Hold up your right thumb and grip firmly. The shape of the “thumbs-up” sign coincides with the base area of the Noto Peninsula and Toyama’s Gosei Area., where hundreds of years of  craft-making traditions are alive. In addition, these traditional crafts evolved to adapt to modern-day needs, making them popular both in Japan and worldwide. In Toyama Dialect, “ii-cha~” means “good.” Take a look at the “ii-cha~” handicrafts, feel their touch, and try making your own! 1 Takaoka Regional Industrial Center ZIBA From artworks of designated traditional crafts, to daily use items and souvenirs; not only can you find most of Western Toyama's handicrafts here, but you can also experience metal casting and decorating lacquerware. 101 Oyata-machi, Takacka City    TEL +81-766-25-8283
Opening Hours: 10 am ~ 6 pm   Closed on Wednesdays Toyama Prefecture 2
Takaoka City
400 Years of Heritage: Takaoka's Metal Casting Techniques
rraditional crafts The metal casting industry of Takaoka, which began in 1611, was first centered on ironware such as pots, cauldrons and hoss. However, sophisticated metal processing techniques developed in the creation of Buddhist altar fittings and artistic crafts using copper alloys. In recent years, a variety of interior décor items with excellent design are sold across Europe and North America. The bronze statues of Doraemon and Sazae-san were also made in Takaoka. Takaoka Copperware (Takaoka Dōki) Living National Treasure: Ozawa Komin 3 (Preserver of the inputsm lmangets Culture Properly chotsm in the caregory of metshordng).
J. 5 minutes by shuttle bus (160 yen) ● National Treasure: Takaoka Zuiryüji Temple 20-minute walk 2 Casting Experience at Takaoka Regional Industrial Center 5-minute walk ● Great Buddha of Takaoka Kanayamachi (Birthplace of Takaoka's Metal Casting Industry) ■ Enjoy your lunch here ■ Take a Walk (Takaoka Casting Museum, etc.) A vaisty of copperware is displayed and sold hare; you can experience casing your own metal-ware such as s ke Cups (guinomi) and mini water basins. Cost: 2500 yen 101 Otayamachi, Takaoka City TEL + 81-766-25-8283 Opening Hours:10 am – 6 pm Closed on Wednesdays Other places where you can experience making copperware/ironware   [ Fessvers enexieteded hebene Otera Kohachiro Antique Gallery 6-9 Kanayamachi, Takaoka City TEL +81-766-25-1911 Opening Hours:9 am -5 pm Koizumi Seisakusho Inc. 57-5 Toidesakasmachi, Takaoka City TEL +81-766-63-6590 Opening Hours:8 am -5 pm Shimatani Syouryu Kobo Ltd. 4-2 Sengokumachi, Takacka City TEL +81-766-22-4727 Opening Hours:8 am -6 pm Nakamura Bijutsu Kogei 3-7-19 Naimen, Takaoka City  C TEL +81-766-22-6409  2 Opening Hours:9 am -6 pm  ■$
Nousaku Corporation Inc.
8-1 Office Park, Takaoka City TEL +81-766-63-0001 Opening Hours: 10 am - 6 pm Risaburo Metal Casting Studio 8-11 Kanayamachi, Takaoka City   D TEL +81-766-24-0852 Opening Hours: 10 am -6 pm 両分流Takaoka Zuiryüji Temple Temple commemorating Maeda Toshinaga (second lord of the Maeda family), the founder of Takaoka who invited 7 skilled metal casters to his castle-town. 35 Sekihonmachi, Takaoka City
●Great Buddha of Takaoka
Once qualified by the waka poet Akiko Yosano as being "significantly more handsome than the one in Kamakura," Takaoka's Great Buddha, the crystallization of Takaoka's bronze casting techniques, is one of the three Great Buddhas of Japan. 11-29 Otemachi, Takaoka City (Birtypisce of Takaoka's Metal Casting Industry) The town area where the seven skilled metal casters used to live. You can see houses decorated with delcate latticework (senbongóshi) and beautiful stone-paved streets.
