tateyama kurobe alpine route tour from nagano

The BEST Ever Guide to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

by Julie Dec 24, 2023 Itinerary , Japan , Travel

One of the most unique travel experiences for me in Japan was traveling from Kanazawa to Matsumoto via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. I could have taken a boring old train between these two cities, but by taking the Alpine Route, I was able to travel at over 2,000 meters through the Japan Alps using five modes of transportation: cable car, trolley, ropeway, bus, and train.

However, maybe you’re confused like I was before I took the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. While planning my trip to Japan , I came across loads of vague and conflicting pieces of information from different websites and books. The more I read, the more confused I got. I still had loads of questions:

•  Is it covered in my Japan Rail pass ?
• Do I buy tickets for each leg of the journey or do I buy one ticket for all the steps?
• Can I buy the ticket on the same day as the journey or do I need to buy it in advance?
• How do I know where to go to take the different modes of transportation?
• How long do I get at each stop?
• Will I have enough time to hike around?
• Is it even worth it?

Hopefully, this post will answer all of these questions for you so you aren’t as confused as I was before your trip to Japan .

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BONUS: I've created a FREE PDF version of my Japan itinerary guide . It includes detailed day-to-day itineraries for Tokyo, Kyoto, and 9 other destinations in Japan.  You'll also get step-by-step instructions for buying and using your Japan Rail Pass.

Click here to get lots of great tips for traveling around Asia as well as my FREE Japan itinerary guide. 

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route:

COST: ¥13,820 (US$97|£77|€88) for adults and ¥6,930 (US$49|£39|€44) for children from Dentetsu-Toyama Station to Shinano-Omachi as of December 24, 2023.

Check Tateyama Kurobe website for current prices.

HOW LONG : 8 – 9 hours to complete; check timetable here

OPEN:  April 15 to November 30

TIPS:   Buy snacks before your trip; start your journey before 9:00 am; layers!

Is a Japan Rail Pass Worth It?

Are you wondering  whether the Japan Rail Pass is worth it?

In this guide to the Japan Rail Pass , I break down the transportation prices for each of the destinations in this Japan itinerary of 3 weeks . Then I compare them to the 2024 price of a Japan Rail Pass.

You'll also find out where and how to purchase a Japan Rail Pass, how to activate the Pass when you get to Japan, and how to use the Pass. Check out the current Japan Rail Prices from my favorite travel agency in Japan or book your pass through Klook .

How to Buy the Alpine Route Ticket

These are several ways you can buy your Alpine Route ticket. Click on the link for each option to find out more details. I’ll then explain step-by-step how I bought my ticket below.

Unfortunately, you can’t use your National JR Pass on this route, but you can buy a JR Area Pass that will cover the Alpine Route. 

1. Buy Alpine Route Ticket Online

You can purchase your tickets online from the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route official website .

Buying online before leaving for Japan is a good idea when it’s the busy season which is April to June . These months are when a lot of people want to see the snow corridor . When I checked on tickets in March, many of the days in April and parts of May were already sold out.

You have to register first on their website before purchasing your ticket online.

Then on the day of the tour, you still need to pick up your ticket at least 15 minutes before departure from a WEB ticket counter at the train station.

2. Buy a JR Area Pass

A really good way to buy your Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route ticket is to buy the JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass . It covers your Alpine Route ticket as well as travel on JR trains between Nagoya and Toyama and between Nagoya and Shinano Omachi. The ticket is good for 5 consecutive days.

The price is US$150.20 for adults and $75.10 for children (6-11) until September 30.

You still need to pick up your Alpine Route ticket and reserve space on the cable car on the day of you do the route.

3. Buy Alpine Route Ticket on the Same Day

You can purchase the Alpine Route tickets on the day your tour starts at these train stations:

• Dentetsu Toyama Station
• Tateyama Station
• Shinano-Omachi Station
• Nagano Station
• Ogizawa Station

Ticket prices vary depending on your departure and arrival points. For the route I took from Dentetsu-Toyama to Shinano-omachi, it costs ¥13,820 (US$97|£76|€89) for adults and ¥6,930 (US$49|£38|€45) for children as of July 30, 2023.

The Tateyama Kurobe website is confusing. They say tickets are only available on the day of your visit. However, a few lines after that they say the tickets are valid for 5 days after the purchase date. 

Tickets go on sale at Tateyama Station 20 minutes before the first departure and Ogizawa 40 minutes before the first departure.

Check the Tateyama Kurobe’s website for the most up-to-date information.

4. Join an Organized Tour

The easiest way to do the Alpine Route is by joining an organized tour. In this way, the tour company will take care of everything for you: buying your Alpine Route tickets, reserving the cable car ride, and getting you to the start of the route.

Here’s a tour that includes the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route:

Alpine Route Day Tour from Nagano

RATING: 4.7/5 (32 Reviews) | BOOK: Klook or Get Your Guide

• Includes English-speaking guide
• Alpine Route Ticket
• Transport between Nagoya and the start/end of Alpine Route

5. Buy in Advance from a Train Station in Japan

In the past, you could buy the ticket ahead of time from certain train stations in Japan, but according to the Tateyama Kurobe website ,

“Day tickets are only available on the day of your visit. There are no advance sales for day tickets.”

However, in the next line, they say this:

“The ticket is valid for 5 days after the purchase date. This is not a ‘free ride’ (unlimited travel) ticket.”

I would go to the station the day before as I did and see if you can purchase ahead of time.

If they do reinstate this option, here is what I did:

I bought my ticket the day before at the Japan Rail’s office called midori-no-madoguchi  at the JR Kanazawa train station. Look for a green sign. It’s the same office where you go to make seat reservations.

Only foreigners on tourist visas could purchase tickets ahead of time, so bring your passport.

When I purchased mine, I needed to indicate the departure time for the Tateyama cable car .  I was also given a receipt and not the actual ticket. I had to exchange the receipt for the actual ticket in Toyama, which was the beginning of the route.

You could use your credit card to purchase the ticket.

Check Out These Amazing Tours in Japan

Alpine route day tour itinerary.

Below I’ll describe my tour to help you get an idea of what the route is like and to help you know what to do for each step.

I started in Kanazawa and did the Alpine Route from Toyama to Shinano-Omachi. You can do the tour in the opposite direction from Shinano-Omachi to Toyama or Kanazawa .

1. Kanazawa ⇒ Toyama

TRANSPORT TO TOYAMA: train

DEPART: 7:23 am ARRIVE: 7:46

Most people who do the Alpine Route from Toyama to Shinano-Omachi will be staying the night before in Kanazawa , so the first thing you’ll need to do is take the train from Kanazawa to Toyama.

This leg of the journey is NOT covered under the Alpine Route ticket so you’ll need to either use your JR Pass or pay for an individual ticket.

I took the Hakuta 554 train from Kanazawa JR Station leaving at 7:23 am and getting into Toyama at 7:46 am .

Hey! Check out my Kanazawa travel guide for tips and inspiration on touring Kanazawa.

2. Toyama ⇒ Tateyama

TRANSPORT TO TATEYAMA: train

DEPART: 8:13 am ARRIVE: 9:19 am

The next part of the Alpine Route involves several steps that are vitally important. Check the Alpine Route website for more information or any changes.

Step #2.1: Change Stations in Toyama

Toyama has two train stations: JR Station and Dentetsu Station. You’ll arrive from Kanazawa at the JR Station but leave for the Alpine Route from Dentetsu Station .

To get to Dentetsu, you need to exit the JR Station. Dentetsu Station is about a 2-minute walk to your left.

Step #2.2: Get actual Alpine Route ticket in Toyama

If you bought your Alpine Route Ticket online , you’ll need to get the actual physical ticket. You can do that in Toyama or in Tateyama.

In Dentetsu Station, go to the WEB ticket machine and scan the QR code that you received when you bought your ticket online. You can also go to an Alpine Route ticket counter at Dentetsu Station to get your physical ticket. You just need your reservation number.

The Alpine Route website has a wonderful video with step-by-step instructions on what you need to do at Toyama Dentetsu Station.

If you don’t have an Alpine Route ticket yet , you can buy one a the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route ticket counter at Toyama Dentetsu Station.

Step #2.3: Arrange for the forwarding of your luggage

If you want to have your luggage delivered to the end of the Alpine Route at the Shinona-Omachi Train Station , you need to do it at Toyama Dentetus Station.

The luggage forwarding counter is near the ticket counter and the train platforms at Dentetsu. Check here for a map . 

It costs ¥2,500 to have your luggage forwarded.

Check out the Alpine Route website for more detailed information on having your luggage forwarded.

Given the steep steps going in and out of the cable cars and the crowded conditions of the Alpine Route, it was well worth the price to have it delivered. I think it would have been extremely uncomfortable to carry my bags the whole way and incredibly rude to the other travelers.

Step #2.4: Take the train to Tateyama

Next, take the Toyama Chiho train to Tateyama. The train is included in your Alpine Route ticket.

My train left at 8:13 am and we got to Tateyama at 9:19.

You might be interested in these Japan travel posts:

• Kyoto Itinerary 4 Days: A City of a Million Temples
• The Best Ever Guide to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
• Kamikochi Hiking: A Perfect Day Trip from Takayama

3. Tateyama ⇒ Baijodaira

TRANSPORT TO BAIJODAIRA: cable car

DEPART: 9:40 am ARRIVE: 9:47 am

When you get to Tateyama, follow the crowd up a flight of stairs the waiting room for the cable car to Bijodaira .

The line to get onto the cable car was already long when I got there even though it didn’t leave until 9:40 am.

The cable car was originally used to transport the people who were building the Kurobe Dam, which you will see later.

During my tour, the car was so crowded that it was impossible to see outside. I just stood and waited 7 minutes until it got to its destination.

4. Bijodaira ⇒ Midagahara

TRANSPORT TO MIDAGAHARA: bus

DEPART: 10:20 am ARRIVE: 10:50 am

Bijodaira is where you will catch the bus to one of two places:

1. Bus to Murodo

One line was an express bus directly to Murodo, which is considered “the highlight of the Alpine Route” and where you probably want to spend most of your time.

Most people got on the bus to Murodo

2. Bus to Midagahara

The other bus was going first to a wetlands area called Midagahara before going on to Murodo.

I chose Midagahara, which unfortunately gave me less time at Murodo but allowed me to go for a walk in an area without crowds of tourists.

While I was waiting for my bus to Midagahara, several express buses to Murodo had already left. Finally, my bus left at 10:20 am and arrived at Midagahara at 10:50 am .

You can get out at Bijodaira , a stop on the way to Midagahara, and hike around the area. According to the Visitor’s Guide, there’s a primeval forest as old as 1,000 years . There are three also hiking loops: 2 km (1 hour), 2.5 km (1 hour 50 minutes), and 4 km (2 hours 30 minutes). If you do get out and hike around, though, you’ll have much less time to spend at the main spots on the route.

5. Midagahara ⇒ Murodo

TRANSPORT TO MURODO:  bus

DEPART: 12:10 pm ARRIVE: 12:30 pm

Midagahara is a wetlands area at 2,000 meters above sea level . In the fall, it’s filled with the colors of the foliage, and in the spring with the colors of the blooming flowers. Ponds will also have formed from the melted snow. I didn’t see any of that when I was up there.

Before you start looking around Midagahara, go inside the small building where the bus just dropped you off and reserve a seat on the next bus to Murodo.

I chose to leave at 12:10 pm. Buses were leaving every 40 minutes . The guy who ran things at Midagahara was pretty adamant that people reserved a seat.

The building also had lockers and restrooms . There were two bland-looking hotels at Midigahara as well. I didn’t see a convenience store or any restaurants, but there could have been a restaurant in the hotels.

According to the Visitor’s Guide , there are three easy hiking options:

1. Boardwalk short loop: 1 kilometer (40 minutes) a boardwalk through the wetlands

2. Boardwalk long loop: 2 kilometers (1 hour 20 minutes) a boardwalk through the wetlands

3. Tateyama caldera viewpoint: a hike to an overlook of a caldera (20 minutes to the caldera and 15 minutes back).

I took the short 1-kilometer hike. It was a fairly easy hike along a boardwalk through the wetlands.

In the spring, there is more water, but when I was there it was quite dry. The gorgeous views of the valley and surrounding mountains were like being in a sea of green. Another nice thing was that there were very few other tourists around, so it was peaceful.

Catch the bus to Murodo at the same place you were dropped off a t.

The bus ride up to Murodo had probably the most stunning views of the whole Alpine Route, BUT you must be sitting on the left side of the bus to really be able to see the views clearly .

The bus arrived in Murodo 20 minutes later at 12:30 pm.

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6. Murodo ⇒ Daikanbo

TRANSPORT TO DAIKANBO: trolley bus

DEPART: 2:15 pm ARRIVE: 2:25 pm

Murodo is the main attraction and the highest point of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. It’s situated at 2,450 meters and surrounded by several mountain peaks at over 3,000 meters. Without many trees, it felt quite barren.

Murodo doesn’t have a lot of trees, so it felt quite barren. It was aslo incredibly windy.

The bus arrived at Murodo Terminal at 12:30.

Inside the terminal, there were a couple of restaurants and a souvenir shop . There weren’t a lot of options for snack food, however. I bought some delicious steamed buns with meat inside for ¥500 (US$4.51) each from a food cart. Pricey, but as I said, my other option was to eat at a restaurant, and I didn’t really have time to do that.

Murodo also has a hotel and several “huts” as well as a hot spring.

There was still snow in the mountains in August. In winter, this area gets some of the largest amounts of snow in Japan. However, everything was mostly green.

The central landmark of Murodo is a pond surrounded by the peaks of the tallest mountains on the Alpine Route. It’s quite beautiful but windy as heck.

According to the Visitor’s Guide, there are five “hiking” trails that traverse the pond and mountains:

 1.  Mikurigaike pond – Easy – 600 meters in 30 minutes – This is a hike/walk along a boardwalk to the pond from the bus terminal and back.

2. Mikurigaike pond loop – Easy – 1.7 km in 1 hour – This is a hike around the pond.

3. Raichozawa return – Medium – 2.4 km in 2 hours 30 minutes – This is a hike along one side of the pond to the hot springs and to a lookout point over the Valley of Hell (Jigokudani).

4. Mount Murodo viewpoint – Medium – 2 km in 2 hrs 30 min. – This is a hike to a viewpoint and what looks to be up part of a mountain.

5. Climbing Mount Tateyama- Difficult – 2.5 km in 4 hours – This is a hike to Mount Oyama at 3,003 meters.

 I did part of the Raichozawa return hike. The views were nice, but there were lots of other tourists. The hike ended at the building (it could have been the hot springs) on the left-hand side in the above photo. The building had a shop that served ice cream.

While on the hike, I could see into the Valley of Hell, a valley containing noxious volcanic gases.

Take into consideration the time it will take you to do these hikes. If you really want to spend more time at Murodo and/or do the Mount Murodo viewpoint hike or visit the hot springs, then you’ll need to skip Midigahara . When I was there, the last trolley bus out of Murodo left at 4:30 pm.

To find out how to get to the next leg of the Alpine Route, Daikonbo , look for a green sign with a departure time on it and say “for Daikonbo.”

Stand in the line for Daikonbo. The line I was in for the 2:15 bus wasn’t very long. The next trolley would have left at 2:45.

The trolley bus took 10 minutes to go through Mount Tateyama . We popped out on the other side of the mountain at Daikonbo at 2:25 pm .

More Travel Info for Japan:

• Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It?
• What to do if you get sick in Japan?
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7. Daikonbo ⇒ Kurobedaira

TRANSPORT TO KUROBEDAIRA: ropeway

DEPART: 2:40 pm ARRIVE: 2:47 pm

Daikonbo is a transfer point for the ropeway down to Kurobedaira .

There’s a viewing platform where you can look out over the valley, but that’s about it.

When you get out at Daikonbo, just follow the green signs to the ropeway . The green signs go toward Shinano-Omachi and the blue signs go toward Toyama.

The signage on the Alpine Route makes it super easy to do for someone who’s always getting lost.

Daikonbo is a great place to stop for photos of the Japan Alps, a lake formed by the Kurobe Dam, and a Ropeway.

I took the ropeway at 2:40 and it arrived at Kurobedaira at 2:47. 

The views from the ropeway were some of the best of the Alpine Route day tour. 

8. Kurobedaira ⇒ Kurobeko (Kurobe Dam)

TRANSPORT TO KUROBEKO: cable car

DEPART: 3:00 pm ARRIVE: 3:05 pm

Kurobedaira is the place where you transfer from the ropeway to the cable car that will take you down to Kurobeko.

There’s a viewing platform and a place to eat .

