Toyama, Core city with glass arts in Hokuriku Region, Japan
Toyama is a prefectural capital between the Sea of Japan and the Northern Alps on the island of Honshu. The older district lies north of the Jinzu River and contains parks, museums, and wide avenues leading to government buildings and shopping neighborhoods.
A feudal lord built a castle in the 16th century that formed the core of the later settlement. During the Edo period, traveling merchants began carrying medicines to distant regions, and the area became known as a center for pharmaceutical production.
The city is associated with glass art, and its craftspeople use techniques that blend modern manufacturing with traditional handwork. Exhibitions in the galleries display pieces by local artists alongside international loans, with many works favoring translucent colors and organic shapes.
The Shinkansen line connects the station to Tokyo and other major cities in under three hours. Trams run through the center and reach museums, gardens, and the riverfront at short intervals.
High mountains are visible from the city center, which is rare for Japanese cities of this size. Some visitors notice that you can see both peaks and the coastline from certain bridges.
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