
Toyama is one of major cities in Hokuriku region. This city is known as the base of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Kurobe Gorge (Kurobe Keikoku). You also can access to Tateyama by both train and bus, and Shirakawago and Shin-Hotaka by bus directly. This station is the hub of this region.
In this post, I would like to explain about Toyama station’s structures with many photos of this station. And I also show you the bus stops around this station and Toyama Chiho Railway’s station which is Dentetsu Toyama station.
Toyama station overview
There are two train stations, three tram stops and many bus stops.
- JR and Ainokaze Toyama Railway Toyama station
- Dentetsu Toyama station
- Toyamaeki tram stop
- Dentetsu-Toyamaeki.Esta-Mae tram stop
- Toyamaekikita tram stop
- Express bus stops to Shirakawago, Takayama, Shin-Hotaka and Hirayu-Onsen
Please see the map below:
I will explain all these stations and stops in the following.
JR and Ainokaze Toyama Railway Toyama station
Toyama is connected with Tokyo, Nagano and Kanazawa by Hokuriku Shinkansen. Takayama and Nagoya can be accessed by JR Takayama line. A few trips of Limited Express Wide View Hida connect Toyama and Nagoya directly. Trains depart and arrive at Toyama from the following destinations:
- Hokuriku Shinkansen to/from Tokyo, Kanazawa, Nagano
- Takayama to/from Takayama, Gero, Nagoya
- Ainokaze Toyama Railway to/from Takaoka, Uozu
You may find some more information about the location and route in this region in the links below:
How to access to Kanazawa and Toyama from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Niigata.
Structure, tracks and platforms

Unfortunately there is no English maps of Toyama station. The following link is in Japanese and looks very complicated. But I put the link for your information:
JR West official site, Toyama station map (Japanese)
Toyama station is three levels structure. On the ground level, there are two platforms of Ainokaze Toyama Railway. On third level, there are one Ainokaze Toyama Railway’s platform and two Hokuriku Shinkansen’s platforms. JR Takayama line’s trains arrive and depart at third level of Ainokaze Toyama Railway’s platform.


There is a bridge above the platforms on the ground level. One of platforms is connected with the walkway under the platforms on third level.

Platforms
Track# | Lines/Trains | Destination |
1,3 | Ainokaze Toyama Railway local train and rapid train | Takaoka, Kanazawa |
1,2,3 | JR Takayama line local train, rapid train The limited express Wide View Hida | Inotani, Takayama, Nagoya |
4,5,6 | Ainokaze Toyama Railway local train and rapid train | Uozu, Tomari, Itoigawa |
11,12 | The Hokuriku Shinkansen | Nagano, Tokyo |
13,14 | The Hokuriku Shinkansen | Shin-Takaoka, Kanazawa |

Platforms for track #4,#5 and #6 are located on the ground level. Other platforms are located on third floor. JR and Ainokaze Toyama Railway are different railway companies. But JR Takayama line trains arrive and depart at Ainokaze Toyama Railway’s platforms. Please make sure which platform you need to go.
Ainokaze Toyama Railway is not JR. You have to add single fare if you use JR pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass or Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. But JR Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass cover between Toyama and Takaoka on Ainokaze Toyama Railway line.
As you see, there are four tracks, #11 to #14, and two platforms for Hokuriku Shinkansen. It has only two directions, bound for Nagano and Tokyo or bound for Kanazawa. Please make sure which direction you will go before proceeding the platform.
Toyama station is currently under construction. Whole part of Toyama station will be viaduct station. All platforms will be located on third floor by 2022.
Ticket gate/Exit

There are six ticket gates in Toyama station. You can exit to south side and north side of Toyama station. South side is the primary exit. This side faces downtown of Toyama. There are many stores, Dentetsu Toyama station and some tram stops. At south side, there are two ticket gates, Hokuriku Shinkansen Central Gate and Ainokaze Toyama Railway’s South Gate.


At north side, it is much quieter than south side. There are a tram stop, a few hotels and many office buildings. There is only one ticket gate of Ainokaze Toyama Railway which is called North Gate. This is not JR ticket gate but you can go through this gate by JR Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass or even regular ticket.


On second level under the platforms on third floor, there are several ticket gate. Two of those are called “Transfer gate”. These gates are used for transfer among Shinkansen, Ainokaze Toyama Railway and JR Takayama line. These gates are located side by side. If you use this gate, you need to exit the gate and reenter to another one. You cannot go through directly. There is one more gate which is connected to the shopping complex, “Toyamaruche”.

