Tateyama Kurobe Alps (Alpine) Route Guide: Roof of Japan

There is no shortage of beautiful mountains in Japan: the majestic Mount Fuji is snow-capped all year round, and the vibrant cherry blossoms and foliage of Wakayama never fail to impress. Not to mention the Alps(Alpine), the roof of Japan, famous for its seasonal scenery, which offers excellent routes to explore their charms.

What is the Tateyama Kurobe Alps Route?

Tateyama Kurobe Alps Route is a popular sightseeing route that traverses the dramatic scenery of the Northern Japan Alps and usually opens from April 15th to November 30th. Spanning Toyama and Nagano prefectures, this scenic route winds for 37.2 kilometers, with the main attractions connected by different transportation and the highest area at 2,450 meters.

What are the Highlights of the Alps Route?

Murodo

The highest area along the route, at an altitude of 2,450 meters, is also a starting point for several hiking trails for nature lovers to delve into the natural beauty of the Tateyama Mountain Range. If you want to have cozy sightseeing in the mountain area, there are also many types of transport to choose from, such as the highland bus connecting the west Bijodairia and the tunnel trolley bus to Daikanbo in the east.

Murodo

Popular activities in Murodo include viewing the sulfur cliffs of the Jigokudani Valley, hiking and camping in the surrounding area, or heading to the Tateyama Mountain Range to climb Mt. Tate, one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. Although it's easy to do a day trip from Matsumoto or Toyama, an overnight stay along the route, especially near Murodo, will treat you to more majestic views, such as the special view at sunset and sunrise. Due to the altitude, the temperature here is about 10 degrees Celsius lower than in the surrounding lowlands. It's a good idea to bring a coat, even in summer.

Tateyama Snow Corridor

About one kilometer around Murodo is the splendid Tateyama Snow Corridor. A dedicated snow removal team prepares the route every year, carving out a 500-meter-long snow corridor through the deep snow with the help of GPS.

Each year, from mid-April (around April 15) to mid-June (around June 20), the Snow Corridor runs is open to visitors. When journeying between Bijodaira and Murodo before June, your pedestrianizing through the corridor will be overwhelmed by the soaring snow walls up to 20 meters high. The magnificent scenery leaves every visitor in awe. On clear days, the contrast between the azure sky and the towering snow walls makes for a striking view.

Kurobe Dam

As one of Japan's greatest projects, a tour of the dam is on many Japanese bucket lists. It is the highest dam in Japan at an altitude of 1,450 m and the lake behind the dam holds 200 million cubic meters of water.

Kurobe Dam

The dam is connected to Kurobedaira on the west by cable car and Ogizawa on the east by tunnel bus. Visitors need to climb up a few steps to enjoy panoramic views of the dam, the Kurobe Lake, and the surrounding mountains. Those with a loose schedule may also like to cruise on the emerald green lake leisurely.

Bijodaira

Bijodaira is connected to Tateyama station on the west by cable car and Murodo on the east by highland bus. Name from two towering cedars - the legendary beautiful women trees inside the virgin forest. Bijodaira has a large forest area with a primeval atmosphere, where you can find rich flora and various birds and animals, one of the ideal places for a summer visit.

Midagahara

During the bus journey between Murodo and Bijodaira, you can ask for a drop-off at Midagahara, another base for deeper exploration of the Tateyama mountains range.

Nestled high at an elevation of 1,900 meters, the expansive Midagahara Alps Wetland offers a rare mountain oasis. One of Japan's vastest high-altitude wetlands, an intricate network of ponds and marshes teem with plant and animal life. Designated an important Ramsar wetland site in 2012, over 200 Alps species thrive within its protected borders. Hike the well-trodden trails encircling this high-mountain treasure and take in inspiring panoramas of Japan's largest alps meadow.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Alps Route?

Typically, there is no regret in a visit to this route at any time of the year due to its different seasonal characteristics throughout the year.

If you want to experience the rumored Snow Corridor, you can visit this place from April to May. This is when the snow is at its most abundant and you may even have the chance to see a wall of snow almost 20 meters high. Of course, June is also a recommended month to visit, as the height of the wall is slightly reduced, but the 10-meter-thick snowfall does not detract from its charm. The climate is warmer and the crowds are much smaller, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

Summer Flower in Murodo

The warm weather of July and August brings out the colors of lush green mountains dotted with flowers of all colors and melting ice reflecting the shadows of the peaks. The brilliant warm sunshine also brings more opportunities for outdoor activities of hiking, climbing, camping, and the excellent ecological environment also provides many opportunities for bird and wildlife watching at this time of year.

September to October is a great time for autumn foliage. You can immerse yourself in the golden forests or head up to the summit to experience the vibrant colors of the season. Let the gentle breeze take away the heat and sweat, and watch the waves of autumn leaves at the foot of the mountain, as colorful as the palette. If you make several ascents during this period, you can also benefit from the different experiences that the golden and red mountains offer.

If snow world is your favorite, then December could be your best time to enjoy the route. This is the time of year when the mountain returns to its snow-covered form with a tranquil and peaceful environment. There is also the opportunity to witness the formation of the snow wall become higher, as well as the easy immersion in the snowy mountain. Most importantly, you will also be able to enjoy the best prices.

How Long to Stay There?

The Tateyama Kurobe Alps Route has many options. It is usually possible to experience the entire route within the mountain range in just one day. Of course, you can also spend 5 days exploring neighboring towns such as Edo-style Matsumoto and Takayama, and World Heritage-listed Gokayama.

Where to Start the Alps Route?

There are two entrances to the magnificent mountain route. The first is the western entrance at Tateyama Station (475 meters high) in Toyama Prefecture, and the second is Ogizawa Station (1433 meters high) in Nagano Prefecture in the east.

You can purchase tickets covering the entire route at Toyama Station or Ogizawa Station to start the tour from either side or buy sectional tickets at any stop between them and start and finish the trip at the same end.

How to Get to the Alps Route and Around?

Tateyama Station in the West

Visitors approaching the Alps Route from the west need to arrive in Toyama City, from where Dentetsu-Toyama will take them to Tateyama Station within an hour.

Hokuriku Shinkansen takes travelers from Tokyo, the nation's beating heart connecting everywhere, to Toyama, frequently and efficiently, in about 135 minutes. From Kanazawa, the largest city of the Hokuriku Region, once rivaling Kyoto and Tokyo in the Edo Period, also by Hokuriku Shinkansen, it only takes 20 minutes. If from the mountainous Takayama, which is famed for its thatched-roof villages and old charms, it will take about 1.5 hours by Hida Limited Train.

Ogizawa Station in the East

If coming from the east, we suggest you arrive in Nagano City or Matsumoto first.

From Nagano city, the capital of the prefecture of the same name, you can take an express bus (about 105 minutes) to Ogizawa, the east starting point of the Alps Route. Or start from Matsumoto, the second largest city of Nagano Prefecture, a one-hour train journey will take you to Shinano-Omachi for a 40-minute bus to Ogizawa.

Internal transfers

Exploring the entire route from the east, visitors need to take the following transportation in sequence, and vice versa from the west:

Kurobe Dam Station

Tunnel bus from Ogizawa to Kurobe Dam station, walking to Kurobe Lake, cable car to Kurobedaira, ropeway to Daikanbo, tunnel trolley bus to Murodo, highland bus to Bijodaira, and then cable car down to Tateyama.

Seems a bit complicated? Don't worry, as connections between every section are always convenient and efficient, as Japan has always been famous for.

For those wanting to discover this route and more of Japan's Alps in their first-time Japan tour, we also have a sample itinerary for reference. Contact us to check the price or customize it according to your schedule.