Toyama Bay (Toyama-wan, 富山湾), nestled between Toyama and Ishikawa Prefectures in the Hokuriku region of Japan, was formally inducted into the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club on October 19. The bay is only the second place in Japan following Miyagi Prefecture’s Matsushima to be officially recognized by the global association. After doing some digging, we’ve discovered the incredible charms that the bay has to offer. Love mountains? Check. Love seafood? Double check. Keep reading after the jump to fall in love with Toyama Bay for yourself!
Until now, we’d never even heard of the UNESCO-endorsed NGO called The Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club, which was originally established in 1997 in Berlin, Germany, and is now headquartered in Vannes, France. The ever-growing club currently boasts 38 bays across 26 countries, but nations are encouraged to submit their eligible bays for review at any time.
▼A current list of all countries with at least one bay in the club
The Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club
▼A map visual of all the bays in the club
The Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club
Although the club includes a number of bays from countries in East and Southeast Asia, the only previous Japanese ‘representative’ on the list was Miyagi Prefecture’s Matsushima Bay, a choice which no one can really argue with since Matsushima has historically been regarded as one of the three most scenic views in all Japan (nihon sankei). Furthermore, the inclusion of Toyama Bay comes at a particularly exciting time, as the Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) from Nagano to Kanazawa, which will include stops in Toyama and Ishikawa Prefectures, is set to begin service on March 14, 2015!
▼Matsushima Bay in Miyagi Prefecture is famous for its hundreds of pine-dotted islets.
Wikipedia (Chensiyuan)
But hold on a minute–what exactly is the purpose of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club in the first place? Here are five objectives taken from the association’s official website:
Objectives of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World
- To join together to make ourselves better known
- To promote the areas and obtain national and international recognition enabling the use of public forums from which to operate
- To consider together the problems linked to the regulation of tourism flows, the preservation and valorisation of the landscapes and the local economic development
- To be an example of a reasoned approach to tourism in the third millennium
- To encourage the exchange of experience, knowledge and expertise
Next, let’s take a closer look at the club’s newest addition of Toyama Bay!
First of all, from the bay you can see the 3,015 meter (9,892 ft.) tall Mount Tate, one of Japan’s ‘Three Holy Mountains,’ in the distance. The peak is within the Hida Mountain Range, which are also known as the Northern Alps of Japan. In addition, one of only three glaciers found within Japan is located on Mount Tate; the other two are also located in Toyama Prefecture.
▼The sprawling mountain range is home to the sacred Mount Tate.
▼Summer or winter, the snow-capped mountains lend breathtaking scenery to Toyama Bay.
▼Many people come to the coast to see the first sunrise of the new year.
In addition, the topography of Toyama Bay has given it the nickname a ‘natural fish preserve.’ Nutrient-dense waters trickle down from the nearby mountains to sustain an abundance of marine life in the bay, which is a veritable treasury of over 500 species of fish and other creatures. Furthermore, the harbor is only a short trip away from the fishing grounds–good news for anyone with a penchant for seafood!
Toyama Bay is particularly famous for being the breeding grounds of two local delicacies, the firefly squid (hotaruika) and the white shrimp (shiroebi).
▼From March through June, the firefly squid flock to the surrounding waters in great numbers to lay their eggs…
▼…and are subsequently harvested to make some of the best sushi you’ve ever tasted (on the right)!
▼White shrimp, or shiroebi
▼In sushi form on the right
▼Similarly, the winter months see a huge influx of king buri (Japanese amberjack, which is a variety of yellowtail).
▼That slab of fatty buri is enough to make your mouth water!
Finally, as if that seafood wasn’t incentive enough, why not pair up your visit to one of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World with a stop at the Most Beautiful Starbucks in the World? It just so happens that Toyama City’s Kansui Park Starbucks received the top prize in the 2008 Starbucks Store Design Award, so now you can sip your coffee in style and contemplate the beauties of the bay all at once.
▼The Toyama Kansui Park branch of Starbucks, aka the Most Beautiful Starbucks in the World
▼It’s beautiful at night, too! Here are some views of Tenmon Bridge from the shop.
If any Rocketeers venture over to Toyama Bay and taste that sushi, be sure to let us know how it is!
Sources: Naver Matome, The Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club
Top image: FC2 Blog (Maple Roll)
BBQ, beer, and Matsushima Bay: We visit Japan’s most relaxing beer garden during a trip up north
Here’s the best spot to take in a panoramic view at “the most beautiful Starbucks in the world”
“World’s most beautiful Starbucks” gets a makeover in Japan, but is it still beautiful?
We visit Starbucks location in Japan that’s been called the most beautiful in the world
Eating sushi…from a vending machine? We try Toyama Prefecture’s local delicacy, masuzushi
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
We make pills the old-fashioned way in Japan’s former medicine capital, Toyama Prefecture
The 10 most beautiful places to see the autumn leaves in Japan, as chosen by travelers
Japan’s top 10 food travel destination prefectures【Survey】
Japan’s most spectacular views (and the lists behind them)
The most beautiful forest in Japan? Bijinbayashi woods are stunning in every season【Photos】
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan travel bucket list: top places to visit in each prefecture before you die【Part II】
Japan’s second-most-beautiful day-use hot spring might be underrated【Photos】
Japan’s top 10 travel experiences in the sky【Survey】
How many have you seen? 18 must-visit sites in Japan 【World Heritage】