The cable car to Kurobeko took 5 minutes, leaving at 3:00 and arriving at 3:05. Like the cable car that I took earlier, I couldn’t see anything outside, and it was terribly crowded.

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9. kurobeko ⇒ kurobe dam ⇒ ogizawa.

TRANSPORT TO OGIZAWA:  by foot and trolley bus

DEPART: 3:35 pm ARRIVE: 3:51 pm

The Kurobe Dam is similar in importance to the Japanese as the Hoover Dam is to Americans. It’s Japan’s tallest arch dam.

When you get off the cable car, walk through a tunnel.

Upon exiting the tunnel, I found myself outside on a pedestrian bridge that crossed over the dam and the same lake I had seen from the ropeway.

Kurobe Lake was created by the dam.

Even though the clouds looked ominous, it never rained until after I had finished the route.

The lake was to my right side, while mountains and a valley covered in trees were to my left side.

On the other side of the dam, go through a tunnel to get to a trolley bus.

After going through the tunnel, I had to get in line and wait over 10 ten minutes for the trolley bus to Ogizawa. You can see that the space is small and there are lots of people waiting. Don’t worry! There are tons of buses, so if one bus fills up, there are others to take.

The trolley bus takes a little over 15 minutes to go through a tunnel to the other side of the mountain at Ogizawa .

10. Ogizawa ⇒ Shinano-Omachi

TRANSPORT TO SHINANO-OMACHI: bus

DEPART: 4:00 pm  ARRIVE: 4:35 pm

There’s not a lot to do at Ogizawa –just a large parking lot and a place to get some food and drink .

In Ogizawa, get on a bus going to Shinano-Omachi . I got on at 4:00 pm. Because I bought the OPTION TICKET the day before, the ride to Shinano-Omachi was free. If I had bought a same-day ticket, I would have had to pay extra for the bus ride.

The bus made one stop at Omachi-Onsen before reaching Shinano-Omachi at 4:35 pm. Some buses go on to Nagano.

11.  Shinano-Omachi ⇒ Matsumoto

TRANSPORT TO MATSUMOTO: train

DEPART: 5:15 pm ARRIVE: 6:15 pm

Shinano-Omachi is the transfer point for other destinations in Japan . You can take a train to Hakuba or Matsumoto . Hakuba is supposed to be a good place for hiking.

The bus dropped me off a little bit to the right of the train station. The luggage pick-up spot is to the left of the station . There’s a sign in English outside a building indicating it’s where you deliver and pick up luggage, so it’s easy to spot. Also, the building is more formal than what I experienced in Toyama.

The train station in Shinano-Omachi is very small. There are only 4 tracks.

The Alpine Route ticket ends here . You can use your JR Pass or buy individual tickets.

I waited about 45 minutes for the train to Matsumoto , which left from track 3.

When I first got on the train, it was pretty much empty. But the train stopped at every single station and gradually filled up until it was packed with commuters going home from work. The view from the train window was some of the most beautiful rural scenery I saw in Japan. Mountains upon mountains with bright green rice fields and traditional Japanese homes and shops.

When to Do the Alpine Route

The most popular times to do the Alpine Route is spring and fall.

Spring (April – June)

This is the time when people flock to see the snow corridor . If you don’t know what I mean, check out these pictures of the snow corridor here or search for the Alpine Route snow corridor. The Japan Alps gets a lot of snow. In the spring, it’s possible to plow a pathway through the snow turning the roads into a corridor with snow piled on each side as high as 18 meters. It’s possible that the route is closed due to bad weather, which means you’re out of luck. The Alpine Route website recommends going in June because the snow corridor is still at 10 meters high, there are fewer tourists, and the weather is more predictable.

Summer (July – August)

In the summer, you can still see a little bit of snow. But generally, everything is very green. It’s a good time to go hiking.

Fall (September – November)

The Alpine Route is a great time to see the fall foliage . The leaves start turning color first at the top of the mountain in September and then the further down you go, the leaves start turning later in the season in October. It makes for an interesting sight when you look down from the top to see the upper half red and yellow and the lower part still green.

Winter (Dec – April)

The route is closed from December 1 to April 9.

What to Wear

When I was there in August, I wore my fleece and windbreaker over a short-sleeved shirt and pants . I took it off and put it on again continuously as the temperature changed throughout the day . It was extremely windy.

At other times of the year, visit the Alpine Route’s official website to find out what to wear for each season on the Alpine Route .

Where to stay in Kanazawa

The hotel I stayed at in Kanazawa has closed down, but I found a boatload of alternatives at all price points.

Prices don’t include tax and are what a Genius level 3 member of booking.com would pay for the cheapest room.

I always book a place to stay on either Booking.com or Agoda .

Budget Accommodations in Kanazawa

I found so many good budget options that I had a hard time finding just one place that I would stay at, so I listed all three.

1. Guest House Pongyi

AVERAGE PRICE: US$24/dorm | BREAKFAST: Not included | RATING: 9.5 (55+ Reviews)

• Traditional Japanese-style house that is still very comfortable
• Warm and friendly atmosphere
• Kind, welcoming, and knowledgeable owners
• Access to washing machine and kitchenette
• Staying here is perfect for those looking for Japanese culture on a tight budget

READ REVIEWS & BOOK YOUR STAY: Booking.com | Agoda

2. Kanazawa Guesthouse Stella

LOWEST PRICE: US$27 | BREAKFAST: Not included | RATING: 9.2 (63+ Reviews)

• Located right next to the historic geisha district—Higashi Chaya
• The guesthouse has private rooms with shared bath for only US$27—what a deal!
• Owners are friendly and knowledgeable
• Free coffee and tea
• Staying here is perfect for those on a budget who don’t want to do a dorm room

3. Machiya Guesthouse Carta

AVERAGE PRICE:  US$46 - $66 |  BREAKFAST:  included |  RATING:   9.6 (65+ Reviews)

• Beautiful traditional Japanese-style guesthouse with modern touches
• Lots of history and culture
• 15-minute walk from Kenrokuen Gardens
• Shared bathroom, shared kitchen, shared lounge
• Japanese-style garden
• Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats
• Very kind owners
• Staying here is perfect for those looking for Japanese culture on a budget

Mid-Priced Accommodations in Kanazawa

Kanazawa has a few comfortable mid-priced hotels around the train station and within walking distance of the gardens.

4. Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi

• Newer hotel with both traditional and modern features
• near Omichi Market
• Very stylish and cozy
• Includes a Japanese-style breakfast

Luxury Accommodations in Kanazawa

Kanazawa has lots of traditional Japanese-style homes to rent that are stunningly beautiful.

5. Kanazawa Machiya Kenroku

• Traditional Japanese-style samurai house with modern conveniences and comforts
• 3-bedroom villa
• Perfect for family or group who wants a traditional Japanese cultural experience

6. Maki No Oto Kanazawa

• This traditional Japanese-style hotel is located in the heart of the historic geisha neighborhood—Higashi Chaya
• Modern comforts and conveniences
• Garden, terrace, restaurant, spa

Where to Stay in Matsumoto

I recommend staying around the train station for convenience.

The prices I list here are what a Booking.com Genius Level 3 member would get for the cheapest room.

I usually use either Booking.com or Agoda to book my hotels in Japan.

Matsumoto doesn’t have as many good options as Kanazawa does, but here are my recommendations based on my experience and research:

Budget Accommodations in Matsumoto

Here are some popular and convenient places to stay in Matsumoto for those on a budget.

1. Hotel M Matsumoto

• I stayed here during my trip to Matsumoto and really liked it.
• Clean and comfortable
• Great location
• Lots of amenities
• Superior capsules come with your own small room with a desk and locker

2. Couch Potato Hostel

• This hostel gets great reviews
• Friendly and social vibe
• Close to castle but far from train station
• Has both dorm and private rooms
• Very comfortable

Mid- to Upper-Range Accommodations in Matsumoto

There aren’t that many highly-rated hotels in Matsumoto.

3. Dormy Inn Matsumoto

• Chain hotel found all over Japan
• Has onsen and sauna
• Good location not far from train station
• I’ve stayed in Dormy Inn hotels and have been more than happy with them

4. Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring

• Comes with a Japanese onsen (hot springs)
• Rooms have views of the city and mountains
• Good location—6-minute walk from train station
• Comfortable and modern conveniences

Where to get more information

• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Official website
• Information on how to purchase tickets online and on the day of departure
• Information about ba ggage delivery service on the Alpine Route
• Hyperdia – Information about train schedules- this used to be the best website for train schedules, but they discontinued essential features and now it’s not very useful.
• Navitime – app for subway, train, and bus schedules – This is currently the best website for train schedules.
• I always use Lonely Planet guides when I travel. The Lonely Planet guide to Japan is the size of the Bible and is chock full of information.
• An easy way to purchase your Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route ticket is through Klook.

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Final Thoughts: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

I hope you have found this Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route day tour itinerary useful. It’s a unique experience that shouldn’t be missed!

Just make sure to leave Toyama before 9:00 am to give you enough time to do some hiking around Murodo. Plus! Bring snacks with you to save time and money.

The prices, exchange rates, and times listed here are the ones as of July 30, 2023 . They are meant to give you an idea of approximately how much you will need to spend and how long it will take you to visit each place. Since things change, please double-check the information on the websites I have provided.

Thank you! I hope you have an amazing trip to Japan!

For more guides and itineraries on Japan, check out my Japan travel guide page.

Best Resources for Your Trip to Japan

Book your flights for japan.

Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights to Japan. They will turn up results for all airlines including major ones and local airlines. You’re going to find EVERYTHING that’s available and thus get the cheapest price.

Book Your Accommodations for Japan:

The best hotel booking sites for Japan are Booking.com and Agoda . They have the biggest selection, and they consistently churn out hotels and hostels at the lowest prices of any other booking site. Another website for backpackers and budget travelers is Hostel World .

Book Your Tours for Japan:

The three best tour booking sites for Japan are Viator , Get Your Guide , and Klook . Viator has the biggest selection. Get Your Guide has terrific customer service. Klook specializes in tours in Asia.

Get Connected when in Japan:

You’ve got 3 options for staying connected in Japan: a pocket WiFi (what I used), a physical SIM card , or an eSIM . Several companies offer eSIMs for Japan. I recommend getting one through Klook or Airalo .

Book your Japan Rail Passes:

Japan has many different types of passes. The JR Pass is one of the most popular passes. Buy them through Klook before your trip to Japan. There are other passes as well like the Hakone Freepass .

Get Your Rail Pass for Tokyo

Get an unlimited train pass for most metro lines in Tokyo. They’re good for 1, 2, or 3 days. I always get the 3-day pass.

Looking for more on Japan? Check out these posts:

• Japan Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Weeks in Japan
• Tokyo Itinerary: How to Spend 4 Perfect Days in Tokyo
• Hakone Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days in Hakone
• Kyoto Itinerary 4 Weeks: A City of a Million Temples
• Nara Itinerary: The Perfect Day Trip from Kyoto
• Matsumoto Itinerary: Exploring Japan's Coolest Castle
• Shirakawago Itinerary: Enter a Japanese Fairytale
• The Ultimate Day Trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima
• Kamikochi Hiking: The Perfect Day Trip from Takayama
• Takayama Itinerary: Travel Back in Time to Old Japan
• The Best Ever Guide to Japan's Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
• Top 10 Must-See Places to Visit in Kyoto
• 13 Things You Need to Know Before Going to Japan
• The 20 Best Novels to Read Before Visiting Japan

17 Comments

Thanks for this useful summary but there is an error, which we know about well as we have been in business here for 5 years – you said; “Shinano-Omachi is only the transfer point for other destinations in Japan. You can take a train to Hakuba.”. This is analogous to saying “Los Angeles is just the gateway to other parts of California – you can take a train from LA to Orange County.” There, in fact LA is the much larger place and here Omachi itself is the biggest drawcard of them all Omachi is TRIPLE the size of Hakuba – Omachi is a city of 30,000 with 4 supermarkets, 5 or 6 schools, a hospital etc – whereas Hakuba is just a village of under 10,000 with just 2 supermarkets and no hospital. The Alpine Route is only PART of Omachi – but there is plenty more in Omachi – there is more hiking and climbing in Omachi than in Hakuba. (Hakuba is the winter ski mecca though). Guests often stay in Omachi 4 or 5 DAYS to fully sample it – here is an album of quick video snippets showcasing Omachi. It is best to base in Omachi for 4 or 5 days and take all this in, including 1 day allocated to The Alpine Route – either returning to Omachi the same day, or making The Alpine Route the final day here and the departure leg – moving on to Toyama (or vice versa – arriving via The Alpine Route from Toyama into Omachi and then staying in Omachi for 4 or 5 days, then moving on to Matsumoto for 1 day to see Japan’s oldest castle, and then on to Kamikochi area for another 4 or so days. Hope this correction helps anyone planning to stay in this beautiful area. Thanks again to the author for writing about The Alpine Route. 🙂

Thank you so much for this information! I will definitely changes to this post. Sadly, Lonely Planet and most other guidebooks and blogs in English don’t say much about Shinano-Omachi. They only mention Hakuba.

Omachi showcase videos — vimeo.com/showcase/3871748

Hmm, seems the Akismet spam prevention is overactive?

Thank you for the videos!

You’re welcome. Yes the reason is because many Australians live in Hakuba for the ski season – that’s why there is plenty of English information about it. But Omachi is actually the much bigger place – Hakuba is a “mura” (village). Omachi is a “shi” – (city). They are adjacent counties anyway (ie. sharing a borderline) – like L.A. County and Orange County. Feel free to delete any double posts i made – it seems the video link wasn’t sticking so i retried 3 times and so may have ended up making superfluous posts – apologies.

Great blog! Do you know if the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Option Ticket can be purchased earlier than 5 days ahead of time?

Hi Gisela! Thank you! Yes, you can buy the ticket more than five days before as long as you buy it online . Check out the section of my article on How to Buy the Alpine Route Ticket and option #2.

Hello – this is an extremely helpful post. Most of the others I found tend to cover the Nagano-Toyama route instead of the other way round. Thanks for this!

I have a question on using the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Option Ticket. From the post it seems that the ticket covers all the transportation on the route in terms of fares, but reservations may still be required.

Are you able to share a bit more on the following?: i) Which portions of the route require reservation? I think the post mentions that the bus from Midagahara to Murodo needed a reservation, but were there any others? ii) How does the system work once you have the option ticket? Do you simply show it to the staff at the stations and they will let you board?

Thanks very much in advance. Cheers!

Hi JY, Thank you! No reservations are needed on the route. I reserved the train ride from Kanazawa to Toyoma (you don’t need to, but I like to reserve because then I can confirm which platform the train is leaving from), which is not covered in the Alpine Route ticket BUT is covered under my JR Rail Pass.

I also had to indicate the departure time for the Tateyama cable car when I purchased the Alpine Route ticket.

The other reservation was when I arrived in Midigahara, I had to go to this little hut (where the bus drops you off) and go to this old guy with a clipboard. He had a list of bus departure times for Murodo. I had to choose a departure time with him to reserve a spot on the bus. I remember one family didn’t do this and when they tried to get on the bus, he seemed upset but he let them on anyway (it wasn’t full). I think he was upset because the family just messed up the guy’s system. Japan is super efficient and they have a system to keep everything running smoothly. They don’t like it when people screw it up.

Other than those three times I needed to reserve a departure time, you just show the ticket to the staff whenever you want to board a bus, trolley, cable car, etc. If the bus or ropeway is full, you wait for the next one. Everything leaves at specific times and in Kanazawa, you can get a schedule that has all the arrival and departure times for each leg of the journey.

I hope this helps!

We would like to add Nagoro scarecrow village within your itinerary, do you know how we could do this please?

Hii, i found your post and it is very helpful. Just wondering if the Option Ticket mentioned above are still available now? I tried searching for it on the Alpine route website but the only thing that i’ve found is the information about the purchase. If there’s no more Option Ticket, is it better for me to purchase Day Ticket one day prior to the departure date at JR Kanazawa Station?

Hi Evelyn, Do you mean that the option tickets are all sold out? You could try buying them at the train station in Japan, but I’m not sure if you can buy them the day before anymore. I would at least try buying them on the day you want to do the Route and if they’re all sold out, have a Plan B.

Hello Julie, Can’t wait for our trip! We were inspired by and are following your itinerary for our upcoming trip to Japan in May. We are unsure about the luggage transfer info that is posted for the Alpine Route. On the Baggage Forwarding website link you gave, it indicates that the “first train is 10am”. I am hoping that we can deposit our luggage with them earlier than that, and assume that “first train” just means that the batch of luggage starts en route to Omachi at that time? It is very confusing at this point. We want to leave for Tateyama on the 8am-ish train and would deposit luggage before that time. Are we ok to do that? Thanks.