JR’s reservation window and ticket office are located beside Shinkansen Central Gate. If you use JR Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass or Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, you can reserve your seat there. There is JR reservation vending machine but there is no reservation window at north side of the station. If you JR Pass, Hokuriku Arch pass or Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass and need to reserve your seat, you have to access to south side. Of course you can go through the station by these passes.
Toyama Chiho Railway, Dentetsu Toyama station

Toyama Chiho Railway’s station which is called “Dentetsu Toyama” station is located next to JR Toyama station. You can change trains very easily.
Toyama Chiho Railway is one of private railway companies in Hokuriku region. This local railway connects Toyama and Tateyama where is the gateway to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Toyama to Unazuki Onsen. Unazuki Onsen is the departure point of Kurobe Keikoku Railway to Kurobe Gorge.
Station structure, ticket gate and platform

This station is located on the second floor in the station building, “Esta”. You can access to second floor by escalator, elevator or stairs from outside building directly. You will find the ticket gate easily.
This station is small and very simple layout. There is only one ticket gate.


There are four tracks and three platforms. You can find the destination at the departure information board.



You may find the detailed information of Dentetsu Toyama station at the link below.
Toyama Chiho Railway official site, Railway information
Toyama station bus stops

Toyama station is the base of the bus to Shirakawago, Takayama, Shin-Hotaka and Hirayu Onsen too. You can take the express bus from Toyama station to these places.
There are many bus stops at south side of the station. Please see same link of Dentetsu Toyama station above. You may find the map of the bus stops around Toyama station too.
Toyama Chiho Railway official site, Railway information
The express buses depart from the following bus stop:
#1 — For Shirakawago, Takayama
#2 — For Okuhida-Onsenkyo (Shin-Hotaka ropeway, Hirayu-Onsen)
You can purchase a ticket at the ticket office in the first floor of Dentetsu Toyama station building. But if you take a bus to Shirakawago or Takayama, advanced reservation is required. Do not forget to book your seat in advance.
Tram stops

Tram service is very popular in Toyama. Toyama Chiho Railway and Toyama Light Rail operate tram service in Toyama city. Toyama Chiho Railway has tram service in downtown Toyama. Toyama Light Rail connects Toyama station and the port of Toyama. This tram service is basically for commuters. There are a few stops of street cars around Toyama station.
Toyamaeki stop
This stop is located beside JR Toyama station south exit. It is just located in front of Hokuriku Shinkansen Central Gate. You can find this stop quickly if you exit from south side of Toyama station. You can catch the streetcar of Toyama Chiho Railway. You can get most part of downtown Toyama by this tram service. You can find the information about Toyama Chiho Railway tram service in the link below:
Toyama Chiho Railway official site, Tram service information
Dentetsu-Toyamaeki Esta-Mae stop
This stop is located on the street in front of Toyama station. It is a few steps away from Toyama station. This stop also belongs to Toyama Chiho Railway. You can catch same tram at Toyamaeki stop. This stop is not very useful for most of travelers.
Toyamaekikita stop
This stop is located at north side of Toyama station. This stop belongs to Toyama Light Rail. If you access to northern part of Toyama city, you may take this train. But downtown core of Toyama is located at south side of Toyama station. Most of you do not have a chance to take this tram.
I hope this post will assist you to make a plan to visit Toyama.
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
First of all thank you very much for your detailed explanation regarding the Toyama Station.
I will be traveling in the month of may to see the Kurobe gorge (unazuki onsen station) as well as the snow wall at Murodo.
However, I have a few questions regarding my itienary.
I will first be going to Kyushu. Then from Kyushu, i will either depart directly from Nagasaki station or Hakata Station (Still planing) what is the most direct way of going from Kyushu to Unazuki onsen station?
Day 1 Nagasaki/ Hakata Station -> Toyama station? (Takes around 9 hours?)
Unazuki onsen station -> Toyama Station
Tateyama Station -> Murodo -> Tokyo ?
(can it be done on the same day? )
Thank you very much and I wish you a happy new year
Hi Aaron,
You have to change the trains at least three times from Nagasaki to Toyama.
Nagasaki (limited express Kamome) Hakata
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kamome.html
Hakata (Sanyo Shinkansen) Shin-Osaka
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
Shin-Osaka (limited express Thunderbird) Kanazawa
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-thuderbird-raicho-%e9%9b%b7%e9%b3%a5.html
Kanazawa (Hokuriku Shinkansen) Toyama
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-kanto/tokyo/ueno/hokuriku-shinkansen-direct-access-to-kanazawa-nagano-and-toyama-from-tokyo.html
This is the fastest and the best route. There is no better train routes more than this. Total trip time is around 8 hours.
If you want to stay in Unazuki onsen, you can take Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Kurobe Unazukionsen. You can catch Toyama Chiho railway train from Shin-Kurobe to Unazuki onsen. Shin-Kurobe station and Kurobe Unazukionsen station are same location. Please add one more hour on the trip time if you go to Unazuki onsen.
I recommend you to stay 2 nights in Toyama. You will spend a day to get Toyama. It is too tight to visit both Kurobe gorge and Murodo in one day.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, i have JR West Kansai Hokuriku Pass, can i go to Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Station from Kanazawa Station using this pass?
Thank you very much
Hi Nia,
Yes, you can.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com