Toyama 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Description
This private 6 hour walking tour with an experienced English speaking and Licensed tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Toyama! Discover Toyama like never before! Ride the charming Toyama City Tram, explore the historic streets of Iwase, admire world-class art at the Glass Art Museum, and craft traditional herbal pills at Ikedaya Yasubei Shoten. This immersive tour blends history, culture, and hands-on experiences, making it perfect for curious travelers. Book now for an unforgettable Toyama adventure!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Toyama City Tram is a convenient and scenic way to explore the city. It has been operating since 1912 and remains an essential part of Toyama’s daily life. Riding the tram gives you a nostalgic feel while providing easy access to major attractions, including historical districts, museums, and shopping streets. The modern Portram (Toyama Light Rail) also connects to Iwase, offering a comfortable and stylish way to travel.
Iwase was once a prosperous kitamaebune (merchant ship) port, and its well-preserved Edo-period streets still showcase the atmosphere of Japan’s trading history. You’ll find traditional wooden merchant houses, historic sake breweries, and charming old streets. The Baba Family House is one of the key attractions, offering a glimpse into the luxurious life of a wealthy Edo-period merchant family. The area is perfect for a leisurely walk, photography, and cultural exploration.
The Toyama Glass Art Museum is an architectural masterpiece designed by Kengo Kuma, featuring a stunning glass-art collection. Toyama is known as Japan’s "City of Glass Art," and this museum showcases world-class glass sculptures, installations, and contemporary works. The building also houses the Toyama Kirari Library, making it a cultural and artistic hub. If you appreciate modern design and fine craftsmanship, this museum is a must-visit.
Founded in 1937, Ikedaya Yasubei Shoten is a historic pharmacy specializing in kanpo (traditional Japanese herbal medicine). Visitors can join a unique maruyaku (herbal pill-making) experience, learning about traditional healing methods and crafting their own herbal remedies. This is a hands-on, educational, and cultural experience that offers a deep dive into Japan’s traditional healthcare practices.
Fugan Canal Kansui Park is a breathtaking waterfront park known for its tranquil atmosphere and stunning canal views. The park is home to the world-famous Starbucks, often called the "most beautiful Starbucks in the world," where you can enjoy a coffee with a scenic view. Stroll along the well-maintained paths, cross the elegant Tenmon Bridge, or take a sightseeing boat ride on the canal. It’s a perfect place to relax, take photos, and experience Toyama’s blend of modern and natural beauty.
Step back in time at Toyama Castle, a stunning reconstruction of a 16th-century fortress surrounded by a serene moat and park. Inside the keep, explore the Toyama City Municipal Folk Museum, where you’ll find fascinating exhibits on the region’s samurai heritage, traditional crafts, and the powerful Maeda clan. Don’t miss the panoramic view from the top floor. This historical gem blends scenic beauty with cultural depth, offering a perfect stop on your Toyama tour.
The best place to buy souvenirs and taste Toyama’s famous seafood. The market offers a variety of fresh seafood, local sake, and handmade goods. Try shiroebi (white shrimp) tempura, Toyama’s signature black ramen, or enjoy another serving of masu no sushi.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
※If you are arriving by cruise, you may arrive at Fushiki port in Toyama or Toyama Shinko port. Both are far from Toyama central, therefore you cannot set it as your meeting point. This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour dates can be changed up to 2 days before the tour. Any tour date change may result in a change of tour guide or tour unavailability.
- This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Reviews(11)
Mari was an outstanding guide during our 4-hour tour of Hiroshima. She was incredibly friendly, easy to talk to, and genuinely enthusiastic about sharing her city with us. Her warmth and engaging personality made the experience feel more like exploring Hiroshima with a knowledgeable friend than taking a tour. The history of the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park is understandably sobering, but Mari did a wonderful job presenting the events with sensitivity, insight, and respect. She helped us better understand both the tragedy and the resilience of Hiroshima and its people. In addition to the historical sites, Mari took us to a fantastic local restaurant where we were able to enjoy authentic Hiroshima cuisine, which was a highlight of our visit. Her local knowledge, thoughtful recommendations, and enthusiasm made the entire experience memorable and enjoyable for our family. We highly recommend Mari to anyone visiting Hiroshima and looking for a knowledgeable, personable, and passionate guide.
