Toyama

Toyama typically refers to Toyama Prefecture, a prefecture in the Chūbu region of Honshu, Japan. It is named after its capital, Toyama City, which serves as the administrative and economic center. The prefecture lies along the Sea of Japan coast, bordered by Ishikawa Prefecture to the west, Niigata Prefecture to the north, and Nagano Prefecture to the east. The southern part includes portions of the Japanese Alps, notably the Tateyama Mountain Range, and the coastal area around Toyama Bay, known for seafood.

Winter snowfall is heavy in the mountains, contributing to a long snow season; summers are cool along the coast.

The economy blends manufacturing, heavy industry, and fisheries. Toyama Bay yields a variety of seafood, including seasonal catches from whitefish and firefly squid. Tourism focuses on natural scenery and art, with attractions such as the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Kurobe Gorge, and the Toyama Glass Art Museum in Toyama City.

Access is provided by the Hokuriku Shinkansen, linking Toyama with Kanazawa and Tokyo, along with JR West lines serving the prefecture. The University of Toyama is a major public research institution based in the city.

Historically, the area was part of Etchū Province and became Toyama Prefecture in the Meiji period (1876). The name derives from the capital city, around which the prefecture developed into a regional hub for science, industry, and culture in central Honshu.