Hi Christa, Yes, the info on their website about baggage transfer is confusing.

I think the 10:00 am means that you need to drop it off by 10:00 am because 10:00 am is the time that the train that carries the baggage is departing. So, you should be ok if you take the 8:00 am-ish train.

Hi, Would like to ask the best way to split this route into 2 days. Where to stay iat night. Arriving from Kanazawa on October 2024

Hi Gila, I recall there being 2 places along the route with hotels: Murodo and Midagahara.

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Welcome to The Bamboo Traveler, a travel blog dedicated to helping those travelers who want to dig deeply into the history, heritage, and culture of a place. Whether it’s through the pages of your passport or the pages of a book, I’ll help you travel the world and uncover the history, culture, food, architecture, and natural beauty of some of the world’s most fascinating places.

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Japan Itinerary Posts

• Japan Itinerary : The Perfect 3 Weeks in Japan
• Hakone Itinerary : How to Spend 2 Days in Hakone
• Kamikochi Hiking : The Perfect Day Trip from Takayama
• Kanazawa Itinerary: 2 Days in the City of Samurais
• Kyoto Itinerary 4 Weeks : A City of a Million Temples
• Matsumoto Itinerary : Exploring Japan’s Coolest Castle
• Nara Itinerary : The Perfect Day Trip from Kyoto
• Takayama Itinerary : Travel Back in Time to Old Japan
• The Best Ever Guide to Japan’s Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
• Tokyo Itinerary : How to Spend 4 Perfect Days in Tokyo

Posts About Kyoto

• Kyoto Itinerary: A City of a Million Temples
• Top 10 Must-Visit Places in Kyoto
• The Best of Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Shrine
• The Best of Kyoto: The Bamboo Forest
• The Best of Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji Temple
• The Best of Kyoto: Tenryu-ji Temple

Preparing for a Trip to Japan

• Top 10 Must-Visit Places to Visit in Kyoto
• How to Find the Perfect Place to Stay in Tokyo
• Traveling Solo in Japan: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
• Don’t Panic: What to do if you need a doctor in Japan

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Vegetarian's Japan Guide

A Day Trip to the Stunning Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (立山黒部アルペンルート) is a scenic route that goes through the Japanese North Alps, connecting Toyama prefecture and Nagano prefecture . It is also known as the Roof of Japan. This spectacular route is known for its magnificent 20-meter snow corridor, which can only be experienced in limited spots worldwide. In 2023, you can walk in the snow corridor from the 15th of April to the 25th of June. But, we believe the best season for visiting is autumn, especially if your home country snows during winter!

In autumn, you avoid the massive crowd. In addition, starting from JR Toyama Station (富山駅) to the top of the alp of 3,015 meters above the ground, you will experience an amazing four seasons view in just one autumn day ( check out the Fall Foliage Viewing Timing Table at the end of this article)!

If you are worrying about whether you can hike to the top of the mountain, don’t worry! The whole Alpine Route offers various transportation options, including cable cars, busses, trolley buses, and ropeways that will bring you to the top of the mountain – Murodō. Between each transport mode, there are different beautiful treks for those who fancy walking into nature (´ω｀*).

Table of Contents

Exploring tateyama kurobe alpine route with a tour, about making a reservation to various tateyama kurobe alpine route, should i start the route from toyama or nagano, tateyama kurobe alpine route’s busy season, what to do with my luggage, what time should my day start.

• Dentetsu Toyama Station (電鉄富山)
• Tateyama Station (立山駅)
• Bijodaira Station (美女平)
• Midagahara Stop (弥陀ヶ原)
• Murodō (室堂)
• Daikanbō (大観峰)
• Kurobedaira (黒部平)
• Kurobe Dam and Kurobeko Lake (黒部湖・黒部ダム)

Extra Information About Tateyama Kurobe Route

• How Much Does It Cost to Experience the Tateyama Alpine Route?

Tips: ☆彡　Get some food from convenience stores before you start your trip! Unfortunately, there aren’t too many choices for food on the route. ☆彡　 Menya Iroha CiC (麺家いろは CiC店) at B1 of CiC shopping mall at the station’s south exit has two choices of vegan ramen noodles soup.

*** The recommendations below are for those who plan to spend only one day on the whole route.  For a stay over multiple days, check out the transport time schedule and official crowdedness forecast to plan HERE ) ***

If you prefer to join a tour, below are a couple of options you can consider.

• (Spring Only) 1-Day Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Tour
• Book via klook
• Book via GetYourGuide
• 2-Day-1-Night Kamikochi and Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
• 2-Day-1-Night Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Kamikochi Tour (Hot Spring Accommodation)
• Tateyama Kurobe Snow Otani Walk! Hida Takayama & Shirakawago
• 2-Day-1-Night Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Matsumoto Tour
• 2-Day-1-Night Tateyama Kurobe Snow Otani and Hida Takayama Tour
• Tateyama Kurobe Snow Wall One-Day Bus Tour
• Private Transfer to/from Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
• 2-Day-1-Night Tateyama Kurobe Kamikochi tour

Whether you decide to purchase an advanced ticket or a ticket on the day, ensure you make a reservation to Tateyama Cable Car or Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus.

• If you start your journey from Toyama Prefecture , you need to reserve a seat for Tateyama Cable Car. A reservation isn’t required and can’t be made for Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. Please queue for the next service when you are ready to proceed to Ogizawa.
• If you start your journey from Nagano Prefecture , you need to reserve a seat for Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. A reservation isn’t required and can’t be made for Tateyama Cable Car. Please queue for the next service when you are ready to proceed to Tateyama Station.

If you plan to purchase a ticket on the day, you can do so at Dentetsu Tateyama Station, Dentetsu Toyama Station, and Ogizawa Station.

You can refer to the official website HERE for more details, which has photos and maps of the ticket office.

Using the Alpine Takayama Matsumoto Area Pass

You can’t use the Alpine Takayama Matsumoto Area Pass to reserve the Tateyama Cable Car or Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. Please visit the ticket office to reserve your seat on the day.

As you may have gathered from the transport mode map above, you may start your exploration of the great Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from either the Toyama or Nagano sides. So how will you decide which city to start with? Based on our personal experience, we recommend starting from Toyama . Many tourists start from Nagano , so starting from Toyama will allow you to enjoy the magnificent scenery with the smallest crowd around. (Note that this may not be the case if you go between April and June for the snow corridor!)

☆彡　As Japanese hikers love this place as well, avoid weekends as well as Japanese public holidays. As a general guide, the route is busy during 　　　☛　Mid-April to Mid-May 　　　☛　Mid-August 　　　☛　Late September to early October

Baggage forwarding services between the two sides of the route are available at each end of the alpine route. The service will cost you 2,500 yen per luggage. Please refer to the official website HERE for more information.

Important: Before the pandemic, they used to be able to forward your luggage to Nagano Station. But this is not the case in 2024. If your final destination is Nagano Station and you require the baggage forwarding service, you will need to pick it up from Shinano Ōmachi Station (consider this when you book your accommodation and bus ticket from Ogizawa).

Tip: If you do want to stay anywhere on the route that isn’t around the stations where the Alpine Route Baggage Forwarding Service is available, you can always ask your hotel to arrange for private luggage shipping to your next accommodation (‘ω’)ノ. The other option is the coin lockers at each station (excluding Tengudaira) on the route. It costs money, but you want to be as light as possible when trekking!

Assuming you are staying in one of the cheaper accommodation options in Toyama City the night before, your day should start really early. Especially if you (like us) want to catch the first train from Toyama , which departs at approximately 6 am.

The Attractions on Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Stop 1: Dentetsu Toyama Station (電鉄富山)

Your 65-minute train ride to Tateyama Station starts here!

If you have already purchased a ticket online, head to the ticket machine to scan your QR code for the paper-based ticket.

If you haven’t made a reservation, purchase it at Dentetsu Toyama Station and reserve your spot for Tateyama Cable Car, which departs from Tateyama Station.

If you are catching the first train, you might need to wait a bit before they allow you to the platform after you pass the ticket gate. But this is what your train should look like (though always confirm the indicator screen around the platform)!

Check out the view during this train ride. Already scenic!

Important: If you purchased a Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Option Ticket or Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass, there is no need to buy another ticket to travel from Dentetsu Toyama to Tateyama Station. This journey is included in your set ticket.

Stop 2: Tateyama Station (立山駅)

After you get off the train at Tateyama Station, go straight up one level and queue for the cable car if the cable car you reserve departs next.

If you need to change the boarding time or have other ticket-related issues, there are two Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Ticket Sales Counters you can utilize. The first one is at the right of the ticket gate on B1, and the other one is at the back of the shop on the first level.

You can refer to the station map HERE .

Here start your 7-minute cable car ride to Bijodaira (美女平)!

Please follow others and queue to board the cable car.

Tip: When boarding the cable car, don’t sit on the seats but go straight to the front of the cable car to enjoy the panorama view on the way to Bijodaira!

Stop 3: Bijodaira Station (美女平)

If you have time, you have the option of trekking around the forestry area at Bijodaira Station to experience the fresh air and various wildlife!

The bus service you should catch depends on your next stop. There are two corridors to two different bus stops. ☆ One is express to the top of the mountain – Murodō (50-minute ride), or ☆ Stopping over at Midagaraha and/or Tengudaira (30-minute ride).

Tip: Sit on the left-hand side of the bus to see the Shomyo Fall (称名滝) during this bus ride! (if you are starting from Nagano, then RHS)

Stop 3.01：On the Way to Midagahara

On the way to Murodō, your bus driver will most probably stop or drive really slow and start talking. He/she is trying to direct your attention to the left – Shōmyō Fall (称名滝). It is most beautiful during the autumn foliage season when leaves start to redden.

Stop 4: Midagahara Stop (弥陀ヶ原)

At Bijodaira Stop, if you have time, enjoy the trekking courses (3 courses, with the longest one taking approximately 2 hours for a return trip).

If you choose to stay at the Midagahara Hotel , the hotel provides its customers with free activities such as nighttime stargazing and staff-led highland trekking! Check out the trekking map at the end of the webpage (it may give you some ideas despite being in Japanese) provided by Midagahara Hotel.

Stop 5: Murodō (室堂) – The Top of the Mountain!

The first thing you will want to do when you arrive at Murodō is to take a picture with the landmark. There are professional photographers around to help tourists take photos with it.

And don’t worry. They don’t charge you unless you want the photo from their camera!

Get your water bottle ready! The famous Teteyama Tamadono Spring Water is among the most natural spring water we have ever tasted! It is coming directly from the snowmelt in the area. There are also scoops for you to use if you require them (‘ω’)ノ. After you fill up your bottle, start trekking/hiking (or if you go between April and June, enjoy the snow)!

Stop 5.01: Backcountry Skiing, Snow Walking, and Sledding at Murodō

The snow/ski season here in Mt. Tateyama is between April and May. Ski on 3,000 meter-tall mountain will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience (‘ω’)ノ.

Hotel Tateyama offers free rentals of snowshoes, stock, long boots, and sleds. Otherwise, you’ll need to bring your own gear.

You can enjoy various snow activities HERE , at Murodō, including the FAMOUS SNOW CORRIDOR WALK (the link is to the Japanese official website link as the English official website lacks activities information)!

Stop 5.02: Hiking at Murodō

☛ Hiking: to the top of the mountain to enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding mountainouts scenery. There is even a chance to see Mt Fuji on a sunny day!

Allow yourself approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes (climbing 2 hours + 1 hour and 40 minutes going back to Murodō).

Stop 5.03：Trekking at Murodō

☛ Trekking: there are various trekking courses in the area. Consider the amount of time you have and choose the course that best suits you.

No matter which course you choose, make sure you walk to the Mikurigaike Pond! The view there includes a reflection of the mountain in the pond and is absolutely breathtaking.

Check out the photo on the official Japanese website (unfortunately, the English version doesn’t have as many photos).

Stop 5.04: Camping at Raichōsawa Camping Ground (雷鳥沢キャンプ場)

For those who love camping, how about bringing your own tent and camping at Raichōsawa Camping Ground?

Whilst you have to bring your own food, so you don’t starve during the time you spend at the campground, it will definitely be an unforgettable experience!

From late May to early July, the longer you stay in the Murodō area, the larger the chance you have to spot one of these nearly extinct birds of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route – Raichō!

Tip: During the peak camping season in August, you might want to bring one of those mobile toilets with you. This is particularly the case in November when the toilet at the campground becomes unavailable.

Stop 5.05: To the Murodō Trolley Bus Stop

After you tire of the awesome Murodo area, head to Murodō Station and take the Tateyama Trolley Bus to Daikanbō.

Stop 6: Daikanbō (大観峰)

Enjoy the observation terrace, which allows for a view over the fantastic mountain and Kurobeko Lake view before you head off and queue for the ropeway to Kurobedaira!

←←←←←The Terrace ＆Daikanbō

View from the Terrace↓↓↓↓↓

Stop 7: Kurobedaira (黒部平)

After a 7-minute panorama scenic view, you will reach Kurobedaira.

The photo at the right is the ropeway that you will be getting off.

If you are hungry, visit the Restaurant Kurobedaira here at Kurobedaira Station (located on the 2nd floor) to fill up your stomach while enjoying the magnificent mountain view over Kurobedaira. (Note that for vegetarians, you probably won’t be able to find a true meat-free dish. The dishes selling at the restaurant probably all contain fish/meat stock.

Please refer to their allergen info under each dish on the MENU ). You can also use the phrases in our Essential Japanese Travel Phrases for Vegetarians and Vegans article to order.

If you are not in a rush, walk around the station for a different view of the mountain range. We especially recommend the Panorama Terrace. Check out the photos on the official Japanese website !

You can also pay their botanical garden a visit to see the high-altitude plants!

Tip: If your water bottle is empty, fill it again with the sweet spring water at the Kurobedaira Landmark!

Stop 8: Kurobe Dam and Kurobeko Lake (黒部湖・黒部ダム)

Kurobe Dam is famed as the dam with the highest altitude in Japan that is not to be missed!!!

Take the Lake Pleasure Boat to tour around Kurobeko Lake! You will be traveling between the mountains surrounding the dam whilst having a different view of the great Kurobe Dam.

To get to the boat boarding deck, please check the indicator at the station for directions.

If you find yourself walking on top of the dam, you are walking in the wrong direction!

• Time required: 30 minutes
• Distance traveled: 11.5 km
• Service Period: June to the 10th November

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lilz.Japan.Taiwan.Travel.Diary (@lilz.japan.travel.guide)

To us, the 1,100 yen for the ferry ticket is totally worth it! A highlight is a bridge that can be seen during the boat ride (the 2nd photo in the IG post).

There are several trekking courses of different lengths at Kurobe Dam Station. Check out the area map at the station and choose a course for light trekking!

After your leisure walk around Kurobeko Lake, on your way to Kurobe Dam Station, the view from the top of the Kurobe Dam is absolutely breathtaking (the 1st photo in the IG post)!

There are various lookout decks around the Kurobe Dam. If you are unafraid of the height, we highly recommend you climb up, as the photos that can be taken from the decks are magnificent! Check out a detailed illustration of various decks HERE .

Also, if you want to see the 10 tons per second of water pouring out of the dam, make sure you plan your trip to Kurobe Dam between the end of June to the 15th of October!

If the weather is good, you will be able to see a RAINBOW alongside the water coming out of the dam (*’▽’).

Step Back to Civilizations

From Kurobe Dam Station, take the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus to Ogizawa. After crossing through Mt. Akawaza-Dake, you will arrive at Ogizawa Station. From here, you can choose to take a bus or train to JR Shinano Omachi or JR Nagano Station.

Important: If you have purchased the route’s option tickets or tourist pass and later decided you want to tour around Shinano Omachi Station before heading to Nagano , you will have to pay extra for the travel between Shinano Omachi and Nagano Station.

Fall Foliage Season:

Past weather/temperature average at murodō , so… how much does it cost to experience the tateyama kurobe alpine route.

The cost to travel through the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route depends on which ticket you purchase. You have four options .

• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Ticket : The ticket includes the train fare from Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya and all transportation modes on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
• Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass : Unlimited rides on on JR local and limited express trains on the valid train lines and all transportations of the Alpine Route.
• One-way Express bus from Shinjuku to Toyama via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
• Pay the normal fare from station to station. This option is more expensive, but you can reserve tickets online!