400 Years of Long-Lasting Affection
Takaoka Lacquerware (Takaoka Shikki) Takaoka Lacquerware originated 400 years ago, when artisans began to paint drawers and trays using Japanese lacquer (urushi). Three decoration techniques characteristic of Takaoka (chokoku-nuri, yusuke-nuri, and aogai-nuri) were established by the beginning of the Meiji era, epitomized by Takaoka's Mikurumayama  floats. In  recent  years,  lacquerware  are incorporated into everyday use items such as glasses and various accessories through designer collaborations. raditional crafts Takaoka City

Recommended Route (Hall-Day)
Shin-Takaoka Station . It, 8 minutes by shuttle bus (160 yen) an Rent a bicycle at the Sightseeing Information Center (200 yen) 5 minutes by bicycle o Lacquerware Experience at Takaoka Regional Industrial Center 5 minutes by bicycle ✔ Takaoka Mikurumayama Museum Dozo-zukuri Street ■ Enjoy a light lunch/snacks. ■ © Dozo-zukuri Museum 5 minutes by bicycle 8 minutes by shuttle bus (160 yen) All kinds of lacquerware are displayed and sold; you can experience making your own original lacquerware. Cost: starting from 3000 yen. 101 Otayamachi, Takaoka City TEL +81-766-25-8283 Opening Hours:10 am – 6 pm Closed on Wednesdays
Another place where you can
experience decorating lacquerware
Musashigawa Kobo 1-23 Jijikimachi, Takaoka City TEL +81-766-26-0792 Opening Hours:9 am -5 pm Time: around 90 minutes Cost: starting from 3000 yen Reservation needed in advance
Bicycle Rental Information
Shuttle Bus Information
6 b Bicycle Rental Information Takaoka Station Sightseeing Information Centers (4) Available from April 1* to November 30* Opening Hours: 10 am - 4 pmジッフShuttle Bus Information (Shin-Takaoka Station – Takaoka Station South Entrance) Service: 6 shuttle buses/hour from 7 am to 7 pm. ② Takaoka Mikurumayama Museum The Mikurumayama floats, embodying Takaoka's refined metalworking and lacquerware techniques, are on exhibition at Takaoka's Mikurumayama Museum all year long. 47-1 Moriyamamachi, Takaoka City Takaoka Mikurumayama Festival Takaoka's Mikurumayama Festival, designated as a UNESCO Intangble Cultural Heritage, is said to have originated in the carriage that Maeda Toshinaga conferred to the townspeople of Takaoka at t he time of his castle's construction. The original camage was a present to Maeda Toshie from Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a preeminent dainyo who unifed Japan by bringing an end to the Sengoku period. Yamachosuji Area, Takaoka City; May 1* ● Dozõ-zukuri Museum Historical records and photos explain how Takaoka developed as a town as well as the origins of dozo-zukuri warehouses. 26 Konmadashimachi, Takaoka City
Dozō-zukuri Street
A historical town area lined with merchant houses built in the dozó-zukuri style, touching upon a variety of architectural styles characteristic of old European, late Meiji and early Shōwa periods. Konmadashimachi – Moriyamamachi Areas of Takaoka City 6 ● Fukuoka Camera Museum The museum conveys the charms of cameras and photography with a collection of more than 3000 camera exhibits. 559 Fukuokashin, Fukuoka-machi, Takaoka City © Narita Koi Farms Japan The town of Fukuoka is known for carp farming. The Nishikigoi (varicolored carp) for viewing are particularly beautiful and attract visitors from all over the country. 1050 Yabe, Fukuoka-machi, Takaoka City Exploring Sedge Hats of Etchü-Fukuoka Recommended Route (HsIf-Dsy) Shin-Takaoka Station 30 minutes by car ● Fukuoka Camera Museum 1-minute walk � Gagaku-no-Yakata (House of Gagaku) 1-minute walk Old Hokuriku Region Main Road (district of sedge hat warehouses) 1-minute walk ● Sanchonpin-gura 8 minutes by car ✪ Narita Koi Farms Japan (Specialty  Carp-Breeding Tour) 30 minutes by car Shin-Takaoka Station Gagaku-no-Yakata (House of Gagaku) Late Edo period musical instruments of Gagaku (Japanese court music) and traditional clothing are on display at this tasteful merchant house built in the early Showa era. 1208 Fukuoka, Fukuoka-machi, Takaoka City The Old Hokuriku Region Main Road The old Hokurku region main road is lined with many sugegass warehouses. Even now, traces of its prosperity still remain. The lord of the Kaga family used to travel on this road for the purpose of Sankin-kotai (a policy) requiring feudal lords to alternate living between the capital and their domain yearly). Street in front of the House of Gagaku Traditional crafts越中福岡の管修Sedge Hats of Etchū-Fukuoka(Sugegasa) Takaoka City
90% of Japan’s Sedge Hats Made in Etchü-Fukuoka
The flourishing of sedge (suge) from Oyabe River's flooding marked the beginning of the sedge basket/hat industry. In its heyday, about 2.1 million hats from Etchü-Fukuoka are sold annually, and to this day Fukuoka-machi is claiming 90% of Japan's production in sedge hats.
