Venice of Japan: Shinminato Uchikawa Canal

Shinminato Uchikawa in Imizu City, Toyama Prefecture, is often referred to as the "Venice of Japan." During the Edo and Meiji periods, this area thrived as a key transit port for merchant ships navigating the Sea of Japan. The Uchikawa Canal, stretching approximately 3.5 kilometers, serves as an important waterway extending inland from Toyama Bay. Even today, rows of fishing boats can be seen moored along both sides of the canal. On the banks, you'll find old warehouses and residences of former Kitamaebune shipowners, creating a charmingly nostalgic streetscape. While the canal is stunning at dusk and nighttime, daytime offers a breathtaking view from the Naru-no-Ura Bridge, where you can see the Shinminato Bridge in the foreground and the majestic Tateyama Mountain Range in the background. For an even more immersive experience, you can don a kimono 👘 and stroll along the canal, crossing over its 10+ bridges to soak in the retro port-town atmosphere. 🚗: About an 8-minute walk from Manyo Line Shinmachiguchi Station.