Important: The first 2 options above are only for people who entered Japan as temporary visitors with a “Temporary Visitor” stamped on their passport.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Ticket

The 8-Day ticket includes the return train fare from a JR station in the Chūbu  ( Nagano , Gifu , and Shizuoka ) and the Kansai region ( Kyoto , Osaka , Himeji , and Kobe ). In addition to the local, rapid, and express services, the ticket includes unlimited rides on a part of the Tōkaido Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen.

But note the ticket doesn’t allow you to get off the train between certain stations.

Refer to the JR T ō kai’s Official Website for more information. If you don’t read Japanese, translate it using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar. The parts of the train lines where you can’t get off the train are marked by dotted lines.

Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass:

In addition to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, if you plan to also visit Toyama , Matsumoto , Kiso Fukushima, Nagoya, Gero, Takayama , and Furukawa , the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass is recommended.

The 5 consecutive days pass allows you unlimited travel on the non-reserved trains on JR limited express, rapid, and local trains between:

• Nagoya and Toyama via Tōkaido/Takayama Lines
• Shinano-Ōmachi to Nagoya via the Ōito/Shinonoi/Chūo Main Lines

Important: Remember to take the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass to the ticket counter at Tateyama Station or Ogizawa Station for a “Boarding Pass” to take the trams and buses along the alpine route.

Validity and Prices

　 ☛ The ticket is valid for 5 consecutive days. 　☛ 23,800 yen for adults and 11,900 yen for children between 6 and 11 of age.

Below is a list of popular destinations that you can travel to with this pass. Click on each of them to discover all the great attractions that you can visit in each area!

• Hida Furukawa
• Zenkōji Temple in Nagano
• Daio Wasabi Farm in Hotaka, Nagano

Please refer to the official website for more information such as the route map HERE .

Where to Purchase

Check out where you can purchase overseas and within Japan HERE .

A Side Trip to the Stunning Kurobe Gorge

Kurobe Gorge (Kurobe Kyokōku) is one of Japan’s top 100 hidden scenic spots and is located in the mountains of the Northern Japan Alps. It is the No.1 V-shaped Gorge in Japan! With its almost vertical cliffs and virgin forests plus the hot springs in the area, it is one of the most popular places for Japanese seeking relaxation amidst nature.

If the famous Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is also on your itinerary, why not enjoy the two most beautiful hidden places in Japan in one go since they’re so close to each other!

Explore the Fascinating Attractions in Matsumoto City

Wonder what else in the area is worth your time? Check out our list of selected attractions in Matsumoto that you won’t want to miss out on.

There are a couple of places where you can source delicious natural water in the city center, an art museum filled with Kusama Yayoi’s eye-opening contemporary artworks, places perfect for cherry blossom and fall foliage hunting, and a lot more!

For more information, please refer to our article on Matsumoto !

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28 thoughts on “A Day Trip to the Stunning Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route”

I plan to travel from Toyama side for the Tateyama alpine route on 24 May. Just wondering if buying Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass or ticket via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine website would be a wiser choice? or do I go for the Takteyama Kurobe Alpine route option ticket? As I understand that no reservation for the cable car is allowed for Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass, would I have to queue for a longer time to board, as yet to find any info on the cable ride boarding system? Also, I plan to send my luggage to Shinano-Omachi, so just worried if I didn’t reserve any seat for the cable ride, I might not be in time to collect the luggage.

My travel route is Nagoya – Takayama – Toyama – Matsumoto – Nagoya.

Hello Eileen,

Just note that the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Option Ticket isn’t on sale anymore. Replacing the ticket is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Ticket issued by JR West and JR Tokai. This ticket might be a better option for you as it covers Nagoya to Takayama to Toyama to Matsumoto and back to Nagoya. https://visitjapan-vegetarian.com/tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route-toyama-nagano-japan/#Tateyama-Alpine-Route's-tickets-and-passes

Regarding the luggage to Shinano-Omachi Station, the pick up time is between 3 pm and 5:45 pm according to the official website. So, make sure you catch the service leaving Kurobe Dam at 4:35 pm. If you missed the service, talk to the staff at the station so they can let the staff at the Shinano Omachi’s luggage reception staff know. I won’t be able to guarantee that they will wait for you. You might need to come back the next morning to pick it up.

Same-day tickets will be available on the day. But if you are worried about the queue, I’d suggest to take the first service on the day.

Hope the above helps.

I am planning to do a day-trip to the alpine on 6 May 2024 from Tokyo. I am planning to start from the Nagano side. I have a question, must I purchase tickets or could I afford to purchase same-day tickets on the spot? I see that if i purchase the pass online, I can only collect it from 12pm onwards a day before my start day. With this, I am extremely confused.

Do you have any advice on the ticketing? Thanks!

Hi Agnes, Early May is usually the peak season due to the snow corridor, so I’d reserve the ticket if possible. Where did you see the 12pm onwards rule for ticket pick up? From the official website, it says “Please pick up your ticket at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.”

https://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport/ticket_advance.html

Kind regards, Lily

Hi LL, We are planning our trip on this area on Mid-May and we will purchase the “Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route” thru JR Pass. Is it possible if we will start at Toyama to Kurobedaira and we will go back from Kurobedaira to Toyama…Then next day from Shinano Omachi to Kurobe Dam then go back to Shinano Omachi… Kind Regards, Roldan

Hello Roldan, Do you mean the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass? It’s possible but I’m not sure if that’s the best way to do it. Are you planning to take the train/bus from Toyama to Shinano Omachi after you return to Toyama on the 1st day? Note a one-way trip takes at least 2.5 – 3 hours. Any reasons that you’re considering doing this?

Hi Lily Have seen the various past correspondences and you have been wonderful in patiently answering everyone’s request. I too have a few clarifications that I need your help on : 1. I plan to take the Alpine travel in May 2024. Do you know when will the web ticket be available for advance booking? 2. Does the ticket include both the Toyama Chiho railway from Dentesu to Tateyama station as well as the express bus from Ogizawa to Nagano station? 3. I read online that only the Tateyama cable car needs reservation. From one of your earlier reply, it seems now the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus would need reservation as well? Where do i go to make reservation for both these modes of transport?

Thank you in advance for your kind Advice.

Hi Vincent, Thanks for the kind words. Hope the below helps. 1. Usually, the web ticket is available for purchase from mid-March. 2. Believe the web ticket on the official website includes the journey from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa. 3. For reservation, you can only reserve Tateyama Cable Car if you start from the Toyama side and Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus if you start from the Nagano side.

Thank you, Lily. 🙂

No worries Nancy 🙂 Just got a confirmation from Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route to confirm you can use the pass to travel on the Alpine Route as long as the pass is valid. Remember to reserve a seat when you get to the station for the Cable Car or the Electric Bus depending on the direction of travel.

Hi Lily, Thank you for your prompt reply. 🥰 No, I will make some stop over along the Route and I won’t be staying along the Route. Can we use the Pass for reversal routes?

Yes I think so, as long as it is within the valid period.

Hi, Thank you for your detailed information of the Alpine Route. I plan to stay near Shinano Omachi Station, if I start the route from this station to Toyama. Then do a reversal back to Shinano Omachi Station and May stop over at some sightseeing points on the return. Is it feasible? Do I need to make reservation at Toyama for the cable car? What tickets/pass shall I get? I plan to spend two days for this route so that I can have time to explore. I will be travelling in early November.

Hi Nancy, Thanks for the compliment. Do you mean you will travel from Shinano Omachi Station to Toyama Station via the Alpine Route without doing any sightseeing, and only explore the route when you travel from Toyama Station back to Shinano Omachi Station? I won’t recommend doing so because traveling on the Alpine Route isn’t cheap and it is a long journey. It is better if you stay in one of the hotels along the Alpine Route if you want to spend 2 days along the route.

Regarding the pass you can get, you can consider the JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass if you plan to also visit other destinations nearby, such as Matsumoto and Takayama .

Note you can’t use the pass to make a reservation online. But since early November is after the peak season, a reservation isn’t necessary.

Greetings! I want to express my sincere appreciation for this insightful article. I do have a few questions.

I’ve acquired the JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass and plan to embark on my journey in mid-October via the Toyama route. Firstly, could you kindly advise me on how to secure a reservation for the Tateyama Cable Car? Additionally, I’m curious about the crowd levels during the October period. In case I’m unable to secure reservations, do you recommend an alternative route? Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Thanks for your comment and compliment. We really appreciate it. Regarding the crowd level, it is best to avoid the 7th to the 9th of October. You can refer to the official website and translate it using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar for more information on the crowd prediction. https://www.alpen-route.com/information/calendar/

Regarding whether you can use Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass to reserve Tateyama Cable Car, we are waiting for a reply from the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route company and will get back to you as soon as possible. At the moment, it does seem like you can’t use the pass to make a reservation online.

It is confirmed by Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route company that you can’t use Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass to reserve Tateyama Cable Car. Please head to the ticket office at Tateyama Cable Car Station to exchange the ticket and board the next cable car.

Unfortunately, there is no alternative route to get to Murodo. I would suggest you taking the earliest train to Tateyama Station. This way, you have more time to explore this stunning part of Japan and there will surely be a seat for you.

Hi! Very helpful article thank you so much. Have a couple of questions. Coming from Toyota on a Sunday to do Alpine Railway.

Plan is to be at the cable car by 1 PM. Enjoy the railway and stop along the way and then overnight in Shinano Omachi

My questions- if we don’t leave the cable car until 1 PM I know that does not leave much time as I think last bus is 4:30pm from Ogizawa. However, we would spend more time in the next day on the way coming back on Alpine from Shinano to Toyama. Do you think that would allow enough time? And if we buy the round-trip railway ticket, we can still get off the railway on the way back, correct?

Next question- want to be sure the local bus that goes to Shinano Omachi is the same as the station? I want to make sure I book a hotel in the right location 😉

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for the compliment. I’m glad you find the article useful. Assuming the cable car you talk about is the Tateyama Cable Car, it’s doable if there isn’t massive queue for the bus up the mountain once you get off the cable car and at Kurobe Dam. You can refer to the timetable on the official website. The last bus departs from Ogizawa is at 5:55pm. https://www.alpen-route.com/timetable/viewer/86787/

Yes, the local bus stops at Shinano Omachi Station.

Kind Regards, lily

Hi there! The extra details in your post are really helpful! I actually plan to go to Murodo from Dentetsu Toyama, but the times for the cable car from Tateyama to Murodo are disappearing fast… Is a reservation *required* to go from Tateyama to Murodo via cable car? Or are only the reservations limited and you will be able to buy in person with no issues?

Do you know if any other parts from Dentetsu to Murodo require a reservation? Also, if I do get a reservation and pre-pay, do I just pick up my tickets from the info counter at Dentetsu-Toyama station or something like that?

Sorry for asking so many questions, I’ve just been desperate to hear the answers and I haven’t been able to find them anywhere!

No reservation was required to go from Tateyama to Murodo when we visited the route. However, I have just checked the official website again, and it seems like a reservation is required now if you want to board the cable car by 11.20. The Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus that you need to board to travel from Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa needs a reservation too. You can pick up your ticket at Dentetsu Toyama or Tateyama’s ticket machine by showing the QR code you would have got after a reservation is made.

You can refer to the official website for more details. https://tateyama-kurobe-webservice.jp/AlpenTour/html/VW001W0010.html

Kind Regards, Lily

We have got a clarification from Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. If you start your trip from Toyama Prefecture, you only need to reserve Tateyama Cable Car. A reservation isn’t required and can’t be made for Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus. You just need to queue at the bus station when you are ready to head to Ogizawa. On the other hand, if you start from Ogizawa, it is the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus that you need to reserve.

The ticket is now also on sale at Dentetsu Toyama station. If you happen to miss the reserved cable car, you need to amend the boarding time at Tateyama Station.

Hope the above helps. Kind Regards, Lily

I have a JR Pass and wanted to know if I can buy the Tateyama Kurobe Option ticket online? I could not find the site selling this. Or is it to be bought only on arrival in Japan at one of the JR train stations? We need this for a mid-May trip.

Regards, Sudhir

It doesn’t seem like the ticket is on sale at the moment, as there is no information on the website. I have, however, sent an inquiry to confirm and will let you know if the ticket is actually on sale.

Hi, can I check if the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket is on sale for 2023?

Currently still no announcement on the official website. You can, however, keep a close eye on the official page here. https://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport_new/fares.html

I have the Hokuriku Arch Pass, can I buy the Tateyama Kurobe Option ticket when I arrive in Japan, Haneda on 12 April 2023 and use the option Ticket on 15 April 2023, if available?

Thank you Cheow

I don’t think the ticket is available in 2023. The official website has yet to update the link to the ticket.

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The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Massive sightseeing opportunities in the Japanese Alps. 20-meter-high snow walls and Japan's tallest dam!

Updated: 2023-11-09

Mountainous Nagano Prefecture is known as the Roof of Japan, and if that roof had a peak, it could very well be considered to be the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

Along this spectacular sightseeing route, which crosses Mt. Tateyama to connect Nagano and Toyama prefectures, you can see the massive Kurobe Dam, the snow walls of Murodo, and plentiful alpine scenery.

It's not the Destination, but the Journey

Part of the excitement of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is not just the sights, but the many different vehicles you ride along the way. As you travel from one end to the other, you'll get to experience trolley buses, cable cars, and panoramic ropeways.

Six different vehicles aid you in your journey up to Murodo and back down to the valley on the other side. Not only do they make the trip incredibly easy—imagine how difficult it would be to climb up on foot—they also add to the route's unique experience.

Starting at Ogizawa on the Nagano side of the Alpine Route, the trip begins on an eletric bus that takes you through the 6.1km long Kanden Tunnel to the Kurobe Dam. Walking across the massive man-made structure, you can enjoy the views of the dam lake and the valley below.

Next, an underground cable car brings you up the mountain to Kurobedaira, the starting point of the Tateyama ropeway. Without a single pylon along its 1,700 meter length, the ropeway will both inpsire and terrify you with its unobstructed, sky-high views. At the other end of the ropeway is Daikanbo, the halfway point of the route.

Most people's favorite portion of the route is just beyond the Tateyama Tunnel. The tunnel trolley drops you off at Murodo, the highest portion of the route near Mt. Tateyama. Here you can see the famous snow walls, which can reach heights of up to 20 meters tall during spring. The intrepid and duly prepared can also use Murodo as a starting point to climb Mt. Tateyama (3,015m), considered one of Japan’s most sacred mountains.

Finally, it's time to head back down the mountain and into Toyama. Here, the Tateyama Highland bus takes you from lofty Murodo (2,450m) all the way down to Bijodaira (977m). The 50-minute ride gives you plenty of time to enjoy the mountain views and relax after a busy day. At Bijodaira, a final cable car takes you back down into the valley.

The Kurobe Dam—Japan's Largest, Highest Altitude Dam

The Kurobe Dam is a massive achievement in engineering. As Japan's tallest dam at 186 meters in height, its sheer scale will blow you away. It is 492 meters long, made of over 1.5 million cubic meters of concrete, and each second, over 10 cubic meters of water pass through its generators. Each year, it generates one billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to power over 90,000 homes.

Between late June and mid-October, water is released from the spillway creating a gigantic rainbow for visitors to see.

The lake behind the dam can be toured via the Cruise Ship “Garube” (30 min. tours offered early June through mid-November). And the Dam Rest House serves the area’s iconic dish, Kurobe Dam Curry featuring a lake of delicious curry behind a dam of rice.

From Towering Walls of Snow to Fiery Autumn Colors

It’s hard to fathom a wall of snow 20 meters tall. When the bus corridor to Murodo is first carved out in the spring, its walls can reach that high. The snow at the top of the Kurobe-Tateyama Alpine Route is so deep that it usually doesn’t melt away until the end of summer. Imagine a snowball fight in late August!

Autumn starts early at this high altitude – leaves start turning color in late September at Murodo – and continues for 6 weeks with fall colors in Ogizawa and central Omachi through early November. Kurobe Lake looks especially resplendent when the surrounding Alps are in their spectacular autumn colors.

Nearby Attractions

Travelling the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route can be an exhausting affair. What better to better way to rejuvenate than soak in an onsen? In between Ogizawa and central Omachi City is the Omachi Hot Springs Area. The Yakushi-no-yu bath house has a lovely outdoor bath in a woodland setting. Attached to the bath house is the Alps Onsen Museum for those curious about how onsens are created.

Visitors to the Alpine Route in April may also want to take advantage of Nagano's late cherry blossom season. Parks of flowering cherry trees can be found around Nagano, and many of them have views of the Alps still covered in snow.

Other popular destinations in the area include the outdoor adventure mountain resort of Hakuba, Matsumoto Castle, and the Daio Wasabi Farm.

Access to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is situated between Nagano and Toyama Prefectures, and it can be accessed from either side. On the Nagano Side, it begins at Ogizawa, and on the Toyama side, it begins at Tateyama Station.

