Take trolleys, cable cars, ropeways, buses, and experience one of Japan’s most remarkable mountain sightseeing routes, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
Summary
Take trolleys, cable cars, ropeways, buses and experience one of Japan’s most remarkable mountain sightseeing routes, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Here’s our top 5 suggestions for a memorable experience there.
About The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, also known as “the roof of Japan”, is one of Japan’s most remarkable mountain sightseeing routes in the Northern Japan Alps. It’s a 23 mi. (37.2 km) route that connects Tateyama station in Toyama prefecture and Omachi city in Nagano prefecture. Witness spectacular vistas along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route while hiking and riding various vehicles.
An especially noteworthy place to visit is the Kurobe Dam. At 610 ft (186 m), the Kurobe Dam is Japan’s tallest dam. Constructed in 1963, the dam took seven years to complete and is now a major landmark of Toyama. Melted water fills up behind the dam and gets discharged beautifully through its gates, creating a lively and powerful atmosphere.
At 8,202 ft (2,500 m), the Murodo terminal is the highest altitude station within the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Climb the observation deck to view the beautiful landscape of the famous holy mountain, Mount Tateyama. Walk to Lake Mikurigaike, Murodo’s beautiful crater lake that reflects the breathtaking nature of the surrounding mountains.
Traveling is especially interesting with different forms of transportation connecting the route. There are two cable cars at different locations, one highland bus, one trolley bus, one electric bus and one ropeway. Enjoy the changing scenery from the windows while enjoying the various rides.
At 8,202 ft (2,500 m), the Murodo terminal is the highest altitude station within the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Climb the observation deck to view the beautiful landscape of the famous holy mountain, Mount Tateyama. Walk to Lake Mikurigaike, Murodo’s beautiful crater lake that reflects the breathtaking nature of the surrounding mountains.
Traveling is especially interesting with different forms of transportation connecting the route. There are two cable cars at different locations, one highland bus, one trolley bus, one electric bus and one ropeway. Enjoy the changing scenery from the windows while enjoying the various rides.
The Changing Seasons
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route is closed during the winter months from December to March. It reopens in April and stays open until the last week of November. Every season has different scenes that make it worth a visit.
Spring (April to June)
While colorful flowers bloom in Tokyo, it’s all about snow at the Tateyama mountain range. Mountain peaks are covered with snow, especially in areas of higher elevation such as Midagahara and Murodo areas. The highlight during this season is the Yuki No Otani Snow Corridor Walk event in Murodo where visitors walk between high snow walls of about 60 ft (18m) on both sides of the 1,640 ft (500m) road. There are also several other roads with tall snow walls within the mountain range, and fields for sledding too.
While colorful flowers bloom in Tokyo, it’s all about snow at the Tateyama mountain range. Mountain peaks are covered with snow, especially in areas of higher elevation such as Midagahara and Murodo areas. The highlight during this season is the Yuki No Otani Snow Corridor Walk event in Murodo where visitors walk between high snow walls of about 60 ft (18m) on both sides of the 1,640 ft (500m) road. There are also several other roads with tall snow walls within the mountain range, and fields for sledding too.
The beginning of the spring season is when the snow is deemed to be at its cleanest and the snow walls at their tallest. Towards the end of the season when the weather is warmer, lucky visitors may be given a rare opportunity in spotting a white Alpine Ptarmigan.
Summer (July to mid September)
When it’s hot and humid in Tokyo, it’s early spring-like weather at the Tateyama mountain range. It’s the season to enjoy lush green landscapes while hiking up the mountains. It’s one of the best times to walk around areas such as Midagahara, which is one of Japan’s largest alpine wetlands, a 200-year old beech forest called Beech Hill and a gorgeous gorge called the Shomyo Falls. Many different hiking courses exist, so you will never be short of an adventure trail to explore.
When it’s hot and humid in Tokyo, it’s early spring-like weather at the Tateyama mountain range. It’s the season to enjoy lush green landscapes while hiking up the mountains. It’s one of the best times to walk around areas such as Midagahara, which is one of Japan’s largest alpine wetlands, a 200-year old beech forest called Beech Hill and a gorgeous gorge called the Shomyo Falls. Many different hiking courses exist, so you will never be short of an adventure trail to explore.
Autumn (Mid September to end of November)
Leaves start to change colors from the mountain peak, taking weeks to move downward to the foot of the mountain. Colors of green, red, orange, white all blend in forming a breathtaking vista of autumn foliage. The best month for foliage is October, a little earlier than most other areas in Japan.
Leaves start to change colors from the mountain peak, taking weeks to move downward to the foot of the mountain. Colors of green, red, orange, white all blend in forming a breathtaking vista of autumn foliage. The best month for foliage is October, a little earlier than most other areas in Japan.
