[Spring Only] Day Tour from Kanazawa and Toyama: The Spring Quartet of Flowers and Mountain Cherry Blossoms

Nestled between the sea and the Northern Alps, Toyama’s Spring Quartet of Flowers offers a breathtaking journey through the changing beauty of Japan’s four distinct seasons. This unique tour takes you to the heart of Toyama Prefecture, where each flower represents a season: the vibrant tulips of spring, the refreshing water lilies of summer, the golden cosmos of autumn, and the delicate camellias of winter. Along the way, you’ll visit cherry blossoms, interesting water features and a temple near a small valley, immersing yourself in the culture and natural beauty of the region. Enjoy the harmony of nature and tradition as you explore Toyama’s floral treasures, each one telling its own story of the passing year.

Highlights

• See the stunning "Spring Quartet" and walk around the park so you can get the best views with the most numbers of flowers/trees.

• Stop by an area with a weeping cherry tree and interesting water dispersal system

• Explore Oiwasan-Nissekiji Temple with its many small waterfalls, carved rock Buddha and nearby scenic walking path

*For those looking to join the tour from Tokyo, please see the FAQ Section below

Description

This tour will start at Kanazawa Station at 8:00 A.M. in front of the four sumo wrestlers of the Tourist Information Center. We will hop on the bus and then head to Toyama Station at 9:20 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Tourist Information Center in the middle of Toyama Station, across from the ticket office. It is in the center of the train station and you'll be able to find your tour guide next to the spiral stairs. From there you'll hop on a bus and off to the first location of the day.

The tour bus will make its way up the eastern part of the prefecture towards the Spring Quartet. On the way you'll make a stop at a beautiful weeping cherry blossom tree, a much different type of tree than will be seen later. You can enjoy the rural Japanese landscape while getting all the best pictures of the tree, yourself or both at the same time. Nearby is something unique in Japan, a circular water division system. It is often describe as the most beautiful water distribution system in Japan and is register as a nationally important piece of architecture. It is easy to be mesmerized by the cylindrical perfection and constant running of the wonderfully clear water.

After exploring some those interesting rural gems, we'll head to the headlining location of the day, the Spring Quartet. This area is called so because of the four views you get all at once. This includes the Northern Japanese Alps, rows of cherry blossoms, tulips and nanohana(rapeseed) flowers. The park and fields where this is located is quite large so there are many combinations of the four of the quartet that you can get from various angles. Try to find the picture that shows of the beauty of the area and your own individual tastes the best!

It is here at the Spring Quartet that you will have the chance to eat. It is recommended to bring a bento/boxed lunch so you can best enjoy the views while eating. There are some stores that sell food, drinks and other items for you to buy but it is best to bring something yourself just in case.

On the way back from the Spring Quartet we have two stops planned. One is to stop at another beautiful cherry blossom spot. Depending on the condition of the different trees we will select one that seems to be the best in bloom at the time. After seeing another cherry blossom tree in a rural setting you will head to a hidden temple in the mountains. Nissekiji is a gem that is rarely visited by tourists. A small rustic pagoda that sits on the top of a small hill is framed by the cedar trees to create one of those scenes of Japan that you only see on TV. There is also a small gorge nearby to explore the natural scenery.

After a long day exploring around the region, we will return to the bus and head back to Toyama. The ride is a little over an hour so relax and enjoy the ride back to the station/hotel. If you have any questions about any other parts of your trip, this is a perfect time to ask!

TOUR MEETUP POINT

1 / KANAZAWA STATION @ 7:45 A.M.

The meetup point is outside of the Shinkansen ticket gates, in front of the information center. If you are heading out from the gates, look forward and to the right and you will see four large sumo wrestlers lined up. This is where we will be meeting. For those coming from outside the station, you will find this sign immediately inside of the East Entrance of Kanazawa Station. You may wait nearby there until the tour begins at 9:00 A.M. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag.

2 / TOYAMA STATION @ 9:20 A.M.

The meetup point is in front of the Tourist Information Center in the middle of Toyama Station, across from the ticket office. It is in the center of the train station and you'll be able to find your tour guide next to the spiral stairs. Please wait there until 9:20 A.M. when the tour starts. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag.

NOTES

Included

• Transportation to and from the Spring Quartet
• Transportation to and from all other destinations
• English speaking guide
• Guided Tour at the Nisseki Temple

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or rain coat if necessary.

• In winter the temperatures will be below 10℃ at the high , and in the morning and evening may be close to or below 0℃. Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for snowy and cold conditions. There may also be snow and ice on the road/sidewalk, and so you should take care to not slip by preparing the correct shoes for such conditions.

• There will be free time along the way for guests to enjoy the locations at their own pace. However, please make sure that you are at the respective meetup points at the time stated by your guide. If you get lost or need assistance, feel free to call the number which is listed on your tour pass, and our staff will assist you immediately.