Most people take the route one-way, traveling from Nagano to Toyama or vice versa, but it is also possible to do a round-trip visit, reaching Murodo and doubling back the way you came. Traveling one-way is less expensive, costing 12,450 yen from Nagano Station to Dentetsu Toyama Station (even cheaper with the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket ), and round-trip fares vary by starting point. See the Alpine Route's official website for all fares.

By Train and Bus

From nagano.

From Nagano Station, take the Ogizawa line bus from the Nagano Station east exit to Ogizawa (105 min.). The Alpine Route begins here and takes you all the way across to Dentetsu Toyama Station.

From Matsumoto

From Matsumoto Station, take the JR Oito line train to Shinano-Omachi Station (60 min.). From there, take the local bus to Ogizawa Station (40 min.)

The closest exit to the Alpine Route is the Azumino IC exit on the Nagano Expressway. From there, it's about an hour to Ogizawa.

If you plan to travel one-way along the route, you'll also need to have your vehicle forwarded to the other side of the route. There are two companies that offer this service: Tateyama Traffic and Sankeishya .

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• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Nagano)

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Nagano) 立山黒部アルペンルート（長野）

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Outstanding alpine views, and adventure galore

• Always beautiful whatever the season
• The famed Tateyama Snow Corridor in spring
• Shomyo Falls, the highest waterfall in Japan

How to Get There

If you're traveling from the Nagano side, the Alpine Route starts in Omachi, and the closest transport hub to the route is Ogizawa Station.

Take the Oito Line from Matsumoto to Shinano-Omachi Station. From there, a 40-minute bus ride will connect you to Ogizawa. Buses also run between Nagano City to Ogizawa, and the journey takes a little under two hours.

Quick Facts

The route's maiden voyage was in June 1971

The whole route involves six transfers and if followed consecutively takes about five hours

The crossing is open from mid-April until late November

It's all about the journey, not the destination

Taking in the sights.

Touching the sky

Visit Hell's Valley

Nearby Jigokudani is worth an excursion. Its name in English translates to the very apt Hell's Valley, famous for its steaming volcanic activity.

Incredible snow canyons

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route closes in late November when winter rolls through the area. Visit in April to witness firsthand just how heavy the snow gets. This is the time of year when the famed Tateyama Snow Corridor draws visitors who come to see the towering walls of snow on either side of the road that can reach a massive 20 meters high. The corridor is most impressive around the Murodou Plain and is open to pedestrians from mid-April to late June.

As the mountain transforms with the seasons

Hunt out the discounts

You can buy tickets at each stop, or a single ticket for the whole route in Ogizawa and Tateyama Station. The tickets are valid for five days and let you stop along the way. Backtracking isn't permitted.

Exploring Omachi further

* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.

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Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: Travel Guide + Itinerary

Last updated on April 10th, 2024

Here’s a detailed Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route itinerary and travel guide blog with budget breakdown. Enjoy the spectacular Japan Alpine Alps in the Chubu region.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route or Tateyama Kurobe Alpen Route (Arupen Ruto, 立山黒部アルペンルート) is a popular day trip travel in Chubu region. It is renowned for its incredibly stunning mountain sightseeing route through the Northern Japan Alps. This unique and spectacular route is a MUST VISIT in the Chubu region.

Completed in 1971, this 90 km route is commonly referred to as the “Roof of Japan”. It connects Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture and Omachi Town in Nagano Prefecture with various means of transportation. The total use of transportation involved up to nine types for a full route. However, don’t be worry too much on the transportation arrangement. It is relatively straightforward and well connected throughout the journey.

We visited Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route during the end of October. Our initial plan was up to mesmerize the stunning autumn colors leaves for fall foliage. But we were so lucky and welcome by the new snow in Murodo. Such an incredible and unique activities to see both autumn and winter scenery in one day.

Here, we will showcase what you can do on your trip to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from Toyama and ending up in Matsumoto. This is our actual itinerary and we did along the journey. I hope this will greatly help with your Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route itinerary planning.

While this is a Complete Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Travel Guide Blog , feel free to read on each season’s highlight on below travel blog:

Table of Contents

Best Time To Visit

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is famous for its magnificent mountainous scenery. It is part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park and passes through the dynamic scenery of Mt. Tateyama in the Japan Alps. Visitors can enjoy the majestic view during different seasons of the year when it is open. Each season the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route shows off its unique characters and spectacular views of the scenic beauty.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route during Winter (December to early April) Please take note the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route will be completely close and inaccessible during winter. The opening dates for the Alpine Route Tateyama Kurobe is normally mid of April. Please refer to the official website. ( https://www.alpen-route.com/ )

In 2024, the opening date of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine is from 15th April until 30th November 2024.

Spring – Summer – Autumn

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route during Spring (April, May, June) The whole mountain range of Alpine route is covered in snow. One of the best things to do in Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route during Spring is walk through the majestic snow corridor. This is an impressive snow wall on Murodo when it opens in mid-April. The pedestrian walk is open and started to melted until completely gone in July.

Beautiful alpine flower started to bloom around June with the lush green mountain range. You will still possible to see the snow wall and play around with snow if you’re visiting Alpine route during this time.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route during Summer (July, August) Summer attracts visitors with its beautiful landscape. It is the best season for outdoor activities such as hiking and sightseeing. The temperatures are pleasantly comfortable during this time. There are plenty of easy trails around the Mikurigaike pond at Murodo. You can even go for a challenging hike and climb the summit of Mount Tateyama.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route during Autumn (September, October, November) The Tateyama Route is the best place for the season’s foliage in the Chubu region. Started from September, leaves slowly turn its color from green to yellow and red, start at the highest elevation. It takes about six to seven weeks to change the mountain slope into stunning colors. The peak season for fall foliage is during late September at around Murodo and Daikanbo.

During November, you are possible to view the vibrant colors of autumn foliage in the middle route but white snow-covered mountain when reach at top.

How To Get To Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Depend on where is your departure place . You can choose to start from Nagano/Matsumoto or Toyama. While it’s a one-way route, that means that if you start from one, you’ll end at the other. Round trip is doable but it cost more on transportation. Many foreign visitors choose to spend one day in Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route when traveling from Tokyo of the Kanto region to Osaka, Kyoto in the Kansai region. The Alpine Route can be done within one day in quick travel pace.

However, we highly suggest staying overnight near the Alpine Route for more leisure experience. The full route of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine trip required at least 6 hours. You can be easily extended your itinerary to nearby popular destinations such as Kanazawa, Takayama, Toyama, and Matsumoto. The Alpine Route can be done in either direction. Toyama city is your start place if you choose from west to eastbound (Dentetsu Toyama to Shinano Omachi).

From Tokyo to Toyama city , ride the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen for about 2 hours. Your ride is FREE if you have a JR Pass . This pass will be covered for all the JR ride within the validity period. If your Japan trip is covered Tokyo, Kyoto or even Hokkaido, this pass definitely worth the money. This is the best transport pass for foreign visitors when visiting around Japan. You have to ordered and get the exchange order before arrival. Your exchange order can be redeemed to JR Pass at JR Office in Japan. ( Detail on prices and information on JR Pass )

However, please take note that this pass does not covered the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. You need to purchase the additional Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket . Highly recommended to get this option ticket to save yourself the headache.

Money-Saving Transport Pass

Alternatively, we suggest you get the 5 Day JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Pass at ¥23,800. This Tourist Pass will give you unlimited ride between Nagoya to Toyama, as well as unlimited use on all transportation within the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route for 5 days. This is a perfect pass if you plan to explore the Chubu region and Alpine Route. The full route transport fee on Alpine route already costs you more than ¥15,000.

However, Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass is only valid for 5 days. We plan to stay longer in Takayama to participant in the Dokubori Matsuri festival. So we look for an alternative solution. The Alpine Route Pass (立山黒部アルペンきっぷ ) is similar to Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass but it has longer duration up to 8 days. There is some limitation of this pass. I will explain on this pass in the next travel post later.

During my Chubu Japan travel, we fully utilized the Alpine Route Pass to visited nearby popular attractions such as Tayama, Nagoya, and Kanazawa. It greatly saves on my transportation fee when traveling around the prefecture. The detail on my Chubu Travel Itinerary here .

Alpine Route Tours

Joining the Alpine Route Tours is another great option if you prefer for hassle-free travel. Many travel agencies are organized the Alpine Route Tour. You can travel conveniently without worry about transportation and ticketing processes. English speaking guides will explain the history and guide you to the best sight along the journey.

If you need more info about the Alpine Route Tour, take a look at the Klook Activities here:

• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Day Tour from Nagano
• 2D1N Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Snow Wall Tour from Tokyo

One Day Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Itinerary

Many locals and visitors will plan on 2 or 3 days itinerary through the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. There are various hiking and sightseeing activities can be done to explore the spectacular vista of Tateyama Mountain Range. But it is relatively straightforward to explore the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route even within one day.

We did the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from west to east in 1-day trip. Our Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route itinerary started from Dentetsu Toyama from the early morning. At the end of the day, we rest our heads in Matsumoto. The whole journey took about 9 hours. So please make sure to start early and well plan on the itinerary.

The Complete Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route itinerary:

• Start the Alpine Route from Dentetsu-Toyama To Tateyama Station (60 minutes).
• Take the Cable car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira (7 minutes).
• Tateyama Togen Highland Bus from Bijodaira to Murodo (50 minutes). Optional, take a short Hike at Midagahara Wetland.
• At Murodo Station, take a short stroll to Mikurigaike Pond and wandering around.
• Trolleybus from Murodo to Daikanbo station (10 min).
• Ride the Ropeway from Daikanbo to Kurobedaira (7 min).
• Cable car from Kurobedaira to Kurobe Dam (5 min).
• Wandering around in Kurobe Dam.
• Trolleybus from Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa (16 min).
• Bus from Ogizawa to Shinano-Omachi (40 min).
• Take the train from Shinano-Omachi to Matsumoto.

Sound confusing? Read through the below explanation and you’ll find out it is very easy to plan on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route itinerary.

Start From Dentetsu-Toyama To Tateyama Station

We reached Toyama city and stayed in the Comfort Hotel Toyama one day before our Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route started. It located less than 3 minutes walk to the Dentetsu-Toyama station (next to JR Toyama Station). The strategic location is very ideal as we need to depart from Toyama early. Most importantly, it also help to arrange our luggage bags to our hotel at Matsumoto.

We woke up in the early morning and check-out from the hotel. From Dentetsu-Toyama Station, we ride the Chitetsu Line and get off at Tateyama Station (1 hour). It is the start point of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

At Tateyama station, we exchange the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Pass . This pass will cover my whole transport service within the Alpine route.

We didn’t spend much time at Tateyama Station. Once after exchange the pass, we waited for the cable car ascend from Tateyama station to Bijodaira station. The 7 minutes ride cost 720 yen for one way fare without the pass.

Bijodaira is the best place for Tateyama cedar viewing or bird watching. The legendary and gigantic beautiful woman Cedar can be found in Bijodaira. You can spend some time strolling in the virgin forest. However, we spent no time in Bijodaira and proceed to wait for the bus to our next hiking destination.

Tateyama Togen Highland Bus runs between Bijodaira Station and Murodo. There are few stops along the way, including the Midagahara Wetlands and Tateyama Snow Corridor (spring). Approximately one kilometer of spectacular Snow Wall is open to pedestrian from mid of April until June.

We choose to have a short walk in Midagahara Wetlands. Please take note, different waiting lines for buses to Murodo and Midagahara: go-direct or stop midpoint.

Midagahara Wetlands

The Midagahara (弥陀ヶ原) is a popular hiking spot for its natural scenery in Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. It is one of the largest alpine wetlands in Japan which lies at an altitude of 1900 m.

Friendly reminder : Please book your next departure bus at Midagahara Bus Stop when get down from Tateyama Tagen Highway Bus.

There are two loop walking trail and another one trail lead to Tateyama caldera viewpoint. We choose the short loop to walk through the vast wetland area. Wooden boardwalks were built to protect the wetland environment. The 1-km trail took us less than one hour to complete.

Related travel post : A Short Walk in Midagahara Wetland

Murodo: Highest Point in Alpine Route

Next, we boarded the coming highway bus on time and continue to Murodo. Gosh!!! Out of sudden, the scenery was changed from Autumn leaves into snowy white after one turn. We understand the weather can be very cold at the summit. But we did not expect winter snow during October.

Again, we were surprised by the cold weather. Murodo has recently received first snow probably a few days ago. It turns the area into a winter wonderland. Although we miss the chance to view the vibrant colors of fall foliage. The view in Murodo covered with snow was still very breathtaking.

We took the short stroll to Mikurigaike Pond and had some great time there. The weather was so cold outside and we decided to get the hot udon soup when back to Murodo station. The price was slightly expensive but reasonable at this popular tourist spot.

Continue Read : Murodo, Highest Point in Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

From Murodo To Daikanbo

Next, we proceed to the Daikanbo with Trolleybus. It is an electric-powered buses transport travelers between Muroko to Daikanbo through the Mt Tateyama tunnel. The journey took about 10 minutes.

Daikanbo is a transfer station between the Tateyama Trolley Bus and the Tateyama Ropeway. This small station has an observation deck with great views of the mountains. But too bad, the fog was too thick and we couldn’t see anything from there. It much be very breathtaking when the sky is clear. We didn’t spend so much time in Daikanbo station and decided to proceed for the next destination by ropeway.

From Daikanbo to Kurobedaira, the ropeway ride provide 360-degree view on all side . This 1.7-kilometer-long ropeway is Japan’s longest one-span ropeway. It operate without any support between lower and lower and upper station. The 7 minutes ropeway ride will bring you to see the grand panoramic sights along the journey. Further down to lower elevation, the view started to change from snowy white into autumn foliage.

Take note, this ropeway ride is where you’ll usually encounter a bottleneck due to the limited number of passenger can be accommodating in one ride. So, normally it is long queues but line clear pretty fast. But expected longer waiting time during the Snow Wall Opening period.

Kurobedaira

The Kurobedaira (1828 m above sea level) is the transfer station between the Tateyama Ropeway and Kurobe Cablecar. After a few rounds of transfer, we decided to have some rest at Kurodebaira station.

Although there was still thick fog around, but the surrounding mountain scenery was very breathtaking. We took a lot of beautiful photos with the stunning Japanese Alps. The weather was still cold but much better at the Muroko.

Kurobedaira station also offers restaurants and souvenir shop for travelers. One of the signature snacks that you can try is the volcano ice cream in black color.

From Kurobedaira To Kurobeko

After a short break, we jumped on the Kurobe cable car from Kurobedaira to Kurobeko station. The Kurobe cablecar is Japan’s only underground cable car. It runs entirely inside the tunnel without impact by the snowfall. The journey takes about five minutes.

The Kurobe Dam is nearly the end of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. We spend about 2 hours and wandering around at Kurobe Dam. Our visit was the season for fall foliage. We had a beautiful view with autumn vibrant leaves on the scenic mountain together with Kurobe lake.

We cross the spectacular Kurobe Dam and admire the beauty of the dam along the walk.

Added, we wandering around and climbed up the 220 long flight of stairs to Observation Deck. It is the best place to view on Kurobe Dam from above. There is a rest house where you can take some rest and try on Dam curry.

Next, we proceed to take the Kanden tunnel electric bus to Ogizawa. From there, we transferred to the local bus and back to Shinano Omachi.

Once we reached Shinano Omachi, we were almost relieved from the transportation arrangement in Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. The JR Oita Line runs between Shinano-Omachi and Matsumoto with about one train per hour until about 10 pm. So we choose to dinner and try the Kurobe Dam Curry at one of the restaurant nearby station before proceeding to Matsumoto.

All in all, the full Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route took us about 9 hours. An early start from Toyama and end at Shinano Omachi in late evening. It was a full gear day and exhausted at the end of the day.

Teteyama Transportation Guide

Always, transportation is the biggest concern for most of the travelers for Alpine Route. But no worry. All the transport is incredibly well organized with signs in Japanese and English showing you the way at each station. So it is very easy even for non-Japanese travelers.

Don’t be confused by the variety of transport modes. It is simple and well connected along the journey. You may need to wait during the peak season, especially at the ropeway. But overall, we didn’t find it is difficult for us. The whole Alpine Route is divided into nine sections, each with different transport modes and walking distances.

