Overview (history, characteristics, attractions)
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a mountain tourist route that connects Tateyama Town in Toyama Prefecture (Toyama side) and Omachi City in Nagano Prefecture (Ogizawa/Nagano side), and its greatest appeal is that it allows you to experience the magnificent natural scenery of the Tateyama mountain range and Kurobe Gorge in a short amount of time. The tourist route was developed following the construction of Kurobe Dam (Showa period), and traverses mountainous areas with large elevation differences by using a variety of means of transportation, including cable cars, ropeways, highland buses, and electric buses in tunnels.
The main attractions include the "Snow Valley" that is cut high in the spring, the enormous scale of Kurobe Dam, the alpine plants and ponds around Murodo, and the mountain panoramas from Daikanbo and Kurobedaira. The scenery changes with each season, and you can enjoy the snowy scenery, fresh greenery, alpine plants, and autumn leaves all year round.
Highlights
- Snow Valley (near Murodo): A passageway that has snow remaining like a giant wall. It can usually be seen from late April to June and is a very popular photo spot.
- Kurobe Dam: One of the largest arch concrete dams in Japan. You can walk across the dam's embankment, and in some years you can even see the water being released for tourists between June and October.
- Murodo Plateau: A high-altitude marshland at an altitude of approximately 2,450m. It boasts Mikurigaike Pond, alpine plant colonies, and a view of the Tateyama mountain range on a clear day.
- Daikanbo and Kurobedaira: Spectacular views from the ropeway or cable car. You can see the mountain ridges and gorges in their entirety.
- The experience of the ride itself: You can enjoy a variety of transportation options, including cable cars, ropeways, and trolley buses (electric buses used inside tunnels).
Access (nearest station, transportation, etc.)
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route can be accessed from either the Toyama side route or the Nagano (Ogizawa) side route. The nearest major stations and access examples are as follows:
- Toyama side
・Nearest station: Toyama Station (JR) → Take the Toyama Chiho Railway (electric railway) to Tateyama Station (approximately 50-60 minutes).
・The usual route from Tateyama Station is to take the Tateyama Cable Car to Bijodaira and then the Tateyama Kogen Bus to Murodo. - Nagano (Ogizawa) side
・Nearest station: Take a bus from Shinano-Omachi Station or Matsumoto Station to Ogisawa Bus Terminal (approximately 30 minutes from Shinano-Omachi, approximately 1 hour from Matsumoto).
・From Ogizawa, take the Kanden Tunnel Bus (trolley bus) to Kurobe Dam. Transfer to Kurobe Dam → cable car → ropeway → tunnel bus... and head to Murodo. - Cars and Parking
・There are public and private parking lots on both the Toyama side (near Tateyama Station) and the Nagano side (Ogizawa), but they may fill up quickly during peak seasons, so we recommend using public transportation. - Ticket Pass
・In addition to paying for transportation separately, "Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Through Pass (Round Trip/One-Way Pass)" and round-trip tickets are also available for purchase. Be sure to check the operation status and fares on the official website in advance.
Estimated stay (estimated time required)
- If you travel continuously one way on the Alpine Route: Travel time alone is approximately 4 to 6 hours (varies depending on transfers and sightseeing time).
- If you are travelling round trip (Toyama ⇔ Ogizawa) in one day: It is a very tight schedule and can take around 10-12 hours if you leave early in the morning, so if you don't have the time, we recommend avoiding plans to use one way as a base and return.
- If you're planning on sightseeing at a leisurely pace: It's safe to plan on spending one to two days, including sightseeing around Murodo and Kurobe Dam. The walking time may increase depending on your stamina and the season, so be sure to allow plenty of time.
Nearby spots
- Toyama City: Gourmet sightseeing including Toyama Castle and seafood from Toyama Bay (sushi and firefly squid).
- Kurobe Gorge and Kurobe Gorge Railway: Deep valley scenery and a trolley train ride (seasonal operation).
- Unazuki Onsen (Unazuki) / Keyakidaira area: A base for sightseeing in Kurobe Gorge, where you can soothe your fatigue in the hot springs.
- Matsumoto and Azumino direction: Matsumoto Castle, the rural scenery and wasabi fields of Azumino, and Kamikochi and access to Kamikochi (in summer) are also popular short-distance sightseeing destinations.
- Shinano-Omachi and Ogizawa area: Mountain resorts, trailheads, hot spring inns, etc.
Things to be aware of (crowds, manners, seasonal precautions, etc.)
- Busy period: The park will be extremely crowded during Golden Week, Obon, the best time to see the Snow Valley (April to June), and the autumn foliage season (October). We recommend leaving early in the morning and purchasing tickets in advance.
- Operation and Weather: As this is a high mountain area, operations may be changed or canceled due to weather or snowfall. Please be sure to check the official website and operation information before setting off.
- Clothing and equipment: There is a large temperature difference between morning and evening, and it is often cold around Murodo. Be sure to bring windproof and cold-weather clothing, rain gear, and comfortable walking shoes. At high altitudes (Murodo is about 2,450m), there is a risk of getting sick (altitude sickness), so do not push yourself too hard.
- Walking and Safety: There are restricted areas outside the walking trails. Please follow the rules to protect the plants and terrain. The area around Kurobe Dam can be wet and slippery.
- Garbage and Nature ConservationIn mountainous areas, please help protect the environment by taking your trash with you and observing proper smoking etiquette.
- Payment and toilets: Some facilities and transportation facilities only accept cash, and cards may not be accepted. There are also sections where it can be inconvenient if you are not equipped with a portable toilet, so be sure to bring coins and check the location of toilets beforehand.
- Drones and Filming: Drone flying is restricted in many areas for reasons of nature conservation and safety. Please check the rules for photography.
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a special route that allows you to experience the diverse charms of the mountains in a short amount of time. Be sure to check seasonal attractions and operation information in advance, and plan your clothing and time accordingly.
