If you’re a lover of dramatic alpine scenery, you really need to make the trip out to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a path traversing the Northern Japan Alps in central Japan.
The whole route is an impressive 90 kilometers, stretching from Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture to Shinano-Omachi station in neighboring Nagano Prefecture, climbing to an elevation of 3,015 meters as it crosses the peak of Mount Tateyama.
This spectacular route can be traversed via ropeways and cable cars, so children and those who are not avid hikers can also enjoy its incredible scenery.
Each point where you change transportation has something to see and do, though the biggest stops along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route are Murodo, Daikanbo and Kurobe Dam.
Murodo
The famed Snow Corridor starts in Murodo, the highest point of the route 2400m up on Mt Tateyama, accessible by the “Highland Bus” from Bijodaira Station. It’s a mere width of two vehicles carefully cut out from the meters-high snow deposited in a place that gets one of the heaviest snow-falls in the world.
This part of the route is probably the most well-known and widely photographed, drawing in many foreign tourists and domestic travelers alike during peak season. In mid-April, the road is opened for visitors to walk between the sheer snow walls often towering up to 20 meters high.
In the summer months, serious hikers and mountaineers are drawn to the plethora of hiking trails around Murodo. Its popularity with families and more leisurely hikers can be attributed to the amazing alpine and volcanic landscapes. Thermal pools, hot springs, and glacial water-filled craters are all just a short stroll from the bus stop. The only hotel on the whole route lies here, with the restaurant serving day-trippers affordable and well-portioned hot meals. From Murodo, you need to take the Tunnel Trolley Bus, powered by electricity generated from the Kurobe Dam, to Daikanbo where the Tateyama Ropeway starts.
Daikanbo
At Daikanbo there are a few stalls selling souvenirs and snacks like onigiri (rice balls) and soft-serve ice cream to enjoy whilst taking in the view of the surrounding mountain peaks from the observation deck. From here, visitors need to hop on the Tateyama Ropeway to continue on the route to Kurobedaira. The 1.7 kilometer-long ropeway connects Daikanbo on Mount Tateyama to Kurobedaira on the neighboring mountain. With no supporting towers in between, this is Japan’s longest one-span ropeway.
The Tateyama Ropeway has panoramic views of the surrounding alpine scenery—tundra and snow-covered peaks in the spring, alpine flowers and teeming foliage in late summer, and colorful leaves in the fall. The trip is worth it just for this portion of the route.
Kurobe Dam
A five-minute cable car’s ride away from Kurobedaira soars the 186m high Kurobe Dam, the tallest in Japan to which visitors can come in extremely close proximity to. Explore the spectacular structure from viewing platforms carved out on the top and sides of this monster which discharges up to 15 tons of water per second from the Kurobe lake!
Apart from observing the dam from above, sightseeing cruises are offered on the lake in front from June to November, making it the highest altitude boat ride in the country. The dam is walkable and has a few shops selling hot food and souvenirs.
From the dam, you will need to cross to Akasawadake, the final mountain on this route, just a short walk away. The second Tunnel Trolley Bus runs from here to Ogizawa on the other side of the mountain, also the final stop on the route from which taxis and local buses that service the wider Nagano area pass through. A popular choice is to take a bus from Ogizawa to Shinano-Omachi Station, which has many convenient train lines and buses ready to bring you to your next destination.