Place to see and purchase
sedge hats (sugegasa) ● Sanchonpin-gura 1077-5 Fukuoka, Fukuoka-machi, Takaoka City TEL +81-766-75-7874 Opening Hours : 10 am ~ 3 pm Car Rental Information Around Shin-Takaoka Station Nissan Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-23-5523 Orix Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-20-0543 Toyota Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-26-1070 Nippon Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-27-0919 Ekiren Car Rental West Japan TEL +81-766-24-4200 7 r raditional craft,論田:熊燕の「愛久久久Ronden/Kumanashi Winnowing Basket( Fujimi ) Himi City
600 Years of History: a Traditional Agricultural trool
A winnowing basket (fujimi) is an agricultural tool used to separate grain from chaff. Made of sturdy wisteria vines and bamboo, the basket is popularly recognized as a lucky charm (fukumi).
Place to see
winnowing baskets (Fujimi)
O Himi City Museum 4-9 Honmachi, Himi City TEL +81-766-74-8231 絵Opening Hours:9 am – 5 pm  百然© Farmers' Market Kumanashi 5198-1 Kamiyokawa, Himi City TEL +81-766-76-1180ケWe are also Opening Hours:9 am – 5 pm \seling gool Car Rental Information Around Shin-Takaoka Station Nissan Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-23-5523 Orix Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-20-0543 Toyota Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-26-1070 Nippon Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-27-0919 Ekiren Car Rental West Japan TEL +81-766-24-4200 O Himi City Museum Exhibition on Himi's fishing & farming lifestyles and tools for living. You can witness the history of Fujimi being sold nationwide in its heyday. 4-9 Honmachi, Himi City © Himi Seaward Cruise, etc. A variety of activities unique to Himi, where stationery net fishing and seafood processing thrive, are available according to season. Experience taking a seaward cruise or making kamaboko (a type of cured tish paste). Inquires: Himi City Sightseeng Information Center TEL +81-766-74-5250 nloring Ronden/Kumanashi Recommended Route (Half-Dsy) Shin-Takaoka Station 30 minutes by car O Himi City Museum 7-8 minutes by car � Himi Ban'ya Street ■ Place to enjoy lunch and snacks ■■ © Himioki Cruising Experience 15 minutes by car ✪ Himi Shishimai (Lion Dance) Museum 10 minutes by car © Farmers' Market Kumanashi 40 minutes by car (Noetsu Expressway) Shin-Takaoka Station ✔ Himi Port Market: Ban'ya Street Enjoy the authentic cuisine that is only served locally, including conveyer belt sushi made with tish freshly caught from the port, Himi udon noodles, and Himi beef. 25-5 Kitaomachi, Himi City 😊 Himi Shishimai (Lion Dance) Museum Famously known as the lion dance village, Himi hosts buoyant festivals that you can witness through documentaries and dance gears on exhibition in this museum. 760 Izumi, Himi City
n rraditional crafts  p
底川郡郡
Shōgawa  Woodturning  Craft ( Hikimono Kiji )
Tonami City
100 Years of Continued Polishing
Using the high-quality logs brought by the flow of Shōgawa River, the production of woodturning crafts began in the late Edo period. Later, as it became people’s dream to own a complete set of wooden bowls for the occasion of the Hoonko (traditional Japanese Shin Buddhism observance), the woodturning technique of the region continued to evolve. The passion that lasted for a hundred years bloomed into excellent interior décor today. g
Place where you can experience woodturning using a spinning lathe 😊 Shōgawa Aqua Park Tokusankan 1550 Kanaya, Shōgawamachi, Tonami City TEL +81-763-82-5696 Opening Hours :9 am ~ 6 pm Closing at 4 pm from December 1" to the end of February Activities available on every Sund from April to November Reservation needed (one week in advance) Car Rental Information Around Shin-Takaoka Station Nissan Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-23-5523 Orix Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-20-0543 Toyota Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-26-1070 Nippon Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-27-0919 Ekiren Car Rental West Japan TEL +81-766-24-4200
● Tonami Tulip Gallery
