Name: Five Cycling Routes in Toyama Prefecture | japan-guide.com
Uploaded: 2019-11-08T02:08:17.000Z
Duration: 12 min 46 s
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Located along the Sea of Japan, Toyama Prefecture is a scenic destination that offers its visitors

majestic coastal views with beautiful mountains as a backdrop.

One of the best ways to experience the prefecture's abundant nature is to go on self-guided cycling

tours that bring one closer to nature as well as explore small towns off the typical tourist

In this video, we will introduce five cycling routes, two of them in the interior of the

Each of these routes can be done at a relaxed pace in a day, and are easily accessed from

These cycling routes are aimed at the average cyclist, carried out with rental bicycles

and include stops at dedicated cycle stations that are easily identified.

The cycling routes are clearly defined on maps you can get at each bicycle rental shop,

and clever blue markings on the road will point you in the right direction through most

So follow along as we go on 5 cycling tours around Toyama Prefecture.

Route One: Hidden traditional culture in the mountains

Spanning about 20 kilometers, this route can be comfortably done in a day trip from Kamiichi Station.

This itinerary allows visitors to see some of Toyama's most stunning natural and cultural sights.

The starting point of the course, Kamiichi Station, is about 25 minutes from Toyama Station

The bicycle rental station is conveniently located in the station building, and after

filling in the forms, just grab a helmet and you're ready to go!.

The initial section of the cycle goes through the town and soon shifts to scenic rice fields.

The first stop along the way is the Joyama spring water, which comes from snow melt from

This spring water is popular amongst the locals who even use it in their everyday cooking!

A small donation is appreciated if you fill your water bottles here.

The next stop on the itinerary, only 3 kilometers away from the spring water, is Nissekiji Temple

The main deity here is an impressive stone carving of Fudo Myoo, one of the most important

The lush temple grounds also feature a pagoda, as well as waterfalls, which make for a nice

The highlight of a visit to Nissekiji is Sengankei Valley which is not far from the main hall.

A tree-lined path leads to an otherworldly moss covered opening filled with large rocks,

For lunch, we recommend Dango-ya, a local restaurant beside Nissekiji Temple.

This place serves up a delicious bowl of Somen noodles, the local speciality, together with

These thin wheat noodles are served cold and make for the perfect refreshing meal for a

After lunch, it's time for a thrilling cycle along the Adventure Line, a winding road featuring

man-made caves and panoramic views of the town below..

The last stop on the route is Ganmokuzan Ryusenji Temple, founded in 1370.

Apart from its scenic grounds, one of the highlights of a visit to the temple is its

Some of these toga trees are said to be more than 400 years old!

Route Two: Traditional crafts in a quaint old town

This half day cycling trip is a relaxed tour in the small town of Yatsuo, and an exploration

of the town's traditional culture and craftwork.

To get to the bicycle rental station, take a 25-minute train ride on the JR Takayama

Line to Etchu-Yatsuo Station from Toyama, then take the loop bus and get off at Hikiyama

The rental station is in the Etchu Yatsuo Kanko Kaikan, which is also a museum that

showcases the massive wooden floats used in the local festival known as the Hikiyama Festival,

From the Kanko Kaikan it takes less than 5 minutes to get to the Japanese paper mill,

A visit to the washi mill will allow you to view the full process of making washi, from

A permanent exhibition held on the second floor of the mill showcases the various types

of paper used in various parts of the world through time.

Finally, washi making activities are also available here if you want to try your hand

After visiting the washi mill, you can head to Oyatsu, an accommodation, cafe and kimono

rental facility located in Yatsuo's old shopping street.

The friendly staff will help you pick a kimono and provide assistance putting it on.

Once fully dressed in the traditional Japanese attire, you can enjoy a nice drink or have

a photo session in the beautifully restored residence.

The owners of Oyatsuo also have a shop next door where you can buy hand-made upcycled

Once the half day of cycling is done and upon return to Toyama station, we recommend checking

out Iroha in the CIC building across the station.

There, you can try a delicious version of the Toyama Black Ramen, a local specialty

The shop also serves a succulent shiro-ebi ramen, made with Japanese glass shrimp fished

Route Three: Exploring a historic port town

This half day cycling trip is a leisurely ride from Iwasehama Station that explores

the old town of Iwase and its history in the commercial shipping industry.

The trip starts with a 25-minute ride on the Portram to Iwasehama from Toyama Station,

followed by a short walk to the Iwase Canal Hall where the bicycle rental station is located.

The route follows part of the bay and down the old preserved street of Iwase.

The first stop is the Toyama Port Observation Deck, a 25 meter building that offers great

views of Toyama Bay and the Tateyama mountain range in the Northern Japan Alps when the

From there, it is a short cycle to the preserved old street of Iwase where the former shipping

One of the buildings, the Mori Residence, can be entered and visited.

The large residence shows the affluence of one of the bigger shipping agents in the region

who managed the boats that traded seaweed and seafood from Hokkaido with medicine and

Building material and design of the property further emphasize the Mori family's wealth,

making for an interesting historical and architectural visit.

After your visit, how about grabbing a Dorayaki at Otsukaya, a Japanese sweets shop, for a

Dorayaki are typically round, but at Otsukaya, they're cut into triangles instead.

This short cycling tour of the area takes about 2 hours and can be combined with a Portram

ride or a canal cruise to Kansui Park, the large park not far from Toyama Station.

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Five Cycling Routes in Toyama Prefecture | japan-guide.com

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