20 Museums in Toyama worth your time

This museum explains the Tateyama area's geology, natural disasters, and ongoing erosion-control efforts.

What it is

• Museum about local history, geology, and natural disasters.
• Focuses on Mt. Tate volcano, Tateyama Caldera, and religious practices.
• Dedicated to erosion-control works called sabo.

What to see

• Exhibits on Mt. Tate volcano origins and activity.
• Displays about the formation of the Tateyama Caldera.
• Information on history of religious practices on Mt. Tate.
• Explanations of sabo erosion-control works.
• Tours of sabo works in the Joganji River upper reaches.

When to go

• Sabo works tours available twice weekly from July to October.

Getting there

• Located near Tateyama Station.

Official site

www.tatecal.or.jp

Read more about Tateyama Caldera Sabo Museum

Explore a unique museum complex showcasing rural life and historical folk tools in Tonami.

What it is

• Public museum in Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture.
• Core facility of the Tonamino Rural Space Museum.
• Opened in stages, starting June 2006.
• Comprises four independent buildings.

What to see

• Information, Tradition, Exchange, and Folk Tools buildings.
• Tradition building: a restored 1915 house.
• Exchange building: a renovated Taisho period house.
• Folk Tools building: part of a former elementary school.
• About 13,000 folk tools from the Meiji period to 1955.
• 6,900 folk tools are Important Cultural Properties.

When to go

• Closed Wednesdays and third Thursday of each month.

Address

〒939-1363　富山県砺波市太郎丸80 Map

Official site

sankyoson.com

Read more about Tonami Sankyoson Museum

Explore Tateyama's unique faith, culture, and nature across three zones, including a renowned exhibition hall.

What it is

• A dispersed museum in Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture.
• Opened in 1972, reopened as Tateyama Museum in 1991.
• Dedicated to Tateyama faith, culture, folklore, and nature.
• Comprises three zones: Kyokai, Seikai, and Yukai.

What to see

• Exhibition hall designed by architect Arata Isozaki.
• Two portable shrines from Oyama Shrine are on display.
• Enmado and its designated cultural property Buddhist statues.
• Mandara Yuen offers experience of Tateyama Mandara world.
• A Japanese serow garden is part of the museum.
• Important cultural properties like a bronze staff head.

Address

富山県中新川郡立山町芦峅寺93-1 Map

Official site

tatehaku.jp

Read more about Tateyama Museum of Toyama

Himi City Museum showcases local history, fishing, and farming life, with nationally recognized fishing tools.

What it is

• A public museum in Himi City, Toyama Prefecture.
• Opened on July 31, 1982.
• Located within the Himi City Education and Culture Center.
• Shares the center with the city library and community center.

What to see

• Permanent exhibits on Himi's history.
• Exhibits on fishing and farming life.
• Fishing tools are national tangible folk cultural properties.
• Annex stores about 10,000 items.
• Annex includes fishing tools and archaeological materials.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during the New Year holidays.

Address

富山県氷見市本町4-9 Map

Official site

www.city.himi.toyama.jp

Read more about Himi City Museum

Explore Tonami's history and culture in a former bank building, with free admission.

What it is

• A museum preserving folk tools and archaeological materials.
• Opened on April 1, 1983.
• Housed in the former Chuetsu Bank head office building.
• Designated a Tonami City cultural property in 1982.

What to see

• The historic former Chuetsu Bank head office building.
• Folk tools, a national important tangible folk cultural property.
• Archaeological materials from the region.
• A branch: the Tonami Folk Tool Exhibition Room.

When to go

• Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Getting there

• Located within Tonami Tulip Park.

Address

〒939-1382　富山県砺波市花園町1-78 Map

Official site

www.city.tonami.lg.jp

Read more about Tonami Provincial Museum

Explore local history and art, including Important Cultural Properties, at this modern museum.

What it is

• Public museum in Imizu City, Toyama Prefecture.
• Opened in 1998 as Shinminato City Museum.
• Renamed Imizu City Shinminato Museum in 2005.

What to see

• Single-story reinforced concrete building.
• Artifacts from Hojozu Castle.
• Materials related to Kitamaebune ships.
• Works by potter Munemaro Ishiguro.
• Materials related to Shinobu Ishiguro, Important Cultural Properties.
• Telescope made by Zenbei Iwahashi in 1808.

When to go

• Closed on Tuesdays.
• Closed the day after public holidays.

