VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN - Official Travel Guide

Access to Fugan Canal Kansui Park from Toyama Station

You can reach Fugan Canal Kansui Park from Toyama Station by walking, taxi, or bus. If you choose to walk, it takes about 10 minutes from the station's North Exit.

Fugan Canal Kansui Park, cherished as a symbol of Toyama City, is a lush oasis that offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of urban life. Visitors are captivated by the picturesque canal set against the majestic Tateyama Mountain Range.

In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, painting the park in soft pink hues. During summer, the park becomes a refreshing retreat, while autumn brings vibrant fall foliage. In winter, the snowy landscape creates a serene and magical atmosphere. Each season presents a unique and breathtaking view for visitors to enjoy.

Along the canal, you'll find the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design, where you can relax at the café or restaurant while savoring a meal. The park is also famous for its Starbucks Coffee store, known as a perfect spot to enjoy the stunning view of the Tateyama Mountain Range.

Enjoy a scenic cruise from Fugan Canal Kansui Park to the historic Iwase District aboard the Fugan Suijo Line, available from late March to late November.

What is the Fugan Suijo Line?

The Fugan Suijo Line is a sightseeing boat that operates along the Fugan Canal, offering two main routes:

<From Fugan Canal Kansui Park to Iwase District>

This route takes you to Iwase, a historic port town that thrived as a stopover for the Kitamaebune trading ships.

<From Fugan Canal Kansui Park to Nakajima Lock>

This round-trip route brings you to Nakajima Lock, a watergate that adjusts water levels along the canal using the Panama Canal system. Nakajima Lock is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property in Japan.

The Iwase District is a historic port town that dates back to the Edo era. Once a thriving stop for the Kitamaebune trading ships, the area retains much of its old-town charm. Walking through the streets feels like stepping back in time.

In recent years, Iwase has gained popularity as a unique destination where history meets modernity. Renovated traditional houses now host charming cafés and shops, adding a contemporary flair to the historic setting. The district is also home to several restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide, offering a delightful culinary experience for visitors.

"Saseki" is a standing sake bar operated by Masuda Sake Brewery, one of Toyama’s most renowned breweries. Nestled in the historic streets of Iwase, "Saseki" exudes the serene charm of a traditional Japanese house, offering visitors a sense of stepping back in time.

Inside, you’ll find an impressive lineup of around 100 varieties of Masuizumi sake and other selections. From classic sakes to unique creations like sake aged in white wine oak barrels and sake made with champagne yeast, "Saseki" offers a tasting experience you won’t find anywhere else.

The Baba Family were shipowners and merchants who operated Kitamaebune trading ships from the Edo period. The Kitamaebune were trading ships that sailed the Sea of Japan from the Edo to Meiji periods, connecting ports from Hokkaido to western Japan. The Baba Family rose to prominence as one of the wealthiest merchant families in the Hokuriku region and was considered the leading family among the "Five Great Families of Iwase."

<Highlights of the Baba Family Residence>

Grand Architecture:

The residence, rebuilt after a major fire in 1873 using materials from the original structure, is the largest in the this area. Its impressive features include a 30-meter-long indoor corridor and a 33-tatami-mat banquet hall, showcasing the grandeur of the family’s prosperity. This building is registered as tangible cultural property.

Valuable Furnishings:

Visitors can view furnishings that reflect the lifestyle of the period, as well as materials related to the Kitamaebune trade.

Expansive Garden:

The garden features stones and landscaping elements brought from across Japan via the Kitamaebune ships.

Adjacent to the Former Baba Family Residence, KOBO Brew Pub is a craft brewery housed in a beautifully renovated rice warehouse from the historic Baba residence. This 100-year-old building has been transformed into a stunning and inviting space.

At KOBO Brew Pub, you can enjoy unique craft beers created by a Czech brewmaster, paired perfectly with a delicious food menu designed to complement the beers.

It takes about 10 minutes on foot to reach Higashi-Iwase Station from the Iwase District. From there, you can take the Toyama Chihō Railway Toyama Port Line to travel into central Toyama City. (Also 「Keirinjo-mae station」  is convenient.)

Toyama has long been known as a region with a rich tradition of glass craftsmanship. To honor this heritage and explore the future potential of modern glass art, the Toyama Glass Art Museum was created. The museum’s architecture itself is a stunning masterpiece that amazes and inspires visitors.

<Highlights>

Architecture as Art:

Designed by renowned architect Kengo KUMA, the Toyama Glass Art Museum is itself a work of art. The building features open, light-filled spaces that create a sense of comfort and make visitors feel as though they are immersed in a piece of art.

Dale Chihuly’s "Glass Art Garden":

The museum features the breathtaking "Glass Art Garden" by American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. This enchanting installation combines natural light and glass to create a mesmerizing space filled with artistic beauty at every turn.