself to a quality yet affordable sushi set at Shiroebitei (try sweet white shrimp tempura) or a donburi spot heaped with local sashimi. For a last stroll, return to Kansui Park for illuminated bridges and calm canals.

Day 7: Souvenirs and Departure

Morning: Pick up edible souvenirs: locally milled rice, handmade candies, and bottles of Toyama sake (ask staff for airline packing). Coffee and a pastry at a station bakery keep things simple.

Afternoon: Depart by Hokuriku Shinkansen or short‑haul flight. Check real‑time options on Trip.com Trains and Trip.com Flights. If you’re connecting via Tokyo, see optional add‑ons below.

Evening: Flight or train home; enjoy that last masu‑zushi bento en route.

Optional Tokyo Add‑Ons (Pre/Post Trip)

If you route through Tokyo, these bookable experiences pair well time‑wise with Toyama access on the Hokuriku Shinkansen:

• Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries) — navigate back‑alley eateries you’d never find alone and sample regional favorites before your Toyama seafood deep‑dive.

  

  Book on Viator
• Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day — a flexible guided day that can include Asakusa, Skytree views, and the Shibuya Scramble before you head north to Toyama.

  

  Book on Viator
• Mt Fuji and Hakone 1‑Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train — see Fuji’s lakes and hot springs; the return by Shinkansen dovetails with continuing onward to Toyama the following day.

  

  Book on Viator

Budget Tips

• Base most nights in Toyama City near the station for the best hotel rates and cheap, delicious food courts and ramen shops.
• Day‑trip to Namerikawa rather than overnight; trains are frequent and inexpensive.
• Choose a midweek ryokan stay in Unazuki Onsen (often lower rates) and opt for one night of half‑board to balance cost and experience.
• Pick one alpine splurge: either the Alpine Route to Murodo or the Kurobe Gorge Railway; shoulder seasons can be less pricey.

Where to book stays quickly: Hotels.com (Toyama), Hotels.com (Namerikawa), Hotels.com (Kurobe) or browse apartments via VRBO (Toyama), VRBO (Namerikawa), and VRBO (Kurobe).

Getting around made easy: compare trains and flight connections on Trip.com Trains and Trip.com Flights, or cast a wider net on Kiwi.com.

In a week, you’ll trace Toyama Bay’s quiet shores, taste the region’s ocean‑sweet specialties, and breathe crisp alpine air. This itinerary balances easy train hops with standout experiences—Hotaruika lore, highland vistas, and an onsen exhale—to deliver a trip that’s relaxed, tasty, and memorably scenic.