Street pianos have been installed in various locations throughout Toyama Prefecture.
The sound of a piano in bustling public spaces brings a sense of calm and warmth to the atmosphere.
Whenever I come across one, I enjoy spending a little time playing.
This article introduces the locations and my impressions of the street pianos I’ve played across Toyama.

Machikado Piano at the Tonami Children’s Kabuki Hikiyama Museum

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Tateyama Street Piano

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From September 27 to 29, 2024, a street piano was placed at the Tateyama Murodo Terminal.
In this vast natural setting with no ceiling or walls, I had the rare opportunity to play piano in the great outdoors.
Though it was raining below, we ascended through the sea of clouds to a completely different world.
Following last year’s success in 2023, this was the second time the event was held.
I truly hope it continues in the future.

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Ainokaze Toyama Railway – Takaoka Station (Takaoka City)

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Address: 6-1 Shimotsumae-machi, Takaoka City
Location: Takaoka Station South-North Passage
Hours: 9:00 – 17:45
Piano: Yamaha C7 Grand Piano

Located at the center of the south-north passage in front of the ticket gates at Takaoka Station.
The space is glass-walled, offering an exceptional view of the Tateyama mountain range.
The Yamaha C7 grand piano, previously used at the former Teizuka Elementary School, is in excellent condition.
This semi-concert piano is well-maintained and sounds wonderful.
It’s rare to find a street piano of this quality.
Originally installed for just one month, it’s now a permanent fixture.
Both the location and instrument are excellent—I hope many people will enjoy playing it.

JR Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Station (Kurobe City)

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Address: 3210-3 Wakaguri, Kurobe City
Location: Kurobe Regional Tourism Gallery, adjacent to the Hokuriku Shinkansen Station
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00
Piano: Yamaha G5 Grand Piano
Managed by: Kurobe City

The Yamaha G5, once used at the former Unazuki Elementary School, is now placed inside the regional tourism gallery.
It is well cared for by the local tourism office.
To play, simply notify the staff.
They offer a “Piano Passport,” where you receive a stamp and date each time you play.
The 300 yen fee goes toward piano maintenance—a lovely initiative. I got mine right away.

Otogi-no-Mori Park (Takaoka City)

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Address: 1342 Sano, Takaoka City
Location: 1F Atrium Garden, Otogi-no-Mori Hall
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Tuesdays)
Piano: Kawai Upright Piano
Managed by: Mori no Fureai Club

Otogi-no-Mori Park is located near Shin-Takaoka Station.
It features the “Doraemon’s Vacant Lot” with statues of main characters from the popular manga, as well as the “Fairy Tale Plaza” filled with blooming roses.
Inside the hall, there are handmade attractions like a bouncy dome and model trains—making this a beloved park filled with community spirit.
The piano on the first floor was donated by local citizens and is open to anyone who wishes to play.
It's a peaceful place, always bustling with families and children, and you’ll often see people casually playing the piano.

JR Toyama Station (Toyama City)

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Address: 1-225 Meirincho, Toyama City
Location: North side of South-North Free Passage at Toyama Station
Hours: 7:00 – 21:00
Piano: Painted Grand Piano
Managed by: Toyama City Cultural and International Affairs Division

The piano is located on the north side of the South-North Free Passage, next to the Toyama streetcar station.
As the most frequently used station in the prefecture, this area is always lively.
The surrounding area offers plenty of seating, making it a great spot to relax.
Toyama City has installed painted street pianos throughout the city.
They are also used during events, contributing to the local vibrancy.
Personally, I can’t help but feel a little sorry for the piano—painting it sometimes seems to muffle the sound.

Toyama Kitokito Airport (Toyama City)

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Address: 30 Akigashima, Toyama City
Location: 1F Domestic Arrivals Lobby, Toyama Kitokito Airport
Hours: 7:00 – 21:00
Piano: Painted Yamaha G3 Grand Piano
Managed by: Toyama City Cultural and International Affairs Division

This piano is located in the domestic arrivals lobby on the first floor of Toyama Airport.
The area features a high ceiling, allowing the sound to echo beautifully up to the second-floor departure lobby.
Before departure, passengers gather in the lobby, making it one of the most listened-to pianos in the prefecture.
The spacious setting makes it a pleasure to play.

