Hotel Sado Toyama

... design!

I was told that each room of the hotel is uniquely designed. Each room reflects a theme. Unfortunately, their website doesn't show any of their rooms. Only hotel guests have a privilege to see them.

There is a library on the second floor of the building, where you can take a look at books on art and architecture.

I really wish to come back for lunch and spa!

Soba restaurant "Takano" that stands on the half way of the two main streets of Yatsuo, I heard, is famous among soba manias. Soba plant is cultivated by Yatsuo farmers, so there are many soba restaurant that serve locally made soba noodles.



You cannot leave Yatsuo without having soba!!

... the sunlight.



Several new houses seem to have been built, but they seem to maintain the traditional architectural style. They must have been designed to retain antique feelings.

Kamaboko is one of the specialties in Toyama. It used to be a must for festive occasions such as weddings and betrothals. FIsh shaped kamaboko is the most popular one. Kamaboko is made from fish meat. Fish meat is kneaded and shaped into a fish shape, which I think is quite ironic...

We visited "Kamaboko Museum" annexed to Umekama kamaboko factory. A president of the company came to see us and the ...

... means you can lay down to see the stars!

I have never actually seen this kind of huge telescope before. You can spot a star even in the daylight. At night you can see stars and moon in details. I really want to come back to see stars and moon at night! The staff told me that one of the stars that is the most popular is Saturn as you can often see the rings!! It must be pretty exciting to see it!!

... as a side dish of curry & rice.

There was a museum of old checking station in Inotani. It's too bad that Inotani checking station no more remains. It could be a great sightseeing spot if we are actually able to see the station.

The hightlight of the day was viewing Tokoniji Falls. Although I've never heard about the place, I thought it ...

... they preserved a traditional architectural style. A man in a yukata was showing how they used to make medicine traditionally. He was using a uniquely shaped wooded machine to round pieces of medicine.


There are many different types of medicines on sale at the store. They are nicely packaged for souvenirs.

Mori Residence (the town of Iwase, Toyama)
It is a home of Kitamae-bune trade vessel agency. Up until the Edo era, the town of Iwase was thriving with kitamae-bune trade. The town is reminiscent of those times. Mori Residence is one of those houses that you can accually go ...

... should have taken a picture, but there is a very cool traditional Japanese style restaurant called "Shogetu" at the mouth of this street. They serve mainly shiroebi, a kind of white shrimp that is only caught in Toyama bay!! Shiroebi is slightly pink in colour but almost transparent, and because of its mysterious colour it is sometimes called "jewery of Toyama Bay". You must taste shiroebi once in your life time! It's so ...

First of all, I've finally gotten back to a reliable Internet connection -- so sorry in advance for what will probably prove to be a barrage of travelogue entries! I'll try to keep them short... The weekend of Nov. 11 and 12 proved to be kind of interesting. What I thought was originally a mild cold has proven to turn out to be a major one. Just my luck -- it is absolutely brutal to be on a major trip and come down with a nuisance like this. On top of this cold, my weak Japanese ...