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During early spring of each year, the firefly squids ascend to the surface and put on a transcendental show of their own—their luminous organs glow bright blue as they spawn and are agitated by waves on the ocean surface near the shoreline. This results in the shorelines being blanketed in blue jewels at night, a scene that attracts many people each year for this special, mystical encounter.
Squids are not the only attraction of Toyama, however. Akinobu Kimura of Diving Shop Kaiyu to guide and show me what this mystical ocean offers. Whereas the Kuroshio Current brings up warm water filled with tropical fish and exotic sea creatures to Izu Peninisula from the Pacific Ocean see my previous article in issue 95 on diving in Izu , the Tsushima Current is the northeastward-flowing branch of the Kuroshio along the western coast of Japan, which reaches down to m from the sea surface.
That is a whopping 22 degrees difference between the two opposite seasons. One distinct marine feature of Toyama Bay is its steep terrain. Toyama Bay is 1,m deep, and this depth can be observed just a short distance away from the coast—because of the steep slope to the ocean floor, the bay quickly becomes very deep. And due to this close proximity from the port, the bay is like a fish tank for the local fishermen. Some species, like broad velvet shrimp and firefly squid, can only be caught here, and they are local delicacies. Also popular from the bay as seafood are the red snow crabs and yellowtail fish.
Opposite the bay lies mountainous terrain, which is part of the Japanese Alps, and the mountain ranges covered in snow on a clear, winter day will take your breath away. Snow, which falls on these 3,m high mountains, eventually melts and becomes part of the seven rivers that pour into Toyama Bay. Freshwater pouring into ocean water creates water of different salinities. As a result, the visibility can become blurry near the surface. Yet, this fast-flowing and nutrient-rich mixture is the reason why the bay has such a fertile marine environment.
Out of the species found in the Sea of Japan, can be found in Toyama Bay—the biodiversity is exceptional and unique here. As soon as you enter the water, the terrain is bland: sandy bottom mixed with rock formations and countless tetrapods spread across the shore to prevent erosion. It lacks the vibrant and multi-colored reefs that a lot of the tropical islands offer.
However, if you look closely, you will find that these reefs and foundations serve as critical breeding grounds during the winter months for many of the sea creatures that usually live in deeper waters—this ocean is filled with life and you can see the inception thereof as well. The North Pacific giant octopus is probably the dominant predator in this bay. The Guinness World Records lists the biggest as kg lbs with an arm span of 9. These beasts can be heavy, and on land, they are not able to withstand their own weight.
The size of these octopuses, which dwell in Toyama Bay, is usually around two to three meters. They seem to be more docile when compared to the same species found in Hokkaido—the ones in Hokkaido tend to be more vicious, and large adults will typically approach divers who carry large camera equipment and cling onto them. The giant octopuses feed on fish such as the Okhotsk atka mackerel hokke fish and its cousin the fat greenling ainame fish , as well as the smooth lumpsucker—these are denizens of Toyama Bay that also breed and brood around the same time.
In fact, I have found the mackerels and fat greenlings to be more aggressive than the giant octopuses in this bay; if you approach their eggs with your camera to take a photograph, the adults, which patrol their recently lain eggs, will feel threatened and will relentlessly dart out towards you and try to dissuade you. The freshly lain eggs are blue and have the majestic looks of pretty pearls. They are true jewels of the sea. Over time, these eggs will turn purple in color, and before the younglings are ready to hatch, you will see their large eyes twirling around inside each of the eggs.
You will leave the area with a smile on your face and pray that each and every hatchling will have a safe life ahead. Each room has a private bathroom. The pink doors were a visual treat. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Hotel location right in front of castle. It offers rooms with free WiFi and wired internet. Location was great, right next to the station.
Everything in the room was clean and fine. The property has a hour front desk and free WiFi is available. Toyama , Takaoka , and Uozu are popular with other travelers visiting Toyama. Nature is wonderful in and around Toyama. City itself is average, but very clean and safe. The people are very countryside, and in Japan this means very insular, protective, and somewhat paranoid of anyone "different. You could enjoy skiing, taking a spa and driving a car in a heavy snow. Very easy to get around Toyama with the tram.
Each tram ticket costs yen, but the hotel you stay at should have a discount ticket so get it if you can! The castle museum has an English translation book you can use for free. It's an interesting museum. You can get a joint ticket for the museum opposite the castle but it's very small.
Check it out, it's only a extra but I didn't think much of it.
Meet & Date Japanese Singles Looking For Love. Join On Your Mobile Now. Choose your dates to see up-to-date prices and availability Set a 1-minute walk from the Takaoka Train Station, Manten Hotel Ekimae offers modern old village in Toyama with cozy living room&bedroom, full of facilities, hygienic restroom.
There is nice shopping around Toyama station. The Toyama Glass Art Museum was very good!
Toyama Castle is beautiful from the outside and you can go inside for a nice view. The inside of the castle is not authentic though. Toyama is famous of Toyama black ramen. It was a good experience, but very salty! Didn't really explore Toyama, which we regret. We only used it as a base for an early morning Tateyama Alpine Route adventure.
But definitely a nice city. Would have stayed longer if we had enough time. Our main target was the Japan Alpine Route, so Toyama was a good stop to rest there for a night. It was raining on the next day so we had no chance to visit the city.
Overall was happy about it. If anyone got 3 or 4 days vacation and donot like to take long time during location point transporting. Toyama be good as. I went to nice places during autumn. I ate quite a bit of seafood while there, go for sushi when there and if you can afford, try the white shrimp. You can get a place in the Toyama station. Take a drive up the Himi coast! It's spectacular in any season!
Takaoka is a fairly cool city. And Ranjo no Mori on the to Toyama is a cool forest good for exploring. Because I've only 1 night in Toyama I can't tell many stories about Toyama. The onsen was perfection, a range of tubs with different temperatures. Staff were wonderful allowing me to check in my bag before my actual check in time to allow me to adventure unencumbered.
As usual in Japan for this kind of price you pay, room is not big, but cleanness is very good common in anywhere you stay in japan. The bonus stay in hotel, you have fasility of Onsen for free! I met with couples from Europe, they exiting to trying onsen for the 1st time in their life The staff here was extremely helpful and polite. The hotel was nice but a bit dated, it gave me the impression that several years ago it was a real luxury hotel.
That being said it really was a great value for the money and I would absolutely stay here again.