The 5 Suggested Courses
Depending on your interests, time constraints and size of your traveling group, a travel course may differ on a case by case scenario. Here are five suggestions to suit all your travel needs.
1. One-Day Course To Visit All The Main Attractions
Start off by riding the bus from Ogizawa station to Kurobe Dam. After exploring Kurobe Dam, walk to Lake Kurobe which is a beautiful emerald green manmade lake. From Lake Kurobe ride the cable car to Kurobe Daira, which is a free public park with scenic spots, a great observation deck and a botanical observatory with more than 100 types of alpine plants. Ride the ropeway to Daikanbo and enjoy the panoramic vista of the mountain range. Ride the trolley bus to Murodo and walk to Lake Mikurigaike, then take the bus to Midagahara wetlands where there are many hiking trails to suit all fitness levels. Head towards Bijodaira Station for some sightseeing and exploring, then take a cable car to Tateyama station.
This course is recommended to couples, families, and people traveling alone who want to see all the main attractions in one day.
Start off by riding the bus from Ogizawa station to Kurobe Dam. After exploring Kurobe Dam, walk to Lake Kurobe which is a beautiful emerald green manmade lake. From Lake Kurobe ride the cable car to Kurobe Daira, which is a free public park with scenic spots, a great observation deck and a botanical observatory with more than 100 types of alpine plants. Ride the ropeway to Daikanbo and enjoy the panoramic vista of the mountain range. Ride the trolley bus to Murodo and walk to Lake Mikurigaike, then take the bus to Midagahara wetlands where there are many hiking trails to suit all fitness levels. Head towards Bijodaira Station for some sightseeing and exploring, then take a cable car to Tateyama station.
This course is recommended to couples, families, and people traveling alone who want to see all the main attractions in one day.
2. One-Day Course For Those Who Want ToTake Luscious Nature Walks
Ride the cable car from Tateyama station to Bijodaira, then transfer via bus towards Murodo terminal. Walk to Tamado No Yusui and have some fresh mountain water, then hike all the way up Murodo mountain observation deck for a breathtaking view of the Japan Alps. Head down to Lake Mikurigaike for a relaxing leisurely walk around the lake. Return to Murodo terminal, then ride the bus to Bijodaira and transfer via cable car. Ride the cable car back to Tateyama station.
This course is highly recommended to couples, families without young children and those traveling alone.
3. One Day Course ForThose Seeking An Active Adventure
Take the cable car from Tateyama station to Bijodaira, then transfer via bus towards Murodo terminal. Walk to Murododaira plateau and walk to Lake Mikurigaike’s observation deck, then walk to the observation deck of Jigokudani or Hell Valley named so because the landscape of sulfur, brown soil and rocks is thought to resemble our image of hell. Afterwards walk to Tateyama Murodo, Japan’s oldest hut then walk back to Murodo terminal. Take the bus to Midagahara wetlands and pick a hiking course (half-a-mile or one mile etc), ride the bus to Bijodaira and transfer to cable car to head back to Tateyama station.
This course is highly recommended to couples, families without young children and those traveling alone.
Ride the cable car from Tateyama station to Bijodaira, then transfer via bus towards Murodo terminal. Walk to Tamado No Yusui and have some fresh mountain water, then hike all the way up Murodo mountain observation deck for a breathtaking view of the Japan Alps. Head down to Lake Mikurigaike for a relaxing leisurely walk around the lake. Return to Murodo terminal, then ride the bus to Bijodaira and transfer via cable car. Ride the cable car back to Tateyama station.
This course is highly recommended to couples, families without young children and those traveling alone.
3. One Day Course ForThose Seeking An Active Adventure
Take the cable car from Tateyama station to Bijodaira, then transfer via bus towards Murodo terminal. Walk to Murododaira plateau and walk to Lake Mikurigaike’s observation deck, then walk to the observation deck of Jigokudani or Hell Valley named so because the landscape of sulfur, brown soil and rocks is thought to resemble our image of hell. Afterwards walk to Tateyama Murodo, Japan’s oldest hut then walk back to Murodo terminal. Take the bus to Midagahara wetlands and pick a hiking course (half-a-mile or one mile etc), ride the bus to Bijodaira and transfer to cable car to head back to Tateyama station.
This course is highly recommended to couples, families without young children and those traveling alone.