We had the most wonderful time in Tokyo with our guide Yusuke. We wanted to see the beautiful, the historic and the less crowded parts of Tokyo and that’s what we did. We saw and we learned so much about historic Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace, the Nezu Shrine and finished up in Asakusa because you have to see the gates and the lantern. Thanks to him we got to eat lunch at a little place that only locals go to, and he helped me with a purchase at an antiques dealer where Google Translate was not going to cut it. He was so responsive to us and made the busiest city in Japan the most comfortable. We had one day in Tokyo and it was a fantastic day because of Yusuke.
Nice tour, guide was very nice and knowledgeable. We had a great time!
Thank you so much for your warm review! I am very glad that you enjoyed Toyama tour very much. You enjoyed the highlights of Toyama, especially, traditional port town Iwase and modern Fugan Canal Kansui Park. I also enjoyed guiding you because you enjoyed many things. If you have time, please come here again. Thank you. From your guide, Sho
I booked a 6 hour private tour of Tokyo and Shigeru, my guide, was absolutely excellent. We discussed the tour itinerary I wanted and we achieved every single location, plus an extra one, along with an impromptu Sake tasting! Shigeru was knowledgeable, helpful, patient, a dab hand with a camera and his English was excellent. Due to online problems (me, not JGA), the office personnel also went the extra step by helping me book direct with them. I would not hesitate to use JGA & Shigeru again. Highly recommended.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I am extremely happy and honored that you enjoyed it and that you left such a warm comment. I truly appreciate it. Please come visit Japan again. Shigeru
We did a private family tour with Seizo Kaminto and had a wonderful 6 hour tour of the city. The pace was wonderful as we were touring and using the public transit system to get around. Seizo was very knowledgeable and did a wondrful job exhaling the history of Tokyo’s and Japan, as well as answering all of our questions along the way. Would recommend if you’re wanting to get a good feel of Tokyo while visiting.
Thank you very much for your very valuable and favorable comments on my guiding. It was a great honor for me to have the opportunity to guide you in Tokyo. I myself enjoyed visiting popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo with you including the delicious sushi restaurant in Tsukiji Fish Market. I wish you and your family the very best for the future. Best Regards Seizo Kamiuto
We came off the cruise Azamara - took a taxi into town to Toyama station and met up with Meg. Meg speaks very good English - tailored trip before we arrived for our opinions on what we wanted to see. Went to an observation deck to look at Toyama in a 360 degree circle, The Shusui Museum of Art which had a large collection of samurai sword collection, saw the river lined with trees with gorgeous cherry blossoms, herbal medicine store, lunch near the tram line had nice choices, several homes to tour, tasted Saki. Meg helped usher a taxi back to thr ship. Best day so far!!
Thank you so much for giving the great review of my guiding! I highly appreciated your feedback and I also enjoyed for the day with you! Thanks again! 🤗🙏🌸 - Meg
Masa gave us a nice and comprehensive tour through Tokyo. In 4 hours he showed us nice highlights and told about Japanese manners and ways of working a lot.
Excellent service with the Government Licensed Guide
Naoto was such a great tour guide and very knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with him. We weren’t sure what to see apart from a few things we Googled so we asked for Naoto to surprise us. We ended our tour at Baba residence. It is a beautiful example of traditional Japanese architecture.
Thank you for your 5-star review! I’m so happy you enjoyed the tour of Toyama Castle and the Baba Family Residence. It was an honor to share the history of my hometown with you. I hope to see you again in Toyama someday! - Naoto
My guide Minoru Asai was awesome. He had so much knowledge that was shared in plain language I felt I got an immersive experience of the sites and places we visited and walked away with good knowledge of the areas, traditions and history. Asai was so accommodating and thoughtful as well. We also ate a a yummy ramen restaurant he recommended. It was a great day!!
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I really enjoyed being with you as you listened attentively to my explanations in each spot we visited. Also, you gave me responses of deep understanding and thought, and that made that day's guiding experience so joyful to me. Thank you also for the comment about ramen we enjoyed. I suppose you are now leaving Japan now, and I wish you a very safe and comfortable trip back home. I came to find that you are a great lover of Japanese culture, and I wish you can come back to Japan again so that you will experience more of the Japanese culture! - MINORU ASAI
