Home / References / Nishi
Nishi-cho and Sogawa
Catch a tram from outside the Toyama station main exit (to the left if you are walking out of the station) or walk about 20 minutes following the tracks and you will find yourself at Toyama city’s main shopping area. The two covered walkways of Nishi-cho and Sogawa are lined with small, mainly independent shops, a large proportion of which are clothing stores. It’s a good place to go if you want to find some crazy and colourful Japanese styles for men and women.
The Nichi-cho part of the mall (next to the tram road and the busiest area) houses some brand name stores such as Puma and Adidas. You can also find a drug store, German bakery, and book store. If you are looking for a Horikuruku bank machine, there is one outside Seibu and a branch with several machines further down on the same side.
WIZ
WIZ is in the covered walkway opposite the German bakery, just a short walk down. The 1st floor has a few clothing shops aimed at teenage girls. There is also a small CD shop that carries mainly rap. Also, on the 4th floor is a 2 screen cinema with what seems to be mostly independent films.
Daiwa
Keep following the tram tracks from the station until you come to a big crossroads to reach this department store. Daiwa has several shops and is worth a gander if you're into high end shopping. On the first floor there is a decent selection of Japanese pottery which makes a good present for people back home, and there is also a J. Crew. As of September 21, 2007 Daiwa is home to Toyama-shi's first Starbucks!
Washi no Kamitani- Japanese Paper
Just after the large intersection with the Coke clock, across the street from Daiwa is a small stationery store on the left hand side. Here you can buy beautiful Japanese paper, calligraphy works and other souvenirs.
Pallete Square
Located across the street from the Apita grocery store is a group of shops called Pallete Square. Inside you will find a small leather shop, a nail and facial salon, and a cute shop with clothes and handbags for women. The bags are handmade and really cool. These shops are run by friendly, young people.
Sugimasa Craft Store
This place has lots of yarn, material, and sewing gear for any crafty urge you might have. They also have a huge selection of buttons—very cool buttons in all shapes, colors and sizes. From the station, go toward Nishicho. When you are at the big Coke clock sign and Daiwa corner, take a right. Walk up the right side of the street for a minute, after the parking garage take another right. There will be many shops up ahead. Sugimasa is the first shop on the right with 'Sugimasa' written in katakana on the sign.
West Matsuya
Up the covered walkway on the German bakery side is this store specializing in vintage and vintage-like duds, with styles to match any fashion whim or fancy from goth lolita to urban cowboy, crust punk to geek chic. And if you've ever heard the rumor that vintage Levi's go for hundreds of dollars in Japan, you can see the proof here!
As well as these stores, browse Nishi-cho for other clothing shops (mainly small Japanese sizes) but with some fun and interesting accessories and some good shoe shops.