The only facility in the world where tulips bloom all year long. Find out the secrets of tulip bulbs while learning more about floriculture. 100-1 Nakamura, Tonami ✔ Scattered Settlements Viewing Deck A spectacular viewpoint where you can see scattered settlements (sankyo) spreading on the Tonami plain. Enjoy the picturesque view of sunset's reflection in the rice fields. Closed from December to March due to heavy snowfall. 160 Gotani, Tonami City © Shōgawa River Sightseeing Cruise Fresh green leaves and fall foliage followed by snow sceneries, the Shōgawa valley boasts a magnificent landscape throughout the four seasons (short cruise excursions available). 73-5 Komaki, Shōgamamachi, Tonami City Tonami Yumeno Taira Ski Resort A breathtaking scenic point to gaze at the Tateyama mountain range and the Japan Sea from a distance. Enjoy beautiful daffodils in spring and cosmos flowers in autumn. 22 aza-Gentani Gotani,Tonami City In the woodturning workshop, experience polishing rough-sawn lumber on a high-speed lathe. Cost: ¥1000 Recommended Route (Half-Day) Shin-Takaoka Station ● Tonami Tulip Gallery ✔ Scattered Settlements Viewing Deck 20 minutes by car ● Shōgawa River Sightseeing Cruise 10 minutes by car ✪ Shōgawa Aqua Memorial Park ■ Walk around the park ■ Place to enjoy lunch and snacks ■ Woodturning Tour and Experience at Tokusankan 30 minutes by car Shin-Takaoka Station
Traditional crafts
丘範山和紙
Gokayama Washi Paper
Nanto City
1000 Years: Everlasting Japanese Washi Paper
The traditional Japanese paper made in Toyama Prefecture's Gokayama, Yatsuo, Birudan regions is collectively referred to as Etchū-washi. Among the latter, washi entirely made from kozō (paper mulberry) in Gokayama is particularly durable and was used as Kaga Family's exclusive writing paper. Besides its stature in the reparation of old documents, washi is used by designers to create neat accessories,  receiving acclaim at international trade fairs. 11
Recommended Route (Half-Day 5 minutes by car ● Roadside Station: Kamitaira Sasara-kan 6 minutes by car ✔ Suganuma Gasshō-zukuri Village 6 minutes by car © Murakami Household 8 minutes by car ✪ Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village ■ Enjoy your lunch here! 15 minutes by car ●Roadside Station Taira ■ Experience paper-making at Washi no Sato (washi village) 20 minutes by car You can experience making washi and then creating postcards and "Japanese fans Willi the washi that you made. Cost-starting from 700 yen. 215 Higashinakae, Nanto City. TEL +81-763-66-2223 O bening Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Another place where you can experience paper-making © Gokayama Washi Paper Workshop 835 Ainokura, Nanto City TEL +81-763-66-2016 Opening Hours: 9 am ~4 pm
Public Transit Information
World Heritage Bus Every day between TakaokaさJohana会Gokayama会Shirakawa-go (no reservation needed) Kaetsuno Bus Fare Center (Inside the Waiting Room of Curun Takaoka, 1F) TEL +81-766-21-0950 Opening Hours: Monday ~ Friday 7:30 am ~ 6:30 pm olation Weekend & Holidays Roadside Station: Kamitaira Sasara-kan Enjoy nigiri-zushi and grilled chars with mountain vegetable dishes unique to Gokayama. A variety of local sake and specialty products are available. 72-1 Nishiakaomachi, Nanto City UNESCO World Heritage: 3 Suganuma Gasshō-zukuri Village 9 Gasshō-style houses standing in quiet nature; a wonder to behold in the depths of winter. Suganuma, Nanto City Murakami Household is representative of Gokayama's Gasshō-zukuri in a way that best conveys the state of the habitation as it was back in the day. Thousands of historical records can be seen here. 742 Kaminashi, Nanto City 4 Ainokura Gasshō-zukuri Village Twenty Gasshō-style houses are still extant, surrounded by nostalgic tields, stone walls and snowy forests. Ainokura, Nanto City
Traditional crafts w
荒惑彫刻
Inami Woodcarving
Nanto City
Masters of 200 Chisels and Carving Knives
Inami's woodcarving originated at Zuisenji Temple (Inami branch) constructed in the 14th century. After its main hall burned down in mid-18th century, the technique of imperial woodcarvers, called in from Kyoto for its reconstruction, was passed down and flourished as Inami Woodcarving. From ranma (decorative transom pieces), tsuitate (movable screens), to small interior items, Inami's woodcarvers excel as masters of more than 200 chisels and carving knives.

