"Himi" in Summer Without the Ice: A Leisurely Stroll Through a Quiet Little Fishing Port.
The first time I ever heard the name "Himi" was when my sister gave me a pack of udon noodles. She told me Himi udon was delicious, and after trying it, I found it incredibly smooth and chewy—even my mom couldn't stop praising it! Since I was traveling to Kanazawa and Toyama with friends this June, I immediately added a "half-day Himi tour" to our itinerary. Here are my personal recommendations:
🚂 Transportation: Remember to sit on the "right side" of the Himi Line!
We started from Kanazawa, took the IR Ishikawa Railway to Takaoka Station, and transferred to the Himi Line straight to Himi. The ride took about an hour and was super convenient.
💡 Tip: You absolutely must sit by the right-side window of the Himi Line train!
You can enjoy spectacular ocean views right out the window. On extremely clear days, you can even see the distant peaks of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Though we didn't catch sight of them that day, the beautiful sunny weather alone was super healing.
🍣 A Surprise Sashimi Brunch: Catch of the Day for Just 2,000 Yen
To save time upon arriving at Himi Station, we skipped waiting for the sightseeing bus and hopped right into a taxi to the "Himi Fish Market Restaurant" (Himi Uoichiba Shokudo) for a seafood brunch.
I honestly didn't expect the sashimi to be so fresh and affordable! For just 2,000 yen, you get incredibly fresh fish caught locally that exact day. We were also lucky enough to try a rare delicacy—the "Jewel of Toyama Bay," raw white shrimp (shiroebi), which was outstandingly sweet! The complementary fish soup was also incredibly flavorful. Talk about great value for your money!
📸 Himinoe Bridge ➔ Observatory ➔ Himi Banya-gai
After a satisfying meal, we took a 10-plus minute stroll over to "Himi Banya-gai". Along the way, we passed Himinoe Bridge and the park's observatory, and the scenery was absolutely top-notch. Since there were barely any tourists that day, the area felt open, pristine, and perfect for snapping casual photos.
At the observatory, we spotted a beautiful red tower. We initially thought we could climb it, but upon getting closer, we learned it was privately built by the owner as a memorial for a loved one who passed away early—a truly touching tribute.
Next, we wandered around Banya-gai. It's a great place to shop! They have all sorts of local souvenirs: Himi udon, dried white shrimp, dried fish, and shrimp crackers, as well as specialty shops selling sake and local sauces. Since it was the blazing heat of summer, we also grabbed some ready-to-eat "Chilled Himi Udon" and ice cream to cool down. The taste was simply unmatched!
⚠️ 5 Tips for Visiting Himi (A Survival Guide):
1. 🚌 Timetables are everything: It’s best to snap a photo of the **latest train and sightseeing bus schedules** right at the station, as online info isn't always the most accurate. Taxis are scarce here, and most locals drive. For our return trip, we actually had to ask a shopkeeper at Banya-gai to call a cab to take us back to the station.
2. ⛱️ Sun protection is key: There are many open areas along the way with very little shade. Remember to bring an umbrella to block out the sun or rain.
3. 🚉 The missed gem of Amaharashi Coast: While riding the train, you’ll pass the famous **"Amaharashi Station"**, which I highly recommend getting off at to see the ocean. But since it was scorching hot that day, we ultimately decided to stay in the air-conditioned train car to enjoy the view (laughs).
4. 🎨 A treat for anime fans: Himi is the hometown of the famous manga artist Fujiko Fujio Ⓐ (best known for *Ninja Hattori-kun*). You'll find plenty of manga-inspired sculptures along the streets, and if you have time, you can check out the art museum in town.
5. ♨️ Free foot bath: There's a free hot spring foot bath right outside Himi Banya-gai. But given the summer heat, we opted to just "admire it from a distance" 🤪!