Hey guys, I just moved in for my MEXT scholarship PhD at the University of Toyama. I’m really excited and a bit overwelmed by these first few days. My first impression is that most people don’t speak basic english, so I have to use my not so good japanese. I’m looking for hints about daily life, like good supermarkets, places for sightseeing etc. On the other hand, I’d be happy to help other people too.
4 comments
As for sight-seeing, Murodo in Tateyama mountains are really beautiful. If you are interested in hiking, the place is must-go.
Toyama black (ramen) tastes like shit. There, I said it.
Himi is known for its fresh fish, not sure if it’s worth going there just for that, but if you’re passing thru then worth having a meal there. A little father up is Nanao/Notojima in Ishikawa, and the rest of Noto if you go on from there.
As mentioned, go for the mountains. There’s a common ‘tour’ called the Kurobe Loop, but for you, maybe just go the Kurobe Dam and back. It’s a combination of transport–rail, then funicular, then bus to Murodo, then electric bus thru a tunnel, then a cable car down to the dam. You can buy the tickets as a package.
Shirakawa-go is not far, Takayama is a small/scenic town (with good coffee shops).
Hey, welcome to Toyama. Feel free to DM me and we can set up a time to chat if you have some specific questions, probably faster than typing a ton. But here are some basics!
[五百羅漢](https://goo.gl/maps/Wuhq77AvH6QqTvSd8) is a nice walk from Gofuku, good view of the city, too. Nice tea house nearby, as well, if you want some matcha and a little wagashi to relax.
For grocery, I tend to prefer the Valor chain, but honestly, all the chains are pretty similar. If there is something specific you value, let me know. Valor has good prices on organic frozen veg and decent bakery, Oosakaya is fine and has good seafood selection (the one in Gofuku is the best location, honestly), Albis is probably the most meh to me, but the ones near me are small. We have some Aeon, but they’re kind of far from you. Best seasonal produce selection is usually at [this JA shop](https://goo.gl/maps/EMoKyRLx56Hvaz4q6), or [this shop](https://goo.gl/maps/FnWeWbmTRMsdzueW8), and there has been a self service farm shop [at these garages](https://goo.gl/maps/PGhBjCfEScTLv3YE6) that is open on the weekend. We have two APiTA which are also good to visit if you need to do some errands (grocer, hundred yen shops, clothing, etc), and [the APA](https://goo.gl/maps/tz47B8MyPqFirF817) has a sake shop that has the best selection of craft beer, if you’re into that.
For fancy grocery/import stuff, Maroot at the station (there is a normal grocer and also a Jupiter), Daiwa’s basement, Kaldi at Favore. [Gyomu Supa](https://goo.gl/maps/sK4ENRvAMM4eqHyF6) is also good for some harder to find things. There are a few ethnic markets, like a [Brazilian one in Imizu](https://goo.gl/maps/ftWMJUEETwsb3XSFA) and some more Vietnamese/”asian” ones around town now. There is [one here](https://goo.gl/maps/KtQ76ArrPN6YcYn4A) (no google listing) that is the closest to you, I think.
If you find yourself super hungry near the uni, [butadojo](https://goo.gl/maps/Ud2QD2c6y4evpEBH6) has absurd portions and is great.
If you like coffee, Kano at [Sixth or Third](https://goo.gl/maps/J92eeF61NgytLfY19) speaks fluent english and has some great stuff. The area it is in, Sogawa, is pretty nice to check out. Between Daiwa’s basement and the smaller shops around there, as well as Sogawa Base, there is some good stuff to eat.