Recommended Route (Hall-Day)
Shin-Takaoka Station 30 minutes by JR Johana Line Fukuno Station 15 minutes by taxi Inami Wood Carving Composite Hall יRoadside Station:
 Inami Kibori no Sato Soyūkan ■ Woodcarving Experience 5 minutes by bicycle (rental available) Zuisenji Temple (Inami Branch) ØYokamachi Street ■ © Yoitoko Inami ■ Enjoy your lunch here! 1 minute by bicycle © Inami Kötsu Hiroba – Sightseeing (Return your bicycle here) 15 minutes by taxi Fukuno Station 30 minutes by JR Johana Line hin-Takaoka Station 2 Roadside Station: Experience carving objects such as sake cups (guivom). and speakers using chisals and carving knives. One : slarting from 1000 yen. Reservation needed. 730Kilagava  KantoCity TEL 481-769-82-5751 Opering Hou s: 9 am – 6 pm Local Traffic Information Ai Ai Taxi Fukuno Office 772 Fukuno, Nanto City TEL +81-763-22-2144 Bicycle Rental Information Inami Sightseeing Information Center 956-1 Yamami, Nanto City a TEL +81-763-82-2539 Reception: 9 am ~ 4 pm Cost: 1500 yen per day  & 1000 yen per half-day (4 hours) Car Rental Information Around Shin-Takaoka Station Nissan Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-23-5523 Orix Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-20-0543 Toyota Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-26-1070 Nippon Rent-a-Car TEL +81-766-27-0919 Ekiren Car Rental West Japan TEL +81-766-24-4200
●Inami Wood Carving
Composite Hall
Designed by the British architect Peter Salter, the building is a must-see. A variety of sophisticated woodcarvings are on display. 733 Kitagawa, Nanto City
●Zuisenji Temple
(Inami Branch)
Zuisenji Temple is the symbol of Inami, the woodcarving town. The area (including Zuisenji) was designated as "Inami - the Living Woodcarving Gallery" by Japan Heritage. 3050 Inami, Nanto City
●Yokamachi Street
With the fragrance of wood and music of the hammers wafting trom Inami's woodcarving workshops, the stone pavement extending from Zuisenji is full of charms. Yokamachi, Inami, Nanto City
●Yoitoko Inami
Restaurants, Cafes, and specialty products are available here. You can also experience making soba (buckwheat noodles) by hand. We accept reservations for groups of 5 or more (1000 yen/person). 3110-1 Inami, Nanto City IS OAX IB NS 50 J 78.6 Car re bu exoiles IB NS 89.109 2047 regarityst uilso jwoutyoj 4.6 6YO3e YEWESBUD eximouitio YBWS 59. i myμmpH-RI 4 ipressw Hokuriku 3.9km Expresswe Hokuriku 5.9km Inquiries Industry Planning Section 7-50 Hirokoji, Takaoka City TEL +81-766-20-1286 ( ) Himi City Museum   4-9 Honmachi, Himi City TEL +81-766-74-8231 Commerce and Tourism Section 7-3 Sakaemachi, Tonami City TEL +81-763-33-1111 Nanto City Commerce & Indsutry Promotion Section 1550 Araki, Nanto City TEL +81-763-23-2018 Published in December, 2020