Embraced by the Holy Mountain of Japan

Alongside the Mount Fuji (富士山) and Hakusan (白山), Tateyama (立山) is regarded as one of the Three Holy Mountains in Japan (日本三霊山). Tateyama consists of three sacred peaks, which are Onanji (大汝山), Oyama (雄山) and Fuji-no-Oritate (富士ノ折立). As the eastern backdrop of Toyama Prefecture, the Tateyama Mountain Range (立山連峰) was formed with two peaks: Tateyama and Tsurugi (劍岳).

It is believed that in the eighth-century, a hunter pursued a wounded bear all the way to Murodo. It has somehow transferred into a golden Buddha. As a result, he became a priest and was tasked with tending to this sacred place. The mountaintop shrine of Oyama is one of its main attractions. Visitors access the major Tateyama peaks from Murodo via the Tateyama Kurobe (立山黒部) Alpine Route.

Toyama City (富山市) was selected as the “52 Places to Go in 2025” by the New York Times. A clear day in the Mount Kureha Park Observatory (呉羽山公園展望台) allows one to see the Tateyama Mountain Range to the east, Toyama Bay to the north, and in the distance the Noto Peninsula (能登半島). White sand and stately pines in the Amaharashi Coast (雨晴海岸) also defines the scenic beauty of the Range.

Toyama was separated from Ishikawa in 1883 due to flood control measures. This prefecture started its river improvement project and later on linked up Toyama City and Higashiiwase Port by the construction of Fugan Canal, which has contributed to its industrialization. When the Nakajima Lock Gate was completed, it allowed ships to rise and fall by opening and closing two pairs of gates.

Trucks became the main transportation after the war. As water was polluted, the government decided to utilise the canal as a waterfront space, but not filling up the canal. As one of the current Japan’s 100 best historical parks, the Fugan Canal Kansui Park (富岩運河環水公園) was built alongside the beautiful scenery and abundant nature. It became both locals and foreigners' pick as a leisure area.

Located in Kansui Park, the Starbucks is coined as the most beautiful branch in the world. Why not grab a drink and chill out on the waterfront?