TOYAMA Takaoka Divert off the golden route to a town less traveled

Takaoka offers a mix of old-world refinement and modern convenience. Boasting such highlights as Zuiryuji Temple , the abundant green space of Takaoka Castle Park, and one of Japan's three Great Buddha statues, the city attracts visitors year-round. You may arrive thinking it's a wonderful place for a day trip and leave thinking it would be the perfect place to live.

Takaoka is right on the Horkuriku Shinkansen Line and easy to access, especially for Japan Rail Pass holders.

The Kagayaki and Hakutaka trains on the Hokuriku Line can take you from Tokyo to Takaoka in just under three hours.

Takaoka fits easily into a tour of the western side of Japan that includes destinations such as Kanazawa, Takayama and Matsumoto.

Whether you're interested in history, art, or eastern religion, there are several destinations around the city center from which to choose.

Zuiryuji Temple offers a grand example of Zen temple design. The Great Buddha is imposing in scale and beautifully cast, while Takaoka Castle Park provides picturesque lawns and gardens.

A little farther away, the historic district presents a more subdued image of daily life in the Edo period.

The central location of Takaoka's main attractions make it easy to tour the city on foot. On clear days, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the open and calm streets. Alternatively, the Manyo Line can zip you around town. As a fully operational trolley line, it's a rarity in modern Japan, where most electric streetcars have been scrapped for buses.

The Manyo Line takes its name from a popular collection of tanka poetry by the famous poet Otomo no Yakamochi (718-785), who is thought to have lived in the area.

Manga fans will notice that some of the line's trolley cars are painted to resemble Doraemon, a beloved character created by Takaoka's own Fujiko F. Fujio. There's also a Doraemon walkway with statues of characters from the manga.

Keen-eyed visitors will notice the figure of Maeda Toshinaga in statues and other images around town. This one-time military leader would turn to more spiritual reflections later in life, ordering the construction of Zuiryuji Temple in 1608.

Some cities just exude class. Like its cross-prefecture neighbors of Kanazawa, Takayama and Matsumoto, Takaoka eschews city sprawl for a more restrained take on modern life. 21st-century buildings blend seamlessly with traditional architecture and age-old culture. Nature surrounds the city, with the Japan Sea to the west and the holy mountain of Tateyama looming on the eastern horizon.

Need a reason to base yourself in Takaoka for a few days? Nearby Tonami stages a grand tulip festival from April 21 to May 5 every year, and the sight of 2.5 million tulips is one you won't soon forget. Also in the area, Himi offers hot spring bathing and sublime coastal views.

Those seeking an alternative to Japan's popular "Golden Route" are increasingly turning to less tourist-saturated spots on the west coast. Anyone traveling through Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go , or Kamikochi, should consider a trip to Takaoka as well.