Address

富山県射水市鏡宮299 Map

Official site

www.city.imizu.toyama.jp

Read more about Imizu City Shinminato Museum

See rare swords, including cultural treasures, in a modern building designed like armor.

What it is

• A museum specializing in Japanese swords.
• Founded by Masao Mori, founder of Lead Chemical.
• Opened in 2016 as Mori Memorial Shusui Museum.
• Re-opened in 2020 as Shusui Museum of Art.

What to see

• A four-story reinforced concrete building.
• Exterior is ink-colored aluminum, resembling armor.
• Swords, sword fittings, and ceramics.
• Important cultural properties like Kotetsu and Masamune swords.
• Works by artists like Yokoyama Taikan and Takeuchi Seiho.
• 31 short swords donated by actor Bunta Sugawara.

Read more about Shusui Museum of Art

Kurobe Yoshida Science Museum: a planetarium and science exhibits, great for families.

What it is

• A science museum in Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture.
• Opened on June 19, 1986.
• Built on a former elementary school site.
• Construction funded by Yoshida Kogyo (YKK).

What to see

• A planetarium with a 20m diameter dome.
• Planetarium projects 400,000 stars.
• Reinforced concrete single-story building.
• Building won the Toyama Architectural Award.
• Preserves a projector from Uozu City Seibu Junior High School.

When to go

• Planetarium reopened after renovation on April 29, 2016.

Official site

kysm.or.jp

Read more about Kurobe Yoshida Science Museum

See and touch live firefly squid at this unique museum in Namerikawa.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Namerikawa City, Toyama Prefecture.
• Opened on March 27, 1998.
• Managed and operated by Wave Namerikawa Inc.

What to see

• Building shaped like a firefly squid's body.
• Live firefly squid exhibits.
• Touch firefly squid in the touch pool.
• Exhibits three giant isopods.

When to go

• Open 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Live firefly squid exhibited March 20 to May 31.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Ainokaze Toyama Railway Namerikawa Station.

Address

〒936-0021　富山県滑川市中川原410 Map

Official site

hotaruikamuseum.com

Read more about Hotaruika Museum

Japan's first private weather station, now a museum in a historic building.

What it is

• A museum about meteorological observation in Takaoka City.
• Opened on October 1, 2005.
• Japan's first private weather station, founded in 1883.
• Certified as a Japan Heritage site in 2015.

What to see

• The current building, constructed in 1909.
• Building is a registered tangible cultural property.
• Restored observation tower, completed in 2017.
• The Fushiki Special Regional Weather Station is on site.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Himi Line Fushiki Station.

Official site

www.city.takaoka.toyama.jp

Read more about Takaoka City Fushiki Meteorological Museum

Modern art and design museum with a unique collection and rooftop garden.

What it is

• Public art museum in Toyama City.
• Opened fully in August 2017.
• Houses 16,000 modern and contemporary art and design works.
• Took over the collection of the former prefectural museum.

What to see

• Three-story building with aluminum exterior.
• Rooftop garden with playground equipment.
• Six exhibition rooms for art displays.
• Works by Picasso, Lautrec, Chagall, Miro, and Duchamp.
• Mascot character 'Miruzo' designed by Kazumasa Nagai.
• Female staff uniforms designed by Issey Miyake.

Address

〒930-0806　富山県富山市木場町3-20 Map

Official site

tad-toyama.jp

Read more about Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design

Explore nine museums and historic buildings showcasing Toyama's folk art and history.

What it is

• A public cultural facility village in Toyama, Japan.
• It has nine facilities, including museums and art museums.
• Named "Folkcraft Village" in 1979.
• Folk Art Museum opened in June 1965.

What to see

• Old private houses and storehouses from Edo to Taisho periods.
• Relocated old houses are registered tangible cultural properties.
• Museum of Ceramic Art building is a registered tangible cultural property.
• Museum of Medicine Peddlers has important tangible folk cultural properties.

Address

富山県富山市安養坊1118-1 Map

Official site

www.city.toyama.toyama.jp

Read more about Toyama Municipal Folkcraft Village

See modern Japanese ink painting masters' works in a unique building set in a park.

What it is

• A public museum in Toyama City.
• Focuses on modern Japanese ink painting.
• Permanently displays works by ink painting masters.
• Located inside Gofuku Yamasuien park.

What to see

• L-shaped building with a Japanese-style hip-and-gable roof.
• Permanent and special exhibition rooms.
• Glass-enclosed corridor connecting exhibition rooms.
• Video hall, information corner, and library.
• Cafe, tea room, and museum shop.
• Sukiya-style detached tea room, Bokko-an.