Here is the full transport guide on Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

• Train from Dentetsu-Toyama To Tateyama (60 minutes, ¥620)
• Cable car from Tateyama to Bijodaira (7 minutes, ¥930)
• Option to stop at Midagahara
• Trolleybus from Murodo to Daikanbo (10 min)
• Ropeway from Daikanbo to Kurobedaira (7 min, ¥2200)
• Cable car from Kurobedaira to Kurobe Dam (5 min)
• Trolleybus from Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa (16 min, ¥790)
• Bus from Ogizawa to Shinano-Omachi (40 min, ¥1390)
• Local train/bus from Shinano-Omachi to Matsumoto/other destination

Planning Transport Along the Alpine Route

We stayed in Toyama and Matsumoto before and after the Alpine Route to ease on transport and luggage arrangement. Both places are very convenient and well connected with the JR train. We spend about half-day at each city to visit the city sights.

All in all, the full route of the Alpine route approximates cost about ¥12,000. The Alpine Route Pass greatly save us on the transportation fee. If your Chubu travel itinerary is similar to us, we highly recommended you to get one for this trip.

For JR Pass user, unfortunately, JR Pass is not covered for this route. But you can still get the discounted Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket to save on some money. 

Baggage Delivery

To ease your travel, there are baggage delivery services between Toyama and Shinano-Omachi Station . Dropped off and picked up places are Dentetsu Toyama train station and “Alps Roman Kan” in Shinano-Omachi Station. The dropped in is between 8:00 morning to 11:00 morning. No reservation required. Baggage forwarding tag will be given and you can pick up at designated place after 15:00 until 20:00.

Depending on the size and the location. The cost per bag can be up ¥3,000 for one way. It might be slightly expensive. But it worth the money as you can travel leisurely. Most importantly, no big baggage is permitted along the Alpine Route.

However, we would like to start our trip earlier so that we can spend more time on Alpine route without worrying about pick up time. After consideration, we choose to have our luggage delivered directly from the hotel to the next hotel stay. There is few hotel provided the luggage delivery service. All luggage delivery services are required to pay in advance for each luggage transported.

Where To Stay

The best place to stay while doing the Alpine Route is to stay at one of the hotels along the route. We stayed in Comfort Hotel Toyama before our way to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route adventure. It is conveniently located nearby the Toyama station within 3 minutes walking distance. Most importantly, it provides the baggage delivery service for Alpine Route. Charges depend on luggage size.

When we reached Matsumoto, we stayed in Ace Inn Matsumoto . It is a standard business hotel without anything to wow for. But the location is the big winning point. 

There are few hotels also doing the same delivery service. Check it out if you need to look for accommodation for the Alpine route.

– Daiwa Roynet Hotel Toyama-Ekimae (2-min walk to Toyama Station) – Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu (3-min bus trip from Toyama Station)

Accommodation in Alpine Route

The Alpine Route trip takes about 8 hours to complete the full route. If you prefer for more leisure travel or hiking, consider staying at the top. There are few accommodations available for your lovely stay in the mountain top. Please make sure to reserve earlier as it may run out especially peak season.

We recommended Hotel Tateyama which located at Murodo, the highest point of the Alpine Route. You stay featured with a marvelous mountainous scenic view. Spend time hiking, sightseeing or even enjoy Japan’s highest onsen (hot spring). Staying at the top of the mountain must be a unique experience.. ( Check Hotel Tateyama Rate here )

Another best traveler’s choice is Midagahara Hotel . It is one of the best places to stay in Alpine Route. You can spend time to explore the hiking trail in Midagahara area. Make sure to book for the half-board stay. Midagahara Hotel served the traditional Japanese and Western dinner for hotel guests. ( Check Midagahara Hotel rate )

Tateyama Alpine Route Travel Tips

If possible, please start earlier in the morning . The full route of Alpine route takes about 8 hours. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route is an extremely popular attraction among locals and foreigners. Don’t be surprised by tons of visitors come for the majestic snow corridor. Expected to wait for transport connection especially for the peak hour.

Delivery services are required as no big baggage is permitted along Alpine Route. You can drop off and picked up your luggage at the start point/endpoint of the Alpine route. While the cost of luggage delivery is not cheap. But it definitely worth the money. It is even ideal to stay in the hotel which can help to deliver your luggage to the next hotel stay.

Most people are travel to Alpine Route in one way, either from westbound or eastbound. Some people choose to travel on a round trip due to limited time. This is a popular option from Toyama to Murodo when the Snow Wall just opened. However, a round trip required higher fares, and JR Pass holder with discounted option ticket combined is not offered.

Various attractions and each station led to different natural. It is very easy to plan for a short or long hike along the Alpine route. But it is good to plan the length of the visit to each attraction . The last transport will end in the evening. It can be very troublesome if you fail to board the last transport. You can always refer to the website for the timetable.

Different waiting lines for direct and stop midpoint for Tateyama Togen Highland Bus which run between Bijodaira Station and Murodo. If you choose to stop halfway, for example, Midagahara Wetlands. Please make sure to book your next bus at the bus station . The bus won’t stop without reservation.

Do take note of the bus schedule especially the last bus leaves from Ogizawa to Shinano-Omachi or Nagano.

All in all, here is the summarised on Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Travel Tips:

• Start earlier in the morning
• No big luggage is permitted
• Trave in one way either from westbound or eastbound. A round trip required higher fares.
• Plan the length of visit at each attraction
• Take note on the bus schedule and waiting line

My Final Tateyama Kurobe Travel Tips

It takes about 6-7 hours pass through the Alpine Route for one way; either from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station or Ogizawa Station to Tateyama Station.

The Snow Corridor opening period is the best time and most popular to visit the Tateyama Alpine Route. It is only open for two months a year, starting from April with the highest and slowly melts until disappears in June.

Unfortunately, JR Pass does not include Alpine Route. But given the option to get the discounted ticket for a one-way Tateyama Kurobe (Alpine route) Option Ticket combined which cost an additional 9,800 yen.

Lastly, if you are visiting Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route during the Snow Wall Opening period , please expected a large crowd and the wait time can be longer. Many travelers from local and overseas are flocking into the Murodo Station for the magnificent Snow Corridor.

Alpine Route Transportation Pass

There are various Japan Travel Pass available for foreign visitors. Depend on your Japan itinerary. The Whole Japan JR Pass is a good option for those who plan to travel to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hokkaido. There are also JR East and JR West Pass if you love to explore the specific region.

Keep in mind that most of the JR Pass including JR East, JR West, or Whole Japan JR Pass is not include for Alpine Route. But travelers are giving the option to get the discounted ticket for a one way Tateyama Kurobe (Alpine route) Option Ticket combined . The Option Ticket cost an additional 9,800 yen. You need to pay for this option ticket instead of buying the ticket separately.

Travelers are planning to visit the Chubu region together Alpine route. The Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass ¥17,830 is the best transport pass for you. You can plan on travel on from either direction between Toyama and Nagano/Shinano-Omagi Station. This pass can easily be extended your trip to nearby attractions for your Chubu travel itinerary.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

A journey going up to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route was a spectacular journey. We experienced the snow at Muroko and Autumn foliage at Midagahara and grand Kurobe Dam. It was unique for experiencing both seasons within one day. The view was so breathtaking and I wish I could come for different seasons. Probably the majestic Snow Wall for my next visit.

We enjoy venturing our trip to the mountain scenery. It is a MUST VISIT if you are in the Chubu region. We highly recommend the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route!

Last but not least, hopefully, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Travel Guide can give you some idea for your itinerary planning. Below are travel blog posts on Midagahara, Murodo, and Kurobe dam to explain more detail on each attraction.

• Complete Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Travel Guide + Itinerary)
• Midagahara: A Short Walk in Alpine Wetland
• Murodo: Highest Point in Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
• Kurobe Dam: Must Visit Attraction in Alpine Route

Next, please feel free to read on my Chubu travel story to Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, and more:

• Nagoya Itinerary: A Guide For Things To Do in Nagoya
• Where To Stay in Nagoya: The Best Hotels and Areas
• Takayama Itinerary: What To Do and Eat in Takayama
• Where to Stay in Takayama: Best Hotel or Traditional Ryokan?
• Shirakawago Itinerary: A Walk Into Cultural Japan Village
• Kamikochi Itinerary: One Day Hike in Japan Alps
• Kanazawa Itinerary And Travel Guide: Things To Do in Kanazawa

Traveling within the Chubu region:

• Chubu Best Transport Pass: By Bus, Train, Self Driving
• Useful Tips on Renting Car in Japan

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Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route | Crossing the Roof of Japan!

Today you’re in for an adventure because we’re travelling the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route across the Japanese Alps!

Nicknamed the ‘Roof of Japan’, this journey can be done starting in Toyama or Nagano and it involves a 2,400-metre elevation change as you travel across the Japanese Alps using multiple modes of transportation. This includes trains, buses, trolleys, ropeways, cable cars and even your own two feet! 

This was an epic journey where we got to experience different landscapes and seasons all in one day, and we’re going to show you exactly how you too can plan the same trip!

If you’d rather do the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route as part of a tour where you don’t have to worry about any of the details, you may want to consider this guided day tour. (This one only runs in springtime so you can see the famous snow walls!)

Alpine Route Know Before You Go

Tateyama kurobe alpine route opening date.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a seasonal route, so it is not open year-round. The heavy snowfall makes parts of this route inaccessible during the winter months.

The opening dates are from April 15th to November 30th. The route then closes from December 1st to April 14th.

Alpen Route One-Way

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route can be done one way or round trip.

The starting/ending points are Toyama in the west and Ogizawa in the east. You can begin your journey in either direction.

We chose to travel the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route one way starting in Toyama and ending in Ogizawa (before travelling onward to Nagano).

The complete journey from Toyama to Nagano takes 8-9 hours depending on how long you stay at each stop and whether you go on some hikes along the way.

Baggage Forwarding Service

Since we were travelling the Alpine Route one way, we had luggage with us that we didn’t feel like hauling on and off 7 modes of transportation over the course of the day.

Thankfully, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route offers a baggage forwarding service. Once you have purchased your tickets and gone through the first set of gates, you will see an area to the side where you can pay to have your luggage sent to the very end of the route.

The price is currently set at 3,000 yen per bag to have them sent from Dentetsu-Toyama Station to Shinano Omachi Station. We tagged them with our personal contact information and were given tickets to collect our luggage at the end of the day.

This may sound like a lot of money to have your luggage transported, but it’s honestly the best thing we could have done! It freed us up to be able to enjoy each stop without having a clunky suitcase to worry about.

We saw a few people who either didn’t know about the baggage forwarding service or opted not to use it, and it looked like a hassle. Keep in mind that some of the stops along the Alpine Route have rough terrain, there can be snow depending on the time of year, and there are some short trails and scenic viewpoints to enjoy. You don’t want to be worrying about your luggage!

You can read more about how the baggage forwarding service works here.

How to Buy Tickets for the Alpine Route

The biggest hassle of this trip was figuring out how to get tickets for the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route as foreigners in Japan! It’s a process that does involve a bit of work, but it was definitely worth it. Here are three different options for you to consider:

• Official Alpine Route Website – We were told multiple times to just buy tickets online, however, the problem is that the entire website is in Japanese (as of 2024) and even though we used Google Translate to translate it into English, we reached a point while filling out the form where it would only accept Katakana characters for our names. We tried asking for help booking tickets in 2 different tourist offices in Toyama, but that was a dead end.
• In-Person Day Tickets – The next option was to buy tickets in person which are only released for same-day travel. We were a bit worried about ticket availability since we were travelling during peak autumn foliage season, so we made sure to arrive at the station 30 minutes before the ticketing window opened and we got in line to purchase those same-day tickets. We also chose to do this trip on a weekday hoping it wouldn’t be quite as busy and that we’d have a better chance of getting tickets. This worked out for us!
• Join a Guided Tour – Another option is to join a guided day tour departing from Nagano which includes round-trip tickets for the the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. This particular tour is only offered in the springtime, which is when you can see the famous snow corridor along the Alpine Route.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Now let’s talk about the various modes of transportation you’ll get to experience along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and what to expect from each leg of the journey.

Toyama Chiho Railroad – 65 minutes

First up, we rode the Toyama Chiho Railroad, which is a 65-minute train journey. We departed from Dentetsu-Toyama Station (adjacent to Toyama Station) and travelled to ​​Tateyama Station.

This first leg of the journey was all about getting out of the city. We watched the landscape change from urban to farm fields, and it wasn’t long before we were travelling along the Joganji River surrounded by misty green mountains. 

It was a nice way to ease into our trip across the Japanese Alps!

Tateyama Cable Car – 7 minutes

Once we arrived at Tateyama Station, it was time to board our next mode of transport: the Tateyama Cable Car!

The cable car is a funicular that climbs 502 meters and covers a distance of 1.3 kilometres from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira. It’s a 7-minute ride.

We were lucky enough to see a couple of Japanese macaques also known as snow monkeys – they were just chilling atop the tunnel as we journeyed uphill. The forest they call home features 200-300-year-old beech trees, as well as cedar trees that are upwards of 1,000 years old.

One of the important landmarks on this cable car journey is the Zaimokuishi rocks, which were formed by lava from the Tateyama Volcano which created pillar-like structures.

Tateyama Highland Bus – 50 minutes

Next up, we boarded the Tateyama Highland Bus to continue our journey across the Roof of Japan!

The Tateyama Highland Bus covers a distance of 23 kilometres and you get to experience an almost 1500-meter altitude change!

We went from green landscapes to fall foliage to a snowy landscape. It was quite the journey and yes, it was a very winding road. 

It’s important to note that there are two different bus options here. You can either take the 50-minute express bus from Bijodaira to Murodo, or you can take the slower bus that stops halfway at Midagahara before continuing on to Murodo.

Midagahara is an alpine wetland and Murodo is the highest point on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Both offer some nice hiking options.

Mikurigaike Pond is an alpine lake with clear waters that reflect the Japan Alps, so this is a popular spot to visit.

You can also hike Mount Tateyama, which forms part of the Tateyama Mountain Range. This is one of Japan’s Three Sacred Mountains along with Mount Fuji and Mount Haku.

This is mainly of importance for those travellers who are planning to stay overnight at one of the many mountain hotels. Both Murodo and Midagahara offer an array of accommodations, but keep in mind that if you want to spend the night, you’ll want to book well in advance as demand is extremely high!

Given how remote both of these locations are, the hotels are ryokan style and offer meals plus access to the onsen.

Spending the night in the Northern Japanese Alps: Hotel Tateyama (Murodo) – located at 2,450 meters above sea level, this is the highest hotel in Japan! Breakfast and dinner are included. Guests have access to an onsen. Midagahara Hotel (Midagahara) – this hotel is situated at 1,930 metres above sea level. Breakfast and dinner are included. Guests have access to an onsen.

Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus – 10 minutes

Then, we got on the Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus which runs from Murodo to Daikanbo. This is a 10-minute bus ride through a narrow tunnel that crosses Mount Tateyama. 

Because this is a green bus powered by electricity, it doesn’t produce any exhaust fumes.

We travelled a distance of 3.7 kilometres with an elevation change of 134 metres. 

Tateyama Ropeway – 7 minutes

If there’s one mode of transportation I had most been looking forward to along the Alpine Route, it’s the Tateyama Ropeway!

The Tateyama Ropeway covers a distance of 1,700 metres without the use of a single pylon along the way (those are the columns you typically see when you’re riding a cable car, chair lift or gondola). This is the only such cable car in Japan, which makes it pretty unique! 

This leg of the journey takes you from Daikanbo to Kurobedaira and it’s a 7-minute trip with an elevation change of 488 metres. 

This is the part of the journey where you get to enjoy those epic alpine views and because we were doing the journey in mid-October during peak autumn foliage season, we got to feast our eyes on an explosion of colours: amber, ochre, pumpkin, burgundy and maroon!

Everyone on the ropeway was ooh-ing and ahh-ing at nature’s spectacle in this corner of the Japanese Alps.

Once we arrived, we enjoyed the views from a few different vantage points and snapped lots of photos. You can even go up the Kurobedaira Panorama Terrace where you have a viewing platform that offers 360-degree views of the surrounding area.

If there’s one place that’s worth lingering along the Toyama Kurobe Alpine Route, I would say this stop is it.

Kurobe Cable Car – 5 minutes

Then, it was time to ride the Kurobe Cable Car from Kurobedaira to Kurobeko. What’s unique about this mode of transportation is that it’s the only underground cable car in Japan, meaning it is unaffected by the heavy snowfall in the region.

This was the shortest journey on the Alpine Route; we travelled 0.8 kilometres, had an elevation change of 373 metres, and the ride only took 5 minutes. 

Cross Kurobe Dam on foot – 15 minutes

We then reached the point in the journey where we had to cross the Kurobe Dam using our own two feet!

The Kurobe Dam is an 186-metre arched dam and the tallest dam in all of Japan. It was built between 1956 and 1963. 

