Oarks Canal Park Hotel 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 ...

... I have never paid attention to astronomy before. The attendant there was very hospitable and he explained many things about astronomy. By listening to him, little by little I got interested in astronomy especially in stars.

The cozy planetarium facility is good for families with small kids. If no other visitors there, you can have a private time with your family! They don't have a chair for you to sit in, so ...

... 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 ...

... of Toyama. The store used to be a manifacturer of Hangontan which is a traditional medicine of Toyama. It is said to be one of the first medicine to be produced and sold in Toyama.


When I entered the store, I could sense a bitter-tasting smell of medicine right away. The store looked pretty new, probably renovated ...

... artcrafts displayed inside the house. Every archiectural piece that used to build this house is extremely lavish, the curator explains. For example, they used immense monolith that were brought from Shodo Island for stepping of their entrance.

... 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 ...

... town and it was incredible. 23C, no wind, and mountain air. It really was hard to believe that it is the middle of November! Back home the temperatures (from what I can see online) have been well below 0C! It's going to be hard to come back! We took Hana's Mom out for supper as it was her 60th birthday. This is quite a milestone in Japan and called for a bit of a celebration. We went out to a Chinese restaurant and the ...