Aubade Hall – Main Hall (Toyama City)

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Address: 9-17 Ushijima-cho, Toyama City
Location: 1F Lobby, Toyama City Arts and Culture Hall
Hours: 9:00 – 19:00 (Not available during performances)
Piano: Painted Upright Piano
Managed by: Toyama City Cultural and International Affairs Division

This piano is placed in a hallway on the first floor of Aubade Hall’s Main Hall.
If you’ve only attended events in the main hall, you might miss it.
Note that the piano cannot be used during performances. (The same applies to the Sub Hall.)

Aubade Hall – Sub Hall (Toyama City)

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Address: 9-29 Ushijima-cho, Toyama City
Location: 1F Foyer, Toyama City Arts and Culture Hall
Hours: 9:00 – 22:00 (Not available during performances)
Piano: Painted Upright Piano
Managed by: Toyama City Cultural and International Affairs Division

A new street piano was installed in July last year.
It sits just inside the main entrance, in the central lobby near the music appreciation room.
The Sub Hall is moderately sized, with a spacious lobby and foyer, making it suitable for various events.

YouTown Sogawa (Toyama City)

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Address: 3-9-3 Sogawa, Toyama City
Location: YouTown Sogawa West Plaza, in front of Otemachi Station (Tram)
Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
Piano: Painted Upright Piano
Managed by: Toyama City Cultural and International Affairs Division

This piano is set up facing the tram tracks at YouTown Sogawa.
Though sheltered from the rain, it is essentially outdoors and exposed to the elements.
Unfortunately, this piano doesn’t produce sound—it may have been intentionally muted.
It made me feel a bit sorry for the instrument.

Canal Park Hotel (Toyama City)

Address: 11-1 Ushijima-cho, Toyama City
Location: Front Lobby, Oaks Canal Park Hotel Toyama
Hours: Open anytime
Piano: Yamaha Grand Piano
Managed by: Oaks Canal Park Hotel Toyama

The piano is placed in the lobby of the hotel, facing the street north of Toyama Station.
Anyone is welcome to play.
Being indoors, in a well-maintained and climate-controlled space open year-round, it offers ideal conditions for the piano.
It’s a highly resonant space, and playing there is a delight.

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Cross Bay Shinminato (Imizu City)

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Address: 2-10-30 Honmachi, Imizu City
Location: Cross Bay Shinminato
Hours: 9:00 – 21:30 (Weekends and holidays only)
Piano: Upright Piano
Managed by: Cross Bay Shinminato

Opened in 2000, Cross Bay Shinminato stands on the site of the former Shinminato Town Hall as a regional tourism hub.
The piano is located in a spacious rest area on the first floor, directly across from the reception area.
Due to its placement, one may feel discouraged from playing anything too eccentric.
It’s open only on weekends and holidays, when the facility becomes lively with families and children.

Kamiichi Town Health and Welfare Center (Kamiichi Town)

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Address: 1176 Yuganeno, Kamiichi, Nakaniikawa District
Location: 1F Lobby, Kamiichi Health and Welfare Center
Hours: 10:00 – 20:00
Piano: Yamaha G3 Grand Piano
Managed by: Kamiichi Town Health and Culture Foundation

Known locally as Tsurugi Fureai Hall, this facility offers a wide range of public health and welfare services, including medical checkups, fitness programs, and volunteer support.
It also houses "Alps no Yu," a public hot spring spa.
The spacious, open-air lobby on the first floor features a well-maintained grand piano open to the public.
It’s a great place to enjoy a focused playing experience.

Mira Park (Uozu General Park) (Uozu City)

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Address: 1390 Sanka, Uozu City
Location: Free rest area "Minna no Minato" next to Uozu Aquarium within Mira Park
Hours: Irregular (Check the Mira Park website)
Piano: Painted Upright Piano
Managed by: Mira Park

Mira Park offers various attractions including an aquarium, amusement park, and park golf course.
The park also has concierges who organize events and activities for visitors.

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Mira Park (Uozu General Park) (Uozu City)(Japanese)

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