Between late June and mid-October, the Kurobe Dam releases waters from its spillway, so this is a popular time of year to visit.

There’s actually quite a bit to see and do at Kurobe Dam, so you may want to give yourself a bit of time here. For a panoramic view of the dam and its surroundings, you can climb the flights of stairs that lead up to an observation deck (it’s 220 steps to the top!)​.

Alternatively, you may want to join one of the sightseeing boat rides on Kurobe Lake. You can also make time to visit the Kurobe Dam Museum or grab a bite of food at one of the restaurants.

We skipped the boat ride because we still had a bit of a journey ahead of us and we wanted to make it to Nagano City before dark, but there’s plenty to do here. 

Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus – 16 minutes

This brings us to our next mode of transportation: riding the Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus from Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa Station.

Ogizawa Station marks the end of the official Alpine Route, however, you can then continue onwards to Shinano Omachi (if you used the luggage forwarding service) or Nagano Station to end your trip.

The Kanden Tunnel Electric Bus was a 16-minute journey where we travelled 6.1 kilometres with an elevation change of 37 metres. 

Since we had a bit of time before we could catch the next local bus to Shinano to pick up our luggage, we decided to grab some food inside the station. They had some nice Tonkatsu and curries on the menu, so it’s a good option if you’re getting hungry at this point in the journey!

Bus to Nagano – 105 minutes

There are two ways to reach Nagano from Ogizawa Station. If you forwarded luggage in the morning, you’ll have to do the journey in two steps.

First, you’ll need to catch a local bus to Shinano Omachi (40 minutes), where you’ll be able to pick up your luggage at the office directly across the train station. Once you have your luggage, you’ll need to catch another from Shinano Omachi to Nagano Station (65 minutes). This is what we had to do.

If you are travelling light as a feather and have no luggage to retrieve, then you can catch an express bus from Ogizawa Station to Nagano Station.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in Autumn

We travelled the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in autumn and it was everything we hoped it would be! Not only was the journey loads of fun as we got to ride different modes of transportation, but we were also treated to ever-changing scenery, peak foliage on the ropeway ride, and we got to experience 3 seasons in one day!

We did this journey in mid-October (October 16 to be precise), so this is a taste of what you can expect this time of year. The forecast can slightly vary from year to year, so it might be worth looking at the foliage calendar to see when the colours are about to pop.

Lastly, autumn is a wonderful time to travel around the Japanese Alps and I would recommend sticking around to visit a few more destinations in the area.

We really enjoyed our visit to Takayama (so much so that we’ve been twice!), a day trip to Shirakawa-go to see the farmhouses is well worth it, and maybe you can even tack on a quiet nature escape to Norikura .

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Suggested Itineraries

With an early start and quick travel pace, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route can be covered in a day trip from the major cities of Tokyo , Nagoya , Kyoto and Osaka . However, to allow for a more leisurely experience, staying overnight along or near the Alpine Route is recommended. In addition, the itinerary can be easily extended to include other popular destinations in the area. Below are some suggested itineraries:

Tokyo - full route - Tokyo

Tokyo - full route - kyoto/ osaka, tokyo - partial route - tokyo (via matsumoto), tokyo - partial route - tokyo (via toyama), kyoto/osaka - full route - kyoto/ osaka, kyoto/osaka - partial route - kyoto/ osaka, nagoya - full route - nagoya, suggested additions.

Shirakawago

Kurobe Gorge

Kiso Valley

Getting there and around.

How to get to and around the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Hotels around Alpine Route

🚌 Current Bus Operation Status (Automated Translation)

[Route & Timetable] Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

• Route & Timetable
• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

A breathtaking and unique road surrounded by walls of snow

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route passes through the Northern Japanese Alps and is famous for its giant walls made of snow, which reach up to 20 metres high. Visitors can walk through the route from mid-April to May, depending on the weather condition. When in the area, a ride with Takayama Ropeway is also recommended to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Japanese Alps.

Express Bus

Announcement

Same-day tickets (round-trip) sold at dentetsu toyama and tateyamaeki.

From April 15th to Golden Week, national holidays in Japan, Dentetsu Toyama and Tateyamaeki will be very crowded.

WEB Tickets for this period are on sale but same-day tickets will also be on sale as below.

The Number of Same-Day Tickets (Round-Trip) Departing from Tateyamaeki    

(As of April 10)

*Tickets may be sold out soon.

WEB Ticket  booking is open until 3pm the day before departure.

Please also consider starting from Ogizawa (Nagano Side) or traveling on a different day if available.

Dear Customers Traveling From Dentetsu Toyama

We hope you can get your tickets and look forward to welcoming you on board!

Japan Inbound Tours Japan Domestic Tour for Philippine people lives in Japan

TATEYAMA KUROBE ALPINE TO OPEN ON APRIL 15

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, operated by Tateyama Kurobe Kanmitsu, releases snow removal information every week in preparation for the full line opening on April 15th.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of the world’s leading mountain sightseeing routes located within Chubu Sangaku National Park. From Tateyama Station (Toyama Prefecture) to Ogisawa (Nagano Prefecture), you can enjoy spectacular views of nature while transferring on the Tateyama Kogen Bus, Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus, etc.

Snow removal on the Tateyama Toll Road, where the Tateyama Kogen Bus runs, covers a total length of 31.3km, from around Fujibashi at the foot of Mt. Tateyama to Murodo at an altitude of 2,450m.

As of March 11, the snowfall situation (first report) is 710cm at Murodo (560cm last year), 450cm at Daikanbo (2316m above sea level) (390cm last year), and one lane of snow has been cleared to the vicinity of Kobo at 1630m above sea level. .

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Massive sightseeing opportunities in the Japanese Alps. 20-meter-high snow walls and Japan's tallest dam!

Mountainous Nagano Prefecture is known as the Roof of Japan, and if that roof had a peak, it could very well be considered to be the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

Along this spectacular sightseeing route, which crosses Mt. Tateyama to connect Nagano and Toyama prefectures, you can see the massive Kurobe Dam, the snow walls of Murodo, and plentiful alpine scenery.

It's not the Destination, but the Journey

Part of the excitement of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is not just the sights, but the many different vehicles you ride along the way. As you travel from one end to the other, you'll get to experience trolley buses, cable cars, and panoramic ropeways.

Six different vehicles aid you in your journey up to Murodo and back down to the valley on the other side. Not only do they make the trip incredibly easy—imagine how difficult it would be to climb up on foot—they also add to the route's unique experience.

Starting at Ogizawa on the Nagano side of the Alpine Route, the trip begins on an eletric bus that takes you through the 6.1km long Kanden Tunnel to the Kurobe Dam. Walking across the massive man-made structure, you can enjoy the views of the dam lake and the valley below.

Next, an underground cable car brings you up the mountain to Kurobedaira, the starting point of the Tateyama ropeway. Without a single pylon along its 1,700 meter length, the ropeway will both inpsire and terrify you with its unobstructed, sky-high views. At the other end of the ropeway is Daikanbo, the halfway point of the route.

Most people's favorite portion of the route is just beyond the Tateyama Tunnel. The tunnel trolley drops you off at Murodo, the highest portion of the route near Mt. Tateyama. Here you can see the famous snow walls, which can reach heights of up to 20 meters tall during spring. The intrepid and duly prepared can also use Murodo as a starting point to climb Mt. Tateyama (3,015m), considered one of Japan’s most sacred mountains.

Finally, it's time to head back down the mountain and into Toyama. Here, the Tateyama Highland bus takes you from lofty Murodo (2,450m) all the way down to Bijodaira (977m). The 50-minute ride gives you plenty of time to enjoy the mountain views and relax after a busy day. At Bijodaira, a final cable car takes you back down into the valley.

The Kurobe Dam—Japan's Largest, Highest Altitude Dam

The Kurobe Dam is a massive achievement in engineering. As Japan's tallest dam at 186 meters in height, its sheer scale will blow you away. It is 492 meters long, made of over 1.5 million cubic meters of concrete, and each second, over 10 cubic meters of water pass through its generators. Each year, it generates one billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to power over 90,000 homes.

Between late June and mid-October, water is released from the spillway creating a gigantic rainbow for visitors to see.

The lake behind the dam can be toured via the Cruise Ship “Garube” (30 min. tours offered early June through mid-November). And the Dam Rest House serves the area’s iconic dish, Kurobe Dam Curry featuring a lake of delicious curry behind a dam of rice.

From Towering Walls of Snow to Fiery Autumn Colors

It’s hard to fathom a wall of snow 20 meters tall. When the bus corridor to Murodo is first carved out in the spring, its walls can reach that high. The snow at the top of the Kurobe-Tateyama Alpine Route is so deep that it usually doesn’t melt away until the end of summer. Imagine a snowball fight in late August!

Autumn starts early at this high altitude – leaves start turning color in late September at Murodo – and continues for 6 weeks with fall colors in Ogizawa and central Omachi through early November. Kurobe Lake looks especially resplendent when the surrounding Alps are in their spectacular autumn colors.

Nearby Attractions

Travelling the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route can be an exhausting affair. What better to better way to rejuvenate than soak in an onsen? In between Ogizawa and central Omachi City is the Omachi Hot Springs Area. The Yakushi-no-yu bath house has a lovely outdoor bath in a woodland setting. Attached to the bath house is the Alps Onsen Museum for those curious about how onsens are created.

Visitors to the Alpine Route in April may also want to take advantage of Nagano's late cherry blossom season. Parks of flowering cherry trees can be found around Nagano, and many of them have views of the Alps still covered in snow.

Other popular destinations in the area include the outdoor adventure mountain resort of Hakuba, Matsumoto Castle, and the Daio Wasabi Farm.

Access to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is situated between Nagano and Toyama Prefectures, and it can be accessed from either side. On the Nagano Side, it begins at Ogizawa, and on the Toyama side, it begins at Tateyama Station.

Most people take the route one-way, traveling from Nagano to Toyama or vice versa, but it is also possible to do a round-trip visit, reaching Murodo and doubling back the way you came. Traveling one-way is less expensive, costing 12,450 yen from Nagano Station to Dentetsu Toyama Station (even cheaper with the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket ), and round-trip fares vary by starting point. See the Alpine Route's official website for all fares.

By Train and Bus

From nagano.

From Nagano Station, take the Ogizawa line bus from the Nagano Station east exit to Ogizawa (105 min.). The Alpine Route begins here and takes you all the way across to Dentetsu Toyama Station.

From Matsumoto

From Matsumoto Station, take the JR Oito line train to Shinano-Omachi Station (60 min.). From there, take the local bus to Ogizawa Station (40 min.)

The closest exit to the Alpine Route is the Azumino IC exit on the Nagano Expressway. From there, it's about an hour to Ogizawa.

If you plan to travel one-way along the route, you'll also need to have your vehicle forwarded to the other side of the route. There are two companies that offer this service: Tateyama Traffic and Sankeishya .

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Alpine Route & Toyama

PLAN YOUR VISIT

• OTHER DESTINATIONS

Open to the public from mid-April to late-November, the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route traverses the North Alps and opens-up one of Japan’s most iconic landscapes including the fabled ‘Snow Walls of Tateyama’ and hiking trails leading to the summit of Mount Tate – one of Japan’s three most sacred mountains. On the western-side of the mountains, the Alpine Route descends toward Toyama – an area blessed with mountains, coastline and the abundant seafood of Toyama Bay. A convenient stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo, Toyama is waiting to be discovered.

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Readily accessible using the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Kanazawa, Toyama is blessed with both mountains and beautiful coastline, s…

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Toyama is a great base from where to explore the region including the Alpine Route and Amaharashi Coast.

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Open from April until November, the Alpine Route opens-up one of Japan's most iconic mountain landscapes.

KUROBE-GORGE RAILWAY

Regarded as one of Japan's most scenic rail lines, Kurobe-Gorge Railway can also be enjoyed from April to November.

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From April to June, join our always popular Snow Walls of Tateyama tour operating from Nagano and Hakuba.

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The Ridge Nozawa Apartments

Nozawa Onsen Area

Nozawa Onsen 'Dosojin' (Fire Festival)

#GOTOTRAVEL: The Snow Has Started Falling in Nagano – Plan & Book Your Nozawa Onsen Ski/Snowboard Trip for Winter 2020/21!

Best Hakuba Valley Ski Resorts: Happo-One, ABLE Goryu, Hakuba47, Iwatake, Tsugaike, Cortina & Norikura

25 Things to Do Around Hakuba & Where to Stay

How to Get to Hakuba – Nagano Ski Resorts Info

Where to Stay in Hakuba?

1-Day Samurai Food & Life Tour: Oyaki, Samurai Residences, and Katana Practice

(Special Event) Nagano's Hidden Samurai Town & Tomyo Lantern Festival Tour

1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Zenko-ji Winter Illumination

1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Zenko-ji Tomyo Lantern Festival

Hakuba Charters & Taxis

ALPICO Hakuba Express Bus

ALPICO Hakuba Express Bus Timetable

Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal

Hakuba Shuttle Bus Timetable

Hakuba Station

Hakuba Happo One Snow Resort

Hakuba Goryu Snow Resort

Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park

Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field

Hakuba Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort

Hakuba Cortina Snow Resort

Hakuba Norikura Onsen Snow Resort

Skiing & Snowboarding in Hakuba

Guided Outdoor Experiences in Hakuba

Snow Peak Land Station Hakuba

Phoenix Hotel

The Ridge Hakuba Hotel & Apartments

Phoenix Chalets

Marillen Hotel

Hakuba Tokyu Hotel

Hakuba Village / Happo One Area

ABLE Hakuba Goryu Area

Hakuba 47 Area

Hakuba Tsugaike Area

Hakuba Cortina / Norikura Area

#GOTOTRAVEL: Winter is Coming – Plan & Book Your Hakuba Ski Trip for Winter 2020/21!

#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: Nagano in Autumn – Head to Hakuba & Enjoy the Autumn Leaves of Tsugaike

1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Takaoka's Temples, Metalworking Experience and Stunning Toyama Bay Views

[Summer/Autumn only] Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the 'Roof of Japan'

Visit Matsumoto City: Everything You Need to Know

How to Get to Matsumoto

How to Get to Kamikochi

25 Things to Do Around Matsumoto & Where to Stay

Getting Around Azumino – Rental Bicycle, Bus & Taxi

How To Get To Azumino From The Snow Monkey Park

15 Things to Do in Kamikochi & Where to Stay

20 Things To Do In Azumino & Where To Stay

Best Places to Stay in Matsumoto

Best Places to Stay In & Around Kamikochi

1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Experience Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku

1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Step into the Past on the Nakasendo

[START FROM MATSUMOTO/AZUMINO] Private Snow Monkey Tour

[START FROM NAGANO/MATSUMOTO] Private Kamikochi Tour

2-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle, Nakasendo & Countryside Azumino

[START FROM NAGANO/MATSUMOTO] Private Wasabi-Picking Experience & Kamikochi

[SEPT 27 ONLY] 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Local O-Fune Festival In Nagano

From Matsumoto: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

From Kamikochi: How to Get to the Snow Monkey Park

From Matsumoto Airport: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

Train & Bus From Matsumoto to Kamikochi

Local Bus From Takayama to Hirayu Onsen / Kamikochi

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Cultural Experiences

Matsumoto City Museum of Art inc. the Kusama Yayoi Collection

Mount Norikura & Norikura Kogen

Hike Japan's North Alps Mountain Trails

Nakamichi Street

Nawate-Dori (Frog Street)

Japan Ukiyo-e Museum

Ishii Miso Brewery

Tateshina Shinyu Onsen

Kamisuwa Onsen Shinyu / Sui Suwako

Matsumoto: Matsumoto City Area

Matsumoto: Asama Onsen Area

Hotaka Onsen-kyo Area

Kamikochi Area

Norikura Kogen Area

Shirahone Onsen Area

Azumino Fireworks Festival

Azumino O-Fune Matsuri (Ship Festival)

Azumino Kamiakari

Matsumoto Craft Fair

Tatsuno Hotaru (Firefly) Festival "Japan's fireflies dance"

Matsumoto Bon Bon Festival

30 Things to Do Around Karuizawa & Where to Stay

25 Things to Do Around Ueda / Bessho Onsen & Where to Stay

25 Things to Do Around Kusatsu Onsen & Where to Stay

Best Places to Stay in Karuizawa

Best Places to Stay In & Around Kusatsu Onsen

Sugadaira Kogen Snow Resort

How to Get to Karuizawa

How to Get to Ueda & Bessho Onsen

How to Get to Kusatsu Onsen

[START FROM KARUIZAWA] Private Snow Monkey Tour

From Karuizawa: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

Karuizawa Station

Hokuriku Arch Pass

JR East Pass

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza

Old Karuizawa Ginza Street

Harunire Terrace

Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-Yu

Shiraito Falls

Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort

Hiroshi Senju Museum

Onioshidashi Volanic Park

Ueda & Bessho Onsen

Ueda Castle & Yanagimachi

Karuizawa: Karuizawa Station Area

Karuizawa: Old Ginza / Kyukaruizawa Area

Karuizawa: Naka-Karuizawa Station Area

Ueda, Bessho Onsen & Surrounding Area

Kusatsu Onsen Area

Manza Onsen Area

Shima Onsen Area

Ikaho Onsen Area

Minakami Onsen Area

Ueda Sanada Festival

Using the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Visit Nagano & Central Japan – 50% Discounts Available from August 20th!

