Toyama Bay and Takaoka Town Metalworking Tour From Kanazawa

Start your tour at Kanazawa Station, where your guide will greet you begin the tour. The meeting point will be outside the shinkansen ticket gate, in front of the information center sign. We will then head to the shinkansen to take the train to Takaoka at 8:26. Arrive at Shin-Takaoka Station. You will have time to go to the bathroom before heading out. It is about 15 minutes on foot to the first temple of the day. Arrive at Zuiryuji Temple. We will take our time walking through the grand layout and historical decorations and architecture. Make sure to take a long look at complexity of the ceiling of the central Buddhist alter and the statue of the toilet god in the main alter.

Next, we will see the Takaoka Daibutsu or Big Buddha. A large Buddha has been in this spot for hundreds of years but after it burned down, a bronze version was made. This city is famous for its metal working so the redesign was right up their alley. After finishing seeing the Takaoka Daibutsu, we will take a stroll through two of the traditional preserved street of the city. The buildings in these areas are form various times but mostly the late 1800s and early 1900s. The mix of local construction techniques with "modern" design make for a type of architecture that is not well preserved in any other part of Japan.

Time to start the metalworking experience! You will carve your design into a sand mold, pour the tin into to the mold and watch as your creation becomes a reality. It is really is amazing to participate along with masters of the craft that have passed on the craft for generations. And of course, you can bring your creation home with you.

After lunch (not included). Meet back up with your tour guide at the location designated and head back to Takaoka Station. Get on the train and arrive in Fushiki. On the way up to Shokoji we will see some interesting historical buildings, such as the first private meteorological station founded in Japan in 1883. Shokoji itself was once the center of Buddhism in the old province of Ecchu(modern Toyama) and it shows with its stunning golden interior.

Hop on the the train again and get off at Amaharashi to see the magnificent views of the mountains surrounding Toyama Bay. If it is a clear day we will walk around the area and get a few different angles of different natural landscapes in front of the mountains. There are observation points, too, that can help you get see more of the area in your shot. If the weather isn't cooperating, there is a shrine with a cave underneath as well as some other nice natural formations. They look beautiful regardless of scenery, or lack thereof, behind them. Get on the bus or train back to Takaoka Station. If the weather is clear or we have a good view of the mountains we will stay until the later time. If weather is poor or there is low visibility we will probably take an earlier mode of transportation back. We will also transfer at Takaoka Station before getting on the final train of the day.