Official site

www.pref.toyama.jp

Read more about The Suiboku Museum, Toyama

See Barbizon School paintings, including Millet, at this small museum in Toyama.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to Jean-François Millet and the Barbizon School.
• Opened on September 1, 2012.
• Hokuriku Bank provides the museum space.

What to see

• 14 works by Millet.
• 39 works by other Barbizon School artists.
• 20 to 30 works on permanent display.
• Permanent exhibition room and special exhibition corner.
• Works are rotated approximately twice a year.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Nakamachi (Nishicho-Kita) tram stop.

Official site

www.gmillet.jp

Read more about Galerie Millet

A unique art museum housed in a historic power station, offering rotating exhibitions and a forest setting.

What it is

• A public art museum, opened April 15, 1995.
• Housed in the Old Kurobe River No. 2 Power Station.
• Building completed in 1926, registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property.
• Selected as one of the Heritage 100 selections.

What to see

• The historic 1925 power station building.
• Four special art exhibitions annually.
• The surrounding Shimodani Art Forest.

When to go

• Check schedule for four annual special exhibitions.

Address

〒939-0631　富山県下新川郡入善町下山364-1 Map

Official site

www.town.nyuzen.toyama.jp

Read more about Nizayama Forest Art Museum

A free, modern-traditional museum in Toyama, showcasing unique architecture near Mizuhashi Station.

What it is

• A private museum in Toyama Prefecture.
• Established by NPO Ikoi no Ie Sekaiichi Kawaii Bijutsukan.
• Opened on March 24, 2015.
• Admission is free.

What to see

• A single-story wooden building.
• Zelkova wood from old farmhouses.
• Traditional 'waku no uchi' architectural method.
• Design integrates aluminum and glass.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.

Getting there

• 1 minute walk from Mizuhashi Station.

Read more about Sekaiichi Kawaii Art Museum

See ancient buried cedar trees and learn about mirages at this unique museum.

What it is

• A public museum in Uozu City, Toyama Prefecture.
• Exhibits the Uozu Buried Forest, a Special Natural Monument.
• Introduces mirages appearing in Toyama Bay.
• Opened in April 1955 as Uozu City Museum.

What to see

• Underwater and dry exhibition halls.
• High-vision hall showing mirages and plants.

When to go

• Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Getting there

• About 5-minute taxi ride from Uozu Station.

Address

富山県魚津市釈迦堂814 Map

Official site

www.city.uozu.toyama.jp

Read more about Uozu Buried Forest Museum

Explore Toyama's literary heritage in a beautiful setting, perfect for an hour of cultural immersion.

What it is

• A prefectural museum in Toyama Prefecture.
• Opened on July 6, 2012.
• Dedicated to writers associated with Toyama Prefecture.
• Name 'Koshi' refers to an ancient regional name.

What to see

• Exhibits of writers' works and belongings.
• Former Toyama Prefectural Governor's residence and garden.
• Training rooms and a restaurant.

When to go

• Closed on Tuesdays.
• Closed during the New Year holidays.

Address

〒930-0095　富山県富山市舟橋南町2-22 Map

Official site

www.koshibun.jp

Read more about Koshinokuni Museum of Literature

A private museum in Toyama Prefecture, showcasing diverse art from Asia and Europe.

What it is

• A private art museum in Kamiichi Town.
• Opened on September 3, 1993.
• Operated by Fuji Chemical Industries.

What to see

• Four exhibition rooms across two floors.
• Approximately 450 art pieces on permanent display.
• Chinese ceramics, Persian pottery, and Russian icons.
• Works by Tamas Galambos.
• A permanent exhibition on Toyoji Ejiri.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Shingukawa Station.

Official site

www.nishida-museum.com

Read more about Nishida Museum of Art

Japan's first prefectural archaeological center, offering free exhibits of local artifacts.

What it is

• Japan's first prefectural archaeological center.
• Completed on January 20, 1977.
• Dedicated to archaeological operations and research.

What to see

• Exhibits artifacts from the Otake Shell Mound.
• Houses artifacts from the Sakai A site.
• The main building is a 3-story concrete structure.
• A new building was added in 1987.

When to go

• Closed on Fridays.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Official site

www.pref.toyama.jp

Read more about Toyama Prefectural Center for Archaeological Operations