25 Things To Do Around The Kiso Valley / Nakasendo & Where To Stay

Where To Stay In The Kiso Valley & Nakasendo?

How to Best Enjoy The Nakasendo Trail

How To Get To Kiso Valley & Nakasendo

How to Get The Most out of The Nakasendo & Kiso Valley

1-Day Tour from Matsumoto: Tenryu River-Rafting & Fruit-Picking

(Special Event) 2-Day Tour: 'Shimotsuki' Winter Festival, Traditional Food & Sake Experience

1-Day Tour: 'Tokimata Hastuuma Hadaka Matsuri' & 'Tenryu Funakudari' River Boat Experience

(Special Event) 2-Day Tour: Tenryu River Rafting, Tea-Picking & Tokimata Fireworks Festival

2-Day Tour: Tenryu River-Rafting, Local BBQ & Tea-Picking Experience inc. Hot Spring Hotel

Limited Express Shinano (Nagano–Matsumoto–Nagoya)

Limited Express Shinano Line Timetable

Kiso-Fukushima Station

Nakatsugawa Station

Walk the Nakasendo Trail

Magome-juku

Tsumago-juku

Kiso Ontake Mountain Range

Mount 'Ontake Kodo' Pilgrimage Trails in Kiso Valley

Ontake Ropeway

Atera Gorge

Kakizore Gorge

Nezame-no-toko Gorge

Kiso-Fukushima & Narai Area

Magome, Tsumago & Nakatsugawa Area

Narai-juku Ice Candle Festival

Kaida Kogen Kamakura Snow Festival

Best Tours and Itineraries in Takayama & Shirakawa-go

25 Things to Do Around Takayama & Where to Stay

15 Things to Do in Shirakawa-go & Where To Stay

How to Get to Takayama

Best Places to Stay in Takayama

How to Get to Shirakawa-go

Best Places to Stay In & Around Shirakawa-go

1-Day Tour from Takayama: Explore Scenic Old Japan in Takayama and Shirakawa-go

1-Day Tour from Takayama: Hida's Hidden Gems - Caves, Bears, and the Shinhotaka Ropeway

(Seasonal) 1-Day Tour from Takayama: Alpine Splendor - Shinhotaka Ropeway and Kamikochi

1-Day Tour in Takayama: Immerse in Takayama's Rich History and Temples

1-Day Tour from Takayama: Delve into Hida-Furukawa's Cultural Treasures

1-Day Tour from Takayama: Gujo Hachiman -History, Traditions and Crafts

1-Day Tour from Takayama: Unveiling the Charm of Gero Onsen

From Takayama: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

Local Bus Timetable From Takayama to Hirayu Onsen / Kamikochi

Takayama Station

Takayama Historic Old Town

Shirakawa-go & Gokayama

Shinhotaka Ropeway

Takayama Morning Markets

Takayama Jinya

Matsuri no Mori (Festival Forest) Museum

Hida no Sato (Hida Folk Village)

Okuhida Onsen

Hirayu Onsen

Hida-Furukawa

Takayama City Area

Okuhida Onsen Area

Hirayu Onsen Area

Shirakawa-go & Gokayama Area

Gujo Hachiman Area

Gero Onsen Area

Takayama Festival

Explore Central Japan – Using the Tokaido Shinkansen to Reach Nagoya & Beyond!

Madarao Mountain Resort

25 Things to Do Around Madarao & Where to Stay

How To Get To Madarao – Nagano Ski Resorts Info

Best Places to Stay in Madarao

Iiyama Station

Fruit-picking Nearby JR Iiyama Station

Madarao Area

Iiyama Station Area

Iiyama Nanohana Flower Festival

Best Myoko Kogen Ski Resorts: Akakura Onsen, Akakura Kanko, Ikenotaira, Suginohara, Seki Onsen & Lotte Arai

25 Things To Do Around Myoko Kogen & Where To Stay

Best Places to Stay in Myoko Kogen

How to Get to Myoko Kogen – Nagano Ski Resorts Info

Myoko-Kogen Station

Myoko Kogen Ski Resorts Shuttle Bus Timetable

Myoko Kogen: Akakura Onsen Area

Myoko Kogen: Ikenotaira Onsen Area

Myoko Kogen: Suginohara Area

Myoko Kogen: Lotte Arai Area

Best Tours and Itineraries around Kanazawa

How to Get to Kanazawa

30 Things to Do Around Kanazawa & Where to Stay

How to Get to Fukui

10 Things to Do in Fukui & Where to Stay

Best Places to Stay in Kanazawa

1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha

1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Eiheiji Temple and Fukui City Castle Town

1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Ancient Temples, Panoramic Landscape Views and Butterflies in Tsurugi

Kanazawa Walking Tour: Experience Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Stars

1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Relaxing Beaches, 400-year old Temples and Aliens in Hakui City.

[Private Tour in Kanazawa] Explore Gold Leaf Glamor, Sushi Delights and Choose Your Own Adventure

From Kanazawa: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

Limited Express Thunderbird (Osaka–Kyoto–Tsuruga)

Limited Express Thunderbird Timetable

Komatsu Airport

Kenrokuen Garden

Kanazawa Castle Park

Nagamachi Samurai District

Higashi Chaya District

Omicho Fish Market

Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

DT Suzuki Museum

Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art

National Crafts Museum

Kanazawa: Kanazawa Station Area

Kanazawa: Kenrokuen Garden & Kanazawa Castle Area

Kanazawa: Higashi Chaya District & Asano River Area

Kanazawa: Kaga Onsen Area

Kanazawa: Komatsu Airport Area

Noto Peninsula Area

Fukui: Fukui Station Area

Fukui: Daihonzan Eihei-ji Temple Area

25 Things to Do Around Nagoya & Where to Stay

15 Things to Do Around Koyasan (Mount Koya) & Where to Stay

How to Get to Nagoya

How to Get to the Kii Peninsula

How to Get to Koyasan (Mount Koya)

Best Places to Stay in Nagoya

[START FROM NAGOYA] Private Takayama & Shirakawa-go Tour

From Nagoya: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo–Nagoya–Kyoto–Osaka)

Tokaido Shinkansen Timetable

Nagoya Castle

Atsuta Jingu

Tokugawa Art Museum & Tokugawa Garden

SCMAGLEV and Railway Park

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

Legoland Japan

Ghibli Park

Inuyama Castle

Ise Grand Shrine

Oharaimachi

Nagoya: Nagoya Station / Nakamura Area

Nagoya: Sakae Station / Nishiki Area

Chubu Centrair International Airport Area

Ise Shima Area

Koyasan (Mount Koya) Area

Kumano Hongu Area

Katsuura Onsen Area

Tanabe City Area

Autumn Leaves of Korankei

Discover the Kii Peninsula – Japan’s Inspiring Spiritual Nexus

How To Get To Mount Fuji

30 Things To Do Around Mount Fuji & Where To Stay

How to Get to Hakone

15 Things to Do Around Hakone & Where to Stay

Where To Stay Around Mount Fuji?

Best Places to Stay in Hakone

From Mount Fuji: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

Limited Express Azusa (Shinjuku–Otsuki–Matsumoto)

Limited Express Kaiji (Shinjuku–Otsuki–Kofu)

Fujikyu Railway Line (Otsuki–Mt.Fuji–Kawaguchiko)

Otsuki Station

Mt Fuji (Fujisan) Station

Best Views of Mount Fuji

Climbing Mount Fuji

Kawaguchiko (Kawaguchi Lake)

Chureito Pagoda

Oshino Hakkai

Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine

Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station

Itchiku Kubota Art Museum

Fuji-Q Highland

Hot Springs of Hakone

Kawaguchi Lake (Kawaguchiko) Onsen Area

Sai Lake (Saiko) Area

Shoji Lake (Shojiko) Area

Motosu Lake (Motosuko) Area

Yamanaka Lake (Yamanakako) Area

Mt Fuji (Fujisan) Station Area

Gotemba Station Area

Shin-Fuji Station Area

Hakone Onsen: Hakone-Yumoto Station Area

Hakone Onsen: Gora Station Area

Best Yuzawa Ski Resorts: GALA Yuzawa, Kagura, Naeba, Joetsu Kokusai & Hakkaisan

15 Things to Do Around Yuzawa & Where to Stay

How to Get to Yuzawa

Best Places to Stay in Yuzawa

From Yuzawa: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

Joetsu Shinkansen (Tokyo–Yuzawa–Niigata)

Joetsu Shinkansen Timetable

Echigo-Yuzawa Station

Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway & Alpine Botanical Gardens

Mount Tangiawa & Tanigawadake Ropeway

Mount Naeba & 'Dragondola' Ropeway

Mount Hakkai & Hakkaisan Ropeway

Echigo-Tsumari Art Field / Triennial

Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art, KINARE

Matsudai Nohbutai Center

Kiyotsu Gorge inc. Tunnel of Light

Kyororo Forest School

Bijinbayashi (Beauty Forest)

Yuzawa Area

Joetsu Kokusai Area

Ishiuchi Maruyama Area

Fuji Rock Festival

Using the Joetsu Shinkansen to Visit Yuzawa & Niigata – Escape the City & Get Back to Nature

How to Get to Tokyo

Best Way to Get from Narita Airport to Tokyo – Train, Bus or Private Transport?

Best Way to Get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo – Train, Bus or Private Transport?

How to Get to Yokohama

How to Get to Kamakura

Where to Stay in Tokyo? Best Neighbourhoods & Accommodation Areas

10 Best Dining & Restaurant Areas in Tokyo

40 Best Museums / Galleries In & Around Tokyo

20 Things to Do Around Yokohama & Where to Stay

15 Best Places To See Autumn Leaves In & Around Tokyo

20 Things to Do Around Kamakura & Where to Stay

30 Things To Do Near Tokyo: Best Day-Trips & Overnight Getaways

25 Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms In & Around Tokyo

Best Places to Stay in Yokohama

1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa : Traditional Tokyo, Culinary Delights and Nature

Nezu Museum

Mori Art Museum (MAM)

The National Art Center Tokyo (NACT)

Edo-Tokyo Museum

teamLab Borderless

Yayoi Kusama Museum

The Sumida Hokusai Museum

Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

Suntory Museum of Art

Hara Museum of Contemporary Art

Tokyo: Tokyo Station / Marunouchi Area

Tokyo: Ueno Station Area

Tokyo: Shinjuku Station Area

Tokyo: Shibuya Station Area

Tokyo: Shinagawa Station Area

Tokyo: Ginza Station Area

Tokyo: Akihabara Station Area

Tokyo: Asakusa Station Area

Tokyo: Ebisu Station (inc. Daikanyama & Meguro) Area

Tokyo: Roppongi Station Area

How to Get to Kyoto

How to Get to Nara

40 Things to Do in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka & Where to Stay

How to Get to Osaka

10 Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Kyoto

Where to Stay in Kyoto & Nara?

Where to Stay in Osaka & Kansai International Airport?

1-Day walking tour in Osaka：Castle, temples and Ukiyoe

Kyoto Heritage Path - From Fushimi Inari's Mystery to Kiyomizu Temple Majesty

1-Day Walking Tour in Nara: Palace, Deer and Inkstick

1-Day Walking Tour : Traversing Kyoto's Scenic West - Arashiyama to Kinkakuji

Bamboo Artistry and Zen Serenity: A Day of Tranquility with Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto

1-Day Walking Tour around Kobe : Mountains, Sea and Sake

1-Day Walking Tour in Himeji : Castle, Garden and Aizome (Indigo Dyeing)

From Osaka: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

From Kyoto: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park

San’yo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka–Shin-Kobe–Okayama–Hiroshima–Hakata)

Kiyomizudera

Higashiyama District inc. Yasaka Pagoda

Yasaka (Gion) Shrine

Maruyama Park

Higashiyama Joshi-ji inc. Ginkaku-ji

Sanjusangendo

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Kyoto: Kyoto Station Area

Kyoto: Sanjo Station Area

Kyoto: Kiyomizu-Gojo Station Area

Kyoto: Arashiyama Station Area

Nara: Kintetsu-Nara Station Area

Nara: JR Nara Station Area

Osaka: Umeda Station Area

Osaka: Namba Station Area

Osaka: Shinsaibashi Station Area

Kobe: Arima Onsen Area

Getting To & Around Hokkaido

30 Things to Do Around Hokkaido & Where to Stay

Best Hokkaido Ski Resorts: Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano & Tomamu

25 Things to Do Around Niseko & Where to Stay

How to Get to Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano & Tomamu – Hokkaido Ski Resorts Info

Best Places to Stay in Hokkaido

Best Places to Stay in Niseko

Best Places to Stay in Rusutsu

Best Places to Stay in Kiroro

Best Places to Stay in Furano

Best Places to Stay in Tomamu

Hokkaido Shinkansen Timetable

New Chitose Airport

Sapporo Station

Kutchan Station

Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)

Noboribetsu Onsen Area

Furano Area

Lake Toya / Toyako Onsen Area

Jozankei Onsen Area

Asahikawa Area

Daisetsuzan National Park / Asahidake Onsen

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park

Akan-Mashu National Park / Akanko Onsen

Shiretoko National Park / Uturo

Best Aizu & Tohoku Ski Resorts: Bandai, Inawashiro, Zao Onsen, Geto Kogen & Appi Kogen

How to Get to Bandai, Inawashiro, Zao Onsen, Geto Kogen & Appi Kogen – Aizu & Tohoku Ski Resorts Info

20 Things to Do Around Nikko & Where to Stay

How to Get to Nikko

Best Places to Stay in Bandai

Best Places to Stay in Zao Onsen

Best Places to Stay in Appi Kogen

Tohoku Shinkansen (Tokyo–Sendai–Morioka–Shin-Aomori) inc. Yamagata, Akita & Hokkaido Shinkansen

Tohoku Shinkansen Timetable

Yamagata Shinkansen Timetable

Akita Shinkansen Timetable

Utsunomiya Station

Koriyama Station

Yamagata Station

Sendai Station

Bandai Ski Resort Area

Zao Onsen Ski Resort Area

Appi Kogen Ski Resort Area

Nikko Station Area

Chuzenji Onsen Area

Nikko-Yumoto Onsen Area

Kinugawa Onsen Area

Shiobara Onsen Area

15 Things to Do Around Hiroshima & Where to Stay

15 Things to Do Around Kobe & Where to Stay

30 Things to Do Around Shikoku & Where to Stay

7 Things to Do Around Himeji & Where to Stay

Best Places to Stay in Shikoku

How to Get to Hiroshima

How to Get to Kobe

Getting To & Around Shikoku

How to Get to Himeji

San’yo Shinkansen Timetable

Okayama Station

Hiroshima Station

Hiroshima Station Area

Hiroshima: Central / Hatchobori Station Area

Hiroshima: Peace Park / Tokaichi-machi Station Area

Hiroshima: Miyajima Area

Shikoku: Takamatsu City Area

Shikoku: Naoshima Area

Shikoku: Teshima Area

Shikoku: Shodoshima Area

Shikoku: Tokushima City Area

Shikoku: Iya Valley Area

How to Get to Fukuoka

How to Get to Nagasaki

How to Get to Kagoshima

Getting To & Around Okinawa

30 Things to Do Around Kyushu & Where to Stay

Best Places to Stay in Kyushu

25 Things to Do Around Okinawa & Where to Stay

Best Places to Stay in Okinawa

Kyushu Shinkansen (Hakata–Kumamoto–Kagoshima-chuo)

Kyushu Shinkansen Timetable

Fukuoka Airport

Naha Airport

Okinawa: Main Island (South) / Naha City Area

Okinawa: Main Island (Central) / Onna Area

Okinawa: Main Island (North) / Nago Area

Okinawa: Kume Island

Okinawa: Zamami Island

Okinawa: Aka Island

Okinawa: Tokashiki Island

Okinawa: Miyako Island

Okinawa: Ishigaki Island

Okinawa: Taketomi Island