4. Two-Day Course For Those WhoWant To Take It Slow
Ride the cable car to Bijodaira, then transfer via bus to Murodo terminal. Check in at Hotel Tateyama and enjoy exploring Murodo area during the day, watch the sunset from the peak, then gaze at the twinkling stars in the night sky before heading to bed. Walk to Lake Mikurigaike observation deck the next morning, then finish your day at Mikurigaoka hot spring to relax. Walk to Tamado No Yusui for fresh water then walk to Murodo terminal. Ride the trolley bus to Daikando, then ride the ropeway to Kurobedaira. From Kurobedaira, ride the cable car to Lake Kurobe, then walk towards Kurobe dam. Then ride the cable car, ropeway and trolley bus back to Murodo terminal. Lastly, finish your journey on the bus to Bijodaira and head back to Tateyama station by cable car.
This course is recommended to couples, families, and people traveling alone who want time to spend time relaxing in the lush nature of the Japan Alps.
Ride the cable car to Bijodaira, then transfer via bus to Murodo terminal. Check in at Hotel Tateyama and enjoy exploring Murodo area during the day, watch the sunset from the peak, then gaze at the twinkling stars in the night sky before heading to bed. Walk to Lake Mikurigaike observation deck the next morning, then finish your day at Mikurigaoka hot spring to relax. Walk to Tamado No Yusui for fresh water then walk to Murodo terminal. Ride the trolley bus to Daikando, then ride the ropeway to Kurobedaira. From Kurobedaira, ride the cable car to Lake Kurobe, then walk towards Kurobe dam. Then ride the cable car, ropeway and trolley bus back to Murodo terminal. Lastly, finish your journey on the bus to Bijodaira and head back to Tateyama station by cable car.
This course is recommended to couples, families, and people traveling alone who want time to spend time relaxing in the lush nature of the Japan Alps.
5. Three-Day Course ForThoseWho Want To Spend Time Taking Scenic Pictures
Start your journey towards Kurobe dam from Ogizawa station then walk to Lake Kurobe. Take a cable car to Kurobedaira to see alpine plants. Head towards Daikando by rope way to enjoy a panoramic view of the Japan Alps, then ride the trolley bus to Murodo. Spend the night there and watch the sun rise from a mountain range. Walk to Lake Mikurigaike observation deck then Murododaira wetlands to take pictures of alpine plants. Walk to Murodo mountain observation deck for a panoramic view of Toyama, then finish your journey with a hike to Midagahara. Have an over night stay there, then walk around the area towards the Tateyama caldera observation deck. Ride the bus to Bijodaira, then take a cable car to Tateyama station.
This course is recommended to couples and people traveling alone, for the purpose of taking picture-perfect photos during the day and nighttime, and not having to worry about returning down the mountain before dawn.
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a beautiful route full of Northern Japan Alps nature. It’s a great opportunity to experience spending time at high altitude without having to hike up an intense path. Choose a course that best suits your interests and plans, and enjoy the changing seasons of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
Start your journey towards Kurobe dam from Ogizawa station then walk to Lake Kurobe. Take a cable car to Kurobedaira to see alpine plants. Head towards Daikando by rope way to enjoy a panoramic view of the Japan Alps, then ride the trolley bus to Murodo. Spend the night there and watch the sun rise from a mountain range. Walk to Lake Mikurigaike observation deck then Murododaira wetlands to take pictures of alpine plants. Walk to Murodo mountain observation deck for a panoramic view of Toyama, then finish your journey with a hike to Midagahara. Have an over night stay there, then walk around the area towards the Tateyama caldera observation deck. Ride the bus to Bijodaira, then take a cable car to Tateyama station.
This course is recommended to couples and people traveling alone, for the purpose of taking picture-perfect photos during the day and nighttime, and not having to worry about returning down the mountain before dawn.
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a beautiful route full of Northern Japan Alps nature. It’s a great opportunity to experience spending time at high altitude without having to hike up an intense path. Choose a course that best suits your interests and plans, and enjoy the changing seasons of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
Information
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Access: Fly from Tokyo Haneda airport to Toyama airport (1 hour). Ride the limousine bus bound for Toyama station to Toyama station (20 min). From Toyama station ride the Toyama line bound for Tateyama to Tateyama station (1 hour).
Address: Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun
Tel: +81-76-432-2819
Snow Wall Walk Information
Snow wall Open Dates: April 15th to June 22nd, 2019
Open hours: 9:30 AM to 3:15 PM (may change depending on weather etc)
Admission: Free
Access: Fly from Tokyo Haneda airport to Toyama airport (1 hour). Ride the limousine bus bound for Toyama station to Toyama station (20 min). From Toyama station ride the Toyama line bound for Tateyama to Tateyama station (1 hour).
Address: Ashikuraji, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun
Tel: +81-76-432-2819
Snow Wall Walk Information
Snow wall Open Dates: April 15th to June 22nd, 2019
Open hours: 9:30 AM to 3:15 PM (may change depending on weather etc)
Admission: Free
