Oyabe, Toyama Prefecture
Explore Inabayama Pasture A sweeping panorama beneath the clouds, and soft serve at the summit
In July, you can take in a wide view of the Tonami Plain from the summit of Inabayama Pasture, with its homes and rice paddies stretching out below. I stopped by one Saturday at lunchtime, picked up soft serve at the café, and watched the clouds' shadows drift across the landscape.
On a Saturday afternoon in July, I took in the Tonami Plain from Inabayama in Oyabe City, Toyama Prefecture, then went for some soft serve. By the time I got back to the lookout, it was already starting to melt, so I took a bite before I could go back to watching the clouds' shadows.
SummerA Saturday afternoon in July
A Bite Before It Melts, Then the View
On a Saturday in July, I drove up to Inabayama from the town around Isurugi Station. I got out of the car at the summit, where the pastureland opened up all around me, and headed straight for the lookout. Beyond the black railing, the town and rice paddies stretched on and on. I stopped in my tracks, struck by how the road I'd just driven had led to a view like this.
Clouds filled much of the sky, but patches of sunlight and shadow lay across the plain. Here and there, houses stood among trees between the rice paddies. As I followed the view with my eyes from behind the railing, I began to realize just how far I could see. To my left, the white tower of a wind turbine rose above the landscape, and standing near it made me feel a little small.
I came back to the lookout with the soft serve I'd picked up at the summit café, ready to take in the view again. Before I could even take a bite, a drop was about to slide off the edge of the cone, so I gently slipped the paper I had ready beneath it. I'd planned to linger over the view, but first I had to eat this before it melted.
A mouthful of cold soft serve was just what I needed after climbing the hill on a summer afternoon. This time, I took a bite and turned my eyes toward the rice paddies. As the clouds moved, the sunlit patches shifted too; even from the same spot, the view never got old.
The mountains in the distance faded into a light haze, while the town and fields in the foreground stood out clearly. The summit of Inabayama sits at an elevation of 346.9 m. It's a different kind of trip from climbing a high mountain. I like that I can drive up from town and enjoy the pasture, the café, and this sweeping view all in one visit.
After finishing my soft serve and putting the paper away, I took one more look across the plain before heading back down. From Isurugi Station to the pasture, it's about 7 km and around a 20-minute drive. Next time, I'd love to come up with someone and take in that wide-open view side by side. I think the road back down to the foothills might feel a little more familiar then, too.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local Specialties to Try
Soft Serve at the Summit Café
You can get soft serve at the summit café on Inabayama. A little drip was about to slide off the edge of my cone, so I slipped a piece of paper underneath it and took a bite before turning back to the view. It was just right for a Saturday lunchtime in July.
Highlights
A Sweeping View of the Plain from the Summit
From the lookout, you can take in the Tonami Plain, with rice paddies and houses stretching into the distance. I took my time watching the clouds' shadows drift across it.
A Summer Break by the Wind Turbine
There's a café at the summit where you can get soft serve. A cool bite with that view makes me glad I took this summer detour.
Road and Walking Details
Isurugi Station to Inabayama Pasture
- Route Distance
- About 7 km
- Inabayama Summit Elevation
- Inabayama summit: 346.9 m
It's about a 20-minute drive from the town around the station. I'd make a little detour for the lookout and café at the summit.
On my way back down, I'll take it slow toward the town I looked out over from the summit. It's a lovely route for a summer drive with a break at the pasture.
More Spot Guides
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