Museums

You may be surprised to learn that Toyama has a ton of different museums to enjoy. Here is a short list of some ALT favorites, but the Toyama Museum Association has a complete guide on its website.

1. Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design  (TAD)

Formerly the Museum of Modern Art, this newly-built museum was completed in 2017 as a revamped There are interactive spaces, modern art, architectural design exhibits, and a poster exhibit. There are also various workshops and a children’s area. There is also a restaurant, cafe, and shop where you can buy special goods made in Toyama. The highlight and favorite of many: the onomatopoeia-themed rooftop playground!

Hours: 9:30am–6:00pm (admission until 5:30pm),  closed on Wednesdays
Admission: 300円 (Collection Exhibition); between 500-1000円 (Special Exhibition); Onomatopoeia Rooftop from 8:00am- 10:00pm (admission until 9:30pm)
Website: https://tad-toyama.jp/
Access: You can get here by walked about 10 minutes north of Toyama Station. It’s just past Kansui Park.

2. Tonami Art Museum

This three story art museum sits next to Tonami Tulip Park and has a studio where locals can hold workshops.

Hours: 10:00am–6:00pm (admission until 5:30pm), 200  closed on Mondays
Admission: 200円                                                                                              Website: http://tonami-art-museum.jp/
Access: Take the JR Johana Line from Takaoka Station and get off at Tonami. It’s a 15 minute walk from there.

3. Suiboku Museum 

Suiboku are Chinese ink paintings; and art style that spread through East Asia in the 15th and 16th centuries. This museum is unique for featuring many modern artists, as well as traditional ink paintings, dyed fabrics, and ceramics.

Hours: 9:30am–6:00pm (admission until 5:30pm), closed Mondays Admission: 200円
Website:  http://www.pref.toyama.jp/branches/3044/3044.htm
Access: Take the tram heading for Daigaku-mae from JR Toyama Station. Get off at Toyama Toyopet-Honshamae, and walk 10 minutes.

4. Tateyama Museum 

This is fascinating outdoor museum where you progress through artists’ representations of hell and heaven. You’ll start at the dark and rusty hell, and work your way up to heaven. Towards the end there’s even a small zoo where you can see the sacred deer that live in the Japanese Alps.

Hours:  9:30am–5:00pm (no entry after 4:30pm), closed Mondays
Website:  http://www.pref.toyama.jp/branches/3043/3043.htm
Access: Take the Tateyama Line to  Toyama Chiho Railway Chigaki Station and walk about 2km (the buses only come to this area in the morning and evenings on weekdays). Or find a friend with a car.

5. Fukumitsu Museum 

This former home of Japanese woodblock artist Munakata Shikoh has been turned into a nice, small museum. It features a lot of his work in the permanent collection.

Hours: 9:00am–5:00pm (admission until 4:30pm), closed Tuesdays
Website:  http://nanto-museum.com/
Access: Take a bus from JR Fukumitsu Station on the JR Johana Line, get off at Kawaida-onsen bus stop, and walk 10 minutes.

6. Toyama Science Museum 

This museum focuses on the history and nature around Toyama, including lots of info on our oishii mizu.

Hours:  9:00am–5:00pm (no entry after 4:30pm)
Admission: 520円
Website:  http://www.tsm.toyama.toyama.jp/
Access: Take the tram to Minami-Toyama from JR Toyama Station, and get off at Nishi-Nakano Station. It’s a 5 minute walk from there.

7. Hotaruika (Firefly Squid) Museum 

As the only Hotaruika Museum in the world, it offers visitors the chance to really interact with Toyama’s famous firefly squid, and learn all about them. It’s facilities include the Illusion Theater, and the Live Theater (where you can observe the firefly squids light up from March 20 – May 31). Behind the museum you can also enjoy a concrete path walk along the ocean.

Hours: 9:00am–5:00pm (admission until 4:30pm), closed every Tuesday from June 1 to March 19
Admission: 800円 (March 20- end of May); 600円 (June 1- March 19)        Website: http://www.hotaruikamuseum.com/
Access: It’s an 8 minute walk from JR Narmerikawa Station