Visitors can observe the production line of this company that has shouldered over 400 years of the metalworking industry in Takaoka while listening to detailed explanations. Nousaku is home to a workshop where tourists can cast their own tin products using traditional techniques and a café where they can enjoy food and drinks on Nousaku’s own tableware. At their factory shop, visitors can also purchase a variety of exclusive items.

The Uchikawa River flows through the center of the Shinminato area. The many fishing boats moored along the riverside, the lines of houses that seem to guide the river, and the scenery of its unique bridges led the area to be called “Japan’s Venice”. The pleasure boat departing from the Kaiwomaru Park to cruise around the 12 bridges letting people enjoy a refreshing view of Toyama Bay and the beautiful sight of the town along the Uchikawa River is especially recommended.

Shinminato Bridge represents the largest cable-stayed bridge on the Sea of Japan side of Honshu Island. On a fine day it commands a view of the sea and the Tateyama Peaks. Pedestrians are invited to stroll along the walkway called Ainokaze Promenade. Kaiwomaru Park is an attractive bayside area designed around the Kaiwomaru ship, also known as the "Lady of the Sea." Visitors flock here to lounge about, feel the refreshing breeze and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere by the sea.

Zuiryuji is a temple of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism, which has been designated as a national treasure of Japan. Built as the family temple of Maeda Toshinaga, a feudal lord of the Kaga clan, it has the qualities of a grand castle. Following the classical seven-hall construction, the somon (main gate), sanmon (temple gate), butsuden (Buddhist temple), and hatto (public chamber) are arranged in a straight line and connected to the sodo (meditation hall) and kuri (priest's quarters) to the left and right via a kairo (corridor). The white gravel -lined premises complete the serene atmosphere.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a world famous alpine sightseeing route which goes through Toyama’s 3,000-meter high Northern Japan Alps. From Toyama, you can get to Shinano-Omachi of Nagano Pref. by train, cable car, highland bus, trolley bus, ropeway, etc. while enjoying the changing of Mother Nature’s seasons. Every year in spring, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is opened to the public. Visitors will be dazzled by the magnificence of the 20 meter high snow wall.

A splendid view of the offshore rocks and the 3,000-meter high Tateyama mountain range over the Toyama Bay shows various sceneries in each season. It takes your breath away. A very famous Japanese poet of the ancient time loved this view very much and created many poems about it.
One of the offshore rocks is called “Yoshitsune Rock” since Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the 12th century, took shelter from a sudden shower there on the way to escape toward the Oshu area (Tohoku area at present). The name of “Amaharashi” comes from this story (“ama” means rain and “harashi” means “clear”).
You should come and see this beautiful view.

You can visit Japan’s deepest gorge by the Torokko Train. Let yourself be taken in by the gentle beauty of untouched nature along the 20 km railroad line from Unazuki to Keyakidaira. Become one with nature afterwards by healing your body and soul at kanetsuri, kuronagi or other hot springs in the area.

Shokoji Temple was a stronghold of the Etchu Ikko-ikki uprisings against Japan's feudal system in the 15th and 16th centuries, and today retains the energy of the medieval temple-castle. It is best known for its Seven Wonders, including the unfruitful ginkgo, the stone fallen from heaven, and the perennial pond. The great hall and 11 other buildings are currently undergoing extensive refurbishment in one of the largest projects in Japan. Visitors are welcome to witness the restoration work. Reservations are required.

Shinminato Fishing Port holds auctions of freshly caught seafood not only in the early morning but also from 1pm. The highlight between September and May is the auction of red snow crabs laid out across the market like a scarlet blanket. Reservations are required. Contact the market for details.

The Gokayama area, including the Suganuma and Ainokura communities, along with Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, was designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1995. Villagers living in these farmhouses maintain traditional ways of life, and some provide accommodation for tourists.
The name of this architectural style, “Gassho Zukuri”, originates from the shape of the steep grass roof. “Gassho” in Japanese means hands clasped together in prayer.