Fushiki port

 Tuesday 23^rd Sept 2025 Fushiki (port for Takaoka and Toyama.)

We don’t dock till 9am so no rush to get going today. The shuttle bus in to town is provided by Princess, at a price, a fairly high price. USD 22 return per person, cheaper for kids. It takes us to the Takaoka train station where we start our day at the Doraemon Walking Trail. Doraemon is a beloved and iconic character in manga and anime. The name roughly translates as ‘stray’ and he is a blue cat-like robot from the 22^nd century who travels back in time to help a pre teen boy.

 

From there we head towards Yamachosuji Street, famous for the earthenware storehouses that line the street. There are some lovely old buildings with sculpted trees, like bonsai but full size.

 

Google maps takes us through all sorts of narrow backstreets to Kanayamachi, the traditional metal casting district. We eventually found the stone paved street that was the main focus of the district. Written on the map we were given by volunteers who met the ship was a note that said if you presented your cruise card at a certain shop, you would receive an aluminium bottle of ‘water from Takaoka’. Never being one to shy away from a challenge we set about finding the shop. The lady there welcomed us in, gave us tea, tried to have a conversation and she eventually realised we were there for the water bottle.

We went into the small Takaoka Casting Museum, displaying artefacts of the era and a kind man explained the history to us. In 1611, the second head of the Kaga Maeda family, who had retired to Takaoka, invited seven foundry workers from another part of Japan and gave them land to establish a foundry. He also gave them many privileges, such as exemption from taxes and protected them, and the foundry industry started making it the birthplace of today’s Takaoka castings.

At the rear of the museum and also accessed by another road, was the Kanaya Ryokuchi Park where there were many cast statues and a large water feature. A large display featured works by local school children. And an impressive water feature.

 

I’d read that the area was known for it’s black ramen and I tracked down one of the best places to try it. Menhachi Otabiya. The reviews weren’t wrong either. I think it was the best ramen I’ve ever had! Even Trevor enjoyed it and he’s not that keen on ramen. 

 

The day has gone from overcast and cool to sunny and warm, so we decide to hit one more spot before we head back to the ship. The Great Buddha of Takaoka, one of Japan’s three great Buddha statues, that stands 16m tall, made of bronze, after previous wooden statues on the site burnt down.

 

We return to Takaoka train station, I find a stamp for my book and we go to wait for the shuttle bus to return to the ship. We arrange to have dinner with Robyn and